There are so many potential destinations for a trekking holiday that it can be difficult to narrow down your options. The nine recommendations below are based on our experience leading trips, and the level of satisfaction our guests report with each destination. Certainly, you’ll find many more options than these nine, but if you’re looking for a place for your next holiday, this list can be a great place to start. Read on to learn more!

All-inclusive Hiking Vacations

1. Grand Canyon

Location: Arizona, USA
Length: 3-7 Days
Ideal Season: Mar-May, Sept-Nov
Guided Grand Canyon Hiking Holiday Options: Inn-based, Camping, Backpacking

There’s literally nowhere like the Grand Canyon. Cutting through almost 300 miles of mountains and deserts, the Canyon is a geological, historical, and recreational phenomenon. Visitors are treated to breathtaking views, unique wildlife and exceptional hiking.

Because the Grand Canyon is located in Northern Arizona, your can easily combine your trip with a visit to Las Vegas, Nevada or Phoenix, Arizona. Most people head to Grand Canyon National Park to hike and explore. Other options are the Hualapai Reservation (location of the Skywalk) and the Havasupai Reservation (location of the Havasupai Waterfalls.)

In Grand Canyon National Park, you have many options for your trekking holiday. You can stay in hotels and day hike, camp under the stars, descend into the Canyon on a backpacking trip, or hike down to the only lodge at the bottom of the Canyon, Phantom Ranch. The most famous hike is the Rim to Rim, which goes all the way across the Canyon, either south to north, or north to south. You can hike Rim to Rim as a backpacking trip, with a stay at Phantom Ranch, or as a strenuous 24-mile day hike.

One important consideration with the Grand Canyon is summer heat. If you’re camping on the rim or staying in hotels during the summer, the heat is less of an issue but still an important consideration. Start hiking early, bring plenty of water and snacks, and try to be back to the rim by late morning. If you’re backpacking or hiking all the way to the Colorado River, do you research and make sure you’re prepared. We strongly recommend joining a guided Grand Canyon hike if you’re visiting in the summer time for increased safety and enjoyment.

2. Yosemite National Park

Location: California, USA
Length: 3-7 Days
Ideal Season: May-Oct
Guided Yosemite Hiking Holiday Options: Inn-based, Camping, Backpacking

Yosemite National Park is a profoundly unique place, and a wonderland of hiking opportunities. It has over 750 miles of hiking trails to explore! Spend a week in this special park and you’ll have the chance to see amazing waterfalls (Yosemite Falls, which runs in the spring, is over 2400′ tall!), towering granite cliffs, wildlife, pristine forests, majestic meadows, and meandering rivers. In the summer, you can also walk in the high country to visit alpine lakes, camp at the edge of breathtaking meadows, and summit peaks as high as 13,000 feet.

One of the most popular hikes in Yosemite is to the top of Half Dome. However, reservations are required for both day hikes and multi-day hikes that summit Half Dome, and the process is extremely competitive. However, there are many fantastic Yosemite backpacking trips besides Half Dome that are very worth doing.

The best gateway cities for Yosemite are San Francisco, CA; Fresno, CA and Sacramento, CA. You can also fly into Reno, NV. Other, worthy destinations within a day of Yosemite are the entire Lake Tahoe area (north) and Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks (south).

3. Zion National Park

Location: Utah, USA
Length: 2-5 Days
Ideal Season: Mar-May, Sept-Nov
Guided Zion Walking Holiday Options: Inn-based, Camping

The canyon country of Southern Utah is home to not one, not two, but five amazing national parks: Zion, Bryce, Canyonlands, Arches, and Capitol Reef. However, when it comes to extraordinary hiking holidays, Zion is one of the most unique.

This Utah gem offers hikes to the tops of towering sandstone cliffs, canyon narrows, desert oases, and stunning viewpoints. The cliffs of Zion are famously made of seven layers of different types of sandstone, eroded away by time and weather into soaring, imposing buttresses.

The most famous hike in Zion is the Virgin River Narrows. Another renowned hike is Angels Landing, which requires both a reservation and a hearty tolerance for heights exposure. You can explore Zion by staying in hotels, or camping. Both options are excellent, although in the heat of summer hotels offer a much more comfortable experience.

