SELF-GUIDED / INDEPENDENT WALKING HOLIDAYS

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Beaujolais & Burgundy, France

Beaujolais Wine Trail: Grand Crus

5 nights - From £730/€810 - 4 days walking between guest houses

Varied independent walking through secluded valleys and beautiful countryside in the famous French wine growing region (vintage Beaujolais crus.) This short break walking holiday will suit those who enjoy wine tasting visits, great local cuisine and relatively easy walks.

Beaujolais Wine Trail: Chateaux & Medieval Villages

6 nights - From £870/€965 - 5 days walking between guest houses

This walking holiday follows on from our Grand Crus wine trail & traverses a number of pretty valleys harbouring pretty chateaux and quaint villages. Your trail then traverses the “Golden stones country” (pierres dorées), so-called due to the warm colour of the limestone in the medieval villages, set in a sumptuous landscape of interlocking hills. Daily wine tasting at your guest houses on vineyards.

Beaujolais - Medieval Village Tour

7 nights - From £920/€1020 - 6 days walking between guest houses

5 nights - From £695/€775 - 4 days walking between guest houses

This independent walking holiday involves fairly gentle walking through vines and a collection of unspoilt historic villages built from a warm golden limestone set in panoramic rolling countrside. Historic chateaux, churches and country houses pepper the landscape. Gastronomic region and B&B's full of charm and character.

Beautiful Beaujolais Trail (traverse)

7 nights - From £990/€1095 - 6 days self guided walk traversing the region

Varied independent walking traversing the best of the Beaujolais region from north to south through a range of beautiful landscapes: upland pasture and forests, open ridges, secluded valleys, sweeping countryside, historic villages and chateaux.

Beaujolais Explorer

7 nights - From £990/€1095 - 6 days self guided walk traversing the region

Our Beaujolais Explorer walking holiday is a centre-based trip which allows you to discover the very best of the beautiful central and southern Beaujolais. From your bases you'll explore the Golden Stones region with its pretty historic villages and the vistas of the higher hills and ridges of the central Beaujolais.

Beaujolais & Burgundy Uncovered

5 or 7 nights - from £825/€925 - 4 or 6 days self guided, two centre-based walking holiday

This self-guided walking holiday lets you discover two of the prettiest parts of the Beaujolais and Burgundy regions at your own rhythm, whilst indulging yourself at wonderful guest houses.  You’ll stay in two bases, one in an area known as the “Golden stones country” (pierres dorées), due to the warm colour of the limestone which make up a number of remarkable historic villages, the other in the southern Burgundy where you'll walk through Chardonnay vineyards and the Grand Crus of the northern Beaujolais.

Lyon's Beautiful Secluded Hills

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5 nights - From £795/€890, 7 nights - From £1040/€1150: 4 or 6 days walking between guest houses

The Mont Lyonnais are a series of beautiful rolling hills rising to the west of Lyon, France’s second city. Less well-known than the neighbouring Beaujolais hills, this hidden country is a picturesque rural scene with a patchwork of lush grazing land, cherry orchards and forested tops. Choose between a self-guided 6-day traverse or a 4-day circular walking trail to discover these inviting, off the beaten track hills.

Burgundy: Chardonnay Wine Trail

6 nights - From £1035/€1150 - 5 days walking between guest houses

This short break independent walking holiday traverses the southern Burgundy through the heart of the Chardonnay wine growing region. These dry and fruity wines have their most famous ambassadors in the Pouilly-Fuisse & Saint Veran labels. As well as the wines, this holiday explores a landscape full of historic treasures. Historic chateaux, villages, and romanesque churches are set in rolling countryside punctuated by a number of rocky outcrops. Great food in lovely guest houses.

Secret Burgundy - Chardonnay Vines & Historic Villages

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6 nights - From £945/€1050 - 5 days walking between guest houses

The southern Burgundy is a French treasure of historic chateaux, villages, and romanesque churches set in rolling countryside carpeted with vines and forests. A number of rocky outcrops punctuate the vineyards such as the celebrated “roche de Solutré” important for its pre-historic human activity. Your independent walking holiday includes a visit of the historic town of Cluny. Great food in lovely guest houses.

Medieval Burgundy - The Monk's Trail

7 nights - From £1060/€1175 - 6 days walking between guest houses

5 nights - From £820/€910 - 4 days walking between guest houses

A circular walking trail including the historic town of Tournus famous for its Romanesque Abbey. Your route follows in the footsteps of monks of medieval times crossing valleys and hills with meadows and Maconnais vines, between charming historic villages and hamlets such as Blanot and the fortified town of Brancion. The short break walking holiday takes a linear trail between Tournus and Cluny.

Beautiful Brionnais: Secret Hills of Burgundy

7 nights - From £1145/€1270 - 6 days walking between guest houses

A circular walking trail through the secret region of Brionnais in the Burgundy, France. A patchwork of fields in secluded valleys and ridges with vast panoramic views towards the Loire Valley or the hills of the Beaujolais. It also has fine architecture to rival some of the more popular parts of Burgundy. Delightful villages such as Semur-en-Brionnais decorated with lovely floral displays harbour remarkable churches, abbeys and chateaux.

Brionnais Explorer

7 nights - From £1075 / €1190 - 6 days centre-based walking staying in two guest houses

A centre-based self-guided walking holiday in the Brionnais staying in two beautiful guest houses. Discover the secret French region of Brionnais in the Burgundy at your own leisure. A patchwork of fields in a preserved landscape of secluded valleys and panoramic ridges, as well as delightful villages such as Semur-en-Brionnais harbouring remarkable churches, abbeys and chateaux.

