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Before airport queues and motorway service stations, there was simply a steady rhythm of footsteps and the path ahead. And while we often think of travel in terms of planes, trains, and road trips, some of the richest journeys happen at walking pace.
A walking holiday invites us to slow down and explore a destination with more thought and intention: lingering at impressive viewpoints or inspecting the beauty of a sun-lit leaf. We can wander down paths tour buses can’t reach and stumble across hidden gems that don’t make the travel brochures.
Beyond sightseeing, getting some gentle outdoor exercise can strengthen the body, clear the mind, and boost mood, leading to more enjoyable adventures. Plus, whether you’re rambling with friends or joining a guided group, shared miles often lead to shared memories and lasting connections.
With so much to gain from a walking holiday, the only question is where to begin, so we’ve partnered with Ramble Worldwide to bring you seven fabulous destinations to explore one foot at a time.
For 80 years, Ramble Worldwide have been creating expertly curated walking holidays that bring travellers closer to spectacular scenery, inspiring landscapes, and authentic local cultures.
As the UK’s leading independent walking holiday specialist, they offer over 300 thoughtfully designed small group itineraries across the UK, Europe, and the world.
To save up to £100 on your first walking holiday, give them a call on 01707 537954 and quote REST2026. You can also check out their full range of trips using the button below.
1. Fiordland, New Zealand
For awe-inspiring natural scenery, there are few better walking holiday destinations than Fiordland National Park, located on New Zealand’s South Island. This dramatic region of glacier-carved fiords and rainforested peaks was once described by Rudyard Kipling as the eighth wonder of the world, and its brilliant network of walking trails makes it a paradise for hikers of all abilities.
Fiordland is home to three of New Zealand’s most famous walks: the Milford, Kepler, and Routeburn tracks. These challenging, multi-day trails take hikers into the pristine and spectacular heart of the national park – though there are many shorter, less challenging routes, too.
Along the way, look out for native birds, such as the crafty kea, iridescent tūī, and elusive flightless takahē. Visit the caves at Te Anau, where luminescent glowworms light up the subterranean caverns like stars. And don’t leave before taking a cruise on Milford Sound, where sheer cliffs rise all around, and thundering waterfalls tumble into the mirror-like waters.
2. The Garden Route, South Africa
The Garden Route is often listed among the best road trips in the world. This 200km journey stretches along South Africa’s Western Cape, past beautiful beaches, glittering lagoons, and national parks bursting with wildlife. But to experience this fantastic region more intentionally, why not swap your car for hiking boots?
This spectacular stretch of coastline offers something for everyone. In Tsitsikamma National Park, you can traverse the rushing Storms River Mouth on a suspension bridge while looking out for rare birdlife, like the African black oystercatcher. While in laidback towns like Plettenberg Bay, kick back on golden beaches, take a surf lesson, and enjoy scrumptious seafood metres from the waves.
More unforgettable experiences can be found inland. A game drive in Addo Elephant National Park offers chances to see Africa’s fabled ‘Big Five’, as well as smaller creatures like meerkats, spotted hyenas, and black-backed jackals. Or head to the glorious Winelands for tastings and quaint towns featuring Georgian, Cape Dutch, and Victorian architecture.
3. Tuscany, Italy
Some people may dream of intrepid adventures, but others might prefer a walking holiday that blends leisurely trails with idyllic scenery and cultural delights. If you’re in the latter camp, why not consider Tuscany?
A Tuscan walking holiday takes you through some of Europe’s most serene countryside, where rows of sangiovese grape vines rise and fall on the hillsides and lines of cypress trees mark the approaches of opulent villas and ancient castellos. As you go, look forward to pit stops at farms and vineyards for wine and olive oil tastings.
Dotted amongst the lush greenery, medieval villages like Vinci and Montecatini Alto rise on the gentle slopes. Here, weary walkers can tuck into traditional Tuscan fare at family-run trattorias and relax in sun-kissed piazzas, gelato in hand. And of course, there’s the Renaissance grandeur of Florence, where the iconic Duomo and masterpieces by Michelangelo and Leonardo await.
4. Tokyo-Kyoto, Japan
Japanese cities weren’t always connected by expressways and bullet trains. In the 17th century, if merchants, samurai, and feudal lords wanted to travel from Kyoto to Tokyo (or Edo, as it was then called), they’d have to walk 500 km through tranquil cedar forests, misty mountains, and ancient towns. And this winding trail, known as the Nakasendō Way, is still accessible to hikers today.