4. Tour Du Mont Blanc

Location: Switzerland, Italy, France
Length: 7-10 days
Ideal Season: June-Sept
Guided Tour Du Mont Blanc Hiking Holiday Options: Inn-based Hiking

Tour du Mont Blanc is one of the world’s most famous hiking holidays, and for good reason. Offering the amazing experience of walking through three countries in one trip, visitors spend time in Switzerland, Italy, and France. Most people do this trip as an inn-based experience, staying in hotels and chalets at night. You can also stay in mountain huts in some places (“huts” in Europe are often full service lodges in stunning locations, but with communal accommodations.)

Some of the key selling points of Tour du Mont Blanc are the incredible days of hill walking, the jaw-dropping scenery, the cultural experience of spending time in historic villages and hamlets, and wonderful local food and wine.

Tour du Mont Blanc is a difficult walking holiday. The days are long and strenuous, so training is important. Many people choose to book hotels on their own and do the trek without assistance; and many visitors choose to join a guided tour. The advantages of a guided tour are having all of the logistics handled for you, hiking with a local expert who can teach you about the ecology and history of the area, increased safety and the opportunity to make new friends.

5. Sedona, Arizona

Location: Arizona, USA
Length: 2-5 Days
Ideal Season: Mar-May, Sept-Nov
Guided Sedona Hiking Holiday Options: Inn-based, Camping or Backpacking

The Red Rock Country of Sedona, Arizona is a national-park-worthy area that unfortunately was never designated a national park. It is empirically one of the most unique and scenic places in the world. Luckily, although not a national park much of the country around Sedona is preserved as public land managed by the United States Forest Service.

Sedona has more than 200 hiking trails covering over 400 miles. Deciding which trails to hike can be a much more difficult dilemma than finding a trail. Ultimately, all trails around Sedona will provide a unique, quality experience.

If you’d like to make the very most of your walking holiday in Sedona, consider joining a guided tour. We offer inn-based tours, camping-based tours, a backpacking trip and day hikes. One great option is to combine Sedona with the Grand Canyon (which is also a tour that is offered), which is only a 2-hour drive away.

6. Iceland

Location: Iceland
Length: 7-10 Days
Ideal Season: June-Sept
Guided Iceland Hiking Holiday Options: Inn-based, Camping, Hut-to-hut Trekking

Iceland is a phenomenal location for your next hiking holiday, especially if you’re planning a late spring, summer or early fall getaway. The “Land of Fire and Ice” is home to some of the most spectacular treks in the world. With coastlines, glaciers, volcanoes, incredible waterfalls, geothermal features, and fascinating history, Iceland is a hiker’s dream destination.

Staying in hotels or camping, and doing day hikes is a great option for exploring Iceland on foot. However, we believe the best way to experience Iceland is on a trek that utilizes the country’s fantastic backcountry hut system. The huts are cozy and warm, but they do have communal accommodations.

The Laugavegur Trek is the most famous of Iceland’s hikes. It features all of the best aspects of the area. We also offer a longer version – Laugavegur to Skogar Backpacking Trip – that we feel is the gold standard for making the most of your time in Iceland.

7. Great Smoky Mountains

Location: North Carolina & Tennessee, USA
Length: 3-7 Days
Ideal Season: Mar-Nov
Guided Great Smoky Mountains Hiking Holiday Options: Inn-based, Backpacking

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is America’s most popular national park, and for good reason. Although not all visitors to the Smokies are hikers, a significant number are. The Smokies surprise many first-time visitors with their very big elevation gains and losses. Although these mountains are not high in terms of elevation, their vertical relief is significant. It’s not uncommon to gain and lose 2,000-3,000 feet on a good Smokies hike.

Options for trips are mostly inn-based or backpacking. If staying in a hotel and day hiking, you can explore on foot and see waterfalls, pristine creeks, pioneer historical sites, grassy balds, wildlife and more. If you want to get away from the roads and crowds completely, a backpacking trip will show you the quiet side of the Smokies, where you have the forests, creeks, and peaks mostly to yourself.

