Walking holidays are a unique way to immerse yourself in Europe’s diverse landscapes, rich cultures, and breathtaking natural beauty . Whether you are a seasoned alpine hiker or new to the mountains, Collett’s Mountain Holidays offer a variety of walking holidays in Europe’s most stunning mountain ranges. Whatever your fitness level, we have a walking holiday for everyone!
So, here are 8 of our best walking holidays in Europe for 2025, each offering stunning scenery, unforgettable walks and handpicked accommodation with fabulous food.
Italy: Wow-factor walks in the Dolomites
The Italian Dolomites, renowned for their dramatic peaks, flowery meadows and spectacular sunsets, provide a stunning backdrop for walkers of all abilities. Our flexible centre-based holidays in the Dolomites provide you with the freedom to choose from a selection of walks every day whilst enjoying the comforts and cuisine of the same hotel for the duration of your stay. Whether you’re meandering through idyllic meadows or tackling more challenging ascents, the Dolomites’ natural splendour is bound to captivate. Our knowledgeable local Walks Team are on hand to ensure you make the most of your time, offering insights on your walks, local recommendations and things to do beyond walking.
Wondering when is the best time to visit? We’ve written an in-depth guide about the best months to go walking in the Dolomites.
Read The Guide
Switzerland: The magical Swiss Alps
The Swiss Alps offer an abundance of walking trails, ranging from idyllic lakeside strolls to challenging alpine ascents. The Engadin Valley region, in particular, is a walker’s dream and one of the best places to go walking in Europe. Towered over by the highest peaks in the Eastern Alps, this is known as Switzerland’s ‘Quiet Corner.‘ The Engadin Valley offers a wide variety of trails suitable for all fitness levels, a rich local culture, tantalising cuisine, and, it goes without saying, magisterial mountain scenery. During our walking holiday in the Swiss Alps, we’ll provide you with an in-depth Walk Pack tailored to your fitness level, including a selection of tried-and-tested, memorable walks. You’ll also have daily access to the support of our resident Walks Team, ensuring you can get the most out of your Swiss Alps adventure, whether you crave gentle strolls or dramatic alpine challenges.
Curious about walking holidays in the Swiss Alps? We spoke with first-time guest Rosmarie about her experience during our signature centre-based walking holiday.
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Austria: The Tyrol meets the Bavarian Alps
Austria’s Zugspitz Arena is one of the best destinations for a walking holiday in Europe. The region boasts a harmonious blend of lush meadows, dense forests, and towering peaks, including the Zugspitze (2962m), Germany’s highest mountain and Austria’s 14th. Our centre-based Austrian Alps walking holiday is designed to showcase the best of this natural beauty. With a range of trails suitable for all abilities (some of which venture into Bavaria), you can choose between strolling through tranquil meadows, or trekking exposed ridges. This destination represents the Alps in all their glory, abounding in flora and fauna, sparkling tarns, cascading waterfalls, and startling limestone peaks.
Our base is the 4* Superior Hotel Sonnenspitze in charming Ehrwald, the perfect springboard for this glorious natural arena. Why not spend an afternoon wandering through the charming streets of this traditional Tyrolean village? Out local Walks Team will be happy to point you to the best apple strudel and a well-earned post-walk Aperol!
Wondering when to visit Austria? Our founder, Tom Collett, has put together a casual guide about the best months to go walking in the Austrian Alps.
Read The Guide
Tuscany: the glorious Val d’Orcia
Beyond its famed art and history, Tuscany offers rolling hills, vineyards, and olive groves that are perfect for walking enthusiasts. Our self-guided Tuscany walking holiday provides a fabulous opportunity to explore this iconic landscape on foot during the autumn months. Enjoy leisurely walks through medieval towns, sample world-renowned local wines, and experience the region’s rich culinary heritage. Every day, you get to choose between a longer hike or a shorter walk, with in-depth route notes, maps and a smartphone App for easy navigation . In the afternoon, join fellow Collett’s guests and your local Walks Hosts for a pre-dinner drink in the courtyard of your charming accommodation Agriturismo Il Rigo, a family-run ‘working farm’ hotel run by an award-winning Italian chef. And if you fancy giving your legs a rest, we are close to historic gems, such as Montepulciano, Pienza and Siena.
This is one of our most popular walking holidays – for good reasons! Give our interview with long-time Collett’s guests, Anne & Pete, a read to learn more about the unique atmosphere, memorable walks and rich culture.
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Portugal: Atlantic Coast & Douro Valley
Portugal’s Atlantic coastline is a treasure trove of unspoiled beaches, rugged cliffs, and charming fishing villages. Our village-to-village walking holiday along the Atlantic Coast takes you along the lesser-known Costa Verde (meaning ‘Green Coast’), providing you with an authentic coastal experience, with routes that showcase the best of Portugal’s maritime heritage.
Alternatively, join us on a walking holiday to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Douro Valley. Spend a week exploring valleys, vineyards, and serene landscapes of the Douro River, a region famed for its cuisine and wines. Stay at exquisite handpicked country houses to truly immerse yourself in the rich culture of Northern Portugal.
The Pyrenees: Europe’s Last Great Mountain Wilderness
The spectacular mountains of the Pyrenees are one of our favourite walking holiday destinations in Europe. Stretching for 480km from the Atlantic coast across to the Mediterranean, these mountains have a rugged grandeur that will bewitch you. Collett’s offers both guided and self-guided walking holidays, allowing you to explore iconic high trails like the GR11, hidden corners such as the Canyons of the Sierra de Guara and beautiful national parks of the Valle de Tena.
We believe that the Pyrenees are one of Europe’s last largely unexploited mountain ranges, providing you with ample opportunities for sublime walks off-the-beathen path. Expect breathtaking mountain landscapes that remain largely untouched by human intervention.
Discover All Pyrenees Holidays
Romania: Off the beaten track in Transylvania
For those seeking a truly off-the-beaten path walking holiday, Transylvania’s Carpathian Mountains in Romania are a fascinating destination. Immerse yourself in a wild landscapes, where rich folklore provides a true sense of adventure.
Our guided walking holidays in Transylvania take you through some of the very landscapes that inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula, including a visit to the legendary Bran Castle. You’ll also enjoy memorable walks around King’s Rock in Piatra Craiului National Park and the scenic trails of Bucegi Natural Park. Led by an experienced walking guide, you’ll uncover fascinating insights into the local way of life and follow hidden shepherds’ paths to traditional mountain villages.
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France: Wonders of Corsica
Did you know that Corsica is the Mediterranean’s most mountainous island? Our village-to-village walking holiday lets you explore the magical mountains, coast, and fascinating history of Corsica at your own pace. Also known as the ‘Isle of Beauty’, nearly half of Corsica is a national park with trails leading you along rugged coastlines and through dramatic mountain landscapes. Each day’s walk concludes in a different village, providing opportunities to experience local culture and traditional Corsican cuisine.
Discover CorsicaCollett’s – For the Love of Mountains
Whether you are a seasoned hiker or new to alpine walking holidays, join us on a walking holiday to one of these European destinations in 2025! Having planned walking holidays since 1997, we are the mountain walking holiday experts and pride ourselves in providing experiences packed with the best of everything: stunning scenery, unforgettable walks, invaluable support, unassuming accommodation, fabulous food – and customer service with lots of attention to detail.
So, where will you walk next?
