10 Walking Tours to Build a Day Around

1.Hell’s Gate Outdoor Mud Spa & Guided Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,140 reviews · 3 hours · from $68Our pick

At Hell’s Gate, walk through Rotorua’s active geothermal field with a map or guides such as Liam, Tee, Zia, and Ngati. Then enjoy a 20-minute mud bath, sulphur spa, cool plunge pool, and Māori carving. Bring old swimwear, since the sulphur smell lingers.

“We had a wonderful time exploring the geothermal pools here. It’s truly a sight to marvel up close when you see how brutal nature can be, and things start to feel real. The mud pools are a lot of fun and feel very rejuvenating and relaxing. If you are in Rotorua, you should not miss out on this experience as it’s a novelty and you only get to experience this in a few places across the globe. We didn’t get a guided tour guide which we were hoping for. They asked us to do the self-guided tour, which is one thing I regret to an extent.”

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2.Hell’s Gate Geothermal Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 217 reviews · 1 hour · from $26Best value

Walk through Hell’s Gate, Rotorua’s most active geothermal reserve, on a self-guided route or a 10:30 AM or 2:30 PM English tour. See the largest active mud volcano in New Zealand, hot waterfalls, steaming fumaroles, sulfur deposits, and boiling pools. Māori carving and a mud foot pool may be available.

“The place is genuinely incredible, felt like I was on another planet”

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3.Hell’s Gate Geothermal Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 120 reviews · from $27

At Hell’s Gate near Rotorua, follow a marked walk through bubbling mud pools, steaming vents, an active mud volcano, and unusual land coral. Choose the self-guided route or wait for a scheduled guide, such as T, who adds Māori stories and humor. Add a mud foot pool or Māori carving if time allows.

“Very interesting and informative walk with a guide discussing the thermal activity Good walk. Wear closed toe shoes”

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4.Slovakia Treetop Walk, Zakopane & Thermal Spa

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 110 reviews · 12 hours · from $318

Travel from Krakow into the Tatra region with an English-speaking guide such as Chris, Maciej, or Gregory. Walk Bachledka’s 1,234-meter treetop route in Slovakia, explore Zakopane, then spend up to 2.5 hours at Chocholow Thermal Spa. Bring ID, swimwear, and clothes for changing mountain weather.

“Incredible experience - special thanks to Gregory who was a great tour guide/driver and so passionate. Lots of experiences (&slides) which were unforgettable!”

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5.Kinabalu Park & Poring Hot Spring & Canopy Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 80 reviews · from $125

Spend a full day traveling from Kota Kinabalu to Tamparuli, Nabalu Market, Kinabalu Park, and Poring Hot Springs. Guides such as Diana, Tan, Neil, and Tiana have been praised for plant knowledge and patient help on the 30-meter-high canopy walkway. Lunch, transport, entry fees, and hotel pickup are included.

“Really bad things—never got a response from company on multiple messages 30 minutes late on Pickup with no warning Driver was horrible on stick shift! Pretty rough roads for 3 hour journey each way The hot springs are not for swimming, bRead more”

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6.Arenal Hanging Bridges, Guided Walk, Hot Springs Optional

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 80 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $87Top rated

Walk 3 km through Arenal’s forest on 10 fixed and 6 hanging bridges, with a local guide such as Andreas or Gustavo looking for frogs, snakes, and other wildlife. Morning or afternoon departures, drinks, park entry, and hotel transfers are included. Hot springs are optional.

“Andreas was a great tour guide! Very knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna. Didn’t hesitate to stop the group to look for animals. We saw lots of snakes and frogs!”

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7.Seven Rila Lakes Snowshoe Walk & Thermal Spring Pools

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 79 reviews · 1 day · from $129

Leave Sofia for a guided 2.5-hour snowshoe walk above the tree line, using a chairlift to reach Rila Lakes Hut at 2,150 meters. Guides such as Velko, Alex, Daniel, and Kiril lead the route, then you relax in Sapareva Banya’s thermal pools.

“One of the most beautiful places I have ever been, there is not enough words to describe the hiking and the views, a really amazing walk guided by Kiril, it was a real privilege to be able to do it in such great weather conditions. Kiril is a very experienced and helpful guy, I am very grateful about this tour!”

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8.Become a local! A Walking Tour of Arts, Crafts&Onsen Culture

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · 2 hours · from $58

Spend two hours walking downtown Beppu with an English or Japanese guide. Visit Beppu Station Market, a 115-year-old bamboo factory, Kiyoshima Apartment, and Space Beppu, where art and local history meet. The group is limited to eight, and guide Masa has earned praise for his friendly, clear explanations.

“Le tour était parfait ! Nous avons visité les quartiers cachés de Beppu et parlé aux artisans locaux. La guide était très amicale et a su répondre à toutes mes questions.”

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9.Banff: Thermal Waters and Hidden Waterfalls – 3hr Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 7 reviews · 3 hours · from $65

Meet your English-speaking guide outside the Cave and Basin Gift Shop for a three-hour walk through Banff National Park. You’ll see hot springs, waterfalls, wildlife signs, mountain views, and seasonal wildflowers, with photography help and bear spray provided.

“Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. It is a nice easy walk. We really enjoyed the scenery. We saw an elk in the parking lot.”

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10.Best of Caldas da Rainha: Private Walking Tour with a Local

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 1 - 6 hours · from $29

Explore Caldas da Rainha with a local guide such as Susana, Suzanne, or Ana. Your private 1 to 6 hour walk can include tiled streets, Praça da Fruta, Parque Dom Carlos I, local shops, churches, food tips, and lesser-known corners. The focus is relaxed local life, not formal lectures.

“Susana was an incredibly knowledgeable and delightful guide for our three hour walking tour through Caldas da Rainha. We wanted to see the rarely discovered sites of this wonderful city and Susana exceeded our expectations with every step Do not miss an opportunity to walk through the streets and shops and markets and churches of Caldas da Rainha with Susana as your gifted guide. We look forward to seeing more of the city with her in the days to come.”

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