Include the Whole Family on Your Next Hiking Vacation

At Ryder-Walker, every hiking trip we curate is carefully designed to fit the needs of your group—whether you’re traveling with kids, teens, or multiple generations. Our family-friendly hiking tours feature a mix of terrain, effort levels, and comfort so everyone can enjoy the trails. From gentle alpine walks to kid-approved cultural stops along the way, these trips are perfect for creating memories. Below, we highlight some of Ryder-Walker’s best family-friendly hiking trips across Europe and beyond.

Hiking Adventures for Young Kids: The Swiss Engadine Valley

We love creating adventures that work for families of every age—even the littlest hikers. Recently, we customized and had a private guide take one family on the Cornish Coastal Path in England and for another family we designed a private guided, gentler Swiss Berner Oberland itinerary. Flexibility is everything when traveling with kids, and that’s where we shine. Most of our self-guided trips—and all guided ones—can become private, customized journeys tailored to your family’s pace and style. That might mean:

Shorter hiking distances paired with plenty of play time
Flexible trail options based on your child’s energy level
Staying in one or two base villages, then doing scenic day hikes—a great alternative to town-to-town treks

One of the favorite trips we recommend for small kids is our Allegra Engadine Tour—a gentler adventure through Switzerland’s enchanting Engadine Valleys. Shorter hiking days make the pace approachable, while the valley’s incredible transportation system adds a layer of fun and flexibility. Red “toy” trains, lifts, trams, and funiculars crisscross the region, ensuring that no one ever has to go farther than they’re comfortable with—and often with the thrill of a gondola ride instead. The Engadine also boasts a charming string of castles, perfect for side adventures that spark curiosity and bring the valley’s history to life for the whole family. This trip can be done self-guided as well as private guided.

Top Picks for Teens: The Dalmatian Coast

Hiking with teenagers is one of the best ways to disconnect from screens and reconnect as a family. The key is picking a destination full of adventure, variety, and just the right amount of freedom. The best trips for teens combine exciting trails with time to swim, explore lively villages, and soak up vibrant local culture.

Two standouts we recommend:

Offered Self-Guided: Croatia: The Dalmation Coast — Hike across islands, shaded forests, and down to secluded coves perfect for swimming. Teens will love the energy of bustling seaside villages, the safe independence, and the blend of history and nightlife. The trip finishes in Dubrovnik, the iconic “King’s Landing” from Game of Thrones.

Offered Private Guided: Montenegro and Croatia: Highlights of the Adriatic Coast — Begin in the mountains of Montenegro exploring its world-famous national park, then follow the coast into Croatia. Along the way, discover lively villages, unique islands, and a mix of cultural gems that keep the adventure fresh for the whole family.

Young Adult Treks: The Remote Westfjords & Highlights of Switzerland

For young adults ready for bigger challenges, these treks deliver some of Ryder-Walker’s most unforgettable adventures. Families can join one of our guided departures or choose a private guided trip tailored to their own style and pace.

Our Guided Iceland: The Remote Westfjords explores stark volcanic landscapes where the Arctic Ocean meets towering cliffs. Whales, seals, puffins—and even arctic foxes—are regular companions in this remote region. Expect demanding hikes marked by ancient stone cairns, exhilarating boat rides, and a deep dive into Viking heritage. One highlight is the far northwest tip of Hornstrandir, a pristine stretch of wilderness offering jaw-dropping views of Drangajökull glacier and endless fjords. It’s a place nearly untouched by people, where wildlife thrives and the raw beauty of Iceland is on full display. The journey begins and ends in your gateway city of Reykjavik, a vibrant capital alive with culture and warmth.

For those drawn to the high Alps, our Guided Highlights of Switzerland: Engadine, Lago Maggiore & Zermatt trek offers a sweeping journey through some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes. From the pristine valleys of the Engadine to sun-soaked Italian lakes and the grandeur of Zermatt’s Matterhorn, this trek captures Switzerland at its most diverse. Along the way, charming villages, glacier-carved valleys, and iconic peaks create a route that blends challenge, culture, and alpine magic—a journey your family will remember and talk about for the rest of their lives.

