Women-only tours can take you just about anywhere. On this list alone, that means glacial river crossings in Iceland, Dead Woman’s Pass in Peru, and a marble cave in Norway with its own underground waterfall. Yet ask anyone who’s been, and the scenery is only half the story.
The other half is the company. Our guests range from their 20s to their 70s, from first-time hikers to women chasing their next big summit. Most arrive as strangers, and very few leave that way.
So we rounded up our 15 favorite women-only tours across 3 continents. Here they are, from gentle strolls to proper leg days.
Your Guide to the Best Women-Only Tours
Every trip here is led by local guides who know their trails, their weather, and their best snack stops. Some routes have you sleeping in mountain huts at the edge of the world. Others end each day with a spa, a glass of wine, and zero regrets.
We’ve grouped them by region, so you can daydream one corner of the map at a time. Just don’t daydream too long, since some women-only tours on this list sell out a full season ahead.
Women-only tours by region, at a glance
Iceland:
- Laugavegur Trail: Top choice for a classic hut-to-hut trek
- Laugavegur and the South Coast: Top choice for seeing the most of Iceland in one trip
- Iceland Wellness Retreat: Top choice for trails, hot pools, and yoga
- Ring Road: Top choice for an easygoing trip around the whole island
The Alps and Dolomites:
- Chamonix and Mont Blanc, France: Top choice for Mont Blanc views from a 4-star base
- Via Alpina, Switzerland: Top choice for big climbs and spa evenings
- Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy: Top choice for the Dolomites’ icons from a single hotel
Scotland, Norway, and Spain:
- Cairngorms National Park, Scotland: Top choice for Highland trails and whisky country
- Molde Fjords, Norway: Top choice for fjord views with optional yoga
- Coastal Camino Portuguese, Spain: Top choice for a coastal pilgrimage
Peru:
- Inca Trail: Top choice for the classic route to Machu Picchu
- Salkantay Trek: Top choice for a wilder, quieter route to Machu Picchu
United States:
- Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim, Arizona: Top choice for a serious challenge
- Pacific Crest Trail, Oregon: Top choice for first-time backpackers
- Glacier National Park, Montana: Top choice for a relaxed first multi-day trip
1. Laugavegur Trail, Iceland
Picture mountains striped in orange, pink, and green, with steam curling out of the ground at your feet. Now add a black desert, a few glacial rivers, and a valley named after Thor. That’s the Laugavegur, and yes, it really looks like that in person.
The trail is famous for a reason, but it doesn’t hand out its views for free. Weather here can cycle through several seasons before lunch, and the river crossings are ice cold. So pack river shoes, a sense of humor, and a spare pair of socks.
Then comes the good part, and it’s the reason women-only tours exist. Evenings in the huts turn into long, noisy dinners with women who were strangers that morning. And on the very first night, a natural hot spring in Landmannalaugar is waiting to fix everything.
With each mile, you'll feel more confident alongside other incredible women and get a more refined sense of self than you had before.
—Saga, guide on the Women’s Laugavegur Hiking Adventure
Laugavegur Trail, Iceland - Good to Know
Moderate to challenging
6 days
Volcanic trails, black sand desert, and unbridged glacial river crossings
Up to 490 m (1,610 ft) per day
Fit hikers with some multi-day experience
BSÍ bus terminal in Reykjavík
Late June through mid-September
2. Laugavegur and the South Coast, Iceland
Some people can’t pick a favorite dessert, so they order the sampler. This 10-day trip is that sampler, except every item is a volcano, a glacier, or a hot pool. If you’ve got the vacation days, it’s the most complete picture of Iceland on our list.
The backbone is the Laugavegur, but the story keeps going past Þórsmörk. You’ll climb over the pass between Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull, right below the volcano that grounded European flights in 2010. Waiting on the far side is Skógafoss waterfall, the loudest welcome committee in Iceland.
After that, the pace softens with a glacier walk, black sand beaches, and icebergs washing up on Diamond Beach. Among women-only tours in Iceland, this is the one for women who hate choosing. And yes, it ends in the Blue Lagoon, because some traditions are sacred.
