Hillwalk Tours - Self-Guided Walking Holidays Reviews 65

We just returned from our 3rd Hillwalk and we're already planning the next! You select the country, then which area of that country, how many days you'd like to hike, and how far you want to go each day (Gentle, Moderate, Challenging). The amazing team at Hillwalk Tours arranges your lodgings and provides you with great route notes, maps, and a personalized itinerary. Each day you only carry with you what you'll need, while your luggage is moved from one B&B to the next for you. The routes are well-marked and take you through a wide variety of terrain -- lush forests and rocky mountainsides, beaches and cow pastures, and more. Our first hike was The Western Way in Ireland, our second was The Rob Roy Way in Scotland, and we just got home from The Dingle Way in Ireland. You know well in advance what to expect, such as where you'll be staying and what amenities are available along the way (dining, ATMs, grocery stores, etc.). The B&Bs have always been en suite, which is a huge plus. Book early to get the best options available, and we suggest you have Hillwalk book an extra day at your first B&B if you're traveling from overseas -- you'll appreciate a full day of recovery before embarking on your hike. If you're looking for a hiking adventure that reveals beautiful scenery along the way but you also enjoy sitting in a pub and talking to locals before retiring to a hot shower and comfy room, this is the company for you!

This was the first time I’ve done a self-guided walk with Hillwalk Tours but I certainly hope to do more. Having done a walk previously with a different tour company in Ireland, I was pretty clear on what I expected: good accommodation, smooth transfer of luggage, and clear walking notes with some cultural & historical information about what I would be seeing. Hillwalk did all that and more. They were very flexible and helpful when I decided to add a couple of extra nights along the Way so I could do more sightseeing, and quick to problem-solve when there was a slight mix up with the B&Bs.
I did the 7 day Gentle Kerry Way walk during the one week of rain in weeks, so often arrived wet and muddy at the B&B. The hosts were always kind and ready with a hot cup of tea. Many had a drying room for my clothes and no one complained about the dirty boots. The accommodation was superb. This was a great tour and I’m looking forward to the next one.

We did the five-day moderate walk on the Great Glen Way with our son and daughter-in-law at the end of May, starting from Glenmoriston. The information provided before the trip was detailed and comprehensive. The route instructions were also meticulously detailed, although the Great Glen Way is very well way marked. The real value was in the accommodations and luggage transfers - the bed and breakfast establishments were first-rate, and having our luggage transferred between locations was invaluable, as this was just one part of a two-week trip in Scotland and so we were not restricted to whatever we could carry on our backs. Also, a small community of Hillwalk hikers formed along the Way, as we saw each other on the trail and in the bed and breakfast establishments. We had ridiculously fabulous weather - sun/clouds, moderate temps, no rain - for the entire hike. Not sure that happens very often, although I believe that May is the driest month in Scotland, something to think about if you're planning a trip. Also, no midges! We had a great time, and we're thinking about another trip with Hillwalk, perhaps in Ireland or the Cotswolds. Thank you, Hillwalk Tours!

Hillwalk Tours did a great job for us! The instructions and directions were very detailed, and we never had a problem with our luggage being transported. We were guided through amazing scenery of the Ring of Kerry in Ireland, and the owners of the B&Bs that Hillwalk Tours set up for us were all very nice and welcoming (and great food)! Hillwalk Tours made it very easy for us to enjoy our adventure!

Hillwalk Tours did a great job planning our hike along the Dingle Way in Ireland. I would recommend their services to anyone!

We enjoyed our recent 5-day Gentle walk and the beautiful Dingle area. The B & B's were wonderful, the hosts were very knowledgeable and helpful and the local towns and pubs were very colorful. The only suggestion is to note the "mountain paths" phrase in the description of Day 2. It was VERY true.

Lovely experiences (we've walked with them 3 times!) I'd particularly recommend the Dingle walk, but all of our trips have had very nice accommodations and amazing scenery. The booking process is very easy and the luggage transfer is smooth and simple. The hosts have been kind and helpful. Hiking instructions are very easy to follow and the paths are well marked- lots of options for different fitness levels. Great company!

