Fresh air, a burst of cardio and the chance to immerse yourself in your surroundings. There’s a simple pleasure in putting one foot in front of the other on a hiking holiday. Exploring at a pedestrian pace helps you feel connected to your surroundings through sight, sound and often smell. Iceland, Canada, New Zealand and Norway offer no shortage of amazing places to see on foot and are standout walking destinations.
An abundance of breathtaking scenery allows scope for world-class – and often popular – trails as well as off-the-beaten-track paths where you feel like you have the place to yourself. You might want to sprinkle a series of 30-minute meanders into a self-drive holiday. Perhaps the idea of an expert guide taking care of the navigation, while you soak up some of the world’s finest views is more to your liking.
Read our quick guide on where to get footloose and fancy-free in Iceland, Canada, New Zealand and Norway whether you’re a Sunday afternoon stroller or a Goretex-clad trailblazer.
Hiking in Iceland
Awe-inspiring landscapes brimming with mountains, valleys, waterfalls and lava fields all vie for attention in Iceland. Raw and rugged with some of the wildest landscapes in Europe, it really is a hiker’s paradise. Much of the island remains inaccessible by road, so for those willing to step out on foot, you’ll find natural wonders that remain virtually unchanged from the days of the first settlers. And with endless summer days, you have plenty of time to let the path unfold.
There are obvious benefits in striding out on a guided wilderness trek with an expert who understands the terrain and knows the paths less trodden. For those who like going it alone, there are hundreds, if not thousands of marked hiking trails around the country. Many follow old sheep tracks – reassuringly sure-footed (if woolly) pathfinders. With a little bit of planning, it’s easy to experience a variety of trails on a self-drive, including highland tracks and coastal paths.
Our top picks in Iceland
Seasoned trekkers – Iceland’s standout multi-day trek is the 55km Laugavegur trail – a world classic. Hike through colourful rhyolite mountains slopes of Landmannalaugar, soak in the hot springs and walk the impressive glacial valley of Thorsmork.
Recreational ramblers – stay at our self-catering Glacier Lodge on Snaefellsnes and check out a series of trails around the peninsula. In the south-east, stop off at Skaftafell Visitor Centre and follow the trail to Svartifoss, a gem of a waterfall cascading down basalt rocks. While in the north, the horseshoe-shaped wooded gorge of Asbyrgi presents a (slightly) softer side of Iceland.
“You only need gaze out of the car window to witness Iceland’s stunning scenery unfold and so many of the country’s incredible waterfalls are easily accessible within moments of parking. So, even though not strenuous, the 40-minute walk to Svartifoss in Skaftafell National Park comes with a sense of reward as well as spectacle. After about half an hour on the wooded path you’ll catch a glimpse of the waterfall in the distance and as you approach, the black, geometric shapes of the basalt cliff behind become ever more defined. If you choose, continue on the trail beyond Svartifoss for more scenic treasures.” – Doug, Travel Specialist
Hiking in New Zealand
You’d be hard pressed to find a list of the world’s most famous hiking trails without New Zealand featuring. The Milford Track often takes top spot and has long held international acclaim, and deservingly so, as it meanders through the ancient rainforests of Fiordland National Park over 53 jaw-droppingly scenic kilometres. Its popularity sees the huts booked out well in advance though this does make way for the other Great Walks to shine. From the beaches and coastal forests of Abel Tasman to the Middle-earth invoking scenery of the Routeburn Track, these hiking trails showcase the best of New Zealand’s natural beauty.
“Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand’s smallest, is stunning. The sea sparkles like diamonds and the secluded golden beaches lure you in. The Abel Tasman Sea Shuttle into the park is mesmerising on its own. Native birds soared next us and fur seals either frolicked in the sea or were basking on rocks in the sun. The famous Abel Tasman Coast Track takes 3-5 days to complete, but if you prefer a shorter stroll, I can thoroughly recommend the Sky Track walk of around 3.5km which leads to a truly amazing viewpoint”. – Lauren, Travel Specialist
However, multi-day tramping is only one element of country’s hiking possibilities. You can join short guided walks to get a taster of the Great Walks and easy-going rambles, rainforest strolls and beach combing offer themselves up on a plate as you tour round this diverse country. Especially if you’re doing the driving, you have the freedom to stop and step out anywhere that peeks your interest.