Iceland feels like it was crafted by hikers for hikers.
—Saga, guide on the Women’s Great Hiking Voyage in Iceland
Laugavegur and the South Coast, Iceland - Good to Know
Moderate to challenging
10 days
Highland trails, river crossings, and a guided glacier walk
Up to 470 m (1,540 ft) per day
Fit hikers who want the Laugavegur plus Iceland’s classic sights
Reykjavík
June through September
3. Iceland Wellness Retreat
Think of this as Iceland with the volume set to just right. You still hike, and some of those highland trails climb properly steep ground. But every day also leaves room to soak, stretch, and actually taste your dinner.
The wildest moment might be the snorkel. You’ll zip into a dry suit and float through glacial water so clear it looks like air, right in the crack between 2 continents. It’s cold, it’s strange, and it’s the story you’ll tell first back home.
Your guides are local women who’ll make you feel less like a tourist and more like a friend visiting. If you’ve been craving a trip that feeds your legs and your nervous system, this is it.
We'll visit unique restaurants and greenhouses, go on invigorating hikes in the Highlands, and marvel at some of the most beautiful spots in Iceland.
—Saga, guide on the Women’s Wellness Retreat in Iceland
Iceland Wellness Retreat - Good to Know
Moderate
6 days
Easy paths mixed with steep sections that turn muddy when wet
Up to 400 m (1,300 ft) in a day
Women who want hiking balanced with yoga and relaxation
Reykjavík
Year-round
4. Ring Road, Iceland
Not every great trip needs a heavy pack and a summit. This one is a full lap of Iceland, with a local guide at the wheel and a new jaw-dropper around almost every bend. The walking is light, so your energy goes into looking, not climbing.
And the looking is spectacular. Waterfalls thunder down the south coast, icebergs bob in Jökulsárlón, and the north serves up Dettifoss and Lake Mývatn. Plus, there’s a whale watching trip, and humpbacks have been known to swim right up to the boat.
Come in winter for blue ice caves and long nights under a sky that might just light up green. Or come in summer, when the sun barely bothers to set. For women-only tours with zero pressure on your legs, this one is hard to beat.
18 million years in the making, 9 days to blow your mind.
—Saga, guide on the Ring Road Tour: All-Women Adventure in Iceland
Ring Road, Iceland - Good to Know
Easy
9 days
Short walks to waterfalls and viewpoints, plus a guided glacier hike
Minimal, with a few short climbs
Beginners and anyone who wants the whole island without long hiking days
Reykjavík
Winter for ice caves and northern lights, summer for the midnight sun
5. Chamonix and Mont Blanc, France
Chamonix is the kind of town where you eat breakfast staring at a glacier. It’s been called the birthplace of alpinism, and it still has that electric, boots-by-the-door energy.
This trip lets you sample the best of it without sleeping in a single hut. One day you’re walking on the Mer de Glace, France’s largest glacier. Another, you’re riding the cable car to the Aiguille du Midi at 3,842 m (12,605 ft), where the air gets thin and the views get ridiculous.
You’ll also slip across the border into Italy and Switzerland, which makes for excellent bragging at dinner. Meanwhile, a 4-star hotel and spa waits back in town for your tired legs. It’s alpine adventure with the edges sanded down, just a little.
Summer softens the Alps in the most beautiful way, offering lush valleys, quiet days, and trails you'll remember long after you've left.
—Armelle, UIMLA International Mountain Leader and guide on the Women-Only Mont Blanc: Luxury Hiking Tour
Chamonix and Mont Blanc, France - Good to Know
Moderate
8 days
Well-marked alpine trails and a guided glacier walk
Up to 1,070 m (3,511 ft) in a day
Fit hikers who want big Alpine views and hotel comfort
Geneva Airport, with a group transfer to Chamonix
June through September
6. Via Alpina, Switzerland
Switzerland does 2 things exceptionally well: jaw-dropping mountains and making you very comfortable. This trip refuses to choose between them. By day you earn every view, and by night you’re in a spa wondering why you ever slept in a tent.