Classic Burgundy Trail: Dijon - Buxy

7 nights - From £1065/€1180 - 6 days walking between guest houses and hotels

Our Classic Burgundy independent walking holiday starts in Dijon and takes you through some of the most famous vineyards of Burgundy's Pinot Noir region in the Cote d'Or. It also explores less well-trodden paths through secluded forests, deep coombes and grassy hills with wild flowers and great views. Explore a number of classic towns and villages along the way including Nuits St Georges, Beaune and Rochepot.

Medieval Burgundy Explorer

7 nights - From £1075 / €1190 - 6 days centre-based walking

Explore a rich landscape full of historic treasures. Medieval chateaux such as those at Berze and Brancion, historic churches and pretty medieval villages are set in beautiful rolling countryside carpeted with Chardonnay vines, pasture and forests. This centre-based walking holiday enables you to explore more of the southern Burgundy area and allows you to be more flexible in terms of the walks you choose to do.

Massif Central, France

Tranquil Auvergne Trail

7 nights - From £895/€995 - 6 days walking between guest houses

Starting and finishing at Puy en Velay, the world heritage town, this independent walking holiday explores an upland plateau landscape in the southern Auvergne punctuated with intimate valleys and volcanic domes (sucs.) You'll stay in small historic properties often located in small forgotten hamlets built of sturdy stone and thatched houses.

Auvergne: Volcanoes, Lakes and Historic Villages

7 nights - From £730/€820, single-centre based, 6 day walks (requiring a car)

Discover the contrasting volcanic regions of the northern Auvergne in central France. The Puy de Dome landscape varies from rugged peaks to open moorland and perfect volcanic cones. Dramatic waterfalls, varied lakes and pretty historic villages with fine roman churches all form part of this moderate week's self-guided walking.

Tour of Ardeche: Rustic Trails

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8 nights - From £1215/€1350 - 7 days walking between guest houses

With its wild, rugged mountains and picturesque historic villages clinging to terraced hillsides the Ardeche makes an ideal location for an independent walking holiday if you're looking to get away from the beaten track. This walking tour is located in the heart of the Ardeche Regional Park & includes wonderful heather-clad mountains with great panoramic views; pretty chestnut forests; beautiful rivers where it's possible to bathe and sun parched, vine covered slopes.

Cevennes to Provence: Saint Guilhem's Trail

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9 nights - From £1135/€1260 - 8 days walking between hotels & guest houses

Discover an amazing variety of landscapes in the southern Massif Central as you head south through the Cevennes, passing must-see sites such as the Tarn Gorge and the Navacelles Cirque and finishing at the pretty village of Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert. With wild, rugged mountains and picturesque historic villages this independent walking holiday is ideal for those walkers looking to get off the beaten track.

Summits of Auvergne: Tour of Sancy

5 or 6 nights - from £895/€995 - 4 or 5 days walking between guest houses

This self guided walking holiday explores the stunning Puy de Sancy mountains in northern Auvergne, including its summit, which at 1885m is the highest in France outside the Alps & Pyrenees. Your walking holiday takes the form of a circular tour, starting and finishing in the pretty spa town of Mont Dore, taking in the most spectacular trails with expansive breath-taking views. It will also explore many of the features that make up this beautiful landscape including beautiful volcanic and glacial lakes, mighty volcanic domes, dramatic rocky cliffs, secluded glacial valleys and amazing waterfalls.

Tour of the Cantal Mountains

9 nights - From £1135/€1260 - 8 days independent walking with a mix of moving between guest houses and centre-based

This independent walking holiday takes place in the Cantal mountains in the southern Auvergne which is the extinct remains of a huge volcano. Your walking holiday combines a linear trail with some loop walks to explore several areas of the Cantal, as well as being able to summit all of its emblematic peaks. The Cantal contains rugged, airy ridges, rocky peaks and green valleys of stunning beauty which makes for exciting walking in one of the most beautiful parts of France. More Cantal holiday details

Cantal Mountains - The Rugged Heart of France

7 nights - From £695/€785 - 6 days walking, single centre

This independent walking holiday explores the Cantal massif in the southern Auvergne which is the extinct remains of a huge volcano. Erosion has since created a series of rugged ridges, rocky peaks and green valleys of stunning beauty. Exciting self-guided walking in an untamed landscape with rich wildlife. Small B&B style guest houses in historic buildings. Warm welcome.

Eastern France

Jura Wine Trail

6 or 7 nights - from £895/€990 - 5 or 6 days walking between guest houses

Our self-guided walking holiday in the Jura is a linear trail which follows the vines south, allowing you to discover not only the unique Jura wines, which include the famous Vin de Paille and Vin Jaune, among the most prized wines in France, but also wonderful historic villages such as Baumes-les-Messieurs and Chateau Chalon. These villages are situated on hills which are home to a series of dramatic valleys and gorges which harbour stunning waterfalls & dramatic cliffs.

Alsace - Vineyards and Mountains

7 nights - From £920/€1020 - 5 days walking between guest houses

This independent walking holiday explores the famous Alsace vineyards and the Vosges hills. As well as their vintage wines the area features some remarkable chateaux and pretty unspoilt villages, their cobbled alleyways lined with typical Alsace houses. The Vosges offer panoramic views over their rounded summits. Hotel accommodation.

