• Home
  • Travel
  • 7 iconic walks for your wish list (that are even better with a local guide)
Selene Nelson May 27, 2026

Sponsored content

Intrepid LogoThere’s something uniquely rewarding about exploring a new destination on foot. Walking encourages you to slow down, notice smaller details, and connect more deeply with the world around you.

From mountain passes to dramatic coastal trails, there’s a walk to suit every kind of traveller. And while independent travel certainly has its appeal, some journeys become even more rewarding when experienced with a local guide. From uncovering little-known histories and navigating remote terrain to spotting wildlife you’d otherwise miss, the insight and support of a guide can transform a great walk into an unforgettable adventure.

To shine a light on the joy of hiking with a guide, we’ve partnered with Intrepid, who’ve been helping travellers explore the world more meaningfully since 1989. On an Intrepid walking adventure, you can trek through some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes while discovering hidden gems and forming new friendships. Plus, with the logistics taken care of, you’re free to focus entirely on the experience itself.

So, to inspire your next adventure – and show you why these iconic routes are even more special when explored with local expertise – we’ve rounded up seven incredible walks from around the world. And if you book before June 10th, you can enjoy up to 20% off all featured tours.

Find a tour

1. Walk the Camino de Santiago, Spain

The Camino de Santiago is one of the world’s most iconic long-distance walks – an ancient pilgrimage trail that winds through some of Spain’s most idyllic countryside. While there are several Camino routes, the Camino Francés is the most famous, and it’s this legendary trail you’ll follow on Intrepid’s week-long Walk the Camino de Santiago tour. Journey through the scenic Galicia region of northern Spain, walking the final 100km stretch from the town of Sarria to the city of Santiago de Compostela, staying in carefully chosen accommodation along the way.

Trek through rolling fields, sleepy villages, Roman ruins, and shady forests while your guide brings the Camino’s rich history to life. They’ll also introduce you to the culture and traditions of Galicia, from local food and wine to the secret spots you’d likely miss alone. And while the scenery is spectacular, it’s often the Camino’s atmosphere that stays with you longest: the unique camaraderie between walkers, the simple rhythm of life on the trail, and the chance to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with yourself along the way.

2. Hike the Tour du Mont Blanc, France

For keen walkers in search of an epic mountain adventure, few hikes compare to the Tour du Mont Blanc. Circling Western Europe’s highest peak, this world-famous trail winds through wildflower meadows, dramatic mountain passes, glacier-carved valleys, and picture-perfect alpine villages. Following a circular route from Chamonix in France, Intrepid’s eight-day Hike the Tour du Mont Blanc trek takes you through France, Italy, and Switzerland as you experience some of the most scenic sections of this iconic route.

While the scenery is breathtaking, the trek can be challenging, with steep ascents, high mountain trails, and unpredictable weather. Travelling with an experienced guide offers invaluable reassurance, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of the Alps without worrying about navigation or logistics. You’ll also gain fascinating insight into the region’s culture and history, sampling hearty local cuisine, visiting traditional alpine towns and villages, and staying in cosy chalet accommodation as you go.

3. Premium Walking & Hiking in Peru

Machu Picchu may be Peru’s most famous landmark, but some of the country’s most unforgettable experiences happen on the trails leading there. Intrepid’s Premium Hiking in Peru tour takes you deep into the Peruvian Andes, where snow-capped peaks, misty cloud forests, remote villages, and ancient Incan ruins combine to create some of South America’s most spectacular walking landscapes. Blending scenic hiking routes with immersive cultural experiences, this journey offers the chance to discover a side of Peru many travellers never get to see.

Hike one of the most beautiful sections of the Inca Trail, following ancient stone pathways once used by Inca messengers as they journeyed to Machu Picchu. Along the way, pass remarkable archaeological sites like Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna, while your local guide shares stories of Incan history and spiritual traditions. The tour offers many other opportunities to connect more deeply with Peru, from travelling through the Sacred Valley by train to visiting traditional Andean communities, where local customs and ways of life have barely changed in centuries.

4. Premium Walking & Hiking in the Dolomites, Italy

Located in northern Italy, the Dolomites are among Europe’s most beautiful walking destinations. Their rugged limestone peaks, emerald valleys, and flower-filled meadows are criss-crossed with walking trails, from scenic strolls to challenging hikes. Based in the characterful mountain town of Cortina d’Ampezzo, Intrepid’s six-day Premium Walking & Hiking in the Italian Dolomites tour offers the chance to discover this UNESCO-listed landscape on foot.

Spend long, sunlit days hiking panoramic paths around the Cinque Torri, walking beneath the towering peaks of Tre Cime di Lavaredo, and following shady forest trails to gleaming lakes. Led by a local guide, you can relax into the experience, learning about the region’s unique history and culture as you go. Stop for lunch at a traditional mountain rifugio, visit the WWI Open-Air Museum, and feast on hearty local food, a delicious fusion of Italian, Austrian, and German cuisine (your guide knows all the best spots!).

