Let’s talk about breaking vacation norms in 2025. If your idea of a holiday includes a packed schedule just to return home needing another holiday, then a walking trip will fix that. This is slow travel at its finest, and it isn’t just about the miles; it’s also about the moments in between.
A walking holiday is the ultimate reset button, exchanging the chaos of filled-to-the-brim airports with the sound of your own steps on a trail. You’re under no illusions about what’s going on, but you’re also getting proper, meaningful exercise, and you’re interacting with a landscape in a way that’s simply not possible through a guided tour.
Best Walking Holidays to Book Now
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “going on a multi-day walk across a country sounds like a lot of work”, or “where do I even begin with bookings and getting my bags from place to place?”. This is where choosing an agency becomes so important.
For a completely hands-off journey, you’ll need experts like Orbis Ways. They offer a varied selection of trips around the world, but where they are really amazing is in the details. They prebook your overnight accommodations, seamlessly transfer your luggage each day (so you only need a daypack), and hand over detailed maps and route notes.
Their customer service is available around the clock if you need them. Don’t just take my word for it — their reviews on Trustpilot consistently praise how everything runs smoothly.
Here are some of the best walking holidays to book in 2025.
Coast to Coast in Costa Rica
It’s hard to surpass the relatively new Camino de Costa Rica. It’s not just a walk; it’s a coast-to-coast journey across the entire country, from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Over 280 kilometres, you’ll traverse everything. Costa Rica is known for rainforests packed with wildlife, cloud forests, and rugged mountain passes.
You’ll hear howler monkeys in the canopy and might even see a lumbering sloth, but the real magic takes place in the rural villages you visit.
Europe’s Best Kept Secrets in the Baltics
Everyone is in search of that new frontier before everyone else finds it, and for 2025, it is the Baltic trails. Lithuania is the European Green Capital for a reason, and the best way to experience its untouched nature is on foot. Think miles of beaches, peaceful national parks, and deep forests.
This self-guided tour allows you to explore the villages and historic, cobbled streets of Vilnius at your leisure. It’s a journey through a region with an incredibly rich and complicated history, but one with a focus on its peaceful, welcoming present. You’ll return home feeling as if you have stumbled upon a slice of Europe that most travellers never even imagined.
Raw Beauty and History in Albania’s Zagoria Valley
Albania has quietly walked into the consciousness of travellers, and the Zagoria Valley is its shining jewel. This journey is for travellers who desire raw, untouched terrains and to immerse themselves in history.
You’ll hike through thousand-year-old stone paths linking remote traditional villages where life carries on just like it has for hundreds of years. The trip crosses natural springs and picturesque mountain passes, stopping off in the incredible UNESCO-protected town of Gjirokastra, a city-museum of Ottoman architecture.
It’s a challenging but rewarding trip reminiscent of times gone by, and is rewarded with warm hospitality and delicious local food.
Walk Through Portugal’s Rota Vicentina
This trail is all about stunning coastal views, with the Fisherman’s Trail section presenting some of the most dramatic views in all of Europe. You’ll travel along sandy paths over protected natural parks and visit traditional fishing villages.
The sun is pretty much guaranteed to shine here, and for that same reason, it’s the perfect late-season holiday when other parts of Europe are still in the winter freeze.
It’s a great blend of refreshing sea air, super-friendly locals, and those iconic red-and-white striped lighthouses.
Explore the Legendary Camino de Santiago in Spain
No list of the best walking holidays would be complete without mention of the Camino. It’s by far the best known of all the long-distance hikes in the world. It attracts thousands of tourists every year and provides several trails for your choice. This is not just a walk; it’s a pilgrimage steeped in a thousand years of history, and an experience that never leaves you.
The most popular segment, from Sarria, guides you through the rolling green landscapes of Galicia to the city’s cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. The infrastructure on the majority of routes is incredible, and you have lots of opportunities for a stamp in your pilgrim’s passport, as well as sample delicious food.
How to Prep for Your Walk and Make It Amazing
A little bit of preparation is the secret to any successful journey, especially when it comes to a walking holiday… and something most pro hikers will say is: first, break in your shoes.
Don’t set off with brand-new boots — trust me, the blisters will make you miserable. Instead, wear your boots on your training walks for at least a month. That way, you make sure they’re comfortable and have plenty of time to look for a replacement in case they don’t fit as expected.
Some extra practice is also worthwhile before your trip. Start with short daily walks and gradually build up more distance; you’ll enjoy the scenery so much more if you’re not completely out of breath and tired on each stage.
Another thing you need to avoid is overpacking. Pack smart with lightweight, quick-drying clothes, and don’t forget a waterproof jacket.
But the biggest tip out there? Book your trip early. The best accommodations on these popular routes get booked up months in advance, especially during peak season. Getting this done earlier is the best way to secure your spot.
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Final Thoughts on the Best Walking Holidays
Picking a walking holiday for 2025 means selecting an experience that will be with you for life. It’s the sense of achievement, the spectacular views you have to work for, and the connections with people and places along the way.
Whether you’re called to the jungles of Costa Rica or the historic roadways of the Baltics, there’s a trail calling your name right now.
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