Step up for Europe's most challenging walking holidays
Looking for a challenge? Take on Europe’s challenging walks with us.
Whether you're hiking through the towering peaks of the Alps, conquering the high-altitude trails of the Dolomites, or exploring rugged mountain passes in Switzerland, these destinations are all about pushing your limits while being treated to some of Europe's most spectacular scenery.
Must-visit destinations for challenging walks
Discover our top destinations for challenging walking holidays.
Austria: Saalbach Hinterglemm | Ischgl | Mayrhofen | Neustift | Obergurgl | St. Anton |
France: Chamonix |
Italy: Canazei | Corvara | Ortisei | San Cassiano | Selva | Limone | Malcesine | Liguria |
Slovenia: Lake Bohinj
Switzerland: Grindelwald | Kandersteg | Mürren | Wengen | Davos | Klosters | Saas Fee | Zermatt |
Norway: Voss
Saalbach Hinterglemm, Austria
Saalbach Hinterglemm is a dream destination for anyone who loves a good challenge on the trails. With over 400 kilometres of walking paths, there’s something for every level of walker, from scenic wildlife walks to more intense mountain trails.
Plus, with the Joker Card, you'll have free access to lifts, making it super easy to reach breathtaking viewpoints and start your hikes right from the top.
And when you're not hitting the trails, you can enjoy family treasure hunts, bike rides, or just kick back at one of the cosy mountain huts for some local food and relaxation.
Saalbach Hinterglemm walking holidays
Ischgl, Austria
With over 300 kilometres of varied trails, Ischgl is perfect for those who love a challenge. Steep peaks, rocky passes, and hidden lakes make for rewarding hikes, while well-connected lifts help you reach remote routes with ease.
For a real test, take on the historic smuggler’s trail along the Swiss border or the Paznaun High Trail - both tough climbs with stunning views. You can even take the cable car into Switzerland for a cross-border adventure.
Plus, with the Silvretta Premium Card included in your holiday, you can use lifts across the valley - great for exploring further afield.
Mayrhofen, Austria
Mayrhofen is a dream for keen walkers, with over 1,400 kilometres of marked trails to explore - ranging from scenic valley routes to tough high-altitude climbs.
Each of the four valleys has something special, from mountain reservoirs to beautiful waterfalls, and the views are breathtaking wherever you go.
For a real highlight, hike to the Berliner Hut, an impressive mountain lodge with glacier views so good they practically demand a celebratory strudel.
Along the way, you can collect stamps from huts and peaks, earning pin badges from the tourist office as a reward for your achievements.
Feeling adventurous? Try one of the Via Ferrata routes, with options starting near the village and climbing up to the Zimmereben Hut. You’ll need equipment (available to rent in town) and a good head for heights, but this is a great place to give it a go. Guided Via Ferrata tours are also available for those new to the challenge.
With a well-connected lift system making it easy to reach higher trails, Mayrhofen is the perfect place to push your limits and soak in the beauty of the Zillertal Alps.
Neustift, Austria
Neustift sits right in the heart of the Stubai Valley, making it the perfect base for those looking to take on challenging walks. The village offers easy access to tough, high-altitude trails and some of the best mountain scenery in the region.
For a true challenge, try summiting one of the Seven Summits in the Stubai area. While some of these peaks are tough and require glacier climbing equipment, others are more manageable for keen hikers. Elfer is the most popular, easily accessible thanks to the lift in Neustift.
With rugged trails, via ferrata routes, and access to the vast Stubai Glacier, Neustift is perfect for walkers wanting to take themselves further. The village is well-connected by buses and lifts, so getting to more remote areas is a easy. And, with unforgettable views from places like the Top of Tyrol, every step feels worth the effort.
Obergurgl, Austria
At 1,930 metres above sea level, Obergurgl is the highest parish in Austria - ideal for high-altitude walking with many trails above the tree line.
The altitude means cooler temperatures, making it perfect for long walks, and offers excellent opportunities for wildlife spotting, including golden eagles, ibex, and marmots. You might even spot Edelweiss, the iconic flower that thrives in high, remote conditions.
The Ötztal Valley offers 1,300 kilometres of trails, taking you through rugged high-altitude terrain, past waterfalls, and through ancient Stone Pine Forests. These routes are great for those seeking a challenge, with plenty of opportunities for glacier views along the way.
For those craving more adventure, the area also has via ferrata and climbing routes to explore, making it a perfect destination for both serious walkers and thrill-seekers.
St. Anton, Austria
St. Anton in summer is all about embracing the outdoors, with its location in the steep-sided Arlberg and rugged peaks providing the perfect backdrop for your walks. Thanks to the summer lift system, it’s easy to get out of the village and into the mountains, allowing you to vary your walks throughout your holiday.
