On Foot Holidays rounds up its favourite autumn walks in Europe

The summer scorch has eased, the harvests are in full swing and the sea is still invitingly warm.

Autumn is the ideal time for an atmospheric walking trip in southern Europe. Walking specialist On Foot Holidays – which offers self-guided, lesser-trodden trips and unusual takes on classic destinations throughout Europe – rounds up its favourite routes for an unforgettable autumn amble:

Sierra de Grazalema, Andalucía, Spain

This seven-night trip traverses the rugged hills of the Sierra de Grazalema National Park, west of Ronda. Stay in the region’s fabled White Villages, perched on slopes for ancient reasons of defence, and pass along winding river valleys, pine forests and dramatic limestone scenery – hopefully spotting Griffon Vultures (Europe’s largest colony live here) and eagles en route. Finish with two nights in Ronda itself, a Moorish cliff-top bastion which witnessed some of the Reconquista’s final battles. From £630 pp (two sharing) including B&B, five picnics and one dinner. Graded medium-hard.

Côtes du Rhône, France

Forget the crowd-infested Luberon – explore a more varied and interesting corner of Provence in and around Gigondas. This seven-night walk circles around Mont Ventoux (the windy mountain), promising clifftop villages, strange conical hills, tiny Le Barroux’s impressive castle and gorgeous Roman bridges. You can even stay in the former home of the Marquis de Sade en route. This being the Côtes du Rhône, food and wine are of primary importance: On Foot suggests timing your trip to finish in Vaison’s vast Tuesday market –thus stocking up on autumn delicacies to take home. From £880 pp (two sharing) including characterful B&Bs, four evening meals and five picnics. Graded medium-hard.

Lycian Way, Turkey

How about a Lycian Way itinerary dreamed up by the route’s founder? This walk was designed by Kate Clow – an inhabitant of the region for over 20 years and author of The Lycian Way guidebook. Kate’s trip for On Foot, journeying along the Turquoise Coast, begins from a mountain hotel near Antalya, taking hikers down to the coast at Phaselis, a wonderfully-preserved Graeco-Roman site, past secluded beaches to the Chimaera (the eternal flame of legend) and on to the ruins at Olympus. The last section, along an untamed coastline to the lighthouse of Kilidonya, is thrilling. From £670 pp (two sharing) including B&B, five picnics and four dinners. Extensions to Istanbul available. Graded medium-hard.

Itineraries include luggage transfers between hotels and route information. Departure dates are flexible. Airport transfers and flights are extra.

All of On Foot Holidays’ routes are hand-picked, with accommodation carefully selected for their cuisine: good food (and wine) is very much a focus of every single itinerary.

For more information, visit onfootholidays.co.uk.