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Why choose a TUI Lakes & Mountains holiday for walking?

  • Local stays

    Choose from hand-picked hotels and family-run guesthouses in top spots for trails and scenery.

  • Outstanding scenery

    Stroll through meadows or along mountain tops, with pinch-me views everywhere you look.

  • Authentic experiences

    Add more to your mid-walk pit-stops with local sights and specialities to tickle your taste buds.

Top places for walking and hiking holidays in Europe

Riva, Lake Garda, Italy . Lively Riva on Lake Garda’s north shore makes a great base for Italian walking holidays. The landscapes are seriously dramatic, but the walking doesn’t have to be – many of the best viewpoints and trails can be enjoyed at a gentle pace, with plenty of more challenging routes as well if you want something more energetic.

Riva, Lake Garda, Italy

Lively Riva on Lake Garda’s north shore makes a great base for Italian walking holidays. The landscapes are seriously dramatic, but the walking doesn’t have to be – many of the best viewpoints and trails can be enjoyed at a gentle pace, with plenty of more challenging routes as well if you want something more energetic.

Mayrhofen, Austria. Make tracks to Mayrhofen, a bustling Tyrolean town in the vast Zillertal Valley. It’s surrounded by gently rolling meadows and peaks that look like they touch the sky, as well as some of Austria’s most iconic hikes. And there are plenty of mountain huts where you can take a breather and drink in the spectacular scenery with a strudel.

Mayrhofen, Austria

Make tracks to Mayrhofen, a bustling Tyrolean town in the vast Zillertal Valley. It’s surrounded by gently rolling meadows and peaks that look like they touch the sky, as well as some of Austria’s most iconic hikes. And there are plenty of mountain huts where you can take a breather and drink in the spectacular scenery with a strudel.

Wengen, Switzerland. . Walking holidays in Switzerland hit different, and the peaceful, car-free village of Wengen is a great gateway to some of the best routes in the Jungfrau region. Crystal-clear lakes, alpine meadows and spire-like peaks await, and there are railways and cable cars that help you access trails and provide an adventure in themselves.

Wengen, Switzerland

Walking holidays in Switzerland hit different, and the peaceful, car-free village of Wengen is a great gateway to some of the best routes in the Jungfrau region. Crystal-clear lakes, alpine meadows and spire-like peaks await, and there are railways and cable cars that help you access trails and provide an adventure in themselves.

Chamonix, France. Mother Nature dishes out the drama in Chamonix, with mountain walks showcasing the Mont Blanc massif in all its glory. Cable cars make it easy for you to reach gleaming glacial lakes surrounded by razor-like peaks, and you can explore on gentle, easy-going trails or thigh-burning hikes.

Chamonix, France

Mother Nature dishes out the drama in Chamonix, with mountain walks showcasing the Mont Blanc massif in all its glory. Cable cars make it easy for you to reach gleaming glacial lakes surrounded by razor-like peaks, and you can explore on gentle, easy-going trails or thigh-burning hikes.

Kranjska Gora, Slovenia. Kranjska Gora and its surrounding area is practically crying out to be explored on foot, and it makes a wonderful base for walking holidays in Slovenia. Wander through pine forests and meander across peaceful meadows – or get up, close and personal with the Julien Alps on the dramatic Vršič Pass.

Kranjska Gora, Slovenia

Kranjska Gora and its surrounding area is practically crying out to be explored on foot, and it makes a wonderful base for walking holidays in Slovenia. Wander through pine forests and meander across peaceful meadows – or get up, close and personal with the Julien Alps on the dramatic Vršič Pass.

Selva Val Gardena, Italy. Set against the belting backdrop of the spiky, spire-like Dolomites, Selva makes a handy jumping-off point for tonnes of trails, from easier strolls to longer hikes. Meander through alpine meadows or hop on summer lifts to walk among the peaks and enjoy vast views – with a lunch stop at a traditional alpine hut, known as a rifugio.

Selva Val Gardena, Italy

Set against the belting backdrop of the spiky, spire-like Dolomites, Selva makes a handy jumping-off point for tonnes of trails, from easier strolls to longer hikes. Meander through alpine meadows or hop on summer lifts to walk among the peaks and enjoy vast views – with a lunch stop at a traditional alpine hut, known as a rifugio.