St. Anton is ideal for walkers looking for a challenge. You’ll explore serene forest valleys, thrilling ridge walks, and high-altitude routes with views of towering peaks, glaciers, and the stunning Verwall Alps.
Don’t miss the suspension bridge over the Rosanna River, and with cable cars and buses connecting you to more demanding routes, St. Anton is the perfect place to take your walking experience to new heights.
Chamonix, France
Chamonix is an ideal destination for walkers looking for a real challenge, with some of the most stunning walking trails in Europe set against the towering Mont Blanc massif.
For experienced walkers, there are tough hikes like the Grand Balcon Sud, which takes you through forests, meadows, and high alpine terrain, with beautiful views at every turn.
The area’s extensive lift system makes it easy to reach higher altitudes, where you can take on more challenging trails and enjoy panoramic views of the Alps.
Whether you're walking up to Lac Blanc for a scenic day walk or exploring the rugged terrain on the Tour du Mont Blanc, Chamonix offers plenty of challenging trails that will take your walking experience to the next level.
Canazei, Dolomites, Italy
Copyright: Patricia Ramirez
Canazei is great for walkers who enjoy heights, with some of the best summer walking in the Dolomites. For a challenge, there are tough trails and via ferrata routes, all with the impressive Marmolada mountain in the background.
The summer lifts make it easy to reach amazing viewpoints and take on harder walks without the steepest climbs.
Whether you’re walking the rugged peaks or enjoying a stroll around Lake Carezza, Canazei has plenty of challenging routes in stunning mountain scenery.
Corvara, Dolomites, Italy
Ortisei, Dolomites, Italy
Ortisei is perfect for challenging walks. Take the Seceda Gondola to the top and explore rugged, high-altitude paths through alpine meadows, past mountain huts, and into more remote areas. The trails range from rocky mountain routes to peaceful lakeside paths, offering stunning views of the Odle peaks.
Whether you're tackling steep climbs or looking for wildlife like marmots and cows, Ortisei has plenty of tough routes to make your walking adventure unforgettable.
San Cassiano, Dolomites, Italy
San Cassiano is great for challenging walks, with nearby Fanes-Senes-Braies Natural Park offering rugged paths that lead to peaks and high mountain meadows. For a slightly easier option, you can enjoy more moderate walks to Lago Lagazuoi and the Brunecker Turm.
The mountain trails around the village offer breathtaking views of the Dolomites, perfect for those wanting to challenge themselves while taking in the stunning scenery.
Whether you're taking on high-altitude paths or exploring rocky terrain, San Cassiano provides plenty of opportunities to take your summer walking adventure to the next level.
Selva, Dolomites, Italy
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Selva is ideal for walkers seeking a challenge, with trails like the Alpe di Siusi circular walk. This tough route takes you through the Seiser Alm, Europe’s largest and highest Alpine pasture, offering stunning panoramic views of the Dolomites.
Starting from Ortisei, you’ll take the cable car up to the Alpe di Siusi before hiking towards the hamlet of Kompatsch, where you can enjoy a well-deserved break at a mountain hut.
Limone, Lake Garda, Italy
Limone offers steep, rugged terrain that rewards you with stunning views of Lake Garda and the surrounding mountains. The trails wind through olive groves, charming villages, and dramatic cliffs.
Unlike other places with easy gondola rides, here you’ll need to put in the effort to reach the higher viewpoints, making the walks even more rewarding.
Malcesine, Italy
Malcesine is perfect for challenging walks. The trails take you up to Monte Baldo, offering stunning views of Lake Garda and the mountains. The rugged terrain and steep ascents make it a real challenge.
Along the way, you’ll pass ancient villages, vineyards, and olive groves. The combination of tough climbs and beautiful scenery makes Malcesine a great place for a rewarding walking holiday.
Liguria, Italy
Liguria is great for challenging walks, especially if you want stunning coastal views and tough terrain. The Cinque Terre region has rugged mountain trails that take you between villages high above the sea, offering a physical challenge and amazing views.
Another highlight is the Portofino Natural Park, with steeper paths through forests and past farmhouses. It’s a perfect place to test your walking skills while enjoying the beautiful Italian scenery.
Lake Bohinj, Slovenia
Lake Bohinj is perfect for challenging walks, with over 300 kilometres of mountain trails to explore. The area features tough, rocky terrain that takes you through valleys, past waterfalls, and up to stunning viewpoints.
Experienced walkers will find trails like the climb to Mount Vogel a real test. The rocky paths lead you to incredible alpine views, making the hike both demanding and rewarding.
Another highlight is Mostnica Gorge, where you can enjoy walking along rapids and waterfalls.
