Top 10 unusual walking holidays
We have more than 1,000 walking holidays on our site, so it’s fair to say that we cover most types of trip, and much of the world, too. And within our collection we’ve also got plenty of more unusual ideas. Think family walking adventures with donkeys that are bound to encourage even the most tired of young legs; walking safaris in Africa and treks that bring you closer to conservation projects, tribal culture and traditional ways of life in national parks and mountain communities. If you’re interested in a walking holiday but like the idea of something more than just putting one foot in front of the other, find inspiration below.
1. The bear necessities in Romania
At first glance our top-selling unusual walking holiday may not seem that unique, set as it is within one of Europe’s finest walking destinations, the Carpathian Mountains in Romania. But not many trips offer walkers the chance to spend an evening in a wildlife hide looking out for wild brown bears or visit a brilliant bear sanctuary home to nearly 100 of them.
Best time to go: April to October
Our top trip: Carpathian Mountains holiday – conservation & culture
See all our trips: Romania walking holidays
Read more: Romania walking travel guide
Best time to go: April to October
Our top trip: Carpathian Mountains holiday – conservation & culture
See all our trips: Romania walking holidays
Read more: Romania walking travel guide
2. France with the kids, and a donkey
One of our most popular family walking holidays is a week in France’s Mercantour National Park, which has over 600km of waymarked trails. Coming along for the walk is your own personal donkey, which will carry your luggage from village to village – so long as you are prepared to regularly lavish them with attention and treats. Shouldn’t be a problem.Best time to go: May
Our top trip: Mercantour family walking holiday in France
See all our trips: Mercantour National Park holidays
Read more: Mercantour National Park travel guide
3. Trekking & rafting in Madagascar
This holiday is best suited to hardier walkers, happy with some steep rainforest terrain, wild camping in clearings and, when reaching the Sahatandra River, inflating a raft to ride the rapids for a few days. Needless to say, a sense of adventure is vital for this trip, but you only need basic fitness – there are shorter routes available, and porters carry the luggage.Best time to go: July to October
Our top trip: Trekking & rafting expedition in Madagascar
See all our trips: Madagascar holidays
Read more: Madagascar travel guide
4. Walk the islands of the Azores
The Azores is best known for (fabulous) whale and dolphin watching, and while this guided walking holiday does include a boat trip, it takes you far from the most touristy areas, as you explore the islands of Pico, Sao Jorge and Faial. Follow remote trails between smoking calderas, UNESCO-listed vineyards and waterfalls where you can take a refreshing dip.
Best time to go: May to October
Our top trip: Azores remote island walking holiday
See all our trips: Azores walking holidays
Read more: Azores walking travel guide
Best time to go: May to October
Our top trip: Azores remote island walking holiday
See all our trips: Azores walking holidays
Read more: Azores walking travel guide
5. Traverse Mount Athos – men only
Mount Athos, and the Athos peninsula in northern Greece, is a self-governing autonomous region governed by an Orthodox monastic community. You can spend a few days here walking between monasteries. What makes this walking holiday unusual is that strictly only men are allowed on the mountain – the closest women can get to it is boat rides offshore.Best time to go: September to April
Our top trip: Mount Athos walking holiday
See all our trips: Greece walking holidays
Read more: Greece walking travel guide and About walking Mount Athos
6. See the Serengeti on foot
Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park is a very different experience when seen on foot rather than jeep. You’re not just viewing nature off in the distance through binoculars; you can feel it all around you. Naturally, as you explore the Ngorongoro Crater and the highlands around it, you’ll be accompanied by Maasai guides and porters, adding to the sense of expedition.Best time to go: All year-round
Our top trip: Serengeti walking safari, Tanzania
See all our trips: Tanzania holidays
Read more: Tanzania travel guide
7. Follow the Ait Atta migration in Morocco
Join the Ait Atta, Morocco’s last nomadic tribe, on their seasonal migration through the Jbel Saghro mountains. This holiday is a fascinating opportunity to experience the tribe’s way of life from the inside. Joining the caravan, you’ll help with collecting firewood, herding, and loading pack animals. Expect to be on the trail for six hours a day in sometimes hot conditions.
Best time to go: November
Our top trip: Ait Atta Transhumance trek, Morocco
See all our trips: Morocco walking holidays
Read more: Morocco walking travel guide
Best time to go: November
Our top trip: Ait Atta Transhumance trek, Morocco
See all our trips: Morocco walking holidays
Read more: Morocco walking travel guide
8. Follow the cheese in Nepal
It’s impossible not to love this Nepal trekking route that honours the country’s first yak cheese factory, established 1957. Situated in Ramechhap, eastern Nepal, the circuit promises spectacular Himalayan views and pleasingly uncrowded trails. And, as you would expect, plenty of chances to sample fresh yak cheese and learn how it’s made.Best time to go: November to March
Our top trip: Numbur cheese circuit trek in Nepal
See all our trips: Nepal walking holidays
Read more: Nepal trekking travel guide
9. Wilderness walking in Greenland
Most people see Greenland as part of a cruise. But you’re not most people, are you? You’re looking for an unusual walking holiday that will give you stories to tell for years to come. This trip explores the fjords of southern Greenland, where there are no marked trails and you’ll wild camp amid extraordinary landscapes. Not so much a walk as a grand adventure.Best time to go: August
Our top trip: Greenland wilderness expedition
See all our trips: Greenland holidays
Read more: Greenland travel guide
10. Combine the Camino with Spanish lingo
Walking the Camino de Santiago can be a period of meditative silence for some. For others, it’s an opportunity to meet people from across the world on the same path as yourself. Our combined Camino and Spanish language lessons are a great way to get the conversation flowing in local communities, as you enjoy morning lessons followed by afternoon hikes on stretches of this iconic pilgrimage.
Best time to go: May-June and September
Our top trip: Learn Spanish and walk the Camino de Santiago
See all our trips: Camino de Santiago holidays
Read more: Camino de Santiago travel guide
Best time to go: May-June and September
Our top trip: Learn Spanish and walk the Camino de Santiago
See all our trips: Camino de Santiago holidays
Read more: Camino de Santiago travel guide
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