For those of us in the northern hemisphere, an October hiking trip acts as the ultimate palette cleanser for the soul. It sweeps away the post-summer haze and adds a vibrant, golden glow to the journey toward winter. In Southern Europe, there’s more breathing than bustling in the tourism honeypots. And in places like Umbria, Georgia or Serbia, you can start to glimpse the autumnal leaf changes, and also make the most of wine harvests. We’ll drink to that. For a more tropical twist, Bali offers an Indonesian idyll just before the monsoon. Explore our best walking holidays in October, and prepare to toast to a new season of discovery.
Walking in Umbria
Given that Umbria is where the umber reddish brown pigment came from, which translates as terra d’ombra, or earth of Umbria, walking here during the season when its trees start to match their earth, is pretty special. All year round Umbria is an earthy and exquisite place, with a whole palette of prettiness to explore. But as our Umbrian collection is available throughout October, and indeed some of them even creep into November, this is a great time to explore it without the crowds. And, as it’s only an hour from Rome, you can even combine it with a quieter city break. Some of our most popular Umbrian utopias include Walking in the Lake Bolsena region, exploring the tranquil trails of the Cammino dei Borghi Silenti, or our Orvieto and Lake Bolsena Short Break. It’s also the grape harvest season of course, and with Orvieto as the main hub on many of our tours, you won’t be short of wine and wanderlust.
Where to hike in October in Bali
If you want to go high, and also keep dry, one of the best times to go to Bali for hiking well off the tourist trail is in October, which is before the rainy season kicks in. It’s also a cheaper time for flights as it’s after the school holidays. As our walking holiday takes you into Bali’s remote highlands, you avoid some of the lowlands’ extreme temperatures in October too, with averages around 27C. This region of Bali is never too packed, however, exploring well off the tourist trail, seeking out the highlands and rainforest and traditional Tabanan region villages, with a private guide and local expert.
Can you hike the Dolomites in October?
Yes you can, and in fact the Dolomites are not only a hiker’s dream in October, they are also a photographer’s happy place. You may get some early snow on the peaks, there’s a flush of autumn colours, with fiery golden larch trees, reds and yellow beech and maple trees. As well as some resilient alpine flowers, such as autumn gentians and crocuses. The light keeps you on your toes shimmering between light seasonal showers but as long as you pack the right rain gear, you’ll be good to go. Walking tours of the Dolomites at this time of year are at lower elevations than some, including Val Badia and the Chestnut Route.
Best places to hike in October in Slovenia
Lake Bled and the Julian Alps in Slovenia are still very much open for business in October. They have also lost the influencer vibe and swapped back over to a truly immersive traveller vibe. When autumn arrives at Lake Bled, the foliage undergoes a stunning transformation. The trees that surround the lake include birches, maples, beeches and chestnuts, showcasing an array of hues that range from deep reds and oranges to vibrant yellows. The combination of golden foliage, emerald-green lake and the backdrop of the Julian Alps is a winning one. Feel the crisp in the air and crunch underfoot on our Lakes and valleys of the Slovenian Alps holiday, and fall in love with the larches’ golden hues in the Karawanken, Kamnik and Julian Alps, in particular from Pokljuka high plateau (1,280m).
Walking holidays in October in Crete
Crete gets a lot of attention in the spring, and rightly so, because it’s when the island’s array of wildflowers come out to play. However, even though the flowers may have disappeared in October, the forays are still full on in terms of their beauty. It’s also your last chance to catch Samaria Gorge on Walking the gorges of west Crete holiday, as it closes in mid-October, when the autumn rains start.
If there is rain during the season, the national park authorities are very strict about closing access to the trail, in which case we suggest an alternative route for you that day. One example is starting in Sougia, where you take a ferry to Agia Roumeli for a 10km walk. Agia Roumeli is also a magical place, located at the foot of Samaria Gorge and built on the ancient ruins from an earthquake. For more information, see our blog Walking on Crete. For our other walking holidays in Crete, they are all available in October, when daytime highs are 23-24C, and evenings dipping to 16-17C. The sea is warmer, however, at around 23C, which is Hellenic heaven really. For more information, see our blog Walking on Crete.