Combining your hiking holiday in the Smokies with some time in Asheville, North Carolina is a great option. Asheville is a hip, active town with great restaurants, music and breweries.

8. Patagonia

Location: Southern Regions of Chile and Argentina
Length: 7-12 Days
Ideal Season: Nov-Mar
Guided Patagonia Hiking Holiday Options: Inn-based, Camping or Refugio Treks

Patagonia is a wild region at the southern  tip of South America and is located in parts of Chile and Argentina. It is sort of like the Alaska of South America. The latitude is far enough south that the weather is harsh and unpredictable, and the landscape is raw and wild. With impossibly vertical spires and massive amounts of wilderness, Patagonia offers hikers and trekkers an almost endless number of options.

The most popular treks are in Torres del Paine National Park. The W Trek and the O Circuit are the two most famous hikes in Torres del Paine, and both are fantastic. They are possible as camping-based hikes or you can stay in the national park refugios, which are backcountry lodges with amenities that vary, but can include cafeterias, bathrooms, showers and communal sleeping arrangements.

Also in Chile is the wild and remote Aysen Region, where the world’s largest privately funded conservation effort led to the creation of a new national park. Patagonia National Park – founded by American conservationists Kris and Doug Tompkins and donated to the Chilean government – is roughly the size of Yosemite. We offer one trip in this phenomenal area, the Wild Patagonia Explorer.

9. Yellowstone National Park

Location: Wyoming, USA
Length: 3-7 Days
Ideal Season: June-Sept
Guided Yellowstone Hiking Holiday Options: Inn-based, Camping, Backpacking, Llama-supported

Yellowstone was America’s first national park for a reason. Sitting on top of a mega volcano, it is home to the largest accumulation of geysers, mud pots and hot springs in the world. However, the geothermal features are just the beginning. Yellowstone is home to over 2.2 million acres of wilderness and over 900 miles of hiking trails! The wildlife in America’s first national park is phenomenal and includes grizzly bears, black bears, wolves, bison and a lot more.

Yellowstone is a crowded national park, but when you get away from the roads, an entirely different experience emerges. The backcountry is pristine, with largely intact ecosystems. In many ways, when you hike through Yellowstone’s wilderness you’re seeing it as the first European explorers did centuries ago.

When discovering the magic of Yellowstone on a hiking holiday, you can stay in hotels, camp or head into the backcountry on a backpacking trip or llama-supported trek. Guided Yellowstone trips cover all of these options, as well as day hikes.

What is a Hiking or Walking Holiday?

Simply put, a “hiking holiday” is a vacation where participants explore the natural world on foot. The setting can be mountains, deserts, canyons, shorelines, jungles or other ecosystems. The activity (i.e. walking in nature) has many names. Some other common terms are trekking, hiking, hill walking, nature walking, tramping, and backpacking.

“Holiday” simply means vacation.

Why a Hiking Holiday?

Hiking and walking is a great way to explore new destinations. Not only is it great exercise, but from a quality of experience perspective, it offers many benefits:

• A long hike will get you away from the crowds at busy destinations.
• By covering some miles, you can intimately experience a variety of scenery and ecosystems.
• A low impact activity, hiking is a sustainable way to explore.

The post The 9 Best Destinations for Walking and Hiking Holidays appeared first on Wildland Trekking.

What is the best place to go hiking?

There are many amazing places to go hiking, so we would say there isn’t really one best place. But there are some locations that spectacularly lend themselves to exploration on foot versus others that are more easily or enjoyably explored by boat, bicycle, or car. A great trekking destination has specific characteristics that make it so good for hiking.

In this article, we are focusing on truly world-class places to hike. We’re not interested in average, or even good, here. We’re interested in the best. Below we elaborate on what to look for in a great place to hike and then we list our top 15 picks for the best places to hike in the world.

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Characteristics of a Great Place to Hike

Great places to hike meet common criteria. We believe the following five things are needed to make a truly excellent hiking destination. Each location in this article will be rated on a scale for each of these criteria. To learn more about our rating system, click here.

