Annie Hawkins

Annie Hawkins, born and raised in a small village in Burgundy, is a passionate world traveler and one of our most enchanting Trip Leaders. After studying art history in Provence, Annie moved to California, where she led adventure tours in the American Southwest and realized that leading adventure trips was her vocation—nothing would keep her inside an office again! She has led exclusively for Wilderness Travel since 1995 and has helped us create journeys in France, Spain, Sri Lanka, Morocco, Niger, and most recently, Angola. “As a Trip Leader, I see myself as the personal ambassador to a place. In France, I love introducing the products of the “terroir” such as wine or cheese, or in southern Spain, taking the group to my home to share a paella with them. And in the Sahara, I have a passion for the wind-created landscape I call “the yellow circle” and the ingenuity of the people who live in this place of extremes. I'm also fascinated by the friendships that people forge while traveling together day after day. I remember how six guests become lifetime friends after our trip in Niger—this warms my heart!” While scouting our trip in southern Spain in 1999, Annie bought a 300-year-old house in a village clinging on the flanks of the highest mountains in Spain. It took her three years to transform it into the home she calls La Casa del Milagro. She married in 2006 and now divides her time between Europe and San Francisco, where she lives with her husband.

Upcoming Trips:

Medieval France: The Lot Valley, May 22-30, 2013
Medieval France: The Lot Valley, June 1- 9, 2013
Hiking the French Pyrenees, June 27-July 5, 2013
Hiking the Tyrolean Alps, July 6-13, 2013
Mont Blanc to the Mediterranean, July 14-27, 2013
Tour du Mont Blanc, July 28-August 4, 2013
Heart of Switzerland, August 17-25, 2013
Hiking the French Pyrenees, September 6-14, 2013
Hiking in Sicily, September 15-24, 2013
Medieval France: The Lot Valley, October 5-13, 2013
Southern Spain to Morocco, April 2016

Client Testimonials:


Once again Annie proved her competence with graciousness and charm. You are so lucky to have her. We will travel with Annie again! Julie R., Bainbridge Island WA Annie is everything a guide should be and even more. She is your best ‘advertisement!" Emond D., Claymont DE Annie was incredibly excellent! Bill U., Mechanicsville, VA
Hiking the Haute Route Annie is a great leader, a great person to be with. She was always able to convey a complete understanding of the place in its physical sense as well as its culture, which made it even more interesting. Maria A., New York NY
Hiking the Haute Route Annie took my breath away. She could not have been more caring, fun, concerned. What a joy she is to everyone. Pamela R., LA Jolla CA
Great Alpine Traverse Annie was by far the best leader we’ve ever had, and we’ve had a lot of excellent leaders with Wilderness Travel Hugh and Wendy K., Anacortes WA
Great Alpine Traverse Annie was first rate. She charmed everyone, her knowledge of the area was superb, and she handled all the logistics and contributed to a very enjoyable trip. Larry S., Boise ID
Great Alpine Traverse Annie was such a superb guide. Her love of the places we visited was evident in her enthusiastic nightly briefings. Angela S., Wrightsville Beach NC
Great Alpine Traverse Annie Hawkins was terrific, outstanding in every way. She is so lovely and we had total confidence in her leadership. We hope to do another trip with her some day. Linda and Ira G., West Hartford, CT
Hiking in the Cortina Dolomites Annie Hawkins is a marvelous Trip Leader in every way. She is a delightful personality and charming company. She oversaw all the details and added her own special touches that made our adventure really superb. Hala A., Oakland, CA
Niger: The Wodabe Gerewol Festival Annie is better than excellent! She is professional, competent, and absolutely enchanting. We will plan another WT trip with her schedule in mind. Julie R., Bainbridge Island WA
Tour du Mont Blanc Annie was terrific! A key part of the wonderful memory I have of this trip. Marrie C.l, Marblehead MA
Tour du Mont Blanc
Annie was terrific. She adapted her itinerary to the group beautifully and managed to cater to all levels of fitness and interest. She did a great job. Elaine H., Verona WI
Hiking in the Pyrenees We loved Annie. She is obviously a very experienced leader. She was always enthusiastic and knew the area very well. Steve H., Verona WI
Hiking in the Pyrenees Annie is a very resourceful leader, a professional who loves her job and shows it. Marwan B., San Jose CA
Mont Blanc to the Mediterranean Annie Hawkins was one of the most attentive, sincere, and enjoyable guides we’ve ever had. She was spontaneous and up for any opportunity that presented itself. Craig & Debbie D., Nichols Hills, OK
Southern Spain to Morocco Annie Hawkins is a treasure. She’s an amazing person and superb Trip Leader. I can’t wait to travel with her again. Judith K., South Portland ME
Medieval France: The Lot Valley Annie Hawkins is the best—she is warm, engaging, caring, enhthusiastic, humorous, knowledgeable, and just a super person. Steve T., Santa Rosa, CA
Medieval France: The Lot Valley Annie's 'eating, drinking and exploring old France' trip was just as wonderful as we expected! Jack H., Cockeysville, MD
Medieval France: The Lot Valley
Medieval France: The Lot Valley Annie lives up to her fabulous reputation. She is charming, friendly, engaging, knowledgeable, completely in tune with everything going on, and totally devoted to all travelers having the best possible experience. Susan W., Albuquerque, NM
Bilbao and the Picos de Europa Annie MADE the trip. Her enthusiasm, knowledge, and over the top attention to customer needs is unsurpassed. Lesly H., Mill Valley, CA
Mont Blanc to the Mediterranean Annie is an ACE. I don't think you could find a better guide. Tom L., Hanalei, HI
Southern Spain to Morocco Experienced, enthusiastic, highly knowledgeable about the Lot Valley, including the history and culture of the area. She constantly worked to enhance the experience for all of us. Tom M., Arden Hills, MN
Medieval France: The Lot Valley Annie is fantastic, a very warm, engaging person with an exceptional knowledge of the area. And wow does she know restaurants! Linda H., La Canada, CA
Medieval France: The Lot Valley