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Welcome to Hedonistic Hiking
At Hedonistic Hiking we are passionate about three things: food, wine and walking. We are an Anglo-Australian couple dividing our time between Italy and Australia, and feel fortunate to be able to call both countries home. We have been running Hedonistic Hiking for almost twenty years and we design, research and lead all the tours ourselves.
We offer small group (max 16) guided gourmet hiking holidays in Victoria (Australia) and in Tuscany, Umbria, Piedmont, the Italian Alps and Lakes, Slovenia, Abruzzo, Southern Italy, France and Austria. In 2025 we led our first tour in the UK, in the Derbyshire Peaks and Yorkshire Dales.
CATO Members
We are members of CATO, the Council of Australian Tour Operators. Our walking tours are designed for maximum enjoyment with minimum impact on the environment. Some of our hikes are more challenging than others and we have graded our walks to help you choose the right one for you.
- Experienced tour leaders
- Boutique accommodation
- Exceptional food and wine
- Genuinely all-inclusive
Our all-inclusive guided walking tours
Italy
Experience the heart of Italy with our guided walking tours through some of the country’s most captivating regions. Trek the ancient Etruscan roads and pilgrim trails through central Italy, marvel at the azure coastline of Sardinia, or savor the enogastronomic delights of Piedmont. Discover the beauty of Northern Lombardy and the Italian Alps, or explore the dramatic landscapes of Abruzzo and Basilicata. From medieval towns to coastal paths, mountain peaks to rolling vineyards, each tour offers a unique blend of culture, history, breathtaking scenery and delicious food and wine.
Rest of Europe
Explore Europe’s most scenic landscapes with our all-inclusive guided walking tours. Hike through the UK’s stunning Derbyshire Peaks and Yorkshire Dales and uncover the wild beauty of Corsica. Traverse the breathtaking landscapes of the Austrian Tyrol and Dolomites, and discover the hidden trails and compelling history of Slovenia and Friuli. Experience the charm of the Mercantour National Park, from the French Riviera to Italy’s Maritime Alps. Each tour promises an unforgettable journey with expert guides, carefully selected accommodation and the best food and wine the regions have to offer.
Australia
Explore Australia’s most iconic trails with our guided hikes across Victoria. Journey through the dramatic landscapes of our South West Coast and Grampians tour, hike the historic Goldfields Track, or immerse yourself in the stunning scenery of the Victorian High Country. Experience the beauty of the Great Ocean Walk from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles, or enjoy a weekend of mountain hikes with great food and wine on our Alpine Walking Weekend. Each hike offers unique adventures, blending spectacular scenery with rich history and excellent local produce and wine.
Featured Tours
The Italian Lakes
This tour explores three of the lakes of northern Italy: Lake Como, Lake Maggiore and the lesser-known Lake Orta. All three lakes have a…
The Heart of Sardinia
The second largest island in the Mediterranean, Sardinia is perhaps best known for its azure coastline and clear waters.
A Tuscan Harvest
This is a classic Tuscan tour with our itinerary celebrating the region’s unmistakable landscape, abundant vineyards and strong culinary heritage…
Meet Jackie and Mick Parsons
We met and fell in love in, and with, Italy in the 1990s. Together we created Hedonistic Hiking back in 2007 and since then the company has gone from strength to strength. Our small group walking holidays are designed by us, researched by us and guided by us. Our hiking tours on both sides of the world combine our three great passions in life: outstanding walking, delicious food and fine wine.
Read our Latest Blog Posts
Your first walking holiday: A Beginner’s Guide
So you’re looking for a new adventure and toying with the idea of embarking on your first walking holiday. It’s not as mad as it sounds. And it’s not just you – walking holidays are becoming increasingly popular as we seek out healthy holidays, more immersive experiences and embrace the benefits of a slower pace of travel.
Wines of Emilia-Romagna
Emilia-Romagna is perhaps not considered among Italy’s elite wine regions like Piedmont or Tuscany, but it’s former reputation for quantity over quality is improving all the time. Today it is viewed as increasingly exciting, especially by those who appreciate distinctive, food-friendly wines.
Changes to EU Border Controls
The EU is introducing a new Entry/Exit system from 12th October 2025 for non-EU nationals. This means you’ll get your fingerprints and photo taken when first entering or leaving the Schengen area, which will be stored in a digital file. The new checks are planned to enhance security and reduce illegal migration.
Wines of Liguria
Wine growing in Liguria is a challenging endeavour shaped by the region’s steep, dramatic landscape and Mediterranean climate. Despite its small size and limited vineyard area, Liguria produces high-quality wines. Vines often grow on terraced slopes which offer no access for modern machinery, so they require manual labour, which is part of what makes Ligurian wine special and scarce.
Genoa
Understated, scruffy in places and largely overlooked by tourists, Genoa remains slightly under the radar compared with many of Italy’s cities. But this only adds to its appeal. As part of the Milan-Turin-Genoa industrial triangle, it’s a living working city – but with the added charm of the sea and a fascinating maritime history.
Hiking and Hydration
Staying hydrated while hiking is essential for maintaining energy, regulating body temperature, and preventing heat-related illnesses. When you’re out on the trail, especially in warm or high-altitude environments, your body loses fluids more quickly through sweat and respiration.