Stunning Scenery

One of the most rewarding aspects of trekking is the scenery you get to experience. A truly great place to hike is going to be richly gratifying in this regard. Whether you’re hiking through mountains, deserts, canyons, oceans, forests, or prairies, the scenery should be spectacular. And of course, you have to be able to see the scenery, which means there must be views of the surrounding landscapes.

Expansive Space

You should really be able to cover some ground. Even if a place is stunningly beautiful, if the longest hiking trail in the area is just a couple of miles, it is not – in our minds – a great place to hike. You should be able to choose between a half-day hike or a multi-day hike. Options must include trail hiking as well as off-trail hiking or “bushwacking.” One of the great joys of hillwalking, as it’s referred to in Europe, is the sense of freedom that people experience. Expansive amounts of space are a key factor in accessing that amazing feeling of freedom.

Walkable terrain or trails

A key characteristic of a great place to hike is that the terrain is walking friendly. Some places are stunningly beautiful and massive, but they aren’t good for hiking because the foliage is too thick, they’re swampy or watery, or they don’t have developed hiking trails.

Ability to Find Solitude

Not all hikers are looking for solitude, but many are, and for this reason, the ability to have a place mostly to yourself is essential. At the world’s best hiking destinations, you probably will not find an abundance of solitude on popular day hikes, but on more obscure trails and/or on multi-day trips it should be an option.

Ecological Integrity

Finally, a great trekking destination will be wild and well preserved. “Ecological integrity” means the natural systems are largely undisturbed, at least to the extent possible in today’s world. The native plants and animals will be healthy, and the landscape as a whole will be intact, not divided or broken up by roads, clearcuts, mines…etc.

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We’ve learned a tremendous amount since we started, and we want to share with you what to look for (and what to be aware of) when searching for the right adventure tour company for your next trekking vacation. Below we’ve listed nine categories to pay close attention to when making your selection.

9 Criteria For Selecting Hiking and Trekking Companies

1. Online Reviews

In the twenty-first century, we are fortunate to have the help of fellow travelers in deciding which companies to travel with and which to avoid. Many customers have come before you, so take some time to hear what they have to say about the company you’re researching.

Positive Reviews

The company you choose to hike with should have overwhelmingly positive reviews. In general though, people are more likely to post a review of a negative experience than a positive one. It’s been said often that you can multiply the number of positive reviews by 10 for an approximate number of actual happy customers a company has produced. So for every 10 positive reviews, there are approximately 100 happy customers. If the company you’re looking at has many positive reviews, it most likely points to an even stronger level of quality than the reviews say directly.

Negative or Mediocre Reviews

Expect high-quality companies to have some negative or mediocre reviews. A hiking company can provide a wonderful service and still receive less-than-stellar feedback. One of the biggest reasons for this discrepancy is that the company itself cannot dictate the guests’ expectations. People bring a wide range of expectations with them on an adventure, and the experience may match up (or not) with those expectations depending on many factors. Some factors are simply uncontrollable — such as weather, bugs, wildlife (or lack thereof), the difficulty of hiking, other people, and more.

Reviews on Third Party Sites vs. The Company’s Website

There are two general categories of reviews: a) those posted to third-party review sites like Yelp, Google, Trust Pilot, Trip Advisor, and the Better Business Bureau; and b) reviews posted directly to the hiking company’s website, which are usually reviews of specific trips or tours.

We recommend using the third-party reviews to gauge the overall quality of a company, and a company’s website reviews to gauge the quality or unique characteristics of the individual trips.

2. Length of Time in Business

A newer company can provide a great experience, but the bottom line is it’s a much bigger gamble than going with a veteran, proven organization. Vacation time is precious and it’s no small thing to trust a trekking company with your valuable time off. We recommend looking for a company with at least 10 years of experience.