Our top picks in New Zealand
Seasoned trekkers – one of the world’s most celebrated one day hikes, the volcanic trails of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing offer 19km of spectacular leg stretching. It features on our 22-day Hike and Drive itinerary – a carefully curated independent adventure by 4×4 blending renowned hiking trails with classic sights and comfortable accommodation.
Recreational ramblers – there is a huge amount of potential to weave in daily walks on an imaginative self-drive and most can be entirely spontaneous like a lake stroll around Wanaka or a beach meander in the Coromandel. Among those worth planning are the geothermal valleys and redwood forests of Rotorua and the Tasman Glacier View Track in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
Hiking in Norway
With no less than 21 great hikes around spectacular Sognefjord (Norway’s longest and deepest fjord) alone, this is a country made for walking. 20,000 km of marked trails offers the full gamut of hiking options for all abilities be that on head-spinning ascents such as that to Pulpit Rock or micro-hikes around Bergen. Long hours of daylight and even the midnight sun in the north mean you pack loads in. Simply pick up a map, instructions and follow the route.
Around Fjord Norway, many trails boast peerless views of the iconic sheer-sided cliffs or lead through valleys lined with orchards and charming villages. Commit to a couple of hours or take on full day, full throttle challenges like HM Queen Sonja’s Panoramic Hiking Trail in Hardanger – a 16km and up to 9 hour trek for experienced hikers. You might choose to chase Kodak moments tackling three of the most iconic viewpoints in the Norwegian fjords – Trolltunga, Pulpit Rock and Kjerag.
“After walking nearly three and a half hours we knew we were getting near Trolltunga as we spotted people sitting and looking toward the horizon. We crossed the tectonic plateau and were greeted by the famous Trolltunga. What a sight!” – Eric, Travel Specialist
Our top picks in Norway
Seasoned trekkers – White sand beaches and jagged peaks are the unlikely partners on breathtaking Senja, an island near Tromso and a little-known gem for hikers. Drive between remote island retreats tackling well-marked mountain trails and coastal walks. Segla is the island’s most popular trail but also the most demanding revealing incredible views of Mefjord and the surrounding mountains from an elevation of 590 metres.
Recreational ramblers – drive around the iconic Norwegian fjords picking your hiking spots among the stunning fjords, valleys and fascinating towns of Bergen and Alesund.
Hiking in Canada
You’d expect the outdoors to be great in the world’s second largest country. And it is. In Canada, the Great Outdoors comes in the form of majestic peaks, lush forests, tranquil lakes, coastal paths and windswept beaches. Only by setting out on foot can you truly appreciate the sheer scale of the country’s wilderness areas. Hiking in Canada is also such a great way to engage your senses from the scent of pine forests and sounds of wildlife to the unquestionable visual spectacles.
The hard part is narrowing down where to focus your footsteps. Choose the rugged wilds of the Yukon’s Kluane National Park and Tombstone Territorial Park or the majestic Rockies in Alberta. Perhaps the lush valleys of BC’s Okanagan or the lake shores of Ontario’s Bruce Peninsula can tempt.
“Walking in beautiful Kluane National Park was a real highlight, especially with the autumnal colours. The lake was a stunning blue and the mountains were dotted with golden-hued trees. We even spotted a few bear tracks”. – Jo, Travel Specialist
Our top picks in Canada
Seasoned trekkers – explore the spectacular alpine landscapes of the Canadian Rockies on a small-group tour that combines carefully chosen day hikes with hotel accommodation. Get off the beaten trail near icons like Lake Louise, Banff and Jasper.
Recreational ramblers – drive the Cabot Trail and take your pick from 26 trails in the Cape Breton Highlands including the Skyline Trail leading to a stepped boardwalk overlooking the coastline.
The list goes on…
One of the joys of walking is you can do so anyway and weave it into any holiday. Be that taking in city sites in Europe’s cultural heart, strapping on snowshoes in snowy Lapland, trekking through the tundra on the edge of the habitable world in Greenland or stepping into the jungle in Costa Rica in search of wild things. Take a look at our collection of walking holidays and discover the world really is at your feet.
Feeling inspired?
From a multi-day trek through the volcanic heart of Iceland to a hike and drive combo in Norway, a small-group guided tour in Canada to one of the world’s best one-day trails in New Zealand, we can tailor a walking holiday that will put a spring in your step. Send an enquiry or call on 01737 214 250.