Provence & Mediterranean, France

Secret Provence: Tour of the Baronnies

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7 nights - From £845/€950 - 6 days independent walking between guest houses

Les Baronnies is a secret and unspoilt corner of France where the Alps meet the Provence with beautiful historic villages clinging to rocky mountain sides decorated in purple lavender flowers. Quiet walking trails through delightful and changing countryside bathe in a wonderful light.

Travels through Baronnies Regional Park

7 nights - From £930/€1030, first part of a long distance walking holiday across southern France

This self-guided walking holiday in France is the first leg of a unique trek through Alpine Provence from the Rhone Valley to the Med. Your independent walking trail will take you through some wonderful mountain scenery where the Alps meet Provence. The first part of this trail discovers the beautiful Baronnies Regional Park, far from the beaten trails.

Historic Hill-top Villages of Drome Provencale

7 nights - From £1225/€1360 - 6 days independent walking between guest houses

This unique self-guided walking holiday traverses the Drome Provencale from north to south, exploring varied and beautiful landscapes linked by several stunning historic perched villages. Starting in Crest in the Drome Valley, you’ll pass through scented lavender fields, secluded woods, vines of the Cote du Rhone and finally the olive groves of Nyons in the Baronnies.

Cote du Rhone Wine Trail

6 nights - From £985/€1095 - 5 days independent walking between guest houses

9 nights - From £1395/€1560 - 8 days independent walking between guest houses

Our Cotes du Rhone Wine Trails in Provence explores the eastern side of the Rhone Valley from the Baronnies Regional Park in the north, to the slopes of the impressive rock spires of Dentelles de Montmirail in the south, passing by the foothills of Mont Ventoux.

Grand Tour of Les Alpilles

9 nights - From £1365/€1515 - 6 days independent walking between guest houses

Our Grand Tour of Les Alpilles includes full days in the wonderful historic towns of Arles and Avignon before undertaking a trail around the best part of this beautiful regional Park in southern Provence.

Les Alpilles: Van Gogh's Provence

6 nights - From £895/€995 - 5 days independent walking between guest houses

Les Alpilles means little Alps, but don't worry, the walking is easy to moderate exploring the wonderful villages and towns in this stunning part of Provence, including Arles, Avignon, Baux de Provence and St Remy de Provence, celebrated as the place where Van Gogh created 150 of his famous paintings.

Highlights of Provence: Best of Les Alpilles & Luberon

12 nights - From £1795/€1995 - 10 or 11 days independent walking between guest houses

Our Highlights of Provence allows you to discover the very best of Provence in the Alpilles & Luberon Regional Parks. You'll explore many of the must-see sights as well as walking the most interesting & beautiful off-the-beaten-track trails.

Pyrenees Coastal Trail: Collioure to Cadaques

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6 nights - From £725/€810 - 5 1/2 days independent walking between guest houses

This self-guided walking holiday follows a classic coastal and mountain trail flirting with both the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean as it moves south from Collioure in France to Cadaques in Spain. Accommodation in two and three star hotels in fishing ports and villages.

French Fjords: Calanques National Park

4 or 5 nights - From £680/€755 - 3 or 4 days independent walking based in a guest house in Cassis.

This self guided French walking holiday explores the Calanques National Park where gleaming white limestone cliffs form a stark contrast with the deep blue sky and the turquoise Mediterranean Sea. The Calanques coastline offers a unique landscape of beautiful fjords and dramatic cliffs, small ports and wonderful panoramic viewpoints. You'll stay in a delightful guest house in the pretty coastal resort of Cassis.

Luberon: Classic Provence

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6 nights - From £1170/€1295 - 5 days independent walking between hotels

This self guided French walking holiday in Luberon takes in some of the best loved historic hill-top villages in Provence. Easy to moderate walking lets you discover a pretty landscape covered with vines, lavender, orchards and forests where small hills provide generous vantage points. You'll explore the beautiful historic villages of Gordes, Goult, Lacoste, Bonnieux and Roussillon, each with their own special character.

Panoramas of Provence: Grand Tour of Luberon

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12 nights - From £1795/€1995 - 8 - 10 days independent walking between guest houses

This unique self-guided walking holiday undertakes a beautiful circuit around the hills, gorges and historic villages of the Luberon Regional Park in Provence. As well as visiting some of the best loved historic hill-top villages in Provence such as Gordes, Lacoste, Bonnieux, Roussillon and St Saturnin les Apt, your walking trail takes you off the beaten track into the higher hills and through some less frequented, charming hamlets and villages. Choice of walks on most days.

South West France

Delights of Historic Dordogne

7 nights - From £1340/€1490 - 6 days walking between guest houses

The Dordogne in central France is dominated by the magnificent Dordogne river and its stunning valley lined with historic delights. Our easy self guided walking holiday passes through one picturesque village after another, including La Roque Gageac, built into sandstone cliffs along with a troglodyte fort and Sarlat which is famous for its medieval architecture and lively street market. In addition, a large number of superb chateaux line the valley.

Bordeaux Classic Wine Trail

6 or 7 nights - From £960/€1060 - 5 days self guided walking between guest houses

Our self-guided Bordeaux wine trail traverses some of the most famous vineyards in the world. Discover a rolling countryside steeped in history, from its 2000 year old vines planted by the Romans to its wine chateaux and historic villages. Your walking holiday starts by exploring the famous St Emilion vineyards home to some of the most sought after Bordeaux wines.

