A Growing Number of Vacations Are Designed to Be Walked

Walking-led vacations are gaining attention as travelers increasingly choose trips organized around daily miles on foot rather than postcard-worthy attractions. Across destinations, tour operators and properties are expanding multi-day itineraries, where walking determines how travel unfolds, appealing to travelers seeking deeper engagement with landscapes, culture and local life.

What distinguishes walking vacations from a tour is intent, and recent industry data suggests that intent is translating into demand. According to the Adventure Travel Trade Association, more than 70% of adventure and active travel operators reported year-over-year revenue growth in its 2025 industry reporting, with walking, hiking and trekking consistently ranked among the most requested trip types. Market research from Fortune Business Insights estimates the global adventure tourism sector, which includes multi-day walking and trekking holidays, will be valued in the hundreds of billions globally, with continued growth projected through the decade.

Walking vacations are designed so that being on foot is the primary focus, not an activity added between meals or museum visits. Routes determine where travelers stay, how far they go each day and how they encounter local food, culture and landscapes. That model now spans continents and travel styles, from village walks and alpine routes to wildlife safaris and coastal hiking cruises.

Walk through village life in the Indian Himalayas

In the Kumaon region of northern India, Shakti Himalaya's Village Walks use walking to engage with daily life in the mountains. Routes link remote villages, farms and high-altitude landscapes, with time on foot guiding where guests stay and whom they meet along the way. The emphasis is not on distance or elevation, but on proximity to people and place.

"Many American travelers are drawn to Shakti's walking journeys for the opportunity to experience the Himalayas in a rare way that feels grounded and deeply human," says Jamshyd Sethna, founder of Shakti Himalaya. "Moving on foot slows the pace and sharpens awareness of the land, daily life in the villages and of one's own inner rhythm."

Moderate daily walks are paired with direct involvement in village routines, where seasonal, plant-forward Himalayan cooking plays a central role. "Walking creates the conditions for genuine exchange, whether through shared meals, conversations along the trail or time spent in homes that have long been part of these communities," Sethna explains. Guests visit farmers, forage for herbs and take part in cooking sessions that reflect how altitude and climate influence local food. The experience prioritizes immersion rather than exertion, offering a deliberate way to move through the Himalayas.

"These journeys are not about covering ground, but about giving space to connection, reflection and a more conscious way of traveling that resonates long after the walk itself has ended," Sethna concludes.

Village-to-village walk across the UK

Active England designs walking vacations across England, Scotland and Wales, where routes connect villages and rural communities over multiple days. Led by guides who live in the regions they cover, the itineraries rely on footpaths, terrain and daily distances to determine lodging, meals and access, rather than fixed sightseeing stops.

In the Cotswolds, for example, that approach leads travelers beyond the most visited villages and into quieter market towns, farmland and lesser-known paths. Meals and overnight stays emphasize local sourcing and long-standing relationships with regional suppliers. The trips appeal to travelers planning well ahead, including many in the 50-plus and luxury markets, who want walking to be central to the experience.

Where walking and food carry equal weight

Hedonistic Hiking offers guided walking holidays built on the idea that food is as integral to the experience as time on foot. Operating primarily in Italy, the company runs small-group trips that combine daily hikes with visits to markets, wineries, farms and family-run producers, often staying in locally owned hotels.

Walking routes are selected to support food encounters rather than compete with them. Days include vineyard walks, alpine trails and routes through lesser-known villages, punctuated by gourmet picnics, wine tastings, cooking classes and extended meals. The focus is on regional character as much as distance covered.

Walk the Adriatic by day, sail by night

Sail Croatia 's Luxury Hiking Cruise approaches walking vacations through a hybrid model, using a small ship as a moving base. Guests hike most days on islands and along the coast, with routes carefully chosen and distances outlined in advance.

Between hikes, the ship eliminates the need for frequent packing and unpacking. Long port stays allow time ashore, while swim stops provide recovery after walking. With fewer than 40 passengers and itineraries that prioritize time on land, the experience suits travelers who want consistent walking paired with coastal access and onboard comfort.

Follow an ancient route between Kyoto and Tokyo

Walk Japan 's guided journey along the Nakasendo Way follows a historic route that once connected Kyoto and Tokyo. The walk passes through mountain towns, forests and preserved post stations, offering access to rural Japan often bypassed by high-speed travel.

Small group sizes and sustained days on foot allow travelers to explore villages rather than observe them from a distance. Nights in traditional inns and regional meals reinforce how geography and history continue to influence daily life along the route.

Self-guided walking with logistics handled

Inntravel specializes in self-guided walking holidays across Europe and the United Kingdom, providing routes, accommodations and luggage transfers while leaving pacing decisions to the traveler. The model appeals to those who want independence without the complexity of planning multi-day walks on their own.

Most itineraries move inn to inn through rural regions and smaller towns, combining full days on foot with time for local food and cultural stops. Detailed route notes, maps and GPS support replace group leaders, offering structure without group travel.

Experience wildlife on foot in Botswana

Natural Selection 's walking safaris in Botswana place time on foot at the center of wildlife encounters. On itineraries such as My First Botswana Safari, guests explore private reserves with expert guides, tracking animals and reading terrain at ground level.

Walking is paired with stays at small, remote camps connected by short flights, keeping the focus on exploration rather than transit. The approach offers a perspective distinct from vehicle-based safaris, emphasizing awareness and observation.

Lodge-to-lodge walking in Australia's wild places

Tasmanian Walking Company operates fully guided, multi-day walks across eight trails in Australia, including six designated Great Walks. Trips are built around light-pack walking, with guests staying in permanent lodges or private camps located inside protected landscapes.

In 2026, the company will launch the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Signature Walk, a five-day guided route between two of Australia's most iconic geological sites. The walk includes overnight stays inside the national park, chef-prepared meals and cultural sessions led by Anangu Traditional Owners, pairing access with sustained time on foot.

Supporting the walking vacation ecosystem

Beyond fully guided itineraries, a wider network supports walking-focused travel. Companies such as On Foot Holidays create self-guided trips built around specific regions and interests, while hotels, including Redcastle Hotel & Spa, offer walking and hiking programs that allow guests to explore surrounding landscapes from a single base. Digital tools, such as Polarsteps, help travelers plan routes, track distances and document journeys, adding flexibility for those building trips where walking remains central.

Walking vacations move into the mainstream

As walking vacations continue to evolve, the next phase is likely to focus less on novelty and more on how trips are structured. Operators are developing longer routes, building lodging and logistics that support travel on foot without requiring extreme fitness and integrating food systems, conservation access and local communities into the experience. Destinations are also beginning to view walking-led travel as a tool for managing crowding and extending travel seasons. Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, walking vacations appear positioned not as an alternative to travel but as a refinement of it, offering trips that are off the beaten path, so to speak.

Jennifer Allen is a retired chef turned traveler, cookbook author and nationally syndicated journalist; she's also a co-founder of Food Drink Life, where she shares expert travel tips, cruise insights and luxury destination guides. A recognized cruise expert with a deep passion for high-end experiences and off-the-beaten-path destinations, Jennifer explores the world with curiosity, depth and a storyteller's perspective. Her articles are regularly featured on the Associated Press Wire, The Washington Post, Seattle Times, MSN and more.