I cannot believe we never had rain once during our adventure. Hillwalk must have some very powerful good luck! Getting our trip arranged was easy and it was good to know where you were spending the next night after a day hiking. The WHW was beautiful, the views spectacular and the rocky terrain challenging. Be sure you have spent time on fist size rocky loose terrain preparing for the trip.
We loved staying at Bridge of Orchy, great food, accommodations people and views. Callart View was very nice with great hosts and plenty of breakfast. Our favorite B&B was Ardblair in Ft William. A delightful place at the end of the adventure.
I would recommend Hillwalk to anyone looking for a walking holiday. You meet great people on the trail and at days end. I have recommended Hillwalk to a friend already. Coming from the western US it is a commitment to hike and see new places and people and challenge yourself.
The walk along Hadrian's Wall may be in my future with Hillwalk.

Hillwalk had great B&Bs set up, our bags were always there for us when we arrived, and it was overall an awesome trip. We would absolutely use Hillwalk tours for our next trip and recommend them to friends and family.

Hillwalk Tours is a brilliant concept that has been carried through with great attention to detail. The tour afforded my husband and me the opportunity to do what we both love – hike all day – and have a lovely B&B at the end of the day, along with wonderful interactions in villages with locals, innkeepers, and other guests. Our luggage was transported from inn to inn and was always awaiting us when we arrived at our rooms. Hillwalk Tours does all the organizing: arranging luggage transport, making reservations at B&Bs, providing detailed route notes, suggesting places to eat, and sharing an overview of equipment they recommend hikers have with them on the trek. We read all the information provided prior to leaving home and then read each day’s information on accommodations, meals, and the trek itself the night before. We were well prepared with just the right balance of being informed about what we would encounter each day and being wide open to wherever the adventure would take us.

The staff members who work at Hillwalk are stellar. My communications with them were extremely positive, and I felt like we had a team of people to assist us if we had any difficulties or questions before, on, and even after our trek. I could not be more pleased with my experience with Hillwalk Tours and have highly recommended it to everyone I know interested in doing a walking tour in the UK.

My husband and I had a wonderful holiday walking the cliffs of Dingle. The views were spectacular. I found the trails challenging and at times I would have line to have give up but I persevered and I am better for it. My only disappoinment was in myself that I hadn't trained hard enough. All In all a trip of a lifetime that I would do again in a heart beat.

Our tour was on the Beara Way, County Cork, Ireland. The logistics all went smoothly. Hillwalk delivered everything as advertised. Our luggage was always at our next B&B when we arrived. The B&Bs were clean and comfortable and the innkeepers were friendly and helpful. Hillwalk was very good about informing us in advance if special arrangements had to be made such as dinner reservation in a one restaurant town or dinner at a B&B in a remote location. Their directions were detailed and easy to follow.
The trails on the Beara Peninsula were the wettest we’ve ever encountered. Waterproof boots that are high enough to cover your ankles are a must if you hope to keep your feet dry. Also, make sure you have a cell phone that works in Ireland to call ahead to the B&Bs and restaurants when required.
Although the Beara was too wet for us, we would use Hillwalk Tours in another British Isles locale.

Although the first day was tough (26 km), my wife and I loved the scenery, and Hillwalk Tours chose excellent B&Bs for us. The people were all very friendly and showed genuine concern for us. Can't wait for the next walking tour! (Out of all the vacations I've taken, this walking tour was the best.)

My wife and I did the easy 7 day Antrim Way walk in early September, and we had an awesome time! The weather was great (only got "misted" on one time). The B&Bs were all fantastic, and the people we met along the way were all very nice. We particularly enjoyed Rathlin Island, and the 2 days of walking from Carrick-A-Rede to the Giants Causway. The average distance traveled each day was about 8 miles, with the longest at 9 miles, and the shortest at about 6.5. For us, this was the perfect pace to truly enjoy ourselves and take plenty of pictures. The instructions from Hillwalk tours was very detailed and accurate, and it was easy to follow. We will definitely used Hillwalk Tours again when we tour Scotland!!