Quieter Side of Dordogne: Villages of Correze

5 nights - From £860/€955 - 4 days independent walking between guest houses

On the edge of the Massif Central in France lies a beautiful undulating countryside of green pasture, forest and vines where pretty villages adorn the ridges and hilltops. The Correze is not as well known as the more frequented parts of Dordogne, but the villages have a varied character and charm, set in a countryside which changes with the geology. Your self guided walking holiday passes through the historic villages of Turenne, Collonges-la-Rouge and Curement all of which are classed as some of the prettiest villages in France.

Serene Lot Valley Trail

7 nights - From £1395/€1550, 6 days walking between guest houses

Less well known than the Dordogne to the north, the Cele and Lot valleys will leave you captivated by their beauty. Our independent walking holiday begins in Figeac and travels downstream to Cahors, home of the Malbec vineyards. You'll follow quiet trails through unspoilt countryside with wonderful chateaux and historic villages.

Tarn's Medieval Bastides

7 nights - From £950/€1050 - 6 days walking between guest houses

This self-guided walking holiday in Tarn explores a number of wonderful hill top villages, known as bastides, many classed as among the prettiest villages in France. As well as exploring beautiful villages such as Puycelsi, Penne, Castlenau, Bruniquel and Cordes-sur-Ciel you'll discover a picturesque landscape of rolling fields and vineyards with expansive views, sunny plateaux, ancient oak forests and deep rocky gorges. You'll stay in delightful chambre d'hote style guest houses.

Historic Villages & Valleys of the Tarn

7 nights - From £820/€910 - 6 day walks based at a single guest house

Hundreds of medieval villages known as Bastides are scattered throughout the Midi-Pyrenees.  From high on rocky hilltops, villages such as Puycelsi, Penne and Cordes have kept watch over the surrounding countryside for centuries.  Our centre based self-guided walking holiday in the Tarn and Aveyron will allow you to explore several of these villages as well as discover the valleys that cut through the countryside giving it a distinctive character of deep rocky gorges, steep wooded valleys and high sunny plateaux. 

The Pyrenees, France

Pyrenees GR10: Part 1, Hendaye - St Jean Pied de Port

7 nights - from £800/€890 - 6 days independent walking between hotels

This independent walking holiday is the first section of a wonderful & dramatic 415km trek crossing the Pyrenees Mountain chain from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. The walk from Hendaye on the Atlantic Coast covers a variety of landscapes typical of the Basque country, where the scenery has a charm and regional originality that you won’t find elsewhere. Rolling hills and magical villages.

Pyrenees GR10: Part 2, St Jean Pied de Port - Etsaut

7 nights - from £830/€920 - 6 days independent walking between hotels and one gite

Second part of our long distance GR10 walking trail along the length of the Pyrenees Mountain chain between the Atlantic Coast and the Mediterranean Sea. This self-guided hike starts in St Jean Pied de Port in Basque Country, before climbing into high mountain landscapes in the Bearn and reaching Lescun, famous for its glacial cirque. Finish at Etsaut, gateway to the Pyrenees National Park.

Pyrenees GR10: Part 3, Etsaut - Cauterets

7 nights - from £855 / €950 - 6 days independent walking between hotels and 2 mountain huts

Part 3 of our GR10 long distance walking trail along the length of the Pyrenees Mountain goes between Etsaut and Caurets. Traversing the Pyrenees National Park, your week's walking pass through the Ossau valley, with spectacular views of Pic de Midi d’Ossau followed by a succession of lakes, villages in stone and slate and a never-ending wilderness used for summer pastures.

Pyrenees GR10: Part 4, Cauterets - Luchon

7 nights - From £895/€995 - 6 days independent walking between hotels and 1 mountain hut

Part 4 of our long distance trek along the length of the Pyrenees following the GR10 trail takes place between Cauterets and Luchon in the central Pyrenees, almost halfway between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Your 6-day independent walking itinerary passes through a succession of lakes, high mountain passes and mountain villages, as well as the Neouvielle Natural Reserve and its remarkable glacial lakes.

Pyrenees GR10: Part 5, Luchon - Aulus-les-Bains

7 nights - From £885 / €980 - 6 days independent walking between accommodation

This is the 5th part of our long distance trek following the GR10 path along the length of the Pyrenees Mountain chain between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean. Your walking itinerary crosses some of the wildest parts of the Pyrenees in the Couserons & Haute Ariege in a region famed for its large, open wild spaces with far reaching panoramas.

Pyrenees GR10: Part 6, Aulus-les-Bains - Merens

7 nights - From £825 / €915 - 6 days independent walking between accommodation

This section of the GR10 long distance trail goes from Aulus les Bains to Merens, in Haute Ariege connecting the western and the central sections of the Pyrenees with the Ariege part of the mountain range. This region is known for its high plateau landscapes, deep valleys hemmed in by soaring summits, sometimes covered with a sprinkling of snow, and mountain lakes whose waters change in colour.

Pyrenees GR10: Part 7, Merens - Vernet-les-Bains

7 nights - From £790 / €870 - 6 days independent walking between accommodation

From Merens the high mountains open up and offer wonderful hiking. You'll pass the numerous and beautiful Bouillouses lakes perched at 2020m altitude in the Carlit Massif, on the Cerdagne Plateau known for its far-reaching views and sunny climate. As well as some lovely mountain villages, you'll also discover the gorge of Caranca and the nature reserves of Mantet and Py on your way to Vernet-les-Bains.