Walking the Nakasendō Way offers a way for travellers to immerse themselves in Japan’s quieter, more soulful side. You’ll pass towering bamboo groves, emerald rice paddies, and alpine streams fringed with mossy boulders, stopping now and then to visit Shinto shrines or fill your belly in soba noodle restaurants.
What’s more, travellers can bookend their Nakasendō Way adventure by exploring Tokyo and Kyoto. The sheer scale of the capital is dazzling; lose yourself amongst the beautiful gardens with candy-coloured cherry blossoms or explore neon-lit alleys in search of the perfect bowl of ramen. On the other hand, Kyoto offers a glimpse into Japan’s regal past, with gorgeous temples and shrines, traditional tea ceremonies, and geisha wandering the streets.
5. Southwest National Parks, USA
It’s often said that nature is the ultimate artist – and this is never more obvious than when visiting the national parks of the Southwest USA. Here, vast canyons have been carved into the earth by mighty rivers, and stunning geological formations wait around every corner. Highlights include Bryce Canyon’s strange ‘hoodoo’ rock spires and the immense Grand Canyon.
But it’s not all scorched earth scenery here. In Zion National Park, walkers can follow the fertile banks of the Virgin River and dip their feet in exquisite emerald pools, where verdant greenery contrasts beautifully against the rust-red cliffs poking over the treetops. While at night, the vast tapestry of the Milky Way unfolds overhead in astonishing clarity.
Cultural experiences also abound in the American Southwest. Wander through Mesa Verde National Park, home to thousands of fascinating archaeological sites, including ruins of millennia-old cliff dwellings built by the Ancestral Pueblo people, and in the breathtaking Monument Valley, follow Navajo guides as they reveal insights into Indigenous culture and history.
6. The Orkney Islands, Scotland
For something a little closer to home but no less magical, you might like to consider the Orkney Islands for your next walking holiday. This windswept Scottish archipelago serves up rugged coastal scenery, sweeping moorlands, unique wildlife, and fascinating historical sites, all accessible from relatively easygoing trails.
Orkney’s towering coastal cliffs and abundant marine life make it a haven for seabirds, so keep your eyes peeled for species like puffins, gannets, and guillemots, while the icy waters are home to otters, dolphins, and whales (including orcas). If you’re lucky, you might even spot a fluffy little Orkney vole skittering along the path.
These islands are also famous for their ancient archaeological treasures, including the remarkably preserved Neolithic village of Skara Brae. But some sights give us a glimpse into more recent history, including Viking ruins and an ornate Italian Chapel built by prisoners of war in World War Two. Between sightseeing and exploring, you can take time to pause in harbour towns, like Stromness and Kirkwall, to get a feel for their unique Orcadian identity and culture.
7. Patagonia, Chile and Argentina
As one of the world’s last great wildernesses, Patagonia is an excellent destination for walkers seeking adventure. This is a region of immense glaciers, virgin forests, electric blue rivers, and soaring Andean peaks, exceeded only by giant condors wheeling on thermal winds. The vivid colours and sheer scale of the landscape are hardly rivalled anywhere else in the world.
Every corner of Patagonia offers stunning scenery, but the Torres del Paine are certainly highlights. These impressive rocky spires are too steep to hold snow, so they pierce through the blanket of white like a giant, three-fingered hand reaching into the sky. Watching massive chunks of cerulean ice calve off the Perito Moreno glacier is also an unforgettable sight.
Locals often say, “Those who hurry in Patagonia waste their time,” so it’s a perfect destination to explore more intentionally on foot. Each moment here is something to be savoured, whether watching graceful guanacos stroll over the tawny grasslands or enjoying a glass of Malbec as the setting sun illuminates the distant rocky summits.
Final thoughts…
Whether it’s the fresh air, the mindful pace, or the unparalleled sense of adventure, there’s nothing quite like setting off on a walking holiday.
From New Zealand’s glittering fiords to Tuscany’s undulating countryside, wherever you choose to go, they satisfy something deep inside our spirits, reminding us that the journey itself really is the destination.
To book your next escape, why not visit the Ramble Worldwide website? As the UK’s leading independent walking holiday specialist, they offer over 300 thoughtfully designed small group itineraries across the UK, Europe, and the world. And once you’re ready to book, call them on 01707 537954 and quote REST2026 to save up to £100 on your first walking holiday.