Challenging Walking Holidays

Italy’s mountains are packed with challenging walks for experienced hikers. In the Dolomites, Canazei, Corvara, Ortisei, San Cassiano, and Selva offer tough trails, via ferrata routes, and rugged terrain with breathtaking views of peaks like Marmolada and the Odle.

Around Lake Garda, Limone and Malcesine feature steep paths through olive groves, ancient villages, and dramatic cliffs rising over the lake. Liguria’s Cinque Terre and Portofino present demanding coastal trails linking villages high above the sea, rewarding walkers with incredible views of Italy’s rugged coastline.

Austria’s alpine resorts are perfect for those ready to push themselves on challenging mountain walks. Neustift in the Stubai Valley has tough, high-altitude routes and Seven Summits climbs with unforgettable views from spots like the Top of Tyrol.

Obergurgl offers rugged terrain and glacier views above 1,900 metres, while St. Anton combines steep Arlberg trails with suspension bridges and lift-accessed hikes.

Mayrhofen features over 1,400 km of routes through valleys and to highlights like the Berliner Hut. Ischgl delivers steep climbs along the Paznaun High Trail and cross-border routes, and Saalbach Hinterglemm’s 400 km of trails are perfect for challenging mountain adventures with easy lift access.

Lake Bohinj in Slovenia offers over 300 kilometres of mountain trails with tough, rocky terrain winding through valleys, past waterfalls, and up to incredible alpine viewpoints.

Highlights like steep climbs to Mount Vogel or hikes along the Mostnica Gorge promise challenging but rewarding days out.

This area is ideal for hikers wanting demanding routes with pristine alpine beauty.

Switzerland’s alpine resorts are a dream for challenging walks, from Grindelwald’s Eiger Trail beneath the north face to Kandersteg’s steep Gemmi Pass and via ferrata climbs.

Mürren and Wengen offer high-altitude hikes with stunning views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, while Davos and Klosters feature rugged mountain trails with breathtaking panoramas. 

Saas-Fee has routes across glaciers and up to Mittelallalin, and Zermatt’s paths around the Matterhorn promise challenging terrain and sweeping alpine vistas. Each destination combines tough climbs with iconic Swiss scenery.

Voss is an adventurer’s paradise, offering challenging mountain walks past waterfalls, along ridgelines, and up to soaring peaks with glaciers and fjords visible in every direction.

From the cable car at Mount Hanguren, you’ll find trails ranging from tough climbs to multi-hour treks that test your stamina, rewarding you with Norway’s dramatic landscapes at every turn.

Chamonix is one of Europe’s premier destinations for challenging walks, with trails set against the towering Mont Blanc massif. Routes like the Grand Balcon Sud feature steep climbs through forests, meadows, and high alpine terrain with stunning views.

The big lift system helps you reach higher trails for big adventures like the Tour du Mont Blanc or the scenic hike up to Lac Blanc, making Chamonix ideal for experienced walkers seeking a true challenge.