Best Self-Guided Hiking Tours in Europe

Hiker on a self-guided hiking tour in Europe — Monkeys and Mountains
Self-Guided Hiking Holidays in Europe

Best Self-Guided Hiking Tours in Europe

No overwhelm. No guesswork. Just the best hiking trails in Europe – and you on them. We handle every route, every booking, every detail. You just show up and hike.

16yr
Inspiring Hikers
8yr
Running Tours
1M+
Hikers Helped
13+
Hiking Tours in Europe
As Seen In
Monkeys and Mountains featured in National Geographic, BBC Travel, Forbes, The Guardian, AFAR, Conde Nast Traveller, The Telegraph and BBC Earth
Rated 4.9/5 by 187 hikers – Self-guided hiking tours in Europe, fully planned for you
4.9/5 from 187 reviews
WhatsApp support on trail
Free €300 training plan with every booking
Luggage transfer (on select tours)
The Short Version

Planning a hiking trip in Europe shouldn’t mean months of spreadsheet research. Monkeys and Mountains specialises in self-guided hiking tours across Europe’s most iconic hiking trails and destinations – the Alps, Dolomites, Croatia, Spain, Ireland, Turkey and beyond. We take care of every detail so your hiking holiday in Europe is exactly what it should be: you, the trail, and nothing to worry about.

Every route is tested by us. Accommodation, GPS routes, transfers and WhatsApp support are all included. And every booking comes with a bespoke training plan (€300 value) – built specifically for your tour after you complete our short questionnaire.

How it works

You show up and hike. We handle everything else.

01

Book securely online

Complete our booking form and we get straight to work on your tour logistics.

02

We plan everything

Routes, accommodation, luggage transfers, bus and lift schedules – every detail handled.

03

Your info pack arrives

30 days before departure: GPS routes and full trip details. Your personalised training plan is sent once you complete our short questionnaire.

04

You hike

Arrive confident. Go at your pace. WhatsApp support is available throughout your trip if you ever need us.

Our Self-Guided Hiking Tours

Europe’s Best Hiking Trails,
Fully Planned for You

From mountain hut-to-hut hikes in the Alps to coastal trails in Croatia, Italy and Spain – every tour is researched, tested and planned down to the last detail. You just show up and hike.

Alps Hiking Tours

Italy, France & Switzerland Alps Hiking Tours (Self-Guided)

The Alps are home to some of the best self-guided hiking tours in Europe. The Tour du Mont Blanc circles iconic Mont Blanc through France, Italy and Switzerland. The Haute Route takes you from Chamonix to Zermatt, finishing with views of the Matterhorn. And if you’re after something less crowded, Gran Paradiso – Italy’s first national park, created to protect the ibex – offers a wilder, more intimate Alpine experience. (Yes, you’ll have ibex as your hiking companions. They’re excellent company and remarkably unconcerned about your pace.) All tours fully planned, completely stress-free.

Alps tours run June – September. Mountain accommodations book up early – the sooner you confirm dates, the better your accommodation options.
Tour du Mont Blanc self-guided hiking tour France Italy Switzerland
⭐ Most Popular
🇫🇷 🇮🇹 🇨🇭 Alps☀️ Summer
Tour du Mont Blanc (Self-Guided)

One of the greatest hikes in Europe – circling iconic Mont Blanc through France, Italy and Switzerland. Every detail handled. Includes a free in-person briefing so you start with confidence.

Duration6, 7 or 10 days
SeasonJune – Sept
DifficultyChallenging
Explore this tour →
Gran Paradiso self-guided hiking tour Italian Alps
🇮🇹 Italian Alps
🇮🇹 Italy☀️ Summer
Gran Paradiso, Italian Alps (Self-Guided)

Italy’s first national park, created to protect the ibex – and still one of the most unspoiled corners of the Alps. Glaciers above you, wildflowers at your feet, and virtually no crowds. Unlike the TMB, it’s still relatively undiscovered.

