Europe walking tours

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

We predominantly provide two styles of walking and trekking vacations: 

• Center-based – this style of holiday spends all (or majority) of time in the center of the action. Think Chamonix in the French Alps, Dobbiaco in the Dolomites or a rustic hotel in Yosemite Valley. Enjoy the comfort of the same room every day (as well as only unpacking once) and a selection of the best restaurants and other attractions in the neighborhood. All you have to do is sit back and relax as we pick the best combination of walks available, either directly from the foot of your accommodation or just a short transfer away (often a public bus or train). To put it bluntly – you'll be fairly comfortable while experiencing the best walks and hikes going 'round.

• Point-to-point – this style of holiday makes you walk from one place to the other pretty much every day. However, we do throw in a rest day every now and then, depending on the region and the amount of hiking we need to cover on a daily basis. On point-to-point tours, you'll start in A and finish in B. Think about the Inca Trail, the Mount Everest Base Camp trek, the Hadrian’s Wall hike, or the Mont Blanc Circuit. In most cases, we'll transfer your main luggage across to the next destination, so all you need to carry is the essentials (water, sun protection, waterproofs, extra layers, snacks, and a camera). 

We include accommodation as per the itinerary, as well as transportation to and from trailheads and to all other included activities (note: this transportation is often public as that's the way we like to travel).

We also include ALL hiking permits, whether it is in the Himalayas or the US National Parks. On top of that, we provide our highly qualified and experienced leaders to guide you throughout the trip.

We have walks ranging from relatively easy to rather challenging. But no matter what degree of difficulty or distance you choose to walk, we recommend that you have a reasonable level of fitness to ensure that you get the most out of your walk or hike.

Try to commit to some type of physical training program around six weeks before you depart. Here are some suggestions:

• Long walks: go on some long walks of 3-6 hours duration before you leave, wearing the boots you’re taking, and carrying a small backpack to get comfortable with carrying your gear for long stretches.
• Aerobic exercise: running, distance cycling, and the various aerobic classes offered at gyms (like pump, spin, zumba, and circuit classes) all help to give you fitness and stamina.
• Strength training: doing body weight training like pushups, squats, dips, lunges, etc. helps to build up your muscle strength, which is needed for the steady climb up a mountain if you’re embarking on this type of hike (bootcamp sessions are perfect for this type of training).

You might think that the best time to go on a walking trip in Europe is during the summer months of June, July, and August, but actually, the shoulder seasons of both spring and autumn are preferable due to lower temperatures and fewer crowds, especially if you're heading to the Mediterranean. 

We believe travel should be accessible to everyone. Although some destinations and itineraries may be more accessible than others, we'll do our best to accommodate your needs, make reasonable adjustments where possible or guide you toward the most suitable trips. Get in touch with our friendly adventure consultants to chat about your options.

Our Tailor-Made team can also help you plan a customised trip just for you.