From sweeping views to the tiniest flowers, walking tours offer the chance to slow down and appreciate it all, with new discoveries every step of the way. These top picks will have you trecking historic heights and long reaches, providing a new holiday experience that emphasises natural beauty and a sense of self-achievement.
Find yourself on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. 1. Camino de Santiago, Spain
For more than 1,000 years, pilgrims have been walking the Camino, travelling through woodlands and forests, across open plains, past vineyards and ancient cathedrals, all the while soaking in some of rural Spain’s most beautiful areas. Intrepid’s 10-day Explore the Camino Way starts in Bilbao and ends with a visit to the Old Town and the famous cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, with plenty of local tapas and pintxos along the way.
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Did you know the Inca Trail leads through a cloud forest? 2. Inca Trail, Peru
Considered one of the greatest treks in the world, the Inca Trail takes hikers through mountains, subtropical jungle and lush cloud forest before ending at the ‘lost city of the Incas’, Machu Picchu. World Expeditions’ 12-day Classic Inca Trail includes sightseeing and time to adjust to the altitude in Cusco, day walks in the Sacred Valley and a night in Aguas Calientes, along with hiking the famous trail itself.
If you're up for a challenge, Mt Kilimanjaro definitely meets the brief. 3. Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Africa’s highest peak and the tallest freestanding mountain on earth, Kilimanjaro calls to those who like a challenge. On The Go Tours’ eight-day Mount Kilimanjaro Climb follows the scenic Rongai route, a quieter walk starting on the northeastern side of the mountain. See rainforests, ice fields, caves and crater rims, and watch the sun rise over Mawenzi peak before climbing to the summit at 5,895m for unforgettable views.
All content originally appeared in Travel ideas magazine, Small Group Journeys