Epic Treks for Young Adult Hikers: Corsica Alpine & Coastal Trek and Hiker’s Haute Route

For young adults with a passion for hiking and more robust fitness, these treks offer bigger challenges and even bigger rewards. Expect full, exhilarating days on the trail and nights spent in mountain huts, inns, and coastal villages—perfect for those families who thrive on adventure and discovery.

Our Guided Corsica Trek immerses you in the island’s wild beauty, where rugged coastal paths give way to dramatic granite peaks, ancient forests, and crystal-clear rivers. Each day rewards you with sweeping Mediterranean views and ends in charming villages where Corsican culture comes alive. Think hearty mountain fare, fresh seafood, and a blend of French and Italian influences that make the island unforgettable. This Corsica hike delivers both physical challenge and cultural richness ,with opportunities to explore quaint villages, enjoy local Corsican cuisine, and experience the island’s unique history firsthand.

If the Alps call instead, our Hiker’s Haute Route offers one of the most legendary crossings in Europe, linking Chamonix to Zermatt beneath the shadow of the Matterhorn. This is alpine hiking at its most demanding and exhilarating: long days over high passes, traverses with a few rungs, ladders, and cables thrown in for the adventurers in the family, and several trails carved into the side of the mountains with exposure but enough path to feel safe. Stunning glaciers, 306-degree panoramic ridgelines, and rugged terrain make it a true test for even seasoned hikers. Nights alternate between rustic huts on the guided route and welcoming alpine inns and hotels on all routes—perfect for trading stories and resting up before the next big day.

Both treks challenge and inspire, giving young adults an unforgettable mix of adventure, culture, and breathtaking scenery. If you’re looking for full-value alpine days without the ladders and cables, our Berner Oberland Trek and Berner Oberland Traverse are perfect alternatives.

Best Multi Generation Trip: The Italian Dolomites

Traveling with multiple generations means finding a trip that offers something for everyone, and our Italian Dolomites: Lago di Braies, Fanes Wilderness and Alta Badia delivers. This trek winds through soaring limestone spires of the Dolomites and valleys rich with history and culture. In this tri-lingual region you’ll find Italian, German, and Ladin spoken in various villages. This area is rich with local history, including locations like “Blood Mountain,” above Alleghe, where the most frenetic battles along the Austrian frontier during World War I.

Each day of this exciting itinerary offers flexible hiking options, from gentler routes to more demanding trails, so every member of the family can join at their own pace. Evenings are spent in some of the Alps’ most welcoming accommodations, where the food is exceptional and the comfort unforgettable. It’s a journey that blends culture, scenery, and flexibility—making it the ideal choice for a multi-generational adventure.

Making Family Hiking Trips Enjoyable for Everyone

Even on a guided or customized trip, keeping the whole family happy and engaged can make your adventure unforgettable. Here are some ways to get the most out of your journey:

Let Kids Lead the Adventure: Even on guided hikes, give the kids small roles—spotting wildlife, choosing a viewpoint, or helping with a nature-themed scavenger hunt. This keeps them engaged and excited.
Take Advantage of Built-In Breaks: All of our trips naturally include rest stops, meals, and scenic pauses. Encourage kids to explore safely and soak in the scenery during these moments.
Make Meals Fun and Interactive: Many guided itineraries include alpine lunches and picnic stops. Let kids try regional foods or participate in light preparation—it’s part of the experience.
Encourage Curiosity: Our guides often share stories about local culture, wildlife, and history. Prompt your kids to ask questions and learn along the way, it’s like turning each hike into an interactive classroom.
Choose Flexible Pacing: Days can be adapted for younger or smaller children with shorter loops or a slightly slower pace to ensure everyone enjoys the experience without stress.
Capture Memories Together: Bring a small camera or journal so your kids can document the highlights of each day.
Embrace the Adventure: Unexpected wildlife sightings, sudden weather changes, or challenging sections are part of the fun—we handle the logistics so you can focus on enjoying your vacation as a family.

No matter the age of your children, Ryder-Walker’s guided and fully customized hikes make it easy to enjoy unforgettable family adventures. From scenic day hikes to multi-day treks, every detail is planned so your family can focus on exploring, connecting, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.