Last minute tour availability
We have space for one couple to join our Palio of Siena tour: 12th – 18th August 2025.
Make the most of an unexpected opportunity to witness this once-in-a-lifetime event! Contact us now!
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 over fifteen 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.
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
Spending Time Outside
Jackie's latest article for US online magazine 60 & Me looks at ten different ways to spend more time outside. Being in nature fuels our well-being and, in the natural world, we appreciate the simpler things in life. There are many activities we can all do to...
Four of the Best Italian Art Exhibitions in 2025
Rome From March 7 to July 6, 2025, Rome's Palazzo Barberini is hosting "Caravaggio 2025," a landmark exhibition celebrating Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. Timed with the 2025 Jubilee, this showcase features 24 of Caravaggio's masterpieces, including the recently...
Packing Tips for Hiking Trips
The key message for anyone joining a Hedonistic Hiking tour is "less is more"! If you have travelled with us before, you will be aware that we transport you in two 9-seater minivans with limited luggage space. We can happily accommodate medium-sized...
Three Remarkable Railways
Three of our different European tours finish in towns which connect to remarkable railway routes, and we encourage our guests to make the most of the opportunity to experience these fabulous journeys. The Bernina Express is a scenic train journey that runs between...
Italian Recipes from Cinzia
Cinzia Long, one of our longest-serving tour managers, is an accomplished cook who has now launched her own recipe Substack. Substack is a subscription-based platform that allows content creators to publish news, or in this case recipes, directly to their audience....
Getting Fit for Hiking
We work on our fitness all year round in preparation for our seasons of hiking and we cannot overstate to our guests how important it is to start getting fit well before the tours start. There are 3 things to think about: Strength-Cardio-Balance. Even for a Level 2 or...