Pyrenees: Mountains to Atlantic Ocean

7 nights - From £720/€810 - 6 days independent walking between accommodation

This self-guided walking holidays, taking you from the Basque mountains to the Atlantic Ocean, follows the famous GR10 route, the great Pyrenees Crossing (415km from one sea to the other). It features a variety of landscapes specific to the Basque Country, nestled in the heart of the Atlantic Pyrenees. Here, perhaps more than elsewhere, when heading towards the coast, the landscapes crossed have an originality and an entity that are unique.

Pyrenees Balcony Trail: Azun Valley

6 nights - From £670/€745 - 6 days independent walking between hotel on 3 days, and 3 day walks

This self-guided walking holiday explores a beautiful part of the central Pyrenees mountains in France. Your walking tour takes you up onto the sides of the delightful and luminous Azun Valley where you’ll marvel at the wonderful panoramas and the well preserved mountain villages. Four of the days have both moderate and more challenging walking options to suit different abilities and as the week progresses you’ll enter the stunning high mountains of the Pyrenees National Park.

Cerdagne Explorer: Lakes, Mountains and Hot Springs

6 nights - From £710/€790 - 6 days independent walking between guest houses

The Cerdagne is a picturesque plateau, lying at 6000 ft up in the French Pyrenees. It is a delectable landscape scoured and shaped by Ice Age glaciers leaving behind deep ravines, rocky knolls and an array of beautiful mountain lakes, surrounded by imposing mountains. An enjoyable mixture of good walks, relaxing in natural hot pools and soaking up the sun in clear mountain air.

Traversing the Pyrenees National Park

7 nights - From £595/€665 - 6 days independent walking between gites and mountain huts

This self-guided walking holiday is a wonderful traverse of the Western Pyrenees National Park. You’ll discover a series of must-see sites such as the highest waterfall in Europe at Gavarnie Cirque. The stunning high mountains of the Pyrenees are peppered with beautiful lakes, rich green forests and mountain pastures which you’ll discover with a light rucksack, as your bags are transported for you.

French Alps

Tour of Queyras - An Alpine Secret

8 nights - From £1085/€1205 - 7 days trekking between guest houses

Dramatic walking in an unspoilt, rugged region of the French Alps with breathtaking scenery. A sunny climate and good paths makes this an ideal alpine destination for the fit novice and experienced alpine walker alike. Luggage transported between guest houses. Rich alpine flora and fauna in this undiscovered corner of France.

Grand Tour of Ubaye: 3 Regions Tour

9 nights, from £920/€1065 - 9 days walking between gites and refuges

The Grand Tour of the Ubaye is a circular walking trail through a hidden corner of the French Alps. This off the beaten track alpine trek takes you through some magnificent landscapes with beautiful alpine summits, serene mountain lakes and traditional alpine hamlets.

Tour of Ubaye: Hidden Alps

6 nights - From £710/€780 - 6 days walking between gites and refuges

Discover our wonderful tour of the Ubaye, a 6-day circular walking trail through a hidden and unspoilt corner of the French Alps with a small excursion into Italy. Starting in the Queyras, this off the beaten track itinerary takes you through some magnificent landscapes with beautiful alpine summits, majestic mountain lakes and remote and traditional alpine hamlets including Maljessat in France and Chiaperra in Italy.

Marvels of Mercantour

5/6 nights - From £650/€715 - 5 days centre-based walking

Discover the Mercantour National Park and the superb landscapes of the "Vallée des Merveilles" whilst staying in three star accommodation in a wonderful setting. Five great walks to discover the best of this wild corner of France in the southern Alps.

Alps to Med Trail

7 Nights - From £1070/€1195 - 6 days independent walking between guest houses

Varied walking through a changing landscape from the Mercantour National Park in the Alps to the Mediterranean coast through beautiful perched alpine villages, with a rich historic and cultural heritage.

Les Ecrins: Panoramic Alpine Trail

5 nights (extra night possible) - From £880/€980, 5 days walking between guest houses

Starting at Besse en Oisans, your spectacular traverse will follow one of the best sections of the Tour of the Ecrins. You’ll discover stunning panoramic views of glacier-clad mountains such as the Meije and the Barre des Ecrins. Your trail takes you past high alpine lakes, through stunning valleys and along beautiful balcony paths.

Panoramic Vercors

6 or 8 nights - From £925/€1045, 5 or 7 days walking between guest houses

The Vercors is a magical place where gleaming rock faces meet wild and desolate plateaux. The main summits are to be found on a ridge running along its eastern edge, the centre piece being Mont Aiguille, an awesome rock tower cast off from the main cliffs. Your 6 day traverse will follow this edge from above and below in the most scenic part of the Vercors with amazing panoramic views of the alpine chain.

Tour of Mont Aiguille

5 nights - From £760/€840, 4 days walking - mix of day walks and walking between guest houses

This self guided walking holiday in the Vercors takes a short tour around the mythical mountain called Mont Aiguille, which provides some of the most cherished views in the Alps. This rock tower is central to a beautiful area in the French Alps made up of deep gorges and canyons, gigantic cliffs several hundred metres high and rocky plateaux. You'll also have the chance to summit the highest peak in the Vercors - Grand Veymont at 2341m.