The length of time a company has been in business illustrates five key qualities:

• Safety: Over time, a company’s ethics and systems around safety will have consequences. The longer they are in business, the more refined and high quality these entities will become. Safety should always be a company’s #1 priority.
• Integrity: An organization cannot go very far without integrity. The longer a company has been successful in business, the more likely it is that they operate with integrity. Do they strive to deliver what they promised? Do they treat their staff fairly? Do they take responsibility for their mistakes and seek to make it up to the affected parties?
• Quality: In the “old days,” a company could go years providing low or poor quality experiences. But today, in our world of ubiquitous online reviews, businesses without good reviews won’t last long. Simply put, if a trekking company has been in business for a while, they will more likely provide quality trips.
• Dedication: Entrepreneurs start companies all the time, only to close them a year or two down the road. The longer a company has been in business, the more dedicated the owners and staff are likely to be. A decade-plus of operating experience is a very good sign in terms of the quality and integrity of the people behind the company.
• Resources: Some companies stagnate, but often, if they’ve been around for a while, they will have developed a greater amount of resources to provide their customers than a newer company. This is a very big deal when a hiking trip doesn’t go as planned and additional resources are needed, a guest needs to be evacuated, or last-minute changes are called for.

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3. Quality of Gear

Hiking and trekking companies should provide high-quality gear from name-brand companies. Gear is important for both safety and enjoyment. A leaky tent, flat sleeping pad, not-warm-enough sleeping bag, or ill-fitting backpack can — at best — have a negative impact on your enjoyment, and — at worst — have an impact on safety.

Ask the company what brands they use, how often they turn over their gear, and if it’s cleaned after every trip. You can also look at the online reviews for mentions of the gear.

4. Quality of Meals

Meals, like gear, fulfill functions of both enjoyment and safety. Obviously, it’s important to get enough calories, but the meals should be delicious too. After a long hike in the rain or a cold night at camp, there are few things that can improve a group’s morale like a delicious, hot meal. Ask the hiking company if they use dehydrated meals or cook meals from real ingredients. If the trip includes restaurant meals, do they emphasize the quality of these restaurants in their promotional materials? What do prior guests say about the food in reviews?

5. Risk Management Policies

Risk Management PLan

A good company will have an organized, documented set of risk management policies and procedures. At Wildland Trekking, we have this information organized in a field handbook. Other companies might have a field manual, or they might include their risk management plan in a greater employee handbook. Regardless of its form, this resource shows important aspects of the company’s approach to running their business:

• They are likely to take safety seriously.
• They are deliberately instructing their staff on how to manage risk.
• They are organized and proactive with their approach to risk management.
• They are likely organized and proactive in terms of maximizing professionalism in other areas.

Emergency Communication PLAN

Another important consideration of risk management is the company’s emergency communication plan and resources. For example, at Wildland Trekking, we send every trip out with an emergency communication device. Some companies do not do this, and from our perspective, that’s a red flag. Communication devices can include satellite phones or GPS texting devices like the Delorme InReach Explorer.  A cell phone is not a reliable tool due to lack of service in many areas – especially on hiking and backpacking trips.

Another aspect of the communication plan is that someone is available to handle calls or texts from the field. At Wildland Trekking, we have a 24/7 team that is (as the name implies) available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help resolve issues that arise on trips.

6. Do They Employ Their Guides?

Quality hiking companies hire their staff as employees. Some trekking companies hire their guides as independent contractors so they can avoid expenses related to payroll taxes and employee protections like workers compensation insurance. It transfers the payroll taxes to the staff members, reducing overhead for the company. This structure is a red flag because the employees are not protected in terms of injury and liability. If a guide is not an employee of the company, they can even be sued – this is a significant and unfair exposure to place on a company’s vital team members.

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7. Turnover of Staff

We recommend asking about a company’s level of staff turnover. Turnover rates can say a lot about a company; most importantly, if the turnover is low, the hiking guides are likely to be more experienced. If the turnover is high, then you are more likely to get a newer guide, which can be absolutely fine (everyone has to start somewhere!), but a chronically high turnover rate of 15+% annually can negatively affect quality.

