ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP TREK, NEPAL
Why The six-day trek from Pokhara to the base of Mount Annapurna is a well-trodden route, but no less spectacular for it. Starting in verdant subtropical forest with tantalising glimpses of the snow-capped peaks beyond, the trail passes through mountain villages, gradually gaining altitude before emerging at Base Camp. You can make the trek independently, hiring a porter at Pokhara and staying in the basic teahouses along the route.
Book For a little more luxury, book a package with a tour operator such as Mountain Kingdoms (mountainkingdoms.com), which includes guides, porters and accommodation in comfortable lodges. The 13-day 'gentle trekking and luxury lodges' trip (with seven days' trekking) costs from £1,545.
EL CAMINO DE SANTIAGO, NORTHERN SPAIN
Why For more than 1,000 years, pilgrims have been flocking from all over Europe to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, where legend has it that the remains of the apostle St James the Great are buried. And interest is set to soar since Martin Sheen's recent film The Way. The most popular route is the Camino Frances, or French Way. Starting in St-Jean-Pied-de-Port in the French Pyrenees, it crosses the border into Spain, passing through the Basque Country, Navarra, La Rioja, Castilla y Leon and ending in Galicia, some 800km later.
Book Independent travellers are well-served by Camino websites with route maps and details of hostels, or travel with Follow the Camino (followthecamino.com) or World Walks (worldwalks.com), who will package segments of the route with accommodation and bag transfers.
LYCIAN WAY, TURKEY
Why The Lycian Way is a 500km footpath following the coast of southern Turkey from Fethiye to Antalya. Pine forests, hidden coves, ruins of ancient Lycian villages and sparkling views of the Mediterranean characterise the walk and there are charming guesthouses en route.
Book A useful resource is lycianway.com but many tour operators feature parts of the route. Exclusive Escapes (exclusiveescapes.co.uk) has a seven-night Lycian Way package with accommodation in village houses from £760 pp.
RING OF KERRY, COUNTY KERRY, IRELAND
Why A gorgeous landscape of mountainous peninsulas and deep-sea inlets, County Kerry is a paradise for walkers with the Ring of Kerry, a 179km circuit, one of the highlights. There are plenty of ancient pathways to follow through verdant hills and past coastal villages with fabulous views at every turn.
Book The Ring of Kerry guided walk offered by South West Walks Ireland (southwestwalksireland.com) is a seven-night circular route from Killarney. From £760 pp, including all meals and luggage transfer.
AUSTRIAN TYROL
Why Who thought walking holidays and children don't mix? In the Alpine valleys of the Austrian Tyrol you can holiday like the Von Trapps with self-guided hotel-to-hotel walking with Inntravel. Your luggage is transported for you so set your own pace following scenic paths through meadows and forests.
Book Inntavel offers a seven-night trip, staying in four-star hotels, with breakfast and dinner from £570 per person.
inntravel.co.uk
