Research Shows 2026 is the Year of the Walking Holiday

With temperatures reaching over 40 degrees in Europe this summer, it’s no wonder travellers are seeking cooler climes. New data from Responsible Travel indicates that the walking holiday has surged in popularity this year, with destinations like Finland reporting a 90% rise in bookings.

Other places benefitting from the trend include Slovenia (67%). Sweden (43%) and Turkey (28%). Speaking to the trend, Catherine Roberts, Responsible Travel’s walking expert says, “Given the intense heat in Mediterranean Europe this summer, it’s no surprise that walkers are starting to shift their attention to cooler, nature-rich places.”

And nature-rich they are. Finland and Sweden are home to breathtakingly beautiful archipelagos, whereas Slovenia boasts snow-capped alpine scenery, emerald rivers and pellucid lakes. Even Turkey, traditionally associated with sun-soaked beach holidays, offers dramatic landscapes, particularly along the celebrated Lycian Way – an ancient coastline peppered with pine forests and turquoise coves.

The shift speaks to wider changes in traveller behaviour, prioritising trips that centre wellness, slower-living and digital detachment. Last summer, The Dolomites trended on social media with thousands of videos flooding sites like TikTok and Instagram detailing hikes up to quaint rifugios with views of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo.

According to Roberts, interest in walking holidays shows no sign of slowing as we enter the autumn season: “A walking holiday along the Nakasendo Trail in Japan is our most-booked trip this autumn, which is part of a more general year-on-year shift towards longer-haul and self-guided itineraries, with interest in Morocco and Patagonia also increasing for departures in September to November 2026.”

With travellers swapping sun loungers for hiking boots, these are the walking holidays to book this autumn.

The Pekoe Trail, Sri Lanka

Best time to visit: September

Catch the last of the dry season and miss the peak crowds of early winter by hiking the Pekoe Trail in September. While many choose to see Sri Lanka by its famous train from Kandy to Ella, the Pekoe Trail offers traveller the opportunity to experience the misty central Highlands, rural villages and emerald tea plantations up close and personal. 

The Pyranees, Spain

While Spain may be scorching in the summer, come autumn, when temperatures cool, few places in Europe rival its natural beauty. With six of the country’s highest peaks, hikers can traverse rocky mountain tops, stopping at small mountain huts to admire the verdant valley floor below. Be sure to swing by the Aigüestortes National Park, which translates to twisted waters, to admire countless rivers and waterfalls, as well as over 200 icy glacial lakes.

Finnskogen, Norway

Best time to visit: September-December

In the pine woods of Finnskogen, trails lead to a forest of tranquil lakes, ancient trees and rich wildlife, where you might spot everything from elk, deer and capercaillie to around 160 different bird species. Firmly the best time to go, winter brings the forest alive with snowshoe treks and guests can take part in guided safaris to listen for the wolf’s howl beneath the Nordic starry sky. Stay in PAN’s visionary cabins for a full nature immersion and sleep amongst the treetops. 

The Lycian Way, Turkey

Best time to visit: October – November

Spanning the Antalya Province to Fethiye, the Lycian Way covers over 320 miles of Mediterranean coastline. Here you can make the most of both land and sea, scrambling up rocky faces before descending down to great stretches of deserted beaches. With temperatures remaining around 20 degrees in November, it’s a great option for missing the autumn rain.