SELF-GUIDED
hiking trips


Below, you’ll find a list of Pathways destinations. All our self-guided trips are fully customizable to your preferred schedule, budget and activity level and we’ll work with you to tailor and refine your trip until it’s just right for you.

If you’d like to include a guide for all of or for parts of your itinerary, please complete the form below and we’ll provide you with further detail.

It’s not just about hiking. This trip offers a multitude of pathways to enrich your everyday life & travel experience through cultural, culinary, artistic and historical perspectives.
— CYNTHIA R. | ENGLEWOOD, CO | COLORADO 2017

EUROPE | DAY HIKING


NORWAY | OSLo, sognefjord & west coast | DAY HIKING

  • Explore the Aurlandsalen Valley and hike through Norway’s “Grand Canyon”

  • Discover Oslo & Bergen

  • Ride the train from Oslo to Flåm on the famous Bergensbanen Railway and Flåmsbana

  • Enjoy delicious cuisine like fresh salmon & trout, wild boar & lingonberries

  • Stay in a tucked-away village at a family-run inn on the Fjærlandsfjord

  • Experience the massive Sognefjord, Norway’s “king of the fjords” via a sail on a high-speed catamaran to the coastal seafaring town of Bergen

  • Option to add a local guide for all or part of your trip

  • Enjoy a customized itinerary tailored to your preferred activity level, interests and schedule

PORTUGAL | THE azores ISLANDS | DAY HIKING

  • Hop from island to island, discovering the gorgeous Azorean landscape & interesting culture and history

  • Stunning views full of hydrangea hedges, verdant vineyards, dramatic coastline, rugged volcanoes, lush forests and charming villages

  • Walk along trails above turquoise lakes and around caldeiras, deep volcanic cones full of rare and endemic flora including the famous Sete Cidades

  • Visit & tour a local family-run ceramics shop founded in 1862 and the the oldest and only tea plantation in Europe - Chá Gorreana 

  • Enjoy the local cuisine like fresh seafood, cheese & wine

  • Option to add a local guide for all or part of your trip

  • Enjoy a customized itinerary tailored to your preferred activity level, interests and schedule

SLOVENIA & croatia | JULIAN ALPS & ADRIATIC SEA | DAY HIKING

  • Experience the snow-capped peaks, wildflower-dotted meadows, deep gorges, medieval castles and traditional mountain towns of the Julian Alps

  • Discover the ancient hilltop villages of Motovun and Groznjan in Croatia and the lush, green, fertile farmland of inland Istria

  • Often referred to the “Adriatic Tuscany”, walk around Istria’s untouched, vineyard-spotted interior and turquoise, sparkling coastline

  • Indulge in the delicious, local cuisine every day (think: truffles & wine) and experience the welcoming, friendly Slovenian & Croatian cultures

  • Option to add a local guide for all or part of your trip

  • Enjoy a customized itinerary tailored to your preferred activity level, interests and schedule

ITALY | northeastern alps & brenta dolomites | DAY HIKING

  • Explore the South Tyrol and spa-town of Merano & the surrounding mountains & vineyards

  • Hike past alpine wildflowers & crystal-clear lakes

  • Visit a small, family-run vineyard & agriturismo for a tour, private tasting and home-hosted lunch

  • Hike in the undiscovered Brenta Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

  • Visit alpine rifugi, meeting hikers & climbers from around the world

  • Option to add a local guide for all or part of your trip

  • Enjoy a customized itinerary tailored to your preferred activity level, interests and schedule

france | THE FRENCH ALPS | DAY HIKING

  • Enjoy the best hikes near & around the Haute Savoie & the Chamonix Valley in the heart of the French Alps

  • Stay in the charming towns of Megève & Chamonix

  • Share breathtaking views of high peaks, glaciers and spectacular valleys including the Mont Blanc Massif

  • Walk through rolling meadows full of wildflowers and friendly cows

  • Enjoy the delicious local cuisine and alpine specialities along the way

  • Option to add a local guide for all or part of your trip

  • Enjoy a customized itinerary tailored to your preferred activity level, interests and schedule

switzerland | best of the bernese oberland | DAY HIKING

  • Enjoy the most spectacular walking in Switzerland as you hike beneath the dramatic glaciated peaks of the Eiger, Monch & Jungfrau

  • Postcard-perfect views full of high glaciers, alpine hamlets, pastoral meadows & big valleys

  • Explore the dramatic Lauterbrunnen Valley with its thousand-foot waterfalls that cascade over vertical cliffs

  • Stay in the quaint towns of Gstaad, Mürren & Kandersteg

  • Option to add a local guide for all or part of your trip

  • Enjoy a customized itinerary tailored to your preferred activity level, interests and schedule