Duration7 days
SeasonJuly – Mid-Sept
DifficultyChallenging
Explore this tour →
Haute Route self-guided hiking tour Chamonix to Zermatt
🇫🇷 🇨🇭 Alps
🇫🇷 🇨🇭 Alps☀️ Summer only
The Haute Route: Chamonix to Zermatt (Self-Guided)

Chamonix to Zermatt, finishing with views of the iconic Matterhorn. Hut-to-hut Alps hiking at its absolute finest – and the window is short. Includes a free in-person briefing.

Duration7 or 10 days
SeasonJuly 15 – Sept 1
DifficultyChallenging
Explore this tour →
Dolomites Hiking Tours

Self-Guided Dolomites Hiking Tours, Italy

Italy’s Dolomites are unlike anywhere else on earth – jagged pink spires, wildflower meadows and cosy rifugios. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and host to the 2026 Winter Olympics, these mountains are world-famous for good reason. Choose from the legendary Alta Via 1 or our gentler options perfect for autumn hikers.

Val Gardena and Rosengarten tours run into October – great for autumn colours and thinner crowds.
Alta Via 1 self-guided Dolomites hiking tour Italy
🇮🇹 Dolomites
🇮🇹 Italy☀️ Summer
Alta Via 1: Self-Guided Dolomites Hiking Tour

The most famous high route in Italy’s Dolomites – and one of the top three long-distance trails in the Alps overall.

Duration8 or 11 days
SeasonJune – Sept
DifficultyChallenging
Explore this tour →
Seiser Alm to Rosengarten self-guided Dolomites hiking tour
🇮🇹 Dolomites
🇮🇹 Italy☀️ Summer / Fall
Seiser Alm to Rosengarten (Self-Guided, 5 Days)

Watch the Rosengarten turn extraordinary shades of pink at sunset. The lunar landscape of Antermoia is unlike anything else in the Dolomites.

Duration5 days
SeasonJune – Oct
DifficultyModerate
Explore this tour →
Val Gardena Alpe di Siusi easiest self-guided Dolomites hiking tour
Easiest Dolomites Option
🇮🇹 Italy☀️ Summer / Fall
Val Gardena & Alpe di Siusi (Self-Guided)

Our most accessible Dolomites hiking tour. Europe’s largest alpine plateau with the breathtaking Odle spires as your constant backdrop.

Duration5 days
SeasonJune – Oct
DifficultyModerate
Explore this tour →
Hiking Tours in Spain

Self-Guided Hiking Tours in Spain

From the Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada to the Costa Brava – our hiking tours in Catalonia, Spain cover the best trails the country has to offer. Best walked in spring or autumn when the light is golden and the trails are quiet. Our Catalonia, Spain hiking trips also include a free in-person briefing.

Best seasons: March – June and September – November. Summer heat makes these routes uncomfortable.
Mountains of Catalonia self-guided hiking tour Spain including Montserrat
🇪🇸 Spain
🇪🇸 Catalonia🌸 Spring / Fall
Mountains of Catalonia Hiking Tour (Self-Guided)

106 km through wild Catalonia – from Montseny’s forests to the extraordinary rock formations of Montserrat. A genuinely unexpected gem. Includes free in-person briefing.

Duration8 days
SeasonMar – Jun, Sept – Oct
DifficultyModerate
Explore this tour →
Sierra Nevada Granada Alpujarras self-guided hiking tour Spain
🇪🇸 Spain
🇪🇸 Andalusia🌸 Spring / Fall
Sierra Nevada Granada: Alpujarras (Self-Guided)

White villages, wildflower valleys and the high peaks of the Sierra Nevada. A side of Andalusia most visitors never find. Includes free in-person briefing.

