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Short Hiking Vacations

Short hiking vacations fit a proper trail experience into 4 or 5 days. You get the hiking, the villages and the local food without taking two weeks off work. Every trip is self-guided, so you set your own pace, and we handle the rooms, luggage transfers and route notes.

Walk between the five villages of the Cinque Terre, tackle three days of the Tour du Mont Blanc, cross the Lake District fells or follow Hadrian's Wall. Add one to a longer Europe trip, or make it the whole vacation. Start dates are flexible.

Macs Adventure has planned self-guided trips for 20+ years, so even a short break runs smoothly from the first night.

Why choose Short Hiking Vacations

Why a short hiking vacation is worth booking

  • Big trails in small doses

    Big-name trails in small doses - sample the Tour du Mont Blanc over three walking days, or the Cinque Terre in five days

  • Easy to fit in

    Easier to fit around work and family, with most trips running 5 days and 4 nights

  • Easy to add on

    Easy to add onto a longer Europe vacation, or stack two or three short breaks across the year

  • Logistics handled

    Accommodation booked every night, with luggage transfers arranged where listed in your itinerary

  • Flexible and solo-friendly

    Solo-friendly pricing on most routes, flexible start dates and 24/7 support on the trail

  • Italy

    Walking Portofino and the Cinque Terre

    An unforgettable journey exploring Italy’s Ligurian coast and the villages of the Cinque Terre

    • Walking
    • 5–8 days
    from$1,510CAD pp
    View Route
  • France, Italy, Switzerland

    Tour du Mont Blanc in Comfort

    Hike the TMB, staying in comfortable accommodation, with bag transfer included.

    • Walking
    • 5–14 days
    from$2,480CAD pp
    View Route
  • England

    Cotswold Way

    Hike in classic English countryside on the Cotswold Way, one of Britain's finest National Trails.

    • Walking
    • 5–12 days
    from$1,675CAD pp
    View Route
  • Scotland

    Great Glen Way & Loch Ness

    Walk one of Scotland's iconic long-distance trails from Fort William to Inverness in the Highlands.

    • Walking
    • 5–9 days
    from$1,720CAD pp
    View Route
  • England

    Hadrian's Wall Walk

    Roman history, wild Northumberland moorland and a warm northern welcome—hike Hadrian’s Wall your way.

    • Walking
    • 5–10 days
    from$1,455CAD pp
    View Route
  • River Liffey running through the center of Dublin
    Republic of Ireland

    The Wicklow Way

    The Wicklow Way, Ireland’s oldest trail with some of the most spectacular views in Ireland

    • Walking
    • 5–10 days
    from$1,675CAD pp
    View Route
  • Views of Elie from the trail
    Scotland

    Fife Coastal Path

    Take in the east coast's spectacular scenery, fishing villages & long sandy beaches.

    • Walking
    • 5–8 days
    from$1,645CAD pp
    View Route
  • The sound of Alpine cowbells is never far away
    Switzerland

    Lucerne Lakes and Mountains

    Experience the best of central Switzerland on this 8 Day inn-to-inn hiking vacation

    • Walking
    • 5–8 days
    from$3,040CAD pp
    View Route
  • Italy

    Classic Tuscany

    A week under the Tuscan sun walking between hill-top towns, with time to also to relax and explore

    • Walking
    • 5 days
    from$1,685CAD pp
    View Route
  • A plethora of hill top villages
    Italy

    Classic Chianti

    Follow Tuscan trails through the unforgettable wine region of Chianti to Siena

    • Walking
    • 5–8 days
    from$2,165CAD pp
    View Route
  • Portugal

    Walking Sintra to Cascais

    Walk through the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, and discover palaces, castles and monasteries.

    • Walking
    • 5–7 days
    from$1,640CAD pp
    View Route
  • England, Scotland

    St Cuthbert's Way

    Begin in Melrose, the starting place of St Cuthbert's religious journey, and finish by the sea.

    • Walking
    • 5–9 days
    from$1,525CAD pp
    View Route

Get to know Short Hiking Vacations

  • When to go

    Most short breaks run April to October. Pick the Alps from July to mid-September, the Lake District in late spring or early fall, and the Cinque Terre from mid-March through October. Lisbon and Sintra is best outside July and August.

  • How much hiking is there

    Many include three days on the trail, with the rest given to travel, sightseeing or a rest day. Daily distances run from 5 to 12 miles. The Lake District Short Break covers about 32 miles in total.

  • Where you stay

    Small hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses chosen for their location and welcome. Some trips use one base, like Monterosso on the Cinque Terre, so you unpack once. The Tour du Mont Blanc Short Break includes one mountain hut night.

  • Are short breaks good for beginners

    Many are. The Cinque Terre is graded Easy to Moderate and Lisbon & Sintra Moderate, and you can skip a day if you need to. The Tour du Mont Blanc Short Break is Moderate to Strenuous, so check the grade before you book.

  • Can I add a short break to a longer trip

    Yes. Many travelers add one before or after a Europe vacation. You can also add extra nights at either end. Talk to our team about dates and connections.

Get inspired for Short Hiking Vacations

  • A woman with a backpack hiking through scenic mountain trails, enjoying the beauty of nature around her.

    Hiking

    Guide to Hiking Cinque Terre

    This guide will provide all the inspiration and advice required for a hiking tour on the Cinque Terre from the famous five villages, the food, how to get there and how much time you need.

    Read blog

  • Hiking

    Guide to hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc

    Discover the Tour du Mont Blanc with our expert guide—best routes, packing tips & more. Explore our self-guided TMB trips & start your alpine adventure now!

    Read blog

  • Hiking

    How many days to hike the Cotswold Way?

    Read How many days to walk the Cotswold Way? from the Macs Adventure Blog. Get further insight into our Cotswold Way walking tours.

    Read blog

Know before you go