Top nine places to travel in August 2027

August can be a complex time to travel and yet, for many, it is the only time available. Between the heat, hordes and hassle it can be off-putting, and so we are going to take you off the beaten path a little for August, with glacial lakes to plunge into, dense forests to take shade in or to northern nirvanas that are ravishing rather than roasting. Given that the word August comes from the Latin word augustus, meaning majestic or solemnly grand, you might want to consider hitting some of the great mountain ranges. Even the French call this period les grandes vacances. So, to help you think big, bold and blissfully quiet, here are our top nine places to travel in August.

An adventure-filled summer in Slovakia

Pop over to Poprad this summer for a centre-based, privately-guided adventure that gives you so many different perspectives of Slovak Paradise and Pieniny National Parks. Poprad is a historic mountain town and has easy access to some of Slovakia’s secret stunners. These include white water rafting on the Dunajec River, Via Ferrata in Slovak Paradise National Park, and e-biking in the Low Tatras Mountains. This is a family favourite, but it can be adapted to suit adventurers of all ages. And with mountain temperatures cooler than many other European countries at this time of year, 20–26C on warm days and dipping to 10–15C at night, your fever for adventure will be boiling, not the rest of you.

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. For more information, see our bespoke blog.

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

Mellow in Val Maira, Piedmont

Already well known to gastronomy go-getters, as Piedmont is the home of Slow Food, there is no better region to celebrate traditional, artisanal foods. However, one of the region’s most delicious natural ingredients is the remote and rugged Val Maira, with a walking trail that takes you through the southern Alps, close to the French border. Your journey starts at San Michele Prazzo, at an altitude of 1,370m, with some spectacular cols to tackle on this eight day walking holiday, such as Colle Greguri (2,309m) and Colle Oserot (2,640m). And with veritable feasts provided at beautiful agriturismo accommodations en route, you will have plenty of Piedmont propellant to keep you going. All beautifully tranquillo too, as this is the time when northern Italians head south.

Peaks of the Balkans Trail

The hard won peaceful relationships between Balkan countries should be celebrated by visiting hikers and cyclists alike. The Peaks of the Balkans 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.

places to travel in august — The Peaks of the Balkans hiking trail includes a ferry trip through the fjord-like landscapes of Albania’s Komani Lake.

Don’t follow sheep on Ireland’s Sheep’s Head Way

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 ©

Festivals and forays in Scotland

If you like to combine culture and nature, walking or cycling in Scotland in August is 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. 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.

Bright and breezy Brittany by bike

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. Our vélo voyages cling to the coast, with Brittany boasting some of France’s wildest beaches. On our Emerald Coast tour, for example, average daily temperatures in August are 22-24C, just perfect for cycling to the likes of Mont-Saint-Michel, the maritime marvels of Saint-Malo and Dinard, and the picture-perfect riverside town of Dinan. Our Pink Granite Coast cycling holiday, from Saint Brieuc to Morlaix, takes 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’s blissful mountains

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 trail seekers in the summer, it’s gloriously mountainous but never ever monotonous.

Vitamin D-enmark

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 more August adventures, see all our walking and cycling 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.