Duration8 days
SeasonMar – Jun, Sept – Nov
DifficultyModerate
Explore this tour →
Spanish Pyrenees self-guided hiking tour Catalonia
🇪🇸 Spain
🇪🇸 Pyrenees🌸 Spring / Fall
Spanish Pyrenees Hiking Tour (Self-Guided)

Raw, dramatic and far less crowded than the Alps. Three landscapes in eight days – high mountain passes to volcanic La Garrotxa. Includes free in-person briefing.

Duration8 days
SeasonMid-Mar – Nov
DifficultyChallenging
Explore this tour →
Costa Brava self-guided coastal hiking tour Spain
🇪🇸 Coastal
🇪🇸 Spain🌸 Spring / Fall
Costa Brava South Coast (Self-Guided)

Follow ancient camino paths along hidden coves and charming fishing villages on one of Spain’s most photogenic coastlines. A great option for first-timers. Includes free in-person briefing.

Duration8 days
SeasonMar-Jun, Sept-Oct
DifficultyModerate
Explore this tour →
Coastal Hiking Tours in Europe

Self-Guided Coastal Hiking Tours in Europe

Some of the best hiking trips in Europe aren’t in the mountains at all. These routes are for hikers who want dramatic scenery AND time to linger – long lunches at clifftop restaurants, gelato stops in fishing villages, Adriatic islands, medieval towns and hidden coves.

Best in April – June and September – October. Avoid peak summer when coastal trails get busy.
Croatia self-guided hiking tour Split to Dubrovnik Dalmatian coast
🇭🇷 Coastal
🇭🇷 Croatia🌸 Spring / Fall
Croatia: Split to Dubrovnik (Self-Guided)

Eight days along the Dalmatian Coast – islands, medieval towns and the Adriatic shimmering below. Coastal hiking in Europe at its finest.

Duration8 days
SeasonApr – Oct
DifficultyModerate
Explore this tour →
Cinque Terre self-guided hiking walking tour Italy
🇮🇹 Coastal
🇮🇹 Italy🌸 Spring / Fall
Cinque Terre & Beyond (Self-Guided)

Five pastel villages, dramatic clifftop paths and the best seafood in Liguria. Goes beyond the famous trail to the hidden Ligurian coast.

Duration8 days
SeasonMar – Oct
DifficultyModerate
Explore this tour →
Costa Brava self-guided coastal hiking tour Spain
🇪🇸 Coastal
🇪🇸 Spain🌸 Spring / Fall
Costa Brava South Coast (Self-Guided)

Ancient pilgrim paths, hidden coves and charming fishing villages along one of Spain’s most photogenic coastlines.

Duration8 days
SeasonMar – Jun, Sept – Oct
DifficultyModerate
Explore this tour →
More Hiking Tours

Ireland, Turkey & Beyond

Beyond the Alps and Spain, some of Europe’s most rewarding self-guided hiking holidays are found further afield. Ireland’s Wicklow Way, Turkey’s Lycian Way and – for the ultimate challenge – Mount Kilimanjaro all deliver experiences you won’t forget.

Wicklow Way self-guided hiking tour Ireland
🇮🇪 Ireland
🇮🇪 Ireland🌸 Spring / Fall
Wicklow Way, Ireland (Self-Guided)

A green, peaceful escape through the wild Wicklow Mountains – rolling hills, ancient woodlands and charming villages with genuine Irish hospitality in cosy bed and breakfasts and inns along the way.

Duration5 or 8 days
SeasonMar 15 – Nov 15
DifficultyModerate
Explore this tour →
Lycian Way self-guided hiking tour Turkey
🇹🇷 Turkey
🇹🇷 Turkey🌸 Spring / Fall
Lycian Way, Turkey (Self-Guided)

Turquoise bays, ancient Lycian ruins and rugged coastal cliffs – with UNESCO World Heritage sites along the route. One of the world’s great long-distance routes, still beautifully off the beaten path.

