Exploring the sunny coastline of Puglia
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10 Walking Holidays Now Trending with New Zealanders
More Kiwis are exploring Europe's hiking trails and having a fantastic time than ever before.
Whether you're interested in culture, food and wine; like to explore off the beaten track; are keen to cross off a bucket list route; or simply want to escape to the warmth of the Mediterranean, there's a walking tour that's perfect for you.
Discover the 10 walking holidays currently trending for New Zealanders in 2024.
But first, how does a walking holiday work?
It's simple: our services include everything you need, just turn up and go!
✅ Cosy accommodation that's full of character
✅ Daily luggage transfers
✅ Helpful navigation app
✅ Any transfers
✅ Some delicious local meals
✅ 24/7 support hotline
✅ Guided tours feature a professional local guide & other like-minded travellers.
✅ Plus more great benefits. See the trip page for specific inclusions.
And is it still possible to book for 2024?
Plus, you can currently
save on your 2025 tour as next year's tour prices are locked in at 2024 rates... for now.
Top 10 Walking Tours for New Zealanders in 2024
Read on to discover the top 10 walking tour itineraries loved by New Zealanders in 2024, or get in touch with our Auckland-based team (call 0800 350 354 or
email us) if you need advice or questions.
10. Best of the Camino Guided Walk | Spain
Experience the highlights of the Camino de Santiago on this immersive, highly rated guided walk. Over 13 days, your group will enjoy an unforgettable time exploring the iconic Camino trail.
The whole walk was wonderful...guide was very very good, hotels great, food great...all in all I couldn't fault the trip. An awesome experience all round! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ N. Brabant; Auckland, New Zealand.
9. Best of Tuscany | Italy
On this section of the Camino trail to Rome, combine well-known towns including Siena and San Gimignano, with charming hamlets such as San Miniato, to discover the very best of the Tuscan Via Francigena in a single week.
What a fabulous way to get a feel for life in Tuscany - as it was and as it is now. A really lovely walk through a largely unchanged Trail with the advantages of quality hotels at the end of each day. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ J. Finch.
8. Le Puy Camino | France
The Le Puy Camino begins in Le Puy-en-Velay, France, and travels across the high plateaus of the Massif Central, the volcanic highlands of Velay, through rustic villages, past impressive castles, quaint villages, a myriad of monuments and through picturesque French countryside. For today’s travellers, the French Camino provides one of the most beautiful of all the Camino trails.
The accommodation and food were fine; we had our favourites but all were good! Natalie and Julia in the Auckland office were brilliant when we were organising the trip. The only letdown is that it was all over too soon; wish I was still there! E. Thomas; Hamilton, New Zealand. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
7. Austrian Lakes Walk
The UNESCO World Heritage listed Salzkammergut alpine region of Austria encompasses 76 crystal clear lakes, the Dachstein Glacier, lush summer meadows and impressive rock faces up to 3000 vertical metres high. During this inspiring walk around the lakes, there is ample time to appreciate the natural beauty of the region and the alpine villages of wooden chalets decorated with colourful window boxes while at night you will enjoy the warm hospitality of your hosts.
Our self guided walk was excellent. Itinerary was very good. Scenery was spectacular. Accommodation and food was also very good. Walk itself was very diverse. Every day was different which made for a very enjoyable holiday. Also the fact that you could shortcut a day or two if needed was a very good alternative. The weather was bad on 2 days for us and being able to shorten the walk on those days was a big plus. W. Banks. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
6. Amalfi Coast Explorer | Italy
From the spectacular Amalfi coast to the fascinating ruins of Pompeii, to the historic centre of Naples and the beautiful island of Capri, this walking trip offers the very best of this captivating region.
Fantastic way of exploring Amalfi coast! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ J. Eames; Havelock, New Zealand.
5. Walking in the Dordogne | France
A region full of elegant stone houses and medieval castles, the Dordogne boasts stunning scenery with a combination of villages, forests and farmland. Focused around the Dordogne River Valley, this itinerary has plenty of scope to absorb the history and culture of the Perigord.
An absolutely wonderful trip. Walking through the beautiful French countryside without seeing anyone else all day and hearing nothing but birdsong was simply magic. Stopped in beautiful little villages at night. The trip was very well organised with a great app to tell exactly where we were, very nice hotels and lovely meals. A perfect holiday! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ E. Kivell; New Zealand.
4. Transylvania's Castles & Mountains | Romania
Explore some of Romania's most stunning mountain landscapes and soak up the unique culture of Transylvania on this inspiring walk, plus visit Bran Castle, home to the legendary Count Dracula.
We had the most amazing walking trip in Transylvania- so well organised by the staff who were so communicative and easy to contact. All the accommodation was great with friendly generous local hosts. Our driver was also great, food plentiful and superb, guest houses were mostly roomy with an en-suite. Altogether an unforgettable trip! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ F. Bennett.
3. Walking in Puglia | Italy
This enriching walking trip combines archaeological and architectural treasures, with hiking through valleys and along coastal paths surrounded by landscapes of red earth, olive groves and vineyards.
The trip was well-organised, took us to some fabulous places and we all (we were a group of four) enjoyed it immensely. The walking was relatively easy and the trip notes excellent. Would highly recommend. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ S. Robinson; Ohope, New Zealand.
2. Portuguese Camino: Coastal Way | Portugal
The Portuguese Coastal Route is one of the quieter Camino paths and it offers a wealth of history. From the town of Viana do Castelo, not far from the city of Porto, the journey travels north through small hamlets, past eucalyptus and pine woods, over ancient bridges and along stunning coastal scenery.
The hotels and meals that were included exceeded our expectations - very good value! The support team were helpful when we needed to make adjustments due to illness. Highly recommend!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ K. Hawkins.
1. Camino de Santiago: Sarria to Santiago | Spain
This final stage of the famous Camino pilgrimage route offers the chance for time-starved travellers to walk the final 72 miles / 115kms into Santiago and gain a wonderful appreciation of the historic significance of the route. The gates of Galicia lead on to the fabled Santiago de Compostela with its famous cathedral, the site of the tomb of St James.
Very happy with accommodation & notes provided. Excellent support. The upgrade at Arzua was excellent & worthwhile. The trail was more challenging for the first two days from Sarria. All in all a fantastic experience. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ J. Thomson; Tauranga, New Zealand.
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About UTracks
A UTracks active holiday is all about exploring Europe your way. It’s about walking or cycling the incredible trails of Europe and becoming completely immersed in your travel experience.
Since we began in 2006, UTracks has been the leader in active European holidays. Our itineraries have always been creative, rewarding, and very affordable. With over 450 active trips across the continent, UTracks offers unique opportunities to discover an untrodden Europe that spans postcard-perfect landscapes, centuries-old cultures, rural lifestyles and tempting gastronomic delights.
You can choose to set your own pace on a flexible self guided journey or enjoy the benefits of an experienced local guide on a small group tour. We cater to all fitness abilities with our honest graded system that defines our trips from introductory to challenging. Plus we offer exceptional value with many inclusions on all our trips, allowing you more freedom to enjoy the natural and cultural wonders of Europe.
Whether you prefer cycling or walking, 2-star or 4-star, small group or self guided, land, river or sea – UTracks helps you explore Europe exactly the way you want.
How many of these destinations have you explored already, and where's next on your travel list? Let us know in the comment section below.