1. Home
  2. Destinations
  3. Escape to the Wilderness
A stream in a valley between two mountains in England

Escape to the Wilderness

Wilderness Hiking Tours

Some trips are about getting further from everyday life. Our wilderness hiking tours head for lesser-known and remote trails where open landscapes and quiet days replace crowds and schedules.

Cross the Alps on the E5, follow the high trails of Slovenia, walk the west of England's Coast to Coast or Cumbria Way, journey through Spain's green Picos de Europa, discover the breadth of New Zealand's great wilderness, or drink in the peaceful forests of Japan's Kumano Kodo. Every trip is self-guided, so you set the pace while we book your stays, move your luggage and keep 24/7 support on call.

Macs Adventure has planned active vacations for 20+ years, backed by 24,000+ reviews.

  • A place these routes go

    Cares gorge on the Picos de Europa

  • A place these routes go

    Hiking in the Julian Alps

  • A place these routes go

    A rushing stream in England's Lake District on the Cumbria Way

  • A place these routes go

    Quairang on the Isle of Skye

  • A place these routes go

    A quiet forest trail on Japan's Kumano Kodo

  • A place these routes go

    New Zealand's Great Walk, the Routeburn Track on our Highlights of New Zealand

18 hand-picked routes

  • Scotland

    West Highland Way

    • Walking
    • 5–11 days
    • Easy - Moderate to Moderate - Challenging
    from$1,885CAD pp
    View Route
  • England

    Coast to Coast Walk

    • Walking
    • 9–18 days
    • Moderate to Challenging
    from$2,795CAD pp
    View Route
  • England

    The Cumbria Way

    • Walking
    • 8 days
    • Moderate
    from$2,415CAD pp
    View Route
  • England

    Dales Way

    • Walking
    • 8 days
    • Moderate
    from$2,720CAD pp
    View Route
  • Scotland

    A Long Walk on The Isle of Skye

    • Walking
    • 8–9 days
    • Moderate - Challenging to Challenging
    from$4,365CAD pp
    View Route
  • Slovenia

    High Trails of the Julian Alps

    • Walking
    • 8 days
    • Moderate - Challenging
    from$2,695CAD pp
    View Route
  • England

    The Lake District Trail

    • Walking
    • 5–7 days
    • Moderate - Challenging
    from$1,620CAD pp
    View Route
  • Japan

    Kumano Kodo Trail

    • Walking
    • 6–9 days
    • Moderate
    from$2,870CAD pp
    View Route
  • Spain

    Walking in the Picos de Europa

    • Walking
    • 8 days
    • Moderate
    from$1,570CAD pp
    View Route
  • France

    Stevenson's Trail

    • Walking
    • 8–14 days
    • Moderate
    from$2,265CAD pp
    View Route
  • France · Switzerland

    Walker's Haute Route

    • Walking
    • 8–15 days
    • Challenging
    from$3,590CAD pp
    View Route
  • Austria · Germany · Italy

    The E5 Alpine Crossing

    • Walking
    • 8–9 days
    • Moderate - Challenging to Strenuous
    from$2,660CAD pp
    View Route
  • Austria

    Tyrol: Trails of the Wilder Kaiser

    • Walking
    • 8 days
    • Moderate - Challenging
    from$2,230CAD pp
    View Route
  • Portugal

    Rota Vicentina: The Wild Algarve

    • Walking
    • 8 days
    • Moderate
    from$2,350CAD pp
    View Route
  • Wales

    Walking in Snowdonia National Park

    • Walking
    • 5–8 days
    • Moderate
    from$1,440CAD pp
    View Route
  • New Zealand

    Queen Charlotte Track

    • Walking
    • 4 days
    • Moderate
    from$1,670CAD pp
    View Route
  • New Zealand

    Highlights of New Zealand

    • Walking
    • 14 days
    • Moderate
    from$7,075CAD pp
    View Route
  • France

    Hiking in the French Alps

    • Walking
    • 8 days
    • Moderate - Challenging
    from$2,840CAD pp
    View Route

Real photos, real stories, straight from the trail

Over 26,000 travelers strong, our community shares #MacsMoments, swaps tips and advice, and helps each other plan the perfect trip. Many connect long before they set off - and some even meet up on the trail!

  • Pilgrim standing in front of Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela after completing the Portugués Way

    I'm headed back to the states and have a mixture of emotions. So much to process. I feel like a different person!

    October 2026

    Camino de Santiago, Spain

  • A smiling hiker beside a West Highland Way marker post below a mountain

    Thank you Macs for the brilliant adventure! We loved all the accommodations provided

    June 2026

    West Highland Way, Scotland

  • A hiker standing in a pasture amongst horses

    October 2026

    Hadrian's Wall Path, England

  • A hiker beside a wooden signpost by an ivy-covered wall

    June 2026

    Cotswolds to the Cornwall Coast, England

  • A hiker stops on the trail for an interaction with a local cow

    August 2026

    Via Alpina, Switzerland

  • A group selfie in front of a river on a blue sky day

    In fact, if you're looking for sensory magic, give this trip a try

    October 2026

    Walking the Dordogne in Style, France

Join our Macs Community

Get to know Escape to the Wilderness

  • What counts as a wilderness trip?

    Routes that run through remote or lesser-known landscapes, with long stretches of open trail, few crowds and small villages for overnight stays.

  • How remote are these trips?

    It varies by route. Most nights are in villages or small hotels, but some days are far from services as you walk, so we recommend you carry snacks, a packed lunch, water and the route notes.

  • How fit do I need to be?

    Our wilderness walks are graded Level 2 to Level 4 mostly (with one Level 5) and some cover long days with real ascent. Check the daily distances and grade before you book.

  • Which wilderness trips do you offer?

    The Coast to Coast West section in England, High Trails of the Julian Alps in Slovenia, the E5 Alpine Crossing from Germany to Italy and Rota Vicentina: The Wild Algarve in Portugal, the Kumano Kodo in Japan, New Zealand's Routeburn or Queen Charlotte Tracks, or Spain's Picos de Europa are among these!

  • When is the best time to go?

    Late spring to early fall suits the alpine routes, while spring and fall are best on other routes. Each trip page lists its season.

Need more info?