The stretch from Kandersteg to Lenk is pure Bernese Oberland. You’ll hike to Oeschinensee, a lake so blue it looks edited, tucked inside a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Expect waterfalls, wildlife, and trails that ask a lot of your calves.
This is the toughest European trip on our list, and a few sections run above steep drops. Groups max out at 6, making this the most intimate of our women-only tours. Also, the guide team includes a dog named Woody, which frankly should be standard on every hike.
The Via Alpina hike was truly spectacular; from beautiful lakes, to cute villages to the cows, pigs and goats we met along the way. The hiking is challenging but in all the best ways possible.
—Elizabeth F., 57hours guest review
Via Alpina, Switzerland - Good to Know
Challenging
5 days
Alpine trails with occasional exposed drops
Up to 1,251 m (4,105 ft) in a day
Experienced hikers who are comfortable with heights
Kandersteg
Summer
7. Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
The Dolomites are built from ancient coral reefs, and at sunset they glow pink like they still remember it. Cortina d’Ampezzo sits right in the middle of them, fresh off co-hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics. In summer, though, the town belongs to hikers.
This trip keeps things beautifully simple. You unpack once, then spend 5 days ticking off icons like Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Cinque Torri, and the milky-blue Sorapis Lake. There’s nothing technical, just steady climbs and very big views.
Evenings are for handmade pasta, mountain cheese, and a strong espresso or 2. It’s proof that women-only tours can feel a little indulgent and still earn you every calorie.
At 73, I was the oldest in a group of 12 ladies. This pushed me emotionally, physically, and mentally. The scenery was beyond beautiful, and I was very proud of myself for completing this.
—Norma B., 57hours guest review
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy - Good to Know
Moderate
7 days
Non-technical mountain trails
350-558 m (1,148-1,830 ft) per day
Hikers who want the Dolomites’ highlights without hut nights
Venice, with a private transfer to Cortina
June through September
8. Cairngorms National Park, Scotland
The Cairngorms feel bigger than Scotland should allow. This is the UK’s largest national park, home to 5 of Britain’s 6 highest mountains and high plateaus that feel almost Arctic. Around every corner, there’s a loch, a pine forest, or a sheep with opinions.
Of course, the weather has opinions too. You might get sunshine, sideways rain, and a rainbow in the same afternoon. Pack good layers, and you’ll love it anyway.
When your legs need a break, one day heads to the Morayshire coast and Speyside whisky country. Evenings end with hearty dinners and a pint in a proper Highland pub. Plus, everyone gets their own en-suite room, a welcome perk on tours for women only.
Discover the charming allure of Cairngorms National Park, a world that has captivated writers and wanderers for centuries!
—Natasha, guide on the Women’s Hiking Tour of Cairngorms National Park
Cairngorms National Park, Scotland - Good to Know
Moderate
6 days
Rolling hills, rugged mountain paths, and coastal trails
Up to 1,900 ft (580 m) in a day
Hikers with some experience who love wild, moody landscapes
Aviemore
May through September
9. Molde Fjords, Norway
Most travelers rush past Molde on their way to more famous fjords. Their loss. This little coastal town sits on the water with a skyline of jagged peaks, and the trails are never far away.
Each day brings something a little mythical. You’ll step inside the Troll Church, a marble cave with a waterfall roaring inside it, and wind up the hairpins of Trollstigen. Another day follows the Atlantic Road, which The Guardian once called the world’s best road trip.
Yoga is optional, but the sauna by the fjord is not something you’ll want to skip. One heads-up, though: this trip also runs mixed groups. So pick an all-women date to add it to your women-only travel plans.
Nestled between Norway's rugged mountains and shimmering fjords lies the retreat you didn't know you needed.