EUROPE | HUT TO HUT


norway | the jotunheimen - MOUNTAINS & FJORDS | hut to hut

  • Traverse the Jotunheimen Nasjonalpark east to west, staying in cozy mountain huts

  • Experience spectacular scenery, wildlife & hospitality

  • Enjoy delicious cuisine like fresh salmon & trout, wild boar & lingonberries

  • Hike by Norway’s two highest mountains – Glittertinden & Galdhøppigen

  • Sail on a high-speed catamaran through Sognefjord - Norway's largest & deepest fjord

  • Spend your final nights in the colorful, coastal seafaring town of Bergen

  • Option to add a local guide for all or part of your trip

  • Hike independently on a customized itinerary tailored to your preferred activity level, interests and schedule

france & switzerland | THE haute route | HUT TO HUT

  • Complete this famous trek from Chamonix to Zermatt, two of the greatest mountaineering hubs in the world

  • Cross historic passes with awe-inspiring vistas that include high glaciers, verdant valleys, waterfalls, wildlife and views of the highest peaks in the Alps

  • Stay in quaint, charming mountain huts and welcoming alpine villages along the way

  • Meet other hikers from around the world and gather around the dinner table each night to share dinner & wine and tales from your day

  • Hike independently on a customized itinerary tailored to your preferred activity level, interests and schedule

france, Italy & Switzerland | tour du mont blanc | HUT TO HUT

  • Follow the classic circuit around Western Europe’s highest peak, Mont Blanc

  • Cross the borders of Italy, Switzerland, and France on foot

  • Stay in some of the most beautiful high alpine huts and quaint village inns as you discover remote hamlets, wildflower-strewn meadows and high alpine passes

  • Incredible mountain views while enjoying local food each day

  • Hike independently on a customized itinerary tailored to your preferred activity level, interests and schedule

germany, austria & italy | THE E5 TRAIl | HUT TO HUT

  • Complete this classic route from Oberstdorf, Germany to Bolzano, Italy

  • Cross high alpine passes with dramatic views, hiking through Germany, Austria & Italy

  • Stay in some of the most beautiful huts in the Alps along the way

  • Walk in the footsteps of pilgrims, armies, medieval miners and herdsmen across the Alps

  • Experience breathtaking sunrises and sunsets that color the peaks a magnificent pink

  • Hike independently on a customized itinerary tailored to your preferred activity level, interests and schedule

france | THE gr5 trail | HUT TO HUT

  • Walk the first section of the GR5 trail from Lake Geneva to Chamonix as you traverse through some of the most beautiful parts of France

  • Enjoy delicious Savoyard food while staying in boutique inns & quaint alpine huts

  • Experience views of the dramatic Dents Blanches & Dents du Midi & the Mont Blanc massif

  • Summit Le Brévent (sitting at 2525m) and jump on the cable car that drops you in downtown Chamonix, one of the mountaineering capitals of the world

  • Hike independently on a customized itinerary tailored to your preferred activity level, interests and schedule

italy | ALTA VIA 1: LAGO DE BRAIES - BELLUNO | HUT TO HUT

  • 10 days of hut-to-hut hiking in the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site from Lago de Brais to Belluno

  • Stay in beautiful, authentic high mountain huts

  • Experience spectacular sunrises and sunsets

  • Follow trails below high limestone peaks, through gentle meadows & past blue lakes

  • Enjoy fantastic hospitality and incredible food from your hosts

  • Learn about WW1 and the history in the region, discovering artifacts from this era

  • Hike independently on a customized itinerary tailored to your preferred activity level, interests and schedule

italy | ALTA VIA 2: BRESSANONE - SAN PELLEGRINO | HUT TO HUT

  • 7 days of hut-to-hut hiking in the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site from Bressanone to Passo San Pellegrino

  • Hike below high limestone peaks, through rugged terrain, gentle meadows & past bright turquoise lakes

  • Enjoy hearty meals and refreshing drinks at the end of each day

  • Enjoy the reward of a point-to-point hike in the beautiful Dolomiti

  • Hike independently on a customized itinerary tailored to your preferred activity level, interests and schedule

south america | DAY HIKING & HUT TO HUT


argentine patagonia | fitz roy & lago del desierto | DAY HIKING

  • Hike trails with views of the majestic Fitz Roy massif & discover Los Glaciares National Park

  • Experience the massive Perito Moreno Glacier

  • Explore El Calafate & the frontier town of El Chaltén

  • Fly fish on Lago Del Desierto in the shadow of the Fitz Roy

  • Enjoy traditional Argentine cuisine like asado (barbecue), maté (traditional tea), dulche de leche (sweet cream) and wine

