Whether you're after those big adventures or small "why haven't I done this before?" moments, our European destinations are ready to take your walking holiday up a gear. Why not swap hiking boots for bike pedals, launch yourself down a zip line or take to the skies above snow-dusted peaks and turquoise lakes?
Mountain biking and cycling
Does your perfect holiday include two wheels and a mountain backdrop? Well, you’ve got plenty of options.
In Selva, you can take on everything from bike parks and off-road trails to scenic road cycling routes through the Puez-Odle Nature Park. Expect famous Dolomite views and routes that’ll have you stopping every five minutes to snap a photo.
Saalbach Hinterglemm has earned its reputation as one of Europe’s top mountain biking destinations, with lift-assisted trails, downhill tracks, flow trails and cross-country routes spread across the mountains. New to mountain biking? No problem. Chasing technical descents and wow-factor alpine rides? You’ll find those too.
Over in Arinsal, the nearby Pal Arinsal Bike Park hosts a stage of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup every summer, so it’s safe to say the biking scene here is the real deal. Or why not swap the trails for road cycling or gravel routes, and explore more of Andorra’s mountain landscapes on two wheels?
Then there’s Morzine, where cycling is woven into summer life. Tackle mountain bike trails, cruise scenic e-bike routes or take on road rides that regularly feature in the Tour de France. Not bad for a morning out.
Watersports
Walking holidays and watersports might not sound like the obvious match, but places like Malcesine and Zell am See prove otherwise.
On Lake Garda, opt for a paddleboard along the shoreline, try sailing or, when the winds pick up, give kite surfing a go (it’s all about balance – a bit like our holidays). It’s the kind of place where active mornings turn into lazy lakeside afternoons pretty quickly.
In Zell am See, Lake Zell steals the spotlight in summer. There’s no beating kayaking beneath the mountains, windsurfing or paddleboarding with mesmerising views of the surrounding peaks as your backdrop. And when you’re done? Find a sunny spot by the lake and jump straight in.
Trail running
If you’d rather pick up the pace, these destinations deliver big time and are hard to beat.
In Arinsal, trail running routes wind through forests, glacial valleys and high-altitude terrain across the Pyrenees. Keep things gentle with scenic mountain paths or push yourself on steeper, more technical routes. Remember to pack suitable running shoes to avoid those pesty blisters.
Val di Fassa, near Canazei, serves up everything from gentle running trails to routes used in the legendary DoloMyths Run Skyrace, so whether you’re out for a casual jog or training for your next challenge, you’ll have plenty of options.
Chamonix is one of the world’s most iconic trail running destinations, with graded and waymarked routes leading across the valley. It’s also home to the legendary UTMB (Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc), where elite runners take on distances ranging from 96km to an astonishing 300km.
Zip-lining
Not all Walking Holidays need hiking boots.
At Grindelwald-First, the First Flyer and First Glider send you flying across the mountainside with incredible views of the Eiger along the way. It's fast, scenic and guaranteed to wake you up quicker than a morning coffee.
In Norway, elevate your day in Flåm into a full-on adventure – quite literally. Ride the famous Flåm Railway through steep mountain landscapes, whiz down a zip line, then hop on a bike and cycle back to the village through the valley below. Now that’s an adventure.
Rock climbing and via ferrata
If you’re happiest scrambling, climbing or clipping into a harness, there’s plenty to get stuck into.
Around Drei Zinnen, you can explore a range of via ferrata routes that pass dramatic peaks, historic WWI tunnels and iconic mountain scenery. Routes are suitable for different experience levels, making it a great place to try a guided via ferrata and see those distinctive peaks from all different perspectives.
Mayrhofen is packed with climbing opportunities, from sport climbing and bouldering to famous via ferrata routes like Schlegeis 131. Build up your confidence or sign up for your next challenge; there’s no shortage of rock to conquer here.
And if rock climbing has always been on your wishlist, Chamonix is one of the Alps’ big hitters. This legendary alpine destination attracts climbers from around the world, thanks to its huge variety of routes and unbeatable mountain setting.
Walking holidays might be what brings you to Europe, but there's a whole lot more waiting once you get there. On an Inghams Walking holiday, you can walk as much or as little as you like. The hardest part? Deciding what to do first.
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Discover your perfect holidayAn expertly crafted walking holiday with more choice, more experiences, and more of what you know and love about holidays.
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