People stitting at a table at a mountain hut overlooking a view of mountains.
Lunch stops in the Jungfrau region of Switzerland. © Jungfrau Region Tourismus AG
Two people walking across the grassy meadows of Alpe di Suisi in the Dolomites, Italy.
Hiking across Alpe di Suisi, near Selva Val Gardena © valgardena.it
Two adults and two children walking beside a mountain lake in Austria.
Family walks in the Zillertal Alps, near Mayrhofen @Archive TVB Mayrhofen / Dominic Ebenbichler
A blue lake framed by mountains seen from over a concrete wall.
Views over Lake Garda from the promenade at Riva
Two walkers crossing a suspension bridge with mountains and a blue lake in the background.
Crossing the Olperhütte suspension bridge in the Zillertal Alps near Mayrhofen
A boardwalk across a blue lake with mountains beyond.
Lake Jasna near Kranjska Gora
Two hikers standing on a summit overlooking a snowy mountain range including Mont Blanc.
Mont Blanc views near Chamonix
A wooden bench beside a blue lake in Switzerland with mountains beyond.
Lake Bachalp, in the Jungfrau region near Wengen
Two people walking along a path beside a bright blue lake with mountains alongside.
Lakeside strolling near Mayrhofen, Austria
People sitting at tables on a terrace in the mountains.
Mountain lunches near Chamonix

Discover top walking routes in Europe’s lakes and mountains

7 walks in Switzerland to add to your tick-list. Walking is one of the best things to do in the Swiss Alps. But while the scenery may be super dramatic, not every walk needs to be an intense hike. Here are some of the best more leisurely walks to do in Switzerland.

7 walks in Switzerland to add to your tick-list

Walking is one of the best things to do in the Swiss Alps. But while the scenery may be super dramatic, not every walk needs to be an intense hike. Here are some of the best more leisurely walks to do in Switzerland.

6 of the best walking routes in Austria. Austria’s the perfect pick for a walking holiday. Stroll along peaceful lakeshores and soak up incredible mountaintop views - often both at the same time. Check out our favourite walks.

6 of the best walking routes in Austria

Austria’s the perfect pick for a walking holiday. Stroll along peaceful lakeshores and soak up incredible mountaintop views - often both at the same time. Check out our favourite walks.

Lake Garda's must-do walks. With vineyards, beaches, mountains and villas, Italy’s largest lake has so much to offer, and what better way to see it all than with a walk? There are loads of walking routes to pick from - here are some of our favourites to get you started.

Lake Garda's must-do walks

With vineyards, beaches, mountains and villas, Italy’s largest lake has so much to offer, and what better way to see it all than with a walk? There are loads of walking routes to pick from - here are some of our favourites to get you started.

8 of the best walks in the Dolomites. The Dolomites are where jagged mountains shoot skywards between velvety green meadows, and there are all sorts of trails to be trodden and views to ‘wow’ at. Check out these day or half-day hikes that deliver drama without difficulty.

8 of the best walks in the Dolomites

The Dolomites are where jagged mountains shoot skywards between velvety green meadows, and there are all sorts of trails to be trodden and views to ‘wow’ at. Check out these day or half-day hikes that deliver drama without difficulty.

Walking in the French Alps: top easy-going routes. For lovers of the outdoors, the French Alps have everything going for them in summer. It’s a great place to go walking, whether you want tough hikes or gentle strolls. We’ve brought you seven fantastic options to add to your list.

Walking in the French Alps: top easy-going routes

For lovers of the outdoors, the French Alps have everything going for them in summer. It’s a great place to go walking, whether you want tough hikes or gentle strolls. We’ve brought you seven fantastic options to add to your list.

Read more about Lakes & Mountains holidays

Walking holiday FAQs

What are walking holidays?

Walking holidays are trips that put exploring on foot front and centre on the activity list. Some walking trips follow a fixed itinerary while others, like TUI Lakes & Mountains holidays, are all about visiting incredible destinations that are both easy and exciting to explore under your own steam. And there’s something for every fitness level, whether you plan to shape your whole trip around tackling the trails, or simply want to stroll through incredible scenery.

Where's the best place for a walking holiday?

Pinch-me views and varied terrain make Lakes & Mountains destinations ideal for walking holidays in Europe. The dramatic alpine landscapes of Italy, Switzerland, Austria and France are popular with walkers – and you’ll always find a fresh corner to explore – while Slovenia, Poland and North Macedonia are off-the-beaten-track options with loads of unforgettable walks.

How do I start planning a walking holiday?

Think about the sort of walking you enjoy, whether that’s gentle strolls along the lakeshore, high-altitude hiking or anything in between. Check out some of our favourite walking holiday destinations across Europe – and don’t miss the Discover blog for inspiration and essential tips.

Summer cards can help you make the most of your holiday - they're up for grabs in resorts across Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France and Slovenia, and unlock things like rides on mountain lifts so you can easily reach high-altitude trails, plus discounts on public transport and other things to do during your holiday.

If you're heading to Austria and plan on using summer lifts, speak to your rep about buying a lift pass.

How can I find the best walking routes?

Head over to our Discover blog for starters, where you’ll find overviews of some of the best walks and hikes in lots of different destinations, from the French Alps to the Italian Dolomites. Then pick up a trail map – you can get these from the tourist office in your resort – to help you navigate.

You can also look out for hotels that offer guided walks if you fancy benefitting from a local’s insider knowledge. Or if there’s a TUI rep in your resort, you can ask them for advice on the best routes in the area.

And don’t forget to check if there’s a summer card included with your stay or available to buy – some of them include guided walks, alongside lots of other perks like summer lift access.

Top deals in our favourite walking spots

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