Walking Holidays with Mountain Scenery

Mountain Scenery Walking Holidays

Highlights

Self-guided mountain scenery walking holidays focused on views, lakes and valleys rather than technical alpine climbing
Access some of the best mountain scenery in Europe - Switzerland, Austria, Italy, France, Scotland, Spain and Slovenia
Stay in classic mountain towns and lake villages in Switzerland, the Bavarian Alps, the Scottish Highlands and the Lake District
Choose from the best hut-to-hut walking in Europe and relaxed inn-to-inn walking in Europe routes
Hassle-free logistics with accommodations and luggage transfers taken care of, so you walk with a light daypack

Macs Adventure is a self-guided walking holiday specialist. Since 2003, we’ve helped tens of thousands of travellers discover the world’s best mountain scenery at their own pace. We plan the route, book your stays, organise luggage transfers and provide turn-by-turn navigation in our award winning app. You enjoy the views, not the admin.

Our Best Mountain Scenery walking holidays focus on one thing: giving you wide-open views of peaks, lakes and valleys without needing to be a mountaineer. Many of our trips follow well-marked paths through valleys, balcony trails and lakeside promenades, using cable cars, trains or transfers where needed. You get the drama of the mountains, often without walking in the high mountains themselves.

Travel with Macs Adventure and you’ll stay in cosy B&Bs, guesthouses and small hotels chosen for their character and location, benefit from local insights and 24/7 on-the-trip support, and enjoy the freedom that comes with truly self-guided travel.

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Best Mountain Scenery Walking Destinations

person hiking smiling with mountains in background

Our Holiday Types

Classic Routes

If you’re the active, outdoorsy type who wants to take on the great routes of the world, our Classic Routes focus on iconic trails with standout mountain scenery. Think the West Highland Way, Tour du Mont Blanc, the Walker’s Haute Route, the Via Alpina and the Lech River Trail. You’ll walk inn-to-inn or hut-to-hut, follow well-marked paths and finish each day in a welcoming village or mountain town.

Pilgrimages

Our Pilgrimage route, includes the first section of the Via Francigena, ideal if you’re looking for a path of reflection rather than a technical hike. You’ll walk through rolling hills, vineyards and valleys with mountain backdrops, meeting fellow pilgrims along the way. Perfect if you want meaningful mountain scenery hiking tours with a strong cultural and spiritual layer.

Slower Adventures

Slower Adventures combine walking with easy-going exploring. Most days feature 3–7 miles of scenic walking, with time left to linger at viewpoints, try local food or visit a museum. Trips like Lucerne Lakes and Mountains, Heart of the Lake District and our Highlands & Isle of Skye: Rail & Hike give you mountain views from valley paths, ferries, trains and lakeshores, not steep climbs.

In Style

If you love mountain views but also appreciate a glass of wine and a stylish room at the end of the day, our In Style collection is for you. You’ll still enjoy active days, but with upgraded accommodations, special dining and memorable locations. Many of our in style mountain view walking tours for couples sit in this category – think chic hotels in Swiss or Italian mountain towns, spa options and lake-view terraces.

Discovery Trips

Think of Discovery trips as a local’s guide to the region’s best mountain scenery. These itineraries blend walks, scenic train rides, cable cars and transfers so you cover more ground with less effort. We do all the research and organisation: you get a flexible plan that still feels spontaneous, with suggestions for viewpoints, cultural events and local food stops along the way.

Walking the Tour du Mont Blanc

This video gives you an overview of the classic Tour du Mont Blanc. Neil takes you along with him on the path, giving you a chance to see the scenery and get a better idea if this route is one that you want to add to your list.
Dolomites Alta Via 1

This video takes you on a whistlestop tour of what you can expect when you take a walking holiday in the Dolomites. From the wonderful walking, to the delicious food and company of fellow walkers in your mountain hut, we cover it all.
Walker's Haute Route

Andy walked the Walker's Haute Route, the stunning self-guided trip in the Swiss Alps. This is his short video showing the highlights of the trip and how much fun it can be to push yourself past your limits.
Walking in Austria - Through the Austrian Alps

Take a walk through the Austrian Alps with this video to get a snapshot of what it is like doing a self-guided walking holiday in the Austrian Alps.
Walking the Bernese Oberland

Join Christine on an unforgettable adventure through Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland in this immersive travel video. Explore scenic alpine hiking trails, charming Swiss villages, and breathtaking views of iconic peaks like the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau—perfect inspiration for your next self-guided walking trip in Switzerland. Christine shares why this journey made her feel like a true adventurer.

WHY MACS?

Reasons to believe in Macs Adventure:

As Seen In

Top publications including The Telegraph, The Times, & The Guardian - a testament to our trusted reputation & standout trips.

Around Since 2003

We’re still founder led & the world’s number one self-guided operator with mountains of experience.

24,000+ Customer Reviews

Plus, with multiple British Travel Awards, you know you're in good hands.

Positive Impact

We’re a proud B Corp, committed to sustainable travel & high social & environmental standards.

Mountain scenery walking holidays for beginners
If you’re looking for all-inclusive feeling mountain walking packages for beginners, our easier itineraries are ideal. They’re not guided groups, but they are fully planned:
- Pre-booked accommodations with breakfast on most trips
- Luggage transfers between stops
- Route notes, GPX tracks and local travel tips in our app
- Access to our team if you need help during your trip
Trips like Heart of the Lake District, King Ludwig Way, Great Glen Way, Lucerne Lakes and Mountains, and Mountains & Lakes of the Julian Alps work well for newer hikers who still want impressive mountain scenery.
How to choose the right mountain scenery walking tour?

When you talk with our specialists, we’ll help you think about:

Type of scenery - glacier views, rolling hills, fjords, lakes, wild moors or vineyards with mountain backdrops

Daily distance and ascent - do you prefer gentle valley paths or are you happy with more elevation?

Trip style - hut-to-hut adventure or more comfortable inn-to-inn walking Europe style?

Season - when you want to travel, and where conditions and views are best at that time

Culture and food - beer halls and castles, Italian piazzas, Swiss lakeside towns, or Gaelic-speaking Highlands
FAQs about Best Mountain Scenery Walking Holidays

Do I need to be experienced to enjoy these tours?
Not necessarily. Many of our routes are suitable for reasonably fit first-timers who are comfortable walking for several hours on varied but non-technical paths. Tell us your experience and we’ll suggest itineraries that match.

Are luggage transfers included?
Yes. On almost all tours, luggage transfers are included so you only carry a daypack. On some hut-to-hut trips, luggage is moved between valley bases while you carry an overnight bag to the hut.

What’s the best time of year for mountain scenery walking holidays?
In Europe, late spring through to early autumn is typically best, with early and late season offering quieter trails. For Scotland and the Lake District, May - June and September are especially popular. New Zealand and parts of the Southern Hemisphere flip the seasons.

Can I add rest days or upgrade accommodations?
In many locations, yes. You can build in rest days for extra lake time, spa visits or cultural events and choose higher-comfort options on selected routes.
Guided vs Self-Guided Alps mountain scenery tours: cost and benefits
Fully guided group tours:
- Higher per-person cost, but include a guide and set schedule
- Fixed departure dates and group pace
- Less planning, but less flexibility day to day
Self-guided mountain scenery Walking Holidays:
- Usually better value, especially for couples and small groups
- You choose your dates, daily pace and who you travel with
- Routes, accommodations and luggage transfers all organized in advance
- Our team supports you in the background, with 24/7 on-trip assistance