Best walking holiday providers in 2025

Topping our table of escorted tour providers is a not-for-profit walking holiday specialist with more than 110 years' experience. 

While HF Holidays offers plenty of other activities – including dancing, cooking and singing holidays – its bread and butter is guided walking in the UK and beyond, and in our latest survey it received an exceptional customer score of 87% and was awarded Which? Recommended Provider status (WRP).

Not everyone wants to join a group on their holiday. Those who prefer their own pace should try Inntravel, another WRP offering self-guided walks with seamless luggage transfers between hotels en route.

Alternatively, Inghams Stay & Walk holidays let you do as much or as little walking as you like, with the option to join expert-led hikes.

Below you’ll find the companies we recommend that offer walking itineraries in the UK and abroad. For extra peace of mind, all of our WRPs status and guarantee that they won't apply surcharges in 2025 – so the price won't go up after you book.

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The Which? Recommended Providers that are walking specialists

HF Holidays – 87%

HF Holidays impressed with its well-organised walking itineraries across multiple difficulty levels, and for providing exceptional customer service across the board.

UK walking holidays are based at one of its 16 country houses, while for holidays abroad, it tends to use small family-run hotels as a base.

Which? verdict: HF Holidays offers exceptional attention to detail and customer service. An excellent choice for walkers.   

Read the full HF Holidays review or visit the HF Holidays website.

Inghams – 85% 

Inghams specialises in lake and mountain ‘stay and walk’ holidays. There are no set itineraries. You simply pick a beautiful base, then stroll or hike at your own pace, with the option to join expert-led walks if you feel like it.

Customers praised the ‘excellent’ accommodation and the ‘active in-resort reps’ and loved the relaxing nature of an Inghams break.

Which? verdict: A very good choice for walking holidays at your own pace in scenic locations.  

Read the full Inghams review or visit the Inghams website directly.

Inntravel – 83%

Inntravel offers a range of self-guided walking holidays from easy trails through to challenging hikes including the Arctic trails of the Lofoten Islands and the high passes of the Matterhorn region.

Its customers gave it glowing reviews and were particularly impressed with the accommodation and the detail and expertise provided in itinerary notes, instructions and maps. 

Which? verdict: Inntravel offers fantastic self-guided holidays, with great customer service rating, accommodation and itineraries. 

Read the full Inntravel review or visit the Inntravel website directly.

Intrepid – 83%

Adventure travel expert Intrepid aims to get you off the beaten track with carefully curated itineraries that can include anything from strolling through New Zealand’s Fjordland National Park to climbing Kilimanjaro.

Customers loved the knowledgeable guides, quality accommodation and sustainable ethos

Which? verdict: The best-rated option for more adventurous walkers

Read the full Intrepid review or visit the Intrepid website.

Exodus Adventure Travels – 82%

Exodus Adventure Travels promises sustainable walking in small groups.

It was praised for its passionate local guides, good-value itineraries and low-carbon transport alternatives. 

Which? verdict Excellent walking itineraries and a five-star escorted tour experience.

Read the full Exodus Adventure Travels review or visit the Exodus Adventure Travels website.

Jules Verne – 82%                          

Jules Verne offers slow-paced group walking tours along the Dalmatian coast, through the Algarve and in the gardens of the Côte d’Azur.

It was praised for its interesting itineraries, knowledgeable local guides and five-star overall organisation.

Which? verdict: An excellent option for leisurely walks through beautiful scenery.

Read the full Jules Verne review or visit the Jules Verne website.

Riviera Travel – 82%

Although Riviera Travel is well-known for its river cruises, it also offers Walk and Discover holidays combining the best of Riviera’s cultural tours with inspiring guided walks.

Customers loved its ‘very knowledgeable and helpful’ guides, and also praised its hand-picked hotels.

Which? verdict: Riviera Travel is a great option for walking holidays that also take in the sights.

Read the full Riviera Travel review or visit the Riviera Travel website

Should I take a guided walking holiday?

Guy Hobbs, Which? package holiday expert, says:

‘There are lots of advantages to walking as a part of a group with a dedicated tour leader. But it’s not for everyone. Here are the pros and cons: 

Pros

• All the route planning and refreshment stops are arranged for you, so you can just enjoy the walking.
• A good guide will have expert knowledge of the local area and can take you to places you are unlikely to find by yourself, or point out plants and wildlife that may not be obvious to the untrained eye.
• Invariably, you will be surrounded with a group of like-minded individuals.

Cons

• They are usually more expensive than self-guided or self-organised trips.
• The walking speed of the group may be too fast or slow (though our WRPs offer different walks that cater for different levels).
• You’ll need to be prepared to compromise at times to fit with group plans.’ 

How we researched holiday companies

In August/September 2024, we asked 12,119 Which? Connect panel members and members of the public to complete an online survey about their experiences of booking and going on holiday in the past two years. Our results are based on 19,958 holidays. We only reported on companies in any given category when we received at least 30 relevant responses.