8. They Charge a Respectable Price

You get what you pay for, as the saying goes. This is, from our experience, very true in the adventure travel world. Providing a high-quality trip is one thing; providing tens, hundreds, or thousands of high-quality trips is something else. To accommodate a volume of guests that makes a business viable requires a depth of staff and resources that can’t be sustained with bargain prices. If you want a great outdoor experience led by professionals with solid training and infrastructural support from a robust company, look for companies that charge a respectable cost per person. Avoid bargain companies and bargain booking sites.

9. Refund and Cancellation Policies

Refund and cancellation policies can vary dramatically. Joining a hiking tour often requires a deposit, and then, at some point, the final payment. Understand the terms and conditions of the company you are considering and make sure you are comfortable with them.

Top 5 Hiking, Trekking & Adventure Companies

1. The Wildland Trekking Company

Based on almost every objective criteria, Wildland Trekking (WTC) is one of the top hiking and trekking companies in the world. Specializing specifically in hiking vacations and trips, WTC has earned #1 spots on 5 national park Trip Advisor pages (Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Zion, Great Smoky Mountains and Rocky Mountain National Park) and the #2 spot in Yosemite. WTC also has 5-start status on Google, Yelp, Trust Pilot, Stride Travel, BBB and more. In total more than 4,000 guests have rated their experiences with WTC 5 stars. With over a decade and a half of experience, and far more than that in owner experience, WTC is a veteran, proven company. And staff turnover is very low, resulting in a mature team and a refined set of products. If you’re interested in a guided hiking or backpacking tour at any of their 50+ world-class destinations, Wildland Trekking is a clear top choice.

2. Glacier Guides

Glacier National Park is one of the world’s most amazing mountain trekking destinations. And for guided trips in Glacier, this company is your ticket. With decades of experience, great online reviews, experienced staff, and a great safety record, they’re a top adventure travel company in the USA.

They also offer rafting tours, fishing excursions, biking tours, and more. Bottom line is that Glacier is a must-visit national park, and as great as Glacier Guides are, it’s their home that makes these trips so amazing. We very strongly recommend booking a trip with them and exploring this extraordinary region, whether it’s on a backpacking trip, rafting tour, or cycling trip. Glacier National Park is on par with the other famous national parks in the USA like Yellowstone National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Yosemite National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Rocky Mountain National Park. Don’t miss it! (Photo from Glacier Mountain Guides)

3.  Exum Guides

Exum Mountain Guides is one of the most legendary names in the outdoor adventure world. One of the only companies permitted to lead trekking and climbing trips in Grand Teton National Park, many a premier mountaineer has guided for Exum. They have been in business for more than 80 years (yep, you read that correctly – 80 years!)

Their staff is made up of dedicated, proud guides who love what they do and excel at it. Exum’s online reviews are fantastic, and their reputation is almost unequaled. If you’re interested in technical ascents in the Tetons and beyond (all of which require lots of hiking and trekking), Exum is a solid choice.

If your adventurous spirit is calling you to extend beyond hiking and trekking, and into the world of the vertical climbing, it’s difficult to do better than Exum Guides. (Photo from Exum Guides)

4. The Mountain Guides

Like Exum, The Mountain Guides (previously Jackson Hole Mountain Guides) specializes in climbing adventures, all of which require hiking and trekking as part of their experiences. They lead desert, canyon, and mountain climbing adventures in the Western U.S. They also do canyoneering and some good old fashioned hiking and walking tours. You’ll discover the vertical world with many of America’s most veteran mountain and outdoor guides.

With this company, visitors of all ages who want outdoor adventure can find an appropriate trip for their aspirations. If you’re interested in a “next level” adventure that takes you from the trails into the world of climbing, the Mountain Guides are a great choice. (Photo from The Mountain Guides)

5. Inn Walking

Inn Walking is a European company focusing on self-guided treks in Austria, Bulgaria, Italy, France, Switzerland, Portugal, Germany, Croatia, Spain, Slovenia, Romania, UK, Greece, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Albania, Poland, Montenegro, Ireland, and Turkey. If you’re interested in a self-guided trip, where the company takes care of the logistics, lodging, and transportation, but you’re not necessarily interested in a fully guided trekking experience, then this company is a top choice. (Photo from Inn Walking)

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