Although many people associate walking holidays with rural areas, there is no reason why your route cannot also include villages, small towns or even parts of cities, along with the forests, mountains and valleys that give you a chance to explore the beauty of nature first hand.
Friendly Locals
The most basic version of this kind of trip involves you carrying all your belongings with you each day. Many people prefer to carry only a rucksack with the items they need for the day and have the rest of their luggage transported to their next hotel on their behalf. Whilst this will give you the freedom to go at your own pace during the course of each day, you will still have to stick to your overall itinerary in order to ensure you reach your accommodation for that evening on time.
You will also need to be confident that you can read your map and follow directions accurately to avoid getting lost. Although you will usually be able to find some friendly locals to help you if you go astray, much of the time you will only have yourself to rely on to find the correct path. That said, the maps that are provided for walking holidays are usually extremely clear with the correct routes highlighted in advance.
Once you have chosen your destination, it's a good idea to compare several routes and study the features that you will be passing along the way. You will usually spend only a single night in each hotel but if a particular area is of greater interest, it should be possible to increase the amount of time you