Duration8 days
SeasonMar – May, Sept – Nov
DifficultyModerate
Explore this tour →
Mount Kilimanjaro guided trekking tour Lemosho route
🇹🇿 Tanzania
🇹🇿 Tanzania☀️ Multi-season
Mount Kilimanjaro: Lemosho Route (Guided)

The most scenic path to the summit of Africa’s highest peak. Eleven days, extraordinary landscapes, and a moment you’ll spend years talking about.

Duration11 days
SeasonJan – Mar, June – Oct
TypeGuided
Explore this tour →
Chamonix Add-Ons

Mont Blanc Glacier Tours & Chamonix Via Ferrata

The perfect add-on after your Tour du Mont Blanc. Both can be done in as little as a half day – and both make an already extraordinary trip even more memorable.

Mont Blanc glacier tour half day or full day guided
🇫🇷 Add-On
🇫🇷 France / 🇮🇹 Italy☀️ Summer
Mont Blanc Glacier Tours (½ to Full Day, Guided)

Step onto the glaciers above the TMB and see the high mountain environment from a completely different angle. A genuinely memorable add-on.

Duration½ – 1 day
SeasonJune – Sept
TypePrivate Guided
Explore this tour →
Chamonix via ferrata half day guided tour near Mont Blanc
🇫🇷 Add-On
🇫🇷 France☀️ Summer
Chamonix Via Ferrata (½ Day, Guided)

Part hiking, part climbing – fixed iron rungs take you up terrain you couldn’t otherwise access. An adrenaline-packed half day with extraordinary views.

Duration½ day
SeasonJune – Sept
TypePrivate Guided
Explore this tour →
⭐ Exclusive Booking Bonus

A bespoke training plan – included with every booking

Most hiking tour companies send you a PDF confirmation and wish you luck. We send you a fully bespoke training plan built around your specific tour, fitness level and timeline. Complete our short questionnaire after booking and we’ll create it specifically for you – it’s far more in-depth than our free public starter plan (though that’s a good place to start if you want a taster). It works even if you live somewhere completely flat.

  • Built specifically for your tour, route and fitness level
  • Works for hikers aged 30-70, any fitness starting point
  • Adapted for bad knees, flat terrain, tight schedules
  • Arrive strong, confident and ready to enjoy every step
See Our Free Starter Training Plan →
Hiker on a self-guided hiking tour in Europe
€300
typical value
FREE
with every tour booking
AI-Powered Trek Finder

Not sure which hiking trip in Europe is right for you?

Tell our AI trail finder your fitness level, travel dates and dream scenery – and it’ll match you with your perfect self-guided hiking holiday in minutes. No overwhelm, no guesswork.

✦ Free AI Tool

Hiking Tours in Europe –
Find Your Perfect Trek

Answer a few quick questions about your fitness level, travel dates, preferred scenery and budget. Our AI-powered trail finder will match you with the hiking tours in Europe that suit you best – in minutes.

🏔
Tell it your dream scenery
📅
Share your travel dates
💪
Describe your fitness level
Get your perfect match
Find My Perfect Hiking Tour
Tour du Mont Blanc self-guided hiking tour France Italy Switzerland
⭐ Most Popular
🇫🇷 🇮🇹 🇨🇭 Alps ☀️ Summer
Tour du Mont Blanc (Self-Guided)

One of the greatest hikes in Europe – circling iconic Mont Blanc through three countries. Every detail handled. You just hike.

Duration 6, 7 or 10 days
Season June – Sept
Difficulty Challenging
Explore this tour →
Alta Via 1 self-guided hiking tour Dolomites Italy
🇮🇹 Dolomites
🇮🇹 Italy ☀️ Summer
Dolomites Alta Via 1 (Self-Guided)

Jagged spires, wildflower meadows and cosy rifugios – the most famous high route in the Dolomites. It really is that good.

