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If your idea of the perfect holiday is spending time on a sunlounger sipping a cocktail, then look away now. While many people go on holiday to do as little as possible, there's a growing trend of holidaymakers incorporating hikes into their trips.

Hiking is a great way to truly experience the natural beauty of a country. You don't just see the landscapes from a car window; you see them up close, and a tough hike is often rewarded by spectacular views at the end. There's one region in Europe that's becoming particularly popular with Brits thanks to its dramatic mountain and Alpine scenery.

The Dolomites mountain range in Italy is part of the Southern Limestone Alps. It is known for its pale grey mountain spires, turquoise lakes, and dense pine forests.

It's little wonder that the area has become a social media hit. Over 5,000 Instagram posts are tagged with #DolomitesHiking, showcasing the natural beauty of the area. But a travel consultant for Celtic Trails, who offer self-guided walking holidays in the Dolomites, says you don't necessarily need to be a seasoned hiker to enjoy the mountains.

Sarah said: "Thanks to an incredible network of cable cars and well-maintained trails, travellers can experience a world-class UNESCO landscape without needing elite climbing skills. It's the ultimate scenic trek for anyone trading the swimming pool for the peaks this summer."

She added: "The key is choosing the right itinerary. While the high-altitude Alta Via 1 offers those iconic viral ridgelines, routes like the Chestnut Trail provide a gentler, valley-based experience through vineyards and orchards.

"By opting for a self-guided tour with luggage transfers, hikers can enjoy the freedom of the mountains and the luxury of South Tyrolean rifugios, which are world-renowned for their gourmet food and wine, without the physical burden of a heavy pack."

The Chestnut Trail is around 55 miles in total, but can be broken down into several stages. Walking these foothills allows you to enjoy the beauty of the Dolomites without steep climbs, and there are plenty of comfortable hotels and B&Bs along the way.

For those seeking a more challenging hiking experience, the Alta Via has steeper climbs and opportunities to climb mountain peaks, and this pays off when it comes to the views that can be experienced. Many hikers choose to stay in Rifugio, mountain huts that can range from simple rooms shared with others, to luxury lodges that offer comfortable facilities.

Many rifugios also serve traditional South Tyrolean and Italian cuisine, but the ones that offer the best views often fill up quickly. Reserve a table in advance or plan on having an early lunch to beat the crowds. A dish of uova, speck e patate, or bacon, egg, and potatoes, will fuel you up for the afternoon's hike ahead, or try hearty canederli, bread dumplings that are often served with cheese or ham.

For those who are new to hiking, or who want to get the best views for the least effort, Sarah said the key is to master using the lifts: "The secret to an accessible holiday is the cable car. Use the gondolas to bypass the first 1,000m of ascent, so you can spend your energy walking the stunning high-altitude ridges rather than the steep forest switchbacks."

There are a few flight options from the UK. Bolzano Airport is the closest option, about a 45 to 90 minute transfer to popular hiking starting points. The only drawback is that only one airline flies from the UK, Sky Alps, and they have a single seasonal route from London-Gatwick from March to October.

Some other airport options include Innsbruck, about two to two-and-a-half hours from popular routes, offering services from British Airways, easyJet, and TUI among others. Venice is about three hours away, and its airport offers the widest range of flights from the UK, with many regional services.

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