Distant Journeys is a US based company specializing in guided and customized self-guided hiking vacations, most of which are in the European Alps and the UK but also include Japan and Maine (US). Not to be confused with a UK company that shares its name, this company was founded by two women. They and many of their guides gained their experience through Outward Bound, a US organization that’s been teaching outdoor education since 1962. Distant Journeys offers lodge-based, inn to inn hiking.
Review of Distant Journeys Website
Distant Journeys has a simple attractive site that makes it easy to search by trip style or destination. Their itineraries provide good descriptions but lack important walk details such as daily mileage and elevation and they don’t provide examples of lodging. Read their Cancellation Policy before booking, when last we checked it didn’t offer much flexibility.
Things to like about Distant Journeys
- Highly skilled staff with 30+ years experience in leading hiking and outdoor excursions
- Airport transfers and some dinners are included
- You’ll most likely be traveling with other Americans (if that’s important to you)
Route Types
- Trekking
- Inn to inn hiking
- Center-based hiking
Destinations include
- Austria
- Croatia (guided)
- France
- Iceland (guided)
- Italy
- Japan (guided)
- Norway (guided)
- Slovenia (guided)
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- United States (guided)
Great choice for
- Those who want an authentic European hiking experience planned by a small US company
- Those looking for guided hut to hut hiking in Maine (just know, hot showers and heaters equals luxury prices along the Appalachian Trail)
Established in 1987