EVERY TRAIL HOLDS A STORY – DISCOVER IT WITH HILLWALK TOURS!
Founded on a love for exploring breathtaking landscapes and a commitment to creating meaningful travel experiences, Hillwalk Tours was born to help travellers go beyond the guidebook. We specialise in crafting personalised walking tours that immerse you in the beauty of the natural world, from Ireland’s rugged coastlines to Scotland’s highlands and far beyond.
Every trail holds a story—of ancient lands, hidden gems, and the people who shaped them. Our customers don’t just walk paths; they uncover history, meet locals, and return home with a deeper sense of wonder. Let us help you take the path less travelled and make it your own.
'IN EVERY WALK WITH NATURE, ONE RECEIVES FAR MORE THAN HE SEEKS' - JOHN MUIR
In October 2008, a young Irishman named James Byrne decided to go hiking, or hillwalking as it is also known in Ireland and the UK, on some of Ireland’s best-loved walking trails. His motivation was simple, to re-connect with the great outdoors.
He had visited many of Ireland’s beauty spots previously by car. Experiencing them on foot proved to be life-changing. Hiking amplified his emotions – anxiety about an emerging blister on his foot before a long walk turned into satisfaction when he reached his destination. Put simply, he was hooked.
AND JUST LIKE THAT, HILLWALK TOURS WAS BORN
After two months of hiking, James reflected on the moments that had stood out for him: the remoteness and beauty of the trails; the hidden paths that he discovered on his route; the gratitude he felt when he was warmly received at a B&B or guesthouse, the disappointment when he occasionally felt unwelcome; the relief at not having to walk too far for an evening meal after a long hike, etc.
It was then that he decided to put his first hiking tours together, keeping these highlights (and lowlights) at the forefront of his mind. His goal was simple, to create hiking experiences that captured the magic of the trails while eliminating the common frustrations and making these tours accessible to all fitness levels.
FROM OUR FIRST TOUR TO TODAY
2009: Our first hiking tour was arranged from James’s bedroom on a laptop and was taken on the Beara Way
2011: With James and Anthony now working from an apartment they shared, our first hiking tours in Scotland were added
2014: Having graduated to our first office and with a growing team of 10, we started to organise our first hiking tours in England
2017: With 18 team members now on board, we sold our first tour outside of the UK and Ireland, the famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain
2024: Now having grown to a team of 30 and having focused on adding additional UK & Ireland trails for a number of years, we decided to add our first tour in Portugal on the Rota Vicentina (Fishermen’s Trail).
CREATING EXPERIENCES THAT MAKE PEOPLE HAPPY
Our core purpose is simple: “Creating experiences that make people happy”
Born from our original goal to create the most enjoyable hiking tours possible for customers, this same philosophy was soon extended to everyone we work with.
We want our partners – B&B hosts, baggage transfer providers, local taxis and many others to enjoy working with us, free from unnecessary hassles.
The same goes for our team. We aim to foster a supportive, flexible workplace where everyone feels valued, engaged, and empowered, with the balance to also enjoy life outside of work.
We truly believe that by remaining focused on removing obstacles and focusing on what truly matters, we can deliver on this mission to walkers, partners, and team members alike.
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IS KEY
We are proud to support so many small businesses often located in isolated areas that have been left behind by urban migration and a lack of investment in rural regions. Their warm hospitality and friendly welcomes epitomise the magic of a Hillwalk Tour and we’re dedicated to helping keep these rural communities alive.
We are blessed that so many rugged coastlines, towering mountains, sandy beaches and quaint villages are accessible to walkers and we want to keep it that way. As more and more people take to the great outdoors, our collective mark on the environment increases. Litter, damage to vegetation and water pollution are just some of the results. Protecting the environment is not something we just preach about, but it’s something we practice too, by supporting the ideals of Leave No Trace. We believe that the Leave No Trace ethos can have a tangible impact on nature conservation which is why we encourage all of our walkers to make it hard for others to see or hear you and to LEAVE NO TRACE of your visit.
