- First UK tour in the Derbyshire Peaks and Yorkshire Dales
- New tour in Northern Lombardy, Italy

Gastronomic hiking specialist Hedonistic Hiking is expanding into the UK, running its first UK-based small group guided hiking tour in the Derbyshire Peaks and Yorkshire Dales in July 2025. The company has also added a new destination to its annual calendar in Italy, with a brand new tour in Northern Lombardy, scheduled for October 2025.

Comments Hedonistic Hiking joint owner, Jackie Parsons, 'We're so excited to be running our very first tour in the UK. These two regions are steeped in history and have inspired many of England's writers and poets, against a backdrop of glorious landscapes. Naturally, we'll also be introducing our guests to the local gastronomy, to artisanal producers and local dishes in award-winning restaurants.

'Our other new tour is to Northern Lombardy, a region of Italy that has remained under the radar to date but one that offers superb hiking, UNESCO high spots and, of course, some exceptional wine-tasting in the Franciacorta and Valtellina vineyards.'

Hike in the Derbyshire Peaks and Yorkshire Dales

Hedonistic Hiking's first UK tour takes in two of the UK's most beautiful National Parks: the Peak District and the Yorkshire Dales. The level 4 tour blends hikes across the regions' rugged moors and stone-walled meadows with challenging climbs on Kinder Scout in the Peak District, and two of the Yorkshire Three Peaks. There are also visits to Haddon Hall and scenic villages such as Eyam in the Peaks, and to Ripon Cathedral and the stunning UNESCO World Heritage site of Fountains Abbey.

Guests learn about the local gastronomy and agricultural heritage through gourmet picnic lunches and delicious dinners, visits to picturesque pubs for traditional ales and to an award-winning cheesemonger.

The 8-night fully inclusive Derbyshire Peaks and Yorkshire Dales tour (9-17 July 2025) costs £3150pp, including all meals with wine, visits and transfers, with www.hedonistichiking.com. 

Vineyards and mountain hikes in Northern Lombardy

There will also be a new tour for 2025 in the often overlooked region of Northern Lombardy, to the north east of Milan. The level 4 tour includes hikes through the vineyards of Franciacorta and the high valleys of the Valtellina, visits to churches, palaces and the UNESCO town of Bergamo, and a boat trip to Monte Isola on Lake Iseo, the lesser-known of the Italian lakes. The final day starts with a short train journey through the Poschiavo valley, on part of the same route taken by the scenic Bernina Express, before hiking to the historic Path of the Smugglers.

Hedonistic Hiking's trademark picnics provide a delicious introduction to the local gastronomy, but there are also tastings of the wines of Franciacorta and the Valtellina, a visit to learn about the fascinating Slow Food Presidia Storico Ribelle cheese, and superb dinners in handpicked local restaurants.

The 8-night fully inclusive Northern Lombardy tour (6-14 October 2025) costs £3100pp, including all meals with wine, visits and transfers, with www.hedonistichiking.com. Excludes flights.

Walk the Hedonistic Hiking way

Luxury hiking: The small independent company set out in 2007 to demonstrate that hiking and luxury can go hand in hand. Since then, joint owners Jackie and Mick Parsons have established a close-knit network of friends and colleagues in Italy and beyond, who share the same commitment to providing high quality, personal experiences.

Local gastronomy and culture: Tours are specifically designed to introduce guests to local culture and gastronomy. Picnics are packed with the highest quality local specialities and enjoyed in scenic spots, while for dinner, guests are treated to a selection of excellent restaurants, ranging from charming local trattorie to Michelin-starred big hitters. Wine-tastings, visits to local producers and food festivals, truffle hunts and cooking classes may also feature on a tour itinerary.

All-inclusive: Holidays are truly all-inclusive, including all meals as well as hiking snacks, the occasional cappuccino or cold beer, and excellent local wines with dinner. They may also include a visit to a museum, church or garden, a fabulous boat, train or cable car ride, or a private guided tour of a place of specific interest.

Luxury accommodation: Accommodation is in locally owned hotels that offer a high level of comfort, often in unique settings such as a beautifully restored palazzo, a 4-star Renaissance villa or a luxurious hotel with mountain or sea views.

Hiking for all levels: Tours are graded 1-5 according to difficulty, with detailed information on the type of terrain and length of each day, in time and distance.

Destinations include, in Italy, the Dolomites, Tuscany, Lombardy, Piedmont, the Italian Lakes and Alps, Friuli, Emilia Romagna, Umbria, the Basilicata, Sardinia and the Abruzzo. Several of the tours cross borders into France (including Corsica), Slovenia and Austria, and, in 2025, Hedonistic Hiking's first UK tour is in the Derbyshire Peaks and Yorkshire Dales.

The company also organises several tours in Australia, including in 2025, an Alpine Walking Weekend in Victoria, and a 6-night Great Ocean Walk.

Further information from Hedonistic Hiking (www.hedonistichiking.com, t. 01858 565148).