Whilst it may seem a little early to book a walking getaway for 2023, many iconic walking adventures often sell out well in advance, leaving bucket list trips languishing on the list for another year.  Avoid disappointment and secure a popular walking holiday by booking early with leading self-guided walking specialist Macs Adventure (www.macsadventure.com, 0141 530 5452).

Commenting, Fiona Marshall, Head of Product, said, 'This year, we're seeing even greater demand for our iconic walking holidays with some of the most popular Camino trails up by 100% compared to 2019.  With the increased popularity of walking and cycling over the last two years, we encourage customers to book early if they plan a bucket list adventure – particularly for iconic routes such as the Camino de Santiago, the Tour de Mont Blanc and the West Highway Way.  That way, they can let us take care of the organisation - leaving them plenty of time to get some practise walks in and prepare for a memorable adventure.'

Camino de Santiago:

One of Macs Adventure's most popular trips is walking the Camino de Santiago. There is a wide range of options suitable for solo travellers, couples or groups, each offering beautiful scenery, warm hospitality and unique experiences. With many starting points for the Camino, itineraries can begin in Northern Spain with time to take in the Guggenheim Museum and stylish bars of Bilbao, or perhaps in Portugal, spending time in the 'fado' bars and cathedrals of Lisbon or port cellars and riverside markets of Porto.

All the routes to Santiago pass by holy shrines, magnificent Cathedrals, historic monasteries and rural churches, giving a real sense of the traditional reasons for the pilgrimage. The Camino is not only for those on a religious journey as many people go walking for spiritual reasons and achieving something special.  Whilst on the journey, meeting fellow pilgrims, hearing their stories and sharing adventures with them is one of the things that makes a Camino tour a life-changing event.

Camino Frances Final Stage – Sarria to Santiago:

Embark on this spiritual and historical journey in the footsteps of generations of travellers along the last 100km of the Camino Frances from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela on the Camino de Santiago. Walking this section of the Camino entitles walkers to collect their Compostela certificate in Santiago, which makes this a popular area of the Camino Frances.  The route winds through rural Galicia with charming old churches and religious sites before ending at the magnificent Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

This final stage of the Camino Frances itinerary offers travellers the opportunity to be surrounded by like-minded walkers from around the world, sharing experiences on a unique and spiritual journey.

Macs Adventure (www.macsadventure.com, 0141 530 5452) offers this self-guided 7 day/6 night Camino Frances Final Stage from £510 per person.  Price includes 6 nights in rural hostels and hotels on a bed and breakfast basis, baggage transfers each day, an information pack with the walking route, full detailed maps and local information, a Camino guide book and emergency assistance if needed.  Return travel to Sarria and from Santiago is not included.

For those with more time, the Best of the Camino itinerary offers the two best sections of the Camino Frances over 2 weeks of travelling from the Pyrenees to Santiago, including the lively cities of Logrono, Pamplona and Leon.

This journey begins in St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, which straddles the French and Spanish border, with the challenge of the high mountains and valleys of the Pyrenees before crossing through plains and olive groves to the typically Spanish city of Logrono. A private transfer heads to Sarria via Leon before walking the final 100km needed to qualify for the Compostela. A last free day in Santiago ensures there is time for the Pilgrim's Mass, a highlight of any Camino experience.

Macs Adventure (www.macsadventure.com, 0141 530 5452) offers this 14-night Best of the Camino itinerary from £1,645 per person.  Price includes 14 nights in rural hostels and hotels on a bed and breakfast basis, baggage transfers each day, a private transfer from Logrono to Sarria with a stop in Leon, an information pack with walking route, full detailed maps and local information, a Camino guide book and 24/7 emergency assistance if needed. Return travel to St Jean Pied de Port and from Santiago is not included.

Tour Du Mont Blanc:

Europe's classic long-distance trek is a must on most experienced walkers' wish lists. There's no better and more authentic way to embark on this journey than to stay in spectacularly located remote mountain huts.  These mountain huts allow walkers to stay high in the mountains soaking up superb views and enjoying the camaraderie of others on the same journey.  The tour offers spectacular alpine scenery and sights such as the Chamonix Valley, the summit of Mont Blanc, the Aiguilles, the Mer de Glace and the Argentière glacier.  With three countries on one trek, starting and finishing in Les Houches in France and taking in Italy and Switzerland too, this fabulous walk includes bag transfers most days leaving just a day pack to carry.

The Tour du Mont Blanc is a challenging trek with considerable ascent and descent every day and is best suited to experienced walkers looking for a challenge.  The terrain is mountainous, rocky and rough underfoot and includes two sections with fixed ladders and footholds and require some very light scrambling.  The Tour du Mont Blanc season runs from the start of July to mid-September.

Macs Adventure (www.macsadventure.com, 0141 530 5452) offers this self-guided 12-day, 11-night Complete Tour du Mont Blanc in Huts from £1,530 per person.  Price includes 4 nights in small hotels on a twin/double share basis, 7 nights in dormitories in mountain huts/refuges/gites on a bed and breakfast basis, 9 dinners during the walk, bag transfer (except Rifugio Bonatti and Refuge du Lac Blanc), information pack with walking route, full detailed maps and GPS navigation app and organisational assistance and back up if needed.  Travel to Chamonix and from Le Fayet and local transfers are not included.

There are also alternative options for those who prefer a little more privacy than staying in the mountain huts, including a 12-day Complete Tour du Mont Blanc in Comfort from £1,750 per person and an 8 day Highlights of the Tour du Mont Blanc in Comfort from £1,255 per person with accommodation in comfortable hotels along the route.