Saunters in Serbia are serene in October
A bit like its megastar tennis player who put it on the map, Serbia is silent, strong and has a grand slam of glories under its belt. They just don’t shout about it. However, it’s starting to be noticed by hikers who want an ace adventure in a Balkan country with a growing track record. Which is why we’re delighted to have Serbian hiking tours in our adventure arena, both available in October. One is in Tara National Park, famous for Drina River Canyon and the other in Fruška Gora National Park, a short spa break with mountains and monasteries in the mix. Serbia just keeps serving aces.
Hiking in Serra da Estrela, Portugal
October marks your final opportunity until next May to experience the celestial beauty of Portugal’s Serra da Estrela. Known as the Mountains of the Stars, this range is the highest on the Portuguese mainland. On this eight-day, self-guided adventure, you ascend to breathtaking altitudes where the brisk autumn air heightens the scent of oak and pine. Highlights include trekking up to Torre, the range’s summit at 1,993m, in perfectly mild temperatures and capturing the Buraco Valley’s striking rock formations in autumnal light. From the stunning vistas of Manteigas Valley at Pousada de São Lorenço (1,290m) to the rugged peaks, it is truly peak Portugal.
Georgia is gorgeous in October
Georgia is gorgeous, pure and simple. It has two beautiful natural borders of the Black Sea and the Caucasus Mountains, a wealth of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the most remote and ravishing long-distance trails. In October, you can walk through high mountain meadows of the Caucasus’ Kazbegi region or be welcomed in ancient Svanetian villages. Another autumnal adventure is to explore both Georgia and Armenia on a privately-guided drive and hike holiday that takes you through both countries, two capitals and some colossal mountains. With temperatures still in their highish teens, and mountain forests and river trails taking on their seasonal glow, this is also a top time for keen photographers.
Wine trails of Piedmont, Italy
The Piedmont region rings out wine o-clock all day every day in October, as you will discover walking its wine trails, which you combine with a dip into the coast of Liguria. There are plenty of sparkling wines to be had too, although given that one of your hikes is through the village of Barolo, that may make local vintners see red. There’s nothing like a red Barolo though, and you can have it with mountain cheese as you also walk through Murazzano, where the famous cheese is produced. Another fine food of this trip is the truffle, found in the Langhe area and, perfectly, the trip starts in Alba where the two-month-long Truffle Festival opens in October. The Ligurian half of the walking holiday has a more salty flavour, walking along the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri, the coastal Sentiero Liguria and up to Monte Bignone (1,299m) in San Romolo Natural Park.
West Highland Way, Scotland
October is the last month of the calendar year to travel on one of our self-guided walking holidays on the West Highland Way. However, it’s also a popular time of year, so you need to book early. You may also need a wee dram in your hipflask, or another baselayer as you traverse the wilds of Rannoch Moor or Glencoe, but you will also have the trails to yourself. It’s fine food season in Scotland at this time too as October kicks off seafood and game season, and you won’t have any midges to worry about either at this time of year. The woodlands around Loch Lomond and Glen Nevis are transformed into what looks like a magnificent tweed throw of autumnal colours, perfect for camouflaging the red deer. It’s rutting season in October too and so you may still hear them, with locking antlers and mating calls a feature of their seasonal sassiness.
For more October adventure fests, see all our walking holidays available this month. You may also enjoy our blogs on Best time to walk the camino, Winter sun walking holidays and Best places for autumn foliage in Europe. For any other enquiries, please don’t hesitate to contact our bubbly team.
Walking in Umbria: Assisi to Spoleto
Walking in Umbria and Lazio: Orvieto and Lake Bolsena
Walking in Umbria: Cammino dei Borghi Silenti
Walking in Umbria: Orvieto and Lake Bolsena Short Break
Hiking Hidden Bali
Fruška Gora Walking and Spa Adventure (Centre-based)
Hiking in Tara National Park
Walking in Serra da Estrela: Mountains of the Stars
Walking in the Svaneti Mountains
Hiking in Kazbegi
Best of Georgia and Armenia
