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 lots of history to be uncovered along the way.

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, with plenty of mountain huts where you can take a breather and drink in the spectacular scenery with a strudel.

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.

Walking holidays in Switzerland hit different, and Grindelwald is your gateway to the best walks and most stunning views in the Jungfrau region. Crystal-clear lakes, alpine meadows and spire-like peaks await, and there's an excellent railway and cable car network that makes it simple to see it all on your walks.

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.

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.