Grindelwald, Switzerland
Grindelwald is perfect for challenging walks, with its steep climbs and rugged terrain. Trails like the Eiger Trail take you right beneath the Eiger’s north face, offering tough ascents and rocky paths that truly test your walking skills.
The high-altitude routes and dramatic landscapes make Grindelwald a great choice for keen walkers. Whether you're trekking up steep mountains or navigating rocky trails, there’s a real challenge at every turn.
Kandersteg, Switzerland
Kandersteg has an "off the beaten track" feel, perfect for those seeking unspoiled Swiss village charm.
It’s a great place for challenging walks. The Gemmi Pass is a steep climb, but the views of the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa make it worth the effort. For a longer adventure, try the Via Alpina. This trail takes you through alpine valleys and mountain paths with stunning scenery.
For the bold, the Allmenalp Via Ferrata is a grade K4 climb. It crosses a river and waterfalls, rewarding you with breathtaking views.
Mürren, Switzerland
Mürren is great for anyone looking for a challenging walk in the mountains. With over 200 kilometres of trails, you'll find plenty of steep climbs and high-altitude paths. One of the best hikes is up to Schilthorn, where you’ll enjoy incredible views of the surrounding peaks. You can also explore the trails around Allmendhubel, which offer tough but rewarding climbs with amazing panoramic views.
The Lauterbrunnen Valley is another option, with beautiful, rugged routes that pass by waterfalls and cliffs. With over 500 kilometres of trails and stunning views of the Lauterbrunnen Valley, Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains, Mürren is perfect for anyone seeking a more challenging adventure in the great outdoors.
Wengen, Switzerland
Wengen is the perfect base for exploring the breathtaking Jungfrau region.
The Eiger Trail is a must-do, winding beneath the towering north face of the Eiger and offering both a challenge and spectacular views.
Steep paths around Wengen lead to stunning panoramas of the Lauterbrunnen Valley and the mighty Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains. Whether you prefer a short, steep climb or a long trek, Wengen’s trails will test your stamina and reward you with unforgettable alpine scenery.
Davos, Switzerland
Davos is perfect for those seeking challenging mountain walks.
The Schatzalp Waterfall Trail is a highlight, leading through rugged terrain to stunning waterfalls. Steep mountain paths provide a tough workout while offering breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys and peaks.
With cable cars and funiculars giving easy access to higher trails, you can take on serious climbs without missing out on the scenery.
Klosters, Switzerland
Klosters is perfect for those looking for a more challenging walking adventure. With over 700 kilometres of marked trails, it has plenty of routes to explore its stunning, rugged landscapes.
Paths take you through scenic valleys and up to amazing mountain views. With cable cars making access easier, you can focus on the hardest, most rewarding climbs and enjoy the region’s natural beauty.
One of our favourite walks is from Madrisaalp to Klosters via Schlappin mountain lake, a challenging but beautiful trail through the Alps.
Saas Fee, Switzerland
If you're looking for challenging walks with a side of jaw-dropping views, Saas-Fee is the place to be. The area offers over 350 kilometres of walking trails, ranging from valley strolls to tough ascents that take you up to some of the highest peaks in the Swiss Alps.
For those who want to push themselves, there are plenty of high-altitude paths and via ferrata routes that lead through glaciers and rugged mountain landscapes.
You can also take a cable car to access some of the more remote trails, or climb up to Mittelallalin, where you’ll find spectacular panoramic views and the world’s highest revolving restaurant.
Zermatt, Switzerland
There’s no shortage of challenging walks in Zermatt, with paths that take you through Alpine meadows, steep mountain slopes, and valleys.
With the Matterhorn as a stunning backdrop, you can take on challenging trails around the Rothorn area or explore the Gorner Gorge, where the beauty of nature is on full display.
And if you're looking for an extra challenge, the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, accessible by the highest cable car in Europe, offers sweeping views and the chance to trek through snow-covered paths.
Voss, Norway
Voss is the perfect destination for those craving adventure in the norwegian mountains. With its stunning waterfalls and soaring peaks, it offers plenty of trails for anyone ready to take on a challenge.
The cable car to Mount Hanguren is a great starting point, leading to a variety of walks that range from leisurely to tough climbs. As you make your way along the trails, expect breathtaking views of glaciers, lakes, and fjords at every turn.
Guided walks in selected resorts
Ready to talk your walking holiday to new heights? Get ready to put your best foot forward and explore Europe like never before. With two walks per week in selected resorts throughout Europe, there’s plenty of opportunities to discover the hidden gems of these amazing resorts - all whilst feeling safe in the hands of our professional mountain guides. Our experts know exactly where the best views are and will take you on an unforgettable journey that is sure to leave you breathless (in a good way.)
How to Book Your Walking Holiday
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