—Pille, guide and yoga teacher on the Hiking Retreat in Norway
Molde Fjords, Norway - Good to Know
Moderate to challenging
7 days
Steep, rocky mountain trails and coastal paths
Summits from 407 to 832 m (1,335 to 2,729 ft)
Hikers who want fjord views with optional yoga
Molde Airport or ferry terminal
May through September
10. Coastal Camino Portuguese, Spain
Pilgrims have walked to Santiago de Compostela for more than a thousand years. Almost all of them arrived with sore feet and full hearts. This version skips the months-long commitment and follows the Atlantic coast instead, with scallop shells marking the way.
Along the route, strangers will wish you “Buen Camino” so often it starts to feel like a hug. Your pilgrim passport fills up with stamps, and your camera roll fills up with beaches.
Luggage transfers handle the heavy stuff, so all you carry is a daypack and a snack stash. Of all the women-only vacations here, this one has the most meaningful finish line: the cathedral square in Santiago.
I loved it. Hard, fun, spiritual, amazing. We had perfect September weather, which made it even better.
—Nicki J., 57hours guest review
Coastal Camino Portuguese, Spain - Good to Know
Easy to moderate
9 days
Coastal paths, forest trails, and village streets
Up to 250 m (820 ft) in a day
Walkers who want a pilgrimage with a social side
Oia, Spain
Year-round, but April through November is best
11. Inca Trail, Peru
There’s a big difference between seeing Machu Picchu and arriving at it. The Inca Trail is how you arrive: on foot, through cloud forest and ruins, on stone paths laid more than 500 years ago. By the last morning, you’ll understand why people call it a pilgrimage.
The toughest moment is Dead Woman’s Pass, at 4,215 m (13,829 ft). Legend has it the name comes from the ridge’s silhouette, which looks like a woman lying down. On a trip like this one, it quickly becomes the group’s favorite joke.
Then comes the Sun Gate, where Machu Picchu finally appears below you. Among women-only tours in South America, this is the bucket-list classic.
Hardest and most rewarding thing I've ever done. Was the experience I was hoping for and the group was exactly what I hoped for.
—Kathryn R., 57hours guest review
Inca Trail, Peru - Good to Know
Moderate
7 days
Steep stone stairs and high-altitude mountain trail
Tops out at 4,215 m (13,829 ft) on Dead Woman’s Pass
Fit hikers ready for altitude and plenty of stairs
Cusco
May through September
12. Salkantay Trek, Peru
Salkantay means “savage mountain” in Quechua, and the name fits. Its glaciated peak towers over the trail at 6,271 m (20,574 ft), and you’ll walk right beneath it. If the Inca Trail is the classic novel, Salkantay is the thriller.
Your first trekking day climbs to Humantay Lake, a turquoise pool that looks edited even when you’re standing next to it. Then comes the big one, the Salkantay Pass, where the air is thin and the snacks taste amazing.
From there, the trail drops into cloud forest, coffee country, and much warmer nights. Before you know it, you’re walking through Machu Picchu with a very particular kind of pride.
The Salkantay trek was amazing. The terrain was very challenging but so beautiful! We had a great tour of Machu Picchu led by Yaritza where we learned so much about the history and significance of this amazing place.
—Janet V., 57hours guest review
Salkantay Trek, Peru - Good to Know
Moderate to challenging
7 days
High mountain passes, rocky trails, and cloud forest
Tops out at 4,630 m (15,190 ft) on the Salkantay Pass
Experienced hikers who want fewer crowds
Cusco
April through November
13. Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim, Arizona
Standing on the rim of the Grand Canyon is humbling. Walking all the way across it is something else entirely. You’ll drop down to the Colorado River and climb out the other side, passing nearly 2 billion years of Earth’s history in the rock.
Be warned, this is the heavyweight of our list. The canyon floor can run up to 20°F (11°C) hotter than the rim, and every step down is one you’ll pay back on the way up. Your legs will file a complaint, and you’ll happily ignore it.
The payoff is a night under more stars than you knew existed. Your guides are Wilderness First Responders, so you can focus on the view. Plus, “I walked across the Grand Canyon” is a very good line at parties.