Sensations of Verdon Gorge

6 nights - From £985/€1090, 5 days walking between hotels

A sensational walking holiday that explores the Verdon Gorge, from above and below, one of Europes largest and most spectacular canyons. Its location between Provence and the Alps means it is a great spring and autumn destination

Queyras - Best Kept Secret in the Alps

7 nights - From £890/€995 - 6 days centre-based walking holiday staying in 2 or 3 locations

This centre-based independent walking holiday explores the Queyras, an unspoilt, rugged region of the French Alps with breathtaking scenery. A sunny climate, good paths and lots of easily accessible alpine summits makes this an ideal mountain walking destination.

Trekking Tour of the Vanoise

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7 nights - From £730/€810, 6 days trekking with back-pack between mountain huts

The tour of the Vanoise in the French Alps is a circular trek which allows you to be at close quarters with elegant high mountain peaks and stunning alpine glaciers. Designated a National Park, the Vanoise offers an ideal natural, unspoilt wilderness for walking and trekking holidays where soaring alpine peaks with pristine glaciers rise majestically above wild, remote valleys.

Vanoise Explorer

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7 nights - From £890/€1025 - 6 days centre-based alpine walking

This self-guided walking holiday in the beautiful Vanoise National Park of the French Alps is a centre-based trip which allows you to combine the high mountains with the comfort of a 4-star hotel in the pretty village of Pralognan-la-Vanoise. The holiday includes walks of varying lengths and difficulties with the majority of hikes situated around grades 3 or 4 on a scale of 5. This equates to day walks with altitude gains of 500m - 1000m. More holiday details

Alpine Adventure Part 1: Lake Geneva - Chamonix

6 nights - from £695/€765 per person, 6 days self-guided walking between gites

This is the first stage of a mythical walk which follows the GR 5 long-distance trail from the shores of Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean coast at Nice, following the entire length of the French Alps. Your trail crosses the alpine meadows of the Abondance Valley before meandering along the foot hills of the Chablais mountains heading towards the ever-present profile of Mont Blanc.

Alpine Adventure Part 2: Chamonix - Briancon

7 nights - from £985/€1100 per person, 6 days self-guided walking between hotels and gites

This is the second stage of a mythical walk which follows the GR 5 long-distance trail from the shores of Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean coast at Nice, following the entire length of the French Alps. You'll start your walking holiday in Chamonix and after passing by the foot of the immense Mont Blanc glaciers you’ll head through the alpine meadows of Beaufortain, before discovering the beautiful summits and glaciers of the Vanoise National Park.

Alpine Adventure Part 3: Briancon - Roya

8 nights - from £825/€910 per person, 7 days self-guided walking between hotels and gites

This is the 3rd stage of a mythical walk which follows the GR 5 long-distance trail from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean coast at Nice, following the entire length of the French Alps. Part 3 of our Alpine traverse goes from Briancon to Roya traversing the beautiful Queyras regional park before moving onto the secret Alps of the Ubaye Valley. From there its onto the majestic and wild Mercantour National Park.

Alpine Adventure Part 4: Roya - Nice

5 nights - from £710/€785, 6 days self-guided walking between hotels and gites

This is the final trek of a mythical walk which follows the GR 5 long-distance trail from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean coast at Nice, following the entire length of the French Alps. On this walk you'll discover the majestic and wild Mercantour National Park, with great wildlife before moving on to the wonderful perched villages of the Provence in the Maritime Alps.

Alpine Adventure Parts 3 & 4: Briancon - Nice

12 nights - from £1270/€1410 per person, 12 days self-guided walking between hotels and gites

These are the final two parts (combined) of a wonderful long-distance trek which follows the GR 5 trail from the shores of Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean Sea at Nice, following the entire length of the French Alps. From Briancon you’ll first traverse the beautiful Queyras regional park before moving onto the secret Ubaye Valley. From there its onto the majestic and wild Mercantour National Park before discovering the wonderful perched villages of the Provence in the Maritime Alps.

Alpine Adventure: Alternative Part 4: Roya to Menton

9 nights - from £1030/€1140 per person, 9 days self-guided walking between hotels and gites

Our Alpine Adventure trek follows the entire length of the French Alps from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean Sea. This walking holiday is an alternative final leg of this superb trek via the GR52 (rather than the GR5) passing through the heart of the Mercantour National Park before finishing in Menton. Discover beautiful lakes surrounded by rocky summits & the famous Vallee des Merveilles.

Travels through Baronnies Regional Park

7 nights - From £845/€930, first part of a long distance walking holiday across southern France

This self-guided walking holiday in France is the first leg of a unique trek through Alpine Provence from the Rhone Valley to the Med. Your independent walking trail will take you through some wonderful mountain scenery where the Alps meet Provence. The first part of this trail discovers the beautiful Baronnies Regional Park, far from the beaten trails.

Brittany & Normandy

Brittany's Emerald Coast

6 nights - From £940/€1045, 5 days walking between guest houses

The Emerald coast is home to some of Brittany’s most impressive coastlines, with dramatic rocky headlands jutting into the sea, enclosing picturesque coves of beautiful golden sand. Each day’s walk changes character from the opulent villas of Dinard and the fabulous historic walled town of St Malo to the wild heathland and stunning 70m cliffs of the Frehel Peninsula.

Brittany's Granite Coast

9 nights - From £925/€1045, 8 days walking between guest houses

The granite coast in Brittany is a dramatic section of coast where pink rocks contrast with vibrant turquoise seas and fine sandy beaches. The long distance coastal trail follows a former coastguard footpath, winding among bizarrely shaped rock formations interspersed with sandy coves and wonderful coastal views. Elsewhere along this coastline you'll discover wild and remote cliffs and peninsulas, dramatic estuaries and pretty fishing villages.