Alta Via

Another of Europe's classic Alpine long-distance trails for experienced hikers is the Alta Via which makes its way through the towering peaks of Italy's spectacular Dolomites. The full Alta Via 1 starts in Cortina and ends in Belluno. Macs Adventure offers several different versions, including walking the AV1 route in 11 days and a more relaxed approach on the extended trail over 14 days.

Against the stunning backdrop of the Dolomites, the 11-day itinerary follows the length of Alta Via 1 through the eastern Dolomites from Lago di Braies to Belluno. Accommodation is in authentic remote mountain huts, ensuring a sense of camaraderie with fellow walkers. This iconic route is a must-do with staggering Italian alpine scenery, from towering limestone pinnacles to beautiful turquoise lakes and welcoming mountain huts offering a unique 'rifugio ambience'.  After walking, enjoy well-earned delicious pasta, fantastic homecooked Italian food, excellent local wines and grappa, and a guaranteed warm and friendly reception.

Macs Adventure (www.macsadventure.com, 0141 530 5452) offers this 11-day/10-night nigh- Dolomites Alta Via 1 Complete itinerary from £1,180 per person.  Price includes accommodation for 2 nights in 3-star hotels and 8 nights in mountain huts on a bed and breakfast basis, 7 nights dinner, complete information pack with walking route, guide book, Tabacco maps and a pre-departure information map 24/7 support if needed.  Flights to Venice and travel to Cortina and from Belluno are not included.

West Highland Way:

The West Highland Way is Scotland's most famous long-distance trail, running some 96 miles from Milngavie (Glasgow) to Fort William.  Walkers are surrounded by the spectacular landscape of the Highlands, from quiet lochs and lush glens to towering mountains and rushing rivers, ensuring a memorable bucket-list experience. Opened in 1980 as Scotland's first official long-distance footpath, it is now established as the most popular long-distance walk in the country.

Macs Adventure is the largest operator on the West Highland Way and has exceptional knowledge of the route, its people and places.  A selection of itineraries is available, and all must be booked early, especially the most popular 7-night West Highland Way.  These varied itineraries are specifically designed to offer something for everyone, from challenge-seekers to those looking for a more relaxed walking holiday.

The West Highland Way 7-night itinerary

This 8 day itinerary from Milngavie just outside Glasgow to Fort William is the most popular Macs Adventure option, suitable for both fit first-timers and experienced walkers. After leaving Milngavie, the West Highland Way immerses walkers into the countryside, passing through Mugdock Country Park and Glengoyne distillery whilst heading to the small village of Drymen. The route continues to Loch Lomond via Conic Hill, which offers a fantastic panorama of Loch Lomond and the Highland Boundary Fault before heading through the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park to Crianlarich and then Tyndrum. Other highlights along the way include the Bridge of Orchy, Inveroran and Loch Tulla, showcasing the Scottish Highlands at their best. The walk continues onto Kinlochleven via the “Devil's Staircase” before finally reaching Ben Nevis and Fort William at the head of Loch Linnhe.

Macs Adventure (www.macsadventure.com, 0141 530 5452) offers this self-guided 8-day day/7 night West Highland Way itinerary from £690 per person.  Price includes 7 nights in hand-picked B&B's, small hotels and guesthouses on a bed and breakfast basis, baggage transfers, information pack with walking route, full detailed maps and GPS navigation app and 24/7 assistance if needed.  Travel to Milngavie and from Fort William is omitted.

Isle of Skye

From the jagged Cuillin Ridge to white-sand beaches, colourful harbour towns and abundant wildlife, Scotland have few spectacular and diverse destinations as the Isle of Skye.  With limited ferry access and accommodation, holidays here get booked up in advance – hence the need to book well ahead.

Macs Adventure has been helping customers explore the best of Skye's walking trails for the past 10 years and offers a range of itineraries, which can be customised depending on levels of fitness, time available and accommodation en route.  Traverse the island from south to north on the more challenging yet rewarding, A Long Walk on the Isle of Skye trip or discover the essence of Skye a Skye Highs Short Break. Skye can also be combined with the far-flung Hebridean isles of Harris and Lewis on Macs Aventure's Skye & The Outer Hebrides trip.

Long Walk on the Isle of Skye

This 8-day/9-night self-guided holiday taking in the highlights of the Skye Trail involves some challenging walking and is best suited for experienced long-distance walkers. The route starts in the remote southern Sleat Peninsula and offers a fantastic opportunity to discover the magic of the so-called "misty isle". From here, it continues north towards the small shore-side village of Broadford via wild stretches of coastline on quiet trails, with opportunities to spy soaring sea eagles overhead. Explore one of the most remote areas of Skye at Loch Coruisk and enjoy one of Scotland's finest day walks below the spectacular Cuillin Ridge to arrive in Sligachan. Portree's colourful, harbour-side village serves as a base to explore the island's rugged north, walking mountain paths through the iconic landscape of The Storr's rock pinnacles and the beautiful Trotternish Ridge.

Macs Adventure (www.macsadventure.com, 0141 530 5452) offers this self-guided 8 day/7 night walking Long Walk on the Isle of Skye trip from £990 per person.  Price includes 7 nights b&b accommodation in hand-picked b&b's, guesthouses and small hotels, some taxi transfers and baggage transfer, information pack with walking route, full detailed maps and GPS navigation app and 24/7 assistance if needed. Travel to and from Skye is not included.