Walking and Hiking Tours Make Great Bucket List Adventures

June 29, 2023 — While any kind of travel is usually high on many people’s retirement bucket lists, a walking or hiking trip a particularly good idea for those looking for an active experience. Walking tours are the perfect Goldilocks adventure option for people of retirement age. Easier and less risky than bike tours, they provide plenty of action and adventure. They are perfect for folks who crave the outdoors and nature, but don’t want to experience new worlds from a seated position on a bus or boat.

Your editor has just returned from a hiking trip in the Dolomite Mountains of Italy – a fabulous adventure. Much of this mountainous region of northeastern Italy has been made into National parks, and the area has now been declared a World Heritage Site.

Our trip was made through Country Walkers (CW), a division of VBT, the cycling tour company. There are many other companies, including Backroads, that offer walking tours at various price ranges and destinations. Country Walkers is mid-priced. People in our tour group of 13 ranged in age from their late 40s to my friend Jay, a very youthful 81. Three of us were in our mid 70s. You could also set up your own tour, which would be less expensive, more flexible, and only be with the people you select (but it would come with significantly more work and hassle). Another option is to go hut to hut hiking, a more economical, and usually more vigorous, way to go. For example, in this country the AMC has a system of mountain huts in New Hampshire and other states where you can get a bunk for the night, simple dinner, and breakfast. Europe has many similar options, ranging from basic huts to rooms in luxurious mountain top lodges.

Starting in Innsbruck

Our trip began after a flight to Innsbruck, Austria. The first adventure there was typical of the way many people hike in the Dolomites or the Alps. We took the incredibly efficient Nordkette funicular from downtown Innsbruck to the top of the mountains. So instead of having to climb almost 2000 meters to the summit, the funicular and gondolas zipped us up there in minutes. We then hiked along the top of the mountain, enjoying views from above the tree line.

Finished, we enjoyed a cappuccino and delicious potato and sausage soup at a restaurant below the summit. Then we relaxed on the ride back down.

We won’t go through each day’s hike, but instead just give a brief overview of what to expect. In our 10 day adventure we stayed in 5 different hotels, all of them wonderful, usually in very old and charming buildings. About half of the dinners were included, all of those in excellent restaurants. Most lunches at mountainside refugios were part of the package.

On days when we changed towns there were fairly short rides in a luxury Mercedes van to our new hotels. The first ride went through the famed Brenner Pass to Bressanone, Italy, known as Brixen in German. Our first warm up hike started with a gondola ride at the Plose ski resort. Vertical hiking that day was about 550 meters on about a 2 1/2 mile stroll. Hikes on subsequent days ranged from about 5-8 miles.

Some hikes were easier than others, and this trip was labeled moderate to challenging. The more strenuous sections included some fairly steep trails, stepping over rocks and roots, and occasionally having to negotiate narrow ledges for short stretches. Not scary, although one hiker with acrophobia was grateful for a helping hand from one of our two experienced and charming mountain guides, Claudia and Keegan.

Other towns we used as bases for hike were San Vigilio and Cortina, the site for the 2026 Olympics. The guides selected a different hiking experience for each day, usually starting with a ride on a gondola or other type of lift to the summit of a ski resort. From there we followed one or more of the many trails that went in all directions. It was great to have Claudia or Keegan point out which way to go at intersections, along with their expert commentary (both had geology degrees) on the wonders all around us. The Dolomites are one of the most popular hiking regions in the world because of the scenery and variety of trails, but they become extremely crowded in the summer months ( we were the first Dolomites tour of the year by CW).

Some of the other trails and mountains we hiked were:

Plose

Cinque Torri

Tres Cime de Lavaredo

Cime Setsass

If you go:

Choosing a walking/hiking tour starts by figuring out where you want to go: domestic or foreign, state or country, what type of experience, mountains or countryside. Tour companies offer choices all over the world.

Next is degree of difficulty. Hut to hut tours will probably be very strenuous but can still be luxurious. Packages tours like CW will provide ratings of their difficulty, which you need to pay attention to. If you have joint problems or aren’t in good shape, choose an easier option. Likewise, if you have no hiking experience, or if what you had came when you were in your 20s, don’t go for strenuous. If you choose a trip above your ability level you will be a liability to the group and yourself. That is not to say you can’t train for a trip like this. Just remember, walking along a flat gravel trail is nothing like a steep climb at 8,000 feet and having to step over or down big rocks and slippery roots.

Equipment. On my hike a smallish backpack was recommended, big enough to hold rain gear, water, lunch, extra clothing, and personal items, but not so big as to be heavy. I chose the Gregory 24 Liter Hydration pack and was very happy with it. You don’t have to carry a water bottle with the built in reservoir and drinking tube. For boots my Solomon lightweight hiking boots provided needed support on rocky trails, kept my socks dry, and were lightweight. Hiking sticks are essential on the trail. They provide 2 extra points of balance, especially or rocky or slippery trails. Plus they let you use your arms to help out your legs on inclines. Trailbuddy Trekking poles are collapsible and an excellent choice.

Lastly, choose what company you will use, or if you will be your own provider. Ask your friends, read reviews, study itineraries and hotel choices, ask questions. That is part of the fun!

Bottom line:

Adventure trips are the perfect bucket list item for many retirees, and walking and hiking trips are the sweet spot for many. Have fun – we are not getting any younger so do it while we can! Share your bucket list travel ideas in the Comments below.

For more:

Bucket List Articles (a new Blog category)

Don’t Make These Mistakes While Hiking