We so enjoyed our walking experience in Ireland that we were disappointed when we were finished. All the information provided by Hillwalk was well organized and easy to follow. Our B&Bs were all clean and provided comfortable accommodation with friendly hosts. Of course, some were nicer than others as expected based on location and availability. Our luggage was moved daily as expected. All walks were well marked and well described by Hillwalk. We felt the pricing of the tour was appropriate.

Overall my wife & I had a great experience. Terrific B&Bs were included. We especially appreciated how smoothly the taxi/bag transfer drivers worked with the B&Bs. All those folks seem to know each other well and  guided us walkers nicely.
I can't imagine how difficult it must be to put the guidebook pages together with such accuracy. Well done!
With the western Ireland walk you are often on rural paths with no one but the sheep and gorgeous views. We chose an 8 day gentle hike - with 6 days hiking - and that turned out to be about perfectly dialed in to our abilities.
Would we do it again? Absolutely!
What score would we give Hillwalk? 10 out of 10. Or maybe 9.5 as there's always room for improvement, right?
I'd have asked for more info about public transportation and car rental options at the beginning and end of the tour.
If a hike thru the best countryside at your own pace is what you're after I'd recommend this tour company.

And so it's here 22nd August 2015. All the training hiking & walks has been for this. We did Sierra to Santiago de Compostela in 2013 now we were on our own turf. Sunday morning start Glenmalure to Laragh 16K long steep climb along forest tracks to Borenacrow Saddle. Ouch it was raining misty & cold first 9/10K were pretty hard after that it was easy we did it & we did it good. After a quick phone call Ann the proprietor from Bramble Rock B&B picked us up bringing us to the most beautiful house in Laragh our rooms were as beautiful as the house & gardens we are to stay 2 nights here wonderful. Our cases had arrived earlier all good.
More tomorrow

We had a wonderful time on the nine-day Western Way hike. The two days on Innismor in the Aran Islands are a must and a good break-in to the rest of the hikes. All day's walks were easily do-able leaving after a leisurely breakfast and arriving in time to get a Guinness before dinner. A few lovely side trips like climbing Crough Patrick. Accommodations were very comfortable and hosts friendly and accommodating. Guide books excellent and Ordinance maps much appreciated. We highly recommend the walk.

Having returned a few days ago from walking more than half of the Scotland's West Highland Way, my mind is still swirling with images from the trail. The logistics were fabulously organized by Hillwalk Tours. Though they couldn't control the amount of rain we encountered (a wee bit on the first 2 days, more than a wee bit on the third, and none on the last!), other details were closely attended to.

We signed up for the Moderate 6-day West Highland Way walk. Due to availability of lodging on the first night, we walked from Crianlarich (instead of Tyndrum) to Fort William. The extra few miles added to the first day's walk was a bonus for us. There were no glitches with the B&B and hotel bookings, and our small bags were waiting for us when we arrived each day.

Evey email sent prior to the trip asking for additional information was answered timely. They even notified the B&Bs and hotels ahead of time of my dietary restrictions.

The breakfasts each morning were so substantial that only a bit of trail mix and an apple were all we needed during the day's walk (which we bought at a grocery store prior to arrival to our first B&B).

One of the wonderful things we enjoyed and appreciated about the WHW walk itself is that most of the trail was more of 'walking' trail than a 'hiking' trail - so we didn't have to keep our eyes constantly looking to the ground and were able to look around and enjoy the scenery.

If we return to the UK or go to Ireland for another walling tour, I would book again with Hillwalk.

For my first walking tour ever (West of Ireland, moderate hike), I was in excellent hands with Hillwalk Tours. Staff responded promptly and thoroughly to my questions before the trip. The route notes were so detailed I rarely had to use the topo maps also provided. Small things like the weather-proof map case were much appreciated. The hosts of the comfortable B&Bs were, to a person, warm, engaging and helpful. And each day's walk brought new sights and a deep appreciation of this beautiful land. Highly recommended!