Explore the trulli buildings of Alberobello in Puglia
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Best 24 Active Travel Tours of 2024
2024 has been an incredible year for active travel! UTracks Travellers have explored Europe’s hidden trails, ventured through Mediterranean islands, and completed iconic routes like the Tour du Mont Blanc, Camino de Santiago, and England's Coast to Coast, all while creating unforgettable memories.
Check out the 24 most popular walking and cycling holidays in Europe for 2024 below. Whether you’re looking for inspiration for 2025 or beyond, UTracks has something for every traveller.
"From the moment we enquired and booked the team were amazing. It was a great trip and having all the logistics sorted for us made the walking the priority. The few hiccups we had with luggage transfers and meals were sorted quickly. Le Puy to Conques was a beautiful Camino to start with, but a warning, the feeling at the end of it was a feeling that it was not the end!!"
"My partner and I are not cyclists. Previously we managed a 2-day bike ride in Australia, so while not complete novices, we are beginner riders.
So, how best to see the Loire Valley in France by bike given this constraint?
Answer: choose a UTracks introductory level, 5-day self guided trip (the Loire Valley Castles Cycle), based each night in the same cute 3-star hotel in the village of Chitenay, paying a little more for an E-bike, and choosing day trips with a length of ride that suited our skill level. We loved it."
Read more of Merilyn's Traveller Tale.
Explore the three Baltic nations: Estonia, Lithuania & Latvia, from the capital cities of Riga, Tallinn and Vilnius, to the many small villages that have changed little over time, this guided or self-guided cycling experience along low traffic roads and dedicated cycle paths will showcase the diverse cultures, World Heritage sites and mainly flat landscapes that make travelling in this region so different to anywhere else in Europe.
"The Best of the Camino was a fabulous experience for us. Our guide, Juan and driver, Santiago were fabulous. This was a second UTracks hike for us in the same vacation. It was such a relief on this trip to have a knowledgeable guide and competent driver who cared about you and fostered a connected sense within the group. This was not our previous experience, as not all guides are like this. The Best of the Camino combines day walks between 15-22km, bus movement across the more ‘boring’ parts of the Camino, great hotel accommodation and meals. I would highly recommend this experience."
"The crew (skipper, bosan, guide,cook) were all professional and fun and ensured all the guests were safe, enjoying themselves and extremely well fed. Each evening the following days barge trip was outlined as were the walking options. As the barge had to negotiate many locks there were many hop on/hop off points for those not wanting to walk the entire Great Glen.
The scenery both from the barge and the well maintained walking tracks was so spectacular that the light rain each day of our trip seemed insignificant. The facilities on the barge were very comfortable and it was fun having meals all together around one large table. The cabins were comfortable and the showers functioned exceptionally well with good pressure and warmth."
"What a hidden gem the Alsace region is. Loved the whole trip. Even though reasonably fit , would recommend electric bikes for the few hills and because the weather was hot.
Cycling through medieval villages ,endless vineyards, next to canals and stunning countryside. Enjoying the traditional cuisine, high quality wines and the culture which seems to be unique, even within France. Accommodation pleasant, a few had no air conditioning which was only a problem when temperatures high. Would definitely do another cycling trip, although it would be hard to match the fun we had on this one!"
"The Via Ferrata Guided Walk was the most epic adventure ever for us wanna be rock climbers! Our group ranged in age from 33 to 62.
The Dolomites are spectacular, and clinging to the side of the mountains on the Via Ferrata in these mountains is a surreal experience. We loved the history in this region with the WW1 relics, the tunnels, barracks, and caves that we traveled through. The first day we were a bit in shock at what we had signed up for, but every day got better even as the Via Ferrata's became slightly more difficult."
Read more of Nancy's Traveller Tale here.
"The bike and bardge trip exceeded my expectations!! The Boat was beautiful! We loved our suite and the food was delicious. The staff were all very kind and helpful. Our 2 bike guides Hilda and Petra were Lovely and full of history and stories for us and very safety conscious of our rides every day. We will certainly consider doing another trip with you… not sure where yet?"
"An epic adventure in every sense - extraordinary landscapes, challenging walking, great accommodation and support and wonderful fellow hikers. Would highly recommend the Coast to Coast to all those who value a challenge and enjoy the outdoors."
"If you’re thinking of checking out the Croatian islands and coast. This is for you. Bike and sail best way to visit beautiful Croatia. Our hosts unbelievable friendly and knowledgeable and most importantly fun. Lots of fun. Do it!!"
"The most exhilarating adventure with nature ain the beauty of the Dolomites. The most incredible guides who are so experienced they adapted routes helped the greener hiker like me through tricky terrain, topped off with amazing accommodation lunches ans food . So much fun I can’t wait to go back!"
"We thoroughly enjoyed our bike riding trip! We opted for e-bikes which was great for us given that we weren't both regular bike riders. The itinerary of each day was very flexible, giving you the chance to have a late or early start with still plenty of time in the day to enjoy the village for your overnight stay. We often opted for an early start, arriving around lunchtime at our destination.
