Best walking holidays in August 2027

Travelling in August can be complicated, yet for many, it is the only window available for a getaway. The combination of intense heat, heaving honeypots and packed airports can often be discouraging. That is why we are guiding you slightly off the beaten track this month, showcasing pristine alpine terrain in Piedmont, deep forests for bathing in and northern sanctuaries that are spectacular rather than sweltering. Given that the word August originates from the Latin augustus, meaning majestic or solemnly grand, it is the perfect time to explore magnificent mountain ranges. To inspire a big, bold, and blissfully quiet escape, here are our most popular and best walking holidays in August.

South West Coast Path, England

This is a coastal spectacle on steroids, and also the UK’s longest walking trail at over 1,000km that clings to the coasts of Somerset, Cornwall, Devon and Dorset. It’s a piñata of peninsulas, a celebration of coves and joined up thinking at its most joyous. The South West Coast Path is also one of the most outstanding walking holidays in England, and it’s totally shimmering in August. Our self-guided tours take you along seven segments of the path, so you can take them on separately or combine all seven for a bit of slow and sublime south-western wanderlust. August is, of course, also a perfect time to enjoy the swimming beaches of Perranporth, St Ives or Kynance Cove, especially when arriving on foot. So you don’t have to deal with busy Cornwall car parks.

On the South West Coast Path every headland is a highlight, and every cove a keeper.

Best places to hike in August in Scotland

If you like to combine culture and nature, walking holidays in Scotland in August are ideal, with Edinburgh’s world-famous International Festival living up to all expectations, as does the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, both of them in August. And between them you aren’t short of choice on cultural gems, which are perfect for celebrating the end of an adventure on the Great Glen Way, for example, which is less crowded than the West Highland Way in August. However, this one also books up quickly, so you want to book well ahead of August. And also the Fife Coastal Path, a long-distance trail on Edinburgh’s doorstep, and a natural festival between the Forth and Tay estuaries. It is also worth noting that schools go back earlier than other UK or European countries in Scotland, in mid-August, and so there are fewer local travellers too at this time.

places to travel in august — Combine Loch Linnhe and love of the arts on a Scottish walking tour this August.

Piedmont hiking holidays in August

As the birthplace of the Slow Food movement, Piedmont is already a legendary destination for culinary enthusiasts seeking authentic, artisanal cuisine. For natural adventurers, there is so much more on the menu, as one of the region’s magnificent natural treasures is Val Maira, home to a spectacular walking trail that weaves through the southern Alps near the French border. This eight-day trekking holiday begins at an altitude of 1,370m in San Michele Prazzo and takes you over dramatic mountain passes like Colle Greguri (2,309m) and Colle Oserot (2,640m). To keep you properly fueled, you can enjoy exceptional feasts at beautiful agriturismo accommodations along the route. In addition, since northern Italians head south at this time of year, your journey will be blissfully tranquillo.

Long-distance hikes in August

We would highly recommend the Peaks of the Balkans in August which is a long-distance hiking trail traversing the Western Balkans, on a circuit that encompasses the heritage highlights (and highlands) of Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro. These mountainous areas are cooler than the coast in summer, and the holidays are generally only available between June and September. Depending on the heights that you want to hit, there are options to ascend Mt. Trekufiri, Hajla, Taljanka and Arapi, all promising the most peaceful and people-less panoramas.

In addition, our Tour du Mont Blanc walking holidays are also good August long-distance trail options, although you do need to book well in advance. This is the 170km circuit around the highest peak in Europe (4,810m). And note, you don’t climb to the top of it on this trek, you circumnavigate it. Think of it as a dance around La Dame Blanche, the nickname given to the white, snow-covered peak by the French, just one of three countries where she lays her pretty feet. Making this a multinational massif and one of the world’s most unique trekking trilogies. For more information, see our blog Everything you need to know about the Tour du Mont Blanc hike.

For organising the Tour du Mont Blanc in August, including luggage transfers, we have your back.

Heading to the North Sea for summer walking holidays

If you want to head really far north, then the North Sea Trail is a growing transnational long-distance hiking trail across seven countries, and Denmark is one of the countries to have really embraced it as a waymarked path. To avoid the overbearing heat of other parts of Europe, how about walking the Danish section in a week, starting in Løkken and finishing in Skagen, Denmark’s northernmost point, where the North Sea meets the Baltic? En route you stroll across sparkling sandy beaches, past traditional lighthouses, through coastal pine forests and picnic in impressive dune seascapes. Maximum temperatures are around 21C in August too, so you can still get your Vitamin D on the sea. For other options, see all our Denmark hiking holidays in August.

Sheep’s Head Way is the way to go in Ireland in August

The Sheep’s Head Way is one of south-west Ireland’s most spindly peninsulas, measuring just 19km long and 5km wide. For keen walkers it’s like a tardis, however, with 150km of hill walks leading you to dreamy coves, dramatic cliffs, ancient archaeological sites or to its elusive lighthouse right at the tip – all strengthened by a sandstone ridge which stretches down the core of the peninsula like a central spine. As well as being much quieter than the world-famous Kerry or Dingle Ways at this time of year, it also has an impressive local community fully committed to sustainable tourism, and it’s thanks to them that such superb walking access has been granted to its hiking visitors.

Fabulous in August, but be prepared for all seasons along the Sheep’s Head Way. Photo Catherine Mack ©

Bright and breezy Brittany

While the south of France sizzles, Brittany generally has lower temperatures in August as well as fewer crowds. It’s also spectacular, with Breton culture emanating from its superb food, cider and laissez-faire attitude to life everywhere you go. Especially while hiking Brittany’s Pink Granite Coast, where you’ll find fewer crowds but a lot of unique natural sculptures. Walking from Saint Brieuc to Morlaix, this coastal trail leads you through the riches of northern Brittany where the coastline is full of sculpted creeks and bays, such as Ploumanac’h, a chaotic mass of pink granite boulders. If you love France, but haven’t been to Brittany, bring it on. It’s a beauty.

Bulgaria has blissful hiking in August

Full disclosure, we are a bit biased when it comes to Bulgaria as several of our team members hail from there. Bulgaria would be our Mastermind specialist subject, or our best Ted Talk. We won’t hide our light under Bulgarian bushels either, as we’re proud of the tours we have crafted there, and believe us, they are endlessly exquisite. Our latest holiday is a Balkan beauty too, Walking in the Western Balkan Mountains and Belogradchik Rocks. Hiking in Bulgaria is many things. It is cheap and very cheerful, quiet and quaint. And, most importantly for secret spots for hiking in August, it’s gloriously mountainous but never ever monotonous.

For more top places to go hiking in August, see all our walking holidays available during this month. If your chosen companion is a canine one, you may also enjoy our Top dog-friendly trips blog and, if you are revving up to do the camino in the quieter month of September, check out our Camino packing list blog.