5. Annapurna Circuit Trek, Nepal

For many trekkers, the Annapurna Circuit is the ultimate mountain adventure. Winding through the Nepalese Himalayas, this epic route passes snow-capped peaks, remote mountain villages, ancient monasteries, and dramatic valleys carved by glaciers and rivers. Intrepid’s 15-day Annapurna Circuit Trek will allow you to venture deep into the heart of the Annapurna region, offering an unforgettable adventure through some of the world’s most awe-inspiring landscapes.

Travelling with experienced local guides is invaluable here. Not only do they help navigate the practical challenges of high-altitude trekking, but they also share insight into the region’s culture and spiritual traditions, and help you understand what life is like in these remote communities. Trek through rice fields, pine forests, and rugged mountain passes, and stop in villages to experience local hospitality. More than just a hike, this is a true Himalayan adventure.

6. Hike the Rota Vicentina in Portugal

If you’re drawn to coastal walks, Portugal’s Rota Vicentina is one of Europe’s most scenic long-distance hiking routes. Stretching along the country’s wild Atlantic coast, the trail passes rugged sea cliffs, sandy beaches, tranquil forests, and quiet whitewashed villages. Intrepid’s Hike the Rota Vicentina tour is a wonderful way to experience this lesser-known corner of Portugal, with plenty of opportunities to savour fresh seafood, regional wines, and some of Portugal’s most beautiful sunsets.

The Fishermen’s Trail section is particularly breathtaking, and you may spot mongooses, beech martens, and otters as you hike, as well as storks nesting on cliff edges. While the trails are relatively accessible, local guides can help you appreciate your surroundings on a deeper level. They’ll introduce you to regional traditions, explain the area’s history and ecosystems, and show you local experiences you might otherwise overlook, from scenic detours not on the maps to lively village markets.

7. Hike the Trans Bhutan Trail, Bhutan

Home to cliffside monasteries, remote mountain settlements, and vast forested valleys, Bhutan is one of the world’s most unique hiking destinations. Reopened after decades of restoration, the Trans Bhutan Trail follows ancient pathways that once connected villages, monasteries, and trading routes across the kingdom. On Intrepid’s 11-day Hike the Trans Bhutan Trail tour, you’ll journey through this Himalayan nation on foot, experiencing its stunning landscapes and fascinating traditions as you go.

But walking here isn’t just about the scenery…it’s about experiencing Bhutan’s culture and spirituality in a more meaningful way. In a country that carefully manages tourism, travelling with a local guide adds real depth to the journey. As you hike through peaceful valleys and mountain villages, your guide will share stories, customs, and traditions that bring Bhutan to life, while also offering insight into local etiquette. Visit historic monasteries and fortress-like dzongs, cross forests draped in prayer flags, and meet local families in villages where ancient traditions still shape daily life.

Final thoughts…

Whether you’re drawn to pilgrimage routes, Alpine trails, or Himalayan valleys, walking is one of the most rewarding ways to experience the world. While each of these seven iconic routes is spectacular in its own right, exploring them with a local guide can transform the journey entirely.

And travelling with Intrepid elevates this experience even further. Alongside the reassurance of expert planning, local guides help bring each destination to life through stories, cultural insight, and the kinds of experiences you’re unlikely to uncover alone. From sharing a meal in a remote mountain village to discovering hidden trails away from the crowds, these are the moments that tend to stay with you longest.

So, if you’re dreaming of your next great adventure, why not make it one that takes you beyond the guidebook? From trekking through the Himalayas and hiking beneath the peaks of Mont Blanc to walking Portugal’s wild Atlantic coastline, Intrepid’s guided walking trips offer unforgettable journeys through some of the world’s most extraordinary landscapes.

And with up to 20% off featured tours when you book before June 10th, there’s never been a better time to start planning your next walking adventure.

Find a tour
Selene Nelson

Selene Nelson is an author, freelance journalist, and lifestyle writer for Rest Less. After graduating from the University of Sussex with a degree in English Literature, Selene began contributing to many major newspapers and websites, and has written for the BBC, The Sunday Times, The Independent, Town & Country, and HuffPost. Her specialist subjects include food, travel, and health, though she enjoys writing about a wide range of topics (e.g. her two books are about veganism and psychopathy, respectively!). She enjoys cooking (particularly pasta and Asian noodle soups), reading, travelling, hiking, attempting to keep fit, and watching animal videos on YouTube.

* Links with an * by them are affiliate links which help Rest Less stay free to use as they can result in a payment or benefit to us. You can read more on how we make money here.