As I walked through the Torres del Paine National Park of Chile, I felt the relaxation wash over my entire body. Even though I was hiking with a professional guide, the pine forest in which we were walking gave me a feeling of tranquility. While it’s no secret that Patagonia has some of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world, I was still surprised at my enthusiasm to get my boots on. Since I was staying at Explora Torres del Paine, The luxury lodge is one of the best in Chile. I was tempted to relax in the heated pool with a view of the mountains, but I pushed myself and discovered one of the newest trends in travel.
Explora Expedition Tierra del Fuego
Sebastian Correa, vice president of Explora, says that hiking tourism has exploded, especially in remote locations. Explora, which operates hotels in Argentina Bolivia Chile and Peru has been so successful that the company has decided to expand outside South America for the first ever: this summer it will offer guided hikes throughout southern Iceland.
Tom Marchant is co-founder of Black Tomato, a travel company. “People want nature immersion to nourish their holistic well being,” he says. Tom Marchant, cofounder of Black Tomato, recently launched a Greenland tour that includes a climb up Uummannaq – a nearly 4,000 foot mountain located on the western coast. Extraordinary Journeys’ CEO Elizabeth Gordon says that the company has been booking multi-day hikes to places like Namibia and Tanzania.
Ken Spence/Courtesy of Guides of Bhutan
A growing number of luxury hotels are becoming hiking hubs. Hawaii’s Sensei Lanai, In 2024, for instance, a new retreat was launched: the six-day programme consists of daily guided walking in the lush countryside on the island, as well as fitness training, yoga and post-hike treatments. In the Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee Blackberry Mountain Has launched a HIIT training experience that combines hiking with interval training. The HIIT experience combines interval training with hiking excursions. Ranch, Recently, the Hudson Valley of New York has welcomed the popular wellness brand that originated in Malibu., with programs that have guests covering as much as 10 miles a day.
In Europe Rocco Forte Hotels It has developed what it calls The Great Hikes of Europe. “Each of our properties has developed local routes in response to guest requests,” says spokesperson Natalie Rucellai, whether it’s a four-mile loop in Scotland’s Roslin Glen or a 2½-mile hike through Sicily’s Torre Salsa nature reserve. If needed, hotel staff will arrange for a local guide as well as transportation to and from the trailhead as well as a picnic. The hotel staff can arrange for a guide, if needed, as well as transfers to and from the trailhead and a picnic lunch. Palazzo Fiuggi, A wellness resort located 80 minutes from Rome offers a “hiking for long-term health” program that includes three or six night stays to foster community and connections on group excursions into the Apennines.
In Bhutan, the country that has long been associated with trekking. Gangtey Lodge Guides of Bhutan have launched new hikes. The growing network of hiking trails takes travelers through rhododendron forest, past monasteries, villages and villages. In Sri Lanka, the group of hotels has a number of options. Resplendent Ceylon The network of 14 footpaths, which cut through tea fields and forests, has been formalized. Malik Fernando, the founder of Ceylon Tea, says that he wanted to encourage travelers to take their time and connect with Ceylon’s tea story. We’re delighted to see that more guests are choosing to walk the journey. —Mary Holland
The outdoors is embraced by other hotels
Marriott International has become a lot more laid back. “Something like 82 percent of Marriott Bonvoy members we surveyed are interested in outdoor travel—and at least 70 percent of them took an outdoor trip in the past year,” says Peggy Roe, the company’s chief customer officer.
Marriott has added to its portfolio two brands that focus on nature. The first, Postcard Cabins, operates in 29 destinations across the U.S., all within a couple hours of major metro areas. Formerly known as Getaway, Postcard is a collection of tiny-home-inspired hideaways that offer seclusion without skimping on amenities.
Marriott has also teamed with Trailborn, The company operates a few hotels near some of America’s most picturesque spots, such as Rocky Mountain National Park or the Blue Ridge Parkway. Marriott Bonvoy will be rewarded for both brands’ stays, and it has hinted at the addition of more outdoor-themed properties. Roe says that “what drives people to travel is their passions”, and the outdoors is one of them. —Paul Brady
A version of this story first appeared in the May 2025 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headlines “Stepping Up” and “Back to the Land.”