Brittany's Coast of Legends Part 1, Roscoff to Aber Wrac'h

7 nights - From £725/€815, 6 day's walking between guest houses

This self-guided walking holiday takes you along the northern Finistere coast in Brittany heading west from Rocoff. Relatively easy walking takes you along a beautiful stretch of coastline with a multitude of tiny islands and rocky promontories which make this coast so difficult to navigate, making it a place of numerous shipwrecks and legend. In between you'll discover pretty beaches and a host or pre-historic sites.

Brittany's Coast of Legends Part 2, Aber Wrac'h to Conquet or Brest

7 or 9 nights - from £885/€995, 6 or 8 day's walking between guest houses

This independent walking holiday is the second part of a two part walk between Roscoff and Brest, either finishing in Conquet after 6 day's walking or in Brest itself. The coast is dissected by long estuaries or Abers which create wide breaks in the coast. Starting with Aber Wrac'h, you'll go around two further estuaries as you head towards the western-most tip of Brittany. A beautiful and varied section of coast.

Belgium

Belgium's Trappist Beer Trail: Part 1

6 nights - From £780/€880, 5 day's walking between guest houses

This self-guided walking holiday is the first part of the Belgium Trappist Beer Trail, through the Ardennes in southern Wallonia. This section of the long distance walk starts at the famous Trappist abbey of Chimay and meanders through picturesque undulating countryside with numerous pretty villages.

Belgium's Trappist Beer Trail: Part 2

6 nights - From £810/€910, 5 day's walking between guest houses

This self-guided walking holiday is the second part of the Belgium Trappist Beer Trail, through the Ardennes in southern Wallonia. This section of the long distance walk starts near the French border and meanders through picturesque undulating countryside with numerous pretty villages to reach Trappist abbey of Rochefort.

Spain

Costa Brava

6 nights - From £730/€815 - 5 1/2 days independent walking between guest houses

Following on from our Pyrenees Coastal Trail, this self-guided walking holiday follows the beautiful Catalan coastal path in Spain. The trail along the Costa Brava passes through a variety of landscapes and historic sites as you alternate between hilly days with pretty rocky inlets and headlands, and easier days passing through bays with lots of wildlife interest.

Grazalema National Park

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7 nights - From £695/€785 - 5 days walking between lovely hotels

The Grazalema National Park in Andalucia is a great location for a self-guided walking holiday with spectacular limestone and dolomite crags that rise dramatically above beautiful gorges. Walk between beautiful villages with some great accommodation and on the final day visit the spectacular village of Ronda.

Alpujarras Valley Walk: Andalucian Ramble

7 nights - From £680/€770 - 5 or 6 days walking between lovely hotels

Alpujarras in the Sierra Nevada has beautiful landscapes and a rich flora, but it's perhaps best known for its traditional Moors villages; white box-shaped houses clustered among the hills. A choice of walks on most days allows walkers of different abilities to enjoy the Alpujarras area, where your holiday would not be complete without a day in the historic city of Granada and a trip to the amazing Alhambra palace.

Andalucian Explorer: The Best of Southern Spain

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10 nights - From £1030/€1160 - 7 or 8 days walking between lovely hotels

Our 10-night walking holiday in Andalucia is designed to experience the two best national parks for walking in southern Spain. Start in the fabulous cliff-top town of Ronda and then walk through Grazalema National Park before taking the beautiful Ronda to Granada train journey. After spending a day in Granada, with a visit of the stunning Alhambra Palance, follow the Las Alpujarran valley in the Sierra Nevada.

Italy

Dolomites: Tyrolean Explorer

6 Nights - from £720/€810 - 5 or 6 days independent centre-based walking staying in comfortable hotels

The mountains of the Dolomites in the Italian Alps have their own unique form and character. Once you have been to the Dolomites then you’ll never confuse it with any other alpine destination, such are its wonderous and stunning landscapes. On this centre-based self-guided walking holiday you'll stay in two beautiful lake-side locations.

Trekking Tour of Mont Viso

7 Nights - From £510/€560 - 7 days independent walking between mountain huts

On this self-guided trek in the French and Italian Alps you’ll explore the spectacular and wild mountain scenery around Mont Viso, an imposing and relatively isolated peak rising to 3841m in the Piedmont, Italy. This trekking holiday is ideal for those who like relatively high altitude walking, in quiet and wild mountain landscapes, in a beautiful region of the Alps.

Great Britain

Great Stones Trail: Avebury & Stonehenge

6 nights - From £665, 5 days walking between guest houses

This self guided walking holiday is a journey through Wiltshire’s prehistoric landscape. From Coate Water to the medieval city of Salisbury you will visit the greatest of England’s prehistoric sites, Avebury and Stonehenge, as well as the hill forts of Barbury Castle and Old Sarum. You will pass ancient churches in picturesque villages, walk alongside rivers and waterways and have far reaching views from the rolling chalk downland.

Wonders of Wessex Walk: Salisbury to Shaftesbury

7 nights - From £710, 6 days walking between guest houses (also available in 5 & 6 night version)

This is a wonderful and unique tour from the historic cathedral city of Salisbury through quintessential English countryside of meadows and chalk downs to reach the Saxon hill top town of Shaftesbury. You'll pass through quaint villages and ancient sites steeped in history and legend, from tales of Alfred the Great and King Canute to the world famous Neolithic encampment at Stonehenge.