  • Visit a local estancia (ranch) for a home-hosted lunch

  • Option to add a local guide for all or part of your trip

  • Enjoy a customized itinerary tailored to your preferred activity level, interests and schedule

chilean patagonia | torres del paine | DAY HIKING

  • Hike some of the most beautiful trails in Torres del Paine National Park

  • Explore Las Torres and the French Valley

  • Search for unique wildlife like the Andean Condor & elusive Puma

  • Hike to the Grey Glacier where you’ll see the South Patagonia Ice Field

  • Ride a ferry across turquoise Lake Pehoe

  • Option to combine Chile & Argentina

  • Enjoy a customized itinerary tailored to your preferred activity level, interests and schedule

chile | w-trek in torres del paine | HUT TO HUT

  • Hike the classic “W -Trek” in Torres del Paine National Park including hiking to the base of the famous towers, beneath the Paine Grande & the Cuernos on some of the least traveled trails in the park

  • Follow the Ascencio River to enter the Asencio Valley

  • Discover the French Valley where you’ll have magnificent views of dramatic peaks & blue lakes

  • Hike to the Grey Glacier where you’ll see the South Patagonia Ice Field

  • Ride a ferry across turquoise Lake Pehoe

  • Enjoy a customized itinerary tailored to your preferred activity level, interests and schedule

Peru | machu picchu, CUSCO & THE SACRED VALLEY | DAY HIKING

  • Visit the “Lost City” of Machu Picchu

  • Discover the colors & culture and Inca capital of Cusco and the surrounding Sacred Valley

  • Experience the hustle and bustle of the Pisac market

  • Visit a local weaving community off the beaten path

  • Enjoy the delicious Peruvian cuisine at a home-hosted lunch with a local family

  • Walk through the lovely countryside to Maras village and its salt mines

  • Ride the narrow-gauge Vistadome train to the valley of Ollantaytambo

  • Option to add a local guide for all or part of your trip

  • Enjoy a customized itinerary tailored to your preferred activity level, interests and schedule

africa | DAY HIKING


south africa | cape town, safari & the winelands

  • Explore the various, vibrant & unique neighborhoods and bustling markets of Cape Town - from Bo-Kapp and Woodstock to the Gardens and the waterfront.

  • Hike Lion’s Head and be rewarded with views of Cape Town, Camps Bay, Signal Hill, Table Mountain, the Twelve Apostles and the whole Cape coastline.

  • Meander through Kirstenbosch Gardens before hiking up Skeleton Gorge to the summit of Table Mountain.

  • Visit Boulders Beach (home to the African penguin), Hout Bay and Cape Point, the most southwestern point of Africa.

  • Discover the Amakhala Game Reserve - a malaria-free private reserve that’s an off-the-beaten path home to the big-five.

  • While in Franschhoek, a charming village in the heart of the Winelands, visit some of the best vineyards in the world.

  • Enjoy a customized itinerary tailored to your preferred activity level, interests and schedule.

NORTH america | DAY HIKING


colorado | telluride & the san juan mountains

  • Explore Telluride, its unique box canyon, and the surrounding mountains

  • Experience stunning views of the San Juans as you hike past turquoise lakes while gazing up at high, snow-capped peaks

  • Discover the eclectic Telluride art scene through a private tour of a local gallery

  • Tour the historic and family-operated Schmid Ranch

  • Bike along the exciting Galloping Goose Trail

  • Option to add a local guide for all or part of your trip

  • Enjoy a customized itinerary tailored to your preferred activity level, interests and schedule

colorado | crested butte & the elk mountains

  • Explore the historic, charming town of Crested Butte

  • Experience stunning views of the Elk Mountains as you hike through meadows, aspen groves and up to high passes with spectacular views

  • SUP, swim & picnic on a favorite local lake

  • Fly fish with a local guide on the Gunnison or Taylor River

  • Accommodations: 5-star accommodations at Scarp Ridge Lodge

  • Option to add a local guide for all or part of your trip

  • Enjoy a customized itinerary tailored to your preferred activity level, interests and schedule

colorado | THE front range & Rocky Mountain National Park

  • Explore the natural beauty of Colorado’s Front Range

  • Discover the awe-inspiring vistas, ancient rock formations, and forests of this region

  • Based in beautiful Boulder, you’ll have easy access to our favorite hikes and local activities

  • Experience the dramatic Rocky Mountain National Park & Indian Peaks Wilderness

  • Visit the historic town of Gold Hill

  • Walk around Pearl Street and eat out at some of the best restaurants and enjoy some of the best craft breweries in the country

  • Option to add a local guide for all or part of your trip

  • Enjoy a customized itinerary tailored to your preferred activity level, interests and schedule

Pathways did not miss a detail. So attentive from first contact phone call, each step of the trip design, and throughout the adventure. Everything just seamlessly worked.
— robyn s. | newburyport, Ma | Self-guided argentina 2019