We particularly loved the two-night stay (with a rest day) at Saint Remy de Provence. It gave us more time for some sight seeing and enjoying the bigger village. The GPS navigation was also super easy to follow and as English-speakers, we didn't find any issues making our way around. We would highly recommend this experience to others looking to 'get off the beaten track' and explore some hidden gems in the Provence region."
"Our ride through Puglia was amazing!! Every day was a little different and we were very happy with the quiet country lanes and roads, sometimes only seeing a handful of cars using. We had ebikes and we found them to be very robust and adequate. They were very well organized and we found them excellent to deal with."
"I consider myself a well travelled individual. I have done 4 walking tours in Europe and this was by far the best. From the hotels to the scenery to the weather I was blessed with this trip was #1 I travelled in September and I was amazed at how empty the trails were. I would highly recommend anyone in moderate/good shape take this trip!"
"This was a great week spent with two friends. It was a particular treat that 5 dinners were included in the holiday itinerary. The places we stayed were chosen for their restaurants and they were all really good. The weather did not always cooperate (we were there in early September) but the good food and friendliness of the places we stayed and the quirkiness of the villages we passed through more than made up for it."
"The Blue Danube cycle path is the most beautiful I could ever imagine. The paved path is an easy ride, almost all along the river. When it veers away, it is through quaint towns/villages, country farms, orchards & vineyards or trees areas. The accommodations and meals are great. Luggage delivery is seamless. I highly recommend this tour with UTracks!"
"We had a great time on the Bike and Barge tour travelling from Avignon to Aigues-Mortes. All the staff on the “Caprice” were fantastic and our tour leader Micky took good care of us. The bike rides were great fun, travelling through beautiful countryside, with interesting stops along the way, and the e-bikes made it fairly easy. The food was outstanding!
We would highly recommend this trip for people who like to get out for some active travel in places a bit off the beaten track, who like food and wine, and who enjoy sharing the experience with a small group of like-minded people."
"Our Camino was a great experience and the organisation and accommodation of our trip was excellent, our luggage was there at all our accommodation as we arrived and the rooms in most cases were comfortable, the evening meals were always filling and the breakfast were great the mornings that we decided to wait till they opened and on some occasions the motels would pack us a picnic bag so we could get away early I would definitely use UTracks again when contemplating another trip like this."
"The Tour de Mont Blanc was a truly unforgettable trek! The breathtaking scenery was a constant source of awe—majestic mountain peaks and stunning glacial valleys surrounded us, making every step feel like a journey through a postcard-perfect landscape.
Our guide, Elodie, was the heart of this adventure. Her expertise and skill in navigating the trails were impressive, but what truly set her apart was her ability to connect with each member of our group. Elodie shared her extensive knowledge of the region’s geology and geography, and her adept skill in wrangling a particularly stubborn mule added a delightful touch of humour to our days. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and it made every hike feel like a new adventure. Plus, her commitment to safety ensured that we all felt secure while exploring this alpine terrain.
One of the highlights of the trip was the amazing picnic lunches Elodie prepared, featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Enjoying these delicious spreads amidst such incredible scenery transformed our breaks into memorable feasts. Overall, this trip was a perfect blend of adventure, education, and culinary delight, all expertly guided by Elodie. I can’t recommend this experience highly enough for anyone seeking an epic adventure.
"Our adventure took us from Bordeaux to Toulouse, France, by bike. Our bikes, accommodations and guidance were excellent. Our baggage was always waiting for us at our next lodging. We had one small hiccup (our fault) and the local assistant quickly got us straightened out. She was very helpful. We had no problems finding the “points of interest” and places to eat. We’d definitely recommend the trip!"
"This was an excellent way to do the Camino. They provided all the information we needed, and everything went extremely smoothly. Would highly recommend!"
"The bike and barge tour is a great way to explore and experience cities, villages, and the natural beauty along the Danube River. We loved the simplicity of having a local guide brief us on sites to see and not having to navigate unfamiliar roads. The food and service aboard the boat was excellent and the rooms were clean and comfortable. We highly recommend the Danube bike and barge tour!"
"The Mt Blanc 'smell the roses walk' is a beautiful walk. There are some steep climbs, but our guide always set a pace that everyone could do. The food is authentic and incredible views and scenery."
The Camino Portuguese route is beautiful and packed with history, taking you through World Heritage-listed towns, coastal boardwalks, vibrant cities, and rural regions that you may otherwise never experience on a tour of Portugal.
UTracks provided the perfect way for my husband and I to walk a lovely part of the Portuguese Camino from Porto to Tui just for a week.
The Camino isn’t a luxury vacation, it has a more humble history, and in the past we walked independently, staying in albergues in Spain, with no set daily itinerary on our way to Santiago de Compostela. This time we wanted to walk just a portion of the Portuguese road, with support to do the groundwork and make our reservations for us.
The inns and homes chosen to stay in all had charm and convenience and were, without exception, clean and run by friendly people. The route through Northern Portugal is beautiful, and the chosen itinerary alternated between challenging and easy days in order to let us enjoy the charming towns along the way.
Well done, and thanks for the good memories!
How many of the Top 24 trips of 2024 have you been on? What was your pick of #1 of 2024? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.