Duration 8 or 11 days
Season June – Sept
Difficulty Challenging
Explore this tour →
Haute Route self-guided hiking tour Chamonix to Zermatt Alps
🇫🇷 🇨🇭 Alps
🇫🇷 🇨🇭 Alps ☀️ Summer only
The Haute Route (Self-Guided)

Chamonix to Zermatt past Mont Blanc AND the Matterhorn. Bucket-list hiking in Europe – fully planned, stress-free.

Duration 7 days
Season July 15 – Sept 1
Difficulty Challenging
Explore this tour →
Val Gardena Alpe di Siusi easiest Dolomites self-guided hiking tour
Easiest Dolomites
🇮🇹 Dolomites ☀️ Summer/Fall
Val Gardena & Alpe di Siusi (Self-Guided)

Our most accessible Dolomites hiking tour. Europe’s largest alpine plateau with the stunning Odle spires as your constant backdrop.

Duration 5 days
Season June – Oct
Difficulty Moderate
Explore this tour →
Croatia self-guided hiking tour Split to Dubrovnik Dalmatian coast
🇭🇷 Coastal
🇭🇷 Croatia 🌸 Spring / Fall
Croatia: Split to Dubrovnik (Self-Guided)

Adriatic coastline, islands and medieval towns – impossible not to fall in love with. One of the best coastal hiking trips in Europe.

Duration 8 days
Season Apr – Oct
Difficulty Moderate
Explore this tour →
Spanish Pyrenees self-guided hiking tour Catalonia
🇪🇸 Spain
🇪🇸 Pyrenees 🌸 Spring / Fall
Spanish Pyrenees Hiking Tour (Self-Guided)

Raw, dramatic and far less crowded than the Alps. Three completely different landscapes in eight days – wild mountain passes to volcanic La Garrotxa.

Duration 8 days
Season Mar – Nov
Difficulty Challenging
Explore this tour →
Cinque Terre self-guided hiking walking tour Italy
🇮🇹 Coastal
🇮🇹 Italy 🌸 Spring / Fall
Cinque Terre & Beyond (Self-Guided)

Five pastel villages, dramatic clifftop paths and the best seafood in Liguria. Our tour goes beyond the famous trail to the hidden coast.

Duration 8 days
Season Mar – Oct
Difficulty Moderate
Explore this tour →
Sierra Nevada Granada Alpujarras self-guided hiking tour Spain
🇪🇸 Spain
🇪🇸 Andalusia 🌸 Spring / Fall
Sierra Nevada Granada: Alpujarras (Self-Guided)

White villages, wildflower valleys and the peaks of the Sierra Nevada. A side of Spain most visitors never discover.

Duration 8 days
Season Mar – Jun, Sept – Nov
Difficulty Moderate
Explore this tour →

Our #1 source of new clients? Happy hikers telling their friends.Here’s what they’re saying about us.

Real Hikers, Real Reviews

What happens when you trust the trail to us

★★★★★

“Monkeys and Mountains did a great job planning and scheduling our trip to Mont Blanc. The hikes were amazing with really clear maps and directions. The accommodations were all terrific. Pricing was very reasonable and overall the trip was a great value. The team did a terrific job answering all our questions. The packing lists and the trip blog were super helpful. I would highly recommend Monkeys and Mountains for any kind of self-guided adventure travel.”

Steven Bellerose Tour du Mont Blanc Self-Guided Tour
★★★★★

“Working with Monkeys and Mountains was a great experience. Laurel was quick to respond to emails and went above and beyond – we were hesitant planning such an expensive trip online. She made sure we were comfortable every step of the way and all of the accommodations were wonderful and easy to work with. It is easy to see that Laurel loves what she does!”

Erin Haute Route Hiking Tour
★★★★★

“We did the Tour du Mont Blanc in August. These guys executed perfectly. Very well organised. Fast communication via email. They even reacted immediately to a landslide on our route – rerouting us with taxis and new directions within hours. 10/10. Highly recommended. The next European trek we do, we’ll do it with these guys.”