Dorset Jurassic Coastal Path & Ridgeway

5, 7 or 8 nights - From £620 (5 nights) - 4, 6 or 7 days walking between guest houses

This independent walking holiday follows a stunning section of the South West Coastal Trail between Lyme Regis and Swanage in Dorset, with a possible extension to Corfe Castle. This spectacular coast is one of the most interesting and varied in the UK and has been designated a natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO

Cornwall's Dramatic Northern Coast

5 or 6 nights - From £590 (5 nights) - 4 or 5 days walking between guest houses

This independent walking holiday follows a dramatic and beautiful section of the South West Coastal Trail between Bude and Pastow in Cornwall, with a possible extension. The walking is varied and challenging with towering cliffs, prominent headlands and secluded bays and inlets harbouring well preserved small fishing ports and villages such as Port Isaac, Tintagel and Boscastle.

South Cornwall Coast: Historic Ports & Fishing Villages

8 nights - From £920 - 7 days walking between guest houses

This self-guided walking holiday is along the final stretch of the Cornish Coastal Path and provides an interesting and varied experience which includes experiencing beautiful estuaries as you cross them by ferries. As well as the estuaries, there are high cliff top views, picturesque fishing villages and sandy beaches aplenty to enjoy on route between the historic maritime centres of Falmouth and Plymouth. Although there's plenty to see along the route, this is one of the more quieter sections of the South West Coast Path as well as being one of the more gentle. You can escape from it all walking around some of the prominent headlands with far reaching views without being too far away from a fishing village and harbour or secluded beach.

West Mendip Explorer: Somerset Heights to Somerset Levels

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7 nights - From £720 - 6 days walking between guest houses (additional nights available)

This self guided walking holiday begins in the seaside town of Weston Super Mare following the Mendip Way, but detours from this path so that you can explore the best of this beautiful and varied landscape in north Somerset. This includes the gorges of Cheddar and Burrington, the beautiful medieval city of Wells with its magnificent cathedral and moated Bishop's Palace as well as the iconic Glastonbury Tor which rises above the Somerset Levels.

Somerset: The Mendip Way

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7 nights - From £675 - 6 days walking between guest houses (additional nights available)

This self guided walking holiday follows the Somerset long distance trail The Mendip Way. It begins in the Victorian seaside town of Weston Super Mare in the west and ends in the vibrant and historic town of Frome in the east. There is time to explore Cheddar with its magnificent gorge as well as the beautiful medieval city of Wells with its cathedral and moated Bishop's Palace. The limestone Mendips have a network of caves as well as gorges, with Cheddar Caves and Wookey Hole Caves open to the public. On its steeper slopes flower rich grasslands and wooded coombes offer varied habitats for a wide variety of wildlife with great views across the Somerset Levels.

Wonderfully Wild: North Pembrokeshire Coast - Wales

6 nights - From £610 - 4 or 5 days independent walking between guest houses

This self guided walking holiday in west Wales explores the beautiful north Pembrokeshire coast with its volcanic headlands and glacial valleys between the town of Newport with its sandy beach to the lovely harbour village of Solva. It is a wild and rugged coastline with high cliffs and steep drops where the coast path hugs the edge of the cliffs to give wonderful viewpoints.The route follows the coastline which was designated a National Park in 1952 mainly because of its extraordinary variety of rock types and landforms; a unique coastal landscape that makes an ideal habitat for wildlife.

Scotland - Trossachs National Park, Oban & Islands

7 nights - (includes trains and ferries) - 3 days walking across Trossachs, 3 days exploring Oban and nearby islands with choice of walks

4 nights - 3 days walking across Trossachs

A unique holiday traversing the Trossachs National Park in Scotland, a land of beautiful lochs and glens, forests and tumbling rivers. The week long break continues with the choice of walks on nearby islands including Kerrera with its ruined chateau and wildlife, and Mull with its famous capital Tobamory. Visit an excellent local whisky distillery.

Scotland - West Highlands Way & Skye

7 nights - (includes trains and ferries) - 3 days walking on West Highlands Way, 3 days exploring Skye with choice of walks

A great mix of multi-day trekking along the best parts of the West Highlands Way, one of the UK's premium trails and day walks on the stunningly beautiful and rugged Isle of Skye

Scotland - West Highlands Way & Wild West Coast

7 nights - (includes trains and ferries) - 3 days walking on West Highlands Way, 3 days exploring Scotland's rugged west coast with choice of walks

A great mix of multi-day trekking along the best parts of the West Highlands Way, one of the UK's premium trails and day walks on the amazing west coast including the remote Knoydart peninsula known as Britain's last wilderness and the rugged Isle of Skye

Scotland - Fife Coastal Path

7 nights - From £925 - 6 days independent walking between guest houses

The Fife Coastal path goes via some of Scotland's most picturesque villages, mainy containing small fishing ports such as the pretty coastal town of Anstruther. From village to village, harbour to harbour, enjoy the cool summer of Scotland and witness the marine wildlife of the North Sea around the Fife Peninsula.

Lyon World Heritage City: All Year Round

Tailor-made, flexible self-guided or independent walking holiday, staying in hotel of your choice in the heart of the world heritage city. Roman ampitheatres, medieval quarter, renaissance town. Gastronomic capital of France. Choice of walks and plenty of occasion to relax.