Walking holidays in Europe

There’s no better way to explore Europe than on foot. A walking holiday offers the opportunity to discover the real, authentic nature of Europe’s countries - whether it’s the vineyards of France or the authentic cuisine of Portugal.

Walking holidays in the spirit of slow travel

Here at The Carter Company, we believe in ‘slow travel’ - which means mainly gentle routes that allow our customers the luxury of time to slow down and soak up the details. Unlike most operators, our walking holidays have 5-8 miles or 8-13 km of walking each day so they are all about rediscovering the fun of exploring. Our trips are self-guided, which means you can travel at your own pace and stop off en route as you please - whether it’s for a plum view in Corsica, a pint of Guinness in a traditional Irish pub or a market in Provence.

We believe the magic is in the detail

We are passionate about sharing authentic European culture through our thoughtfully designed, unusual routes. With over 25 years of experience in creating walking holidays, what sets us apart from other tour operators is our choice of local partner with their flexible expertise and in-depth knowledge of the areas we cover. We craft the outline of the tour which they carefully research and then we walk, because we know that the magic of holidays is in the detail. Our itineraries are put together to take in not just the headline attractions but also the hidden gems of the local area that most tourists never see. We are picky about the hotels we use, to ensure our customers enjoy the highest quality and best located accommodation for exploring the area. Alongside the route directions (or in addition to your guide if you prefer to have one), we give each customer a Carter Company Adventure Handbook, which is jam packed with interesting nuggets of information and our insider tips we have accumulated over the years on the best things to see and do in the area.

Please do get in touch and we’d be delighted to help you choose a fantastic walking holiday in Europe.


Our Europe Walking holidays


  1. Perfect Portugal

    This fairly gentle walking holiday takes in the best of Portugal's culture and history - the wonders of Lisbon and Porto, the castles and palaces…

    From £2,375

    Gentle / 6 or 7 nights / Self-guided / Portugal

  2. Winter sun in Provence

    Step into Van Gogh's Provencal landscapes of sunlit hills in the Alpilles and the beautiful villages of the Luberon mountains on this gentle…

    From £1,995

    Gentle / 4 or 5 nights / Self-guided / France

  3. Dawdling in the Dordogne

    Set in the Dordogne and Unesco listed Vezere valleys of the enchanting Perigord Noir around Sarlat in SW France, this gentle, luxury or classic…

    From £1,795

    Gentle / 6 or 7 nights / Self-guided / France

  4. Vistas and Villas on Lake Como

    Lake Como is a gem you are sure to fall in love with - it has been the choice holiday destination for the rich and famous since Roman times,…

    From £605

    Gentle / 4 or 5 nights / Self-guided / Italy

  5. Wander the Wild Atlantic Way

    Wander The Wild Atlantic Way by taking the road less travelled for a unique walking holiday on the West Coast of Ireland in Conneemara. Follow…

    From £3,675

    Gentle / 8 nights + / Self-guided / Ireland

  6. Corsican contrasts

    Discover Corsica, Europe’s best kept secret island on this unique walking holiday. Experience the best of both sea and mountains, staying 3 nights…

    From £1,290

    Not so gentle / 6 or 7 nights / Self-guided / France

  7. Potter through Provence

    Discover Provence in comfort and style on this wonderful walking tour. We've hand-picked the finest hotels and guesthouses in the area, and linked…

    From £2,105

    Gentle / 6 or 7 nights / Self-guided / France


Can't find what you're looking for?

Many of our trips are tailor-made, so tell us what you're looking for and we'd be delighted to design the perfect cycling or walking holiday for you.


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