John McIntyre Tour du Mont Blanc Self-Guided Tour
★★★★★

“We had a great experience on the TMB in August. Laurel and Tiffany were fantastic with communication from the moment I requested information. They’re willing to work with your schedule and any additional accommodations needed. 10/10 would recommend and hope to book another hiking trip through them soon!”

Matt Rodriguez Tour du Mont Blanc Self-Guided Tour
★★★★★

“The Tour du Mont Blanc completely changed my life. Every detail was handled perfectly – all we had to do was show up and hike. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done. I’ve already booked the Dolomites for next summer.”

Sarah M. Tour du Mont Blanc Self-Guided Tour – Colorado
★★★★★

“At 62, I wasn’t sure I could pull off a multi-day Alpine trek. Monkeys and Mountains made it completely accessible – the pacing, the huts, the route were all spot-on. I felt supported the whole way. If you’re searching for the best hiking tour companies in Europe, look no further.”

Robert K. Haute Route Hiking Tour – California
4.9/5 average rating based on 187 reviews
Common Questions

Everything you’re wondering about self-guided hiking holidays in Europe

Still have questions?

We’re happy to help before you commit to anything. Whether it’s about fitness levels, routes, or which hiking tour suits you best – just ask.

Get in touch
Self-guided means you hike independently – no group, no guide walking beside you. But it doesn’t mean you’re on your own. We handle all the planning: routes, accommodation, transfers and GPS navigation. You just follow the plan we’ve built for you, at your own pace, on your own schedule. It’s the best of both worlds – total freedom with zero logistics stress.
That’s exactly what our bespoke training plan is for. Every client gets a plan built specifically for their tour, fitness level and timeline after booking – far more detailed than our free public plan. It works for any starting point, including bad knees, flat terrain and tight schedules. We’ll make sure you arrive ready.
You’re self-guided, but you’re never truly alone. We provide WhatsApp emergency support throughout your trip. If a trail is closed, weather forces a change, or you need help navigating an unexpected situation – we’re there. One client had a landslide close their route mid-hike. We rerouted them with taxis and new directions within hours.
Absolutely – and we’ll help you get it right. For a first multi-day hike we recommend choosing a shorter route (7 days or fewer), adding a rest day between hiking days, or opting for a tour with gentler terrain like one of our coastal hikes in Croatia, Cinque Terre or the Costa Brava. If you’re unsure which is the right fit, just ask us – we’re happy to help guide you to the best option for where you’re starting from.
Our #1 source of new bookings is referrals – people who’ve hiked with us sending their friends. That’s not a marketing line. When you factor in the hours of research, the risk of booking the wrong accommodation, the complexity of bus and lift schedules, and the value of the €300 training plan included free – most clients feel the investment is more than justified. Rated 4.9/5 from 187 reviews.
Yes – and that’s one of the great advantages of self-guided hiking. Want to take a rest day in a mountain village? Add an extra night somewhere with particularly good views? Choose the harder or easier route variant on a given day? All of this is possible. Get in touch and we’ll talk through your options before you book.
As early as you can – especially for summer Alps tours. Mountain accommodations and boutique hotels along routes like the Tour du Mont Blanc and Haute Route book up fast. The earlier you lock in your dates, the better your accommodation options. Spring and autumn tours in Spain and Croatia have more flexibility, but popular dates still fill up.
Yes – all our tours work brilliantly for solo hikers. You set your own pace, stop when you want, and take every photo without anyone waiting. Many of our solo clients tell us it was the best holiday they’ve ever taken – days of walking and thinking, evenings in mountain accommodations meeting other hikers from around the world. It’s a genuinely special experience.
Ready to Hit the Trail?

Your perfect hiking trip in Europe is waiting

Whether it’s the Alps, the Adriatic coast or the wilds of Ireland – your perfect self-guided hiking holiday is out there. Let us match you to it.

Rated 4.9/5 · 187 reviews · 16 years inspiring hikers
 
<