With the guidance of experienced guides and the camaraderie of your fellow hikers, you will push the limits of your comfort zone, all while creating memories that will last a lifetime.
—Katherine, guide on the All-Women Rim-to-Rim Backpacking Adventure in the Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim, Arizona - Good to Know
Moderate to challenging
5 days
Steep, rugged canyon trails with big temperature swings
Up to 5,000 ft (1,524 m) of ascent in a day
Fit hikers with previous hiking experience
Kanab, Utah
May through October
14. Pacific Crest Trail, Oregon
If you’ve read (Cheryl Strayed) or watched Wild, you know Oregon’s stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail has a way of changing people. This trip gives you a 30 mi (48 km) taste of it, with Mount Hood looming overhead. No life crisis required.
Think of it as backpacking 101 with a very good teacher. Your guide shows you how to pack smart, set up camp, and leave no trace. By day 3, you’ll be the one explaining the water filter.
Afternoons end with a swim in a cold, clear lake and dinner from the camp stove. It’s one of the easiest ways into women-only tours built around camping. Consider it your open door to the backcountry.
Once you've felt the thrill of being off-the-grid, you'll be planning your next backpacking trip before you know it!
—Nastia, hiking guide and Wilderness First Responder on the All-Women Backpacking on the Pacific Crest Trail
Pacific Crest Trail, Oregon - Good to Know
Easy to moderate
4 days
Forest and meadow trails with moderate inclines
Moderate inclines throughout
Beginners who want to learn the basics of camping on trail
Portland, Oregon
May through September
15. Glacier National Park, Montana
Glacier National Park is Montana showing off. Think turquoise lakes, waterfalls pouring off cliffs, and peaks that look too dramatic to be real. It’s also grizzly country, so bear spray comes standard.
This trip is built for anyone who’s curious about multi-day hiking but not ready for tents. Nights are spent at the Belton Chalet, a historic railway hotel from 1910, with a warm bed at the end of every trail.
Days bring gentle hikes to places like Avalanche Lake, followed by optional meditation, journaling, and stretching. It’s a lovely, low-pressure first step for anyone new to women-only tours.
We hiked some incredible trails (rain or shine). Wildlife, wildflowers. Intentionally disconnected from phones to truly enjoy the beauty around us. Painting lesson by a lake.
—Connie C., 57hours guest review
Glacier National Park, Montana - Good to Know
Easy to moderate
4 days
Well-maintained mountain trails
Up to 1,500 ft (460 m) in a day
First-time multi-day hikers who like their comforts
Whitefish, Montana
August through September
Good-to-Know Info for Women-Only Tours
Still on the fence? Here are quick answers to a few common questions.
What are the best women-only travel tours?
The best women-only tours depend on your fitness, your comfort zone, and the scenery you dream about. For an iconic trek, it’s hard to beat the Laugavegur Trail or the Inca Trail. If hotel comfort matters, look at Chamonix or Cortina d’Ampezzo.
New to multi-day trips? Glacier National Park and the Ring Road are gentle starting points. And if you want a proper test, the Grand Canyon and the Via Alpina will happily oblige.
What is a women-only tour?
A women-only tour is a guided small-group trip where every traveler is a woman. On many of them, your guides are women too, and solo female travelers are warmly welcome. The guide handles lodging, meals, and logistics, so your only job is to show up.
Maximum group sizes on this list range from 6 to 20 travelers. Also, most women-only tours make it easy to share a room, which can help you skip the single supplement.
Are women-only tours worth it?
For many travelers, absolutely. Women-only tours give you a supportive group of like-minded women, shared goals, and a built-in crew if you’re traveling alone. In our reviews, new friendships come up again and again as the highlight.
They also take the guesswork out of planning, from lodging to meals. Of course, they’re not for everyone, and that’s fine. If you prefer mixed company, the Norway retreat runs co-ed dates too.
Where Your Next Women-Only Tour Begins
So, which one’s calling you? Send this list to the friend who always says “next year,” or book a spot on your own and meet your crew at the trailhead.
Either way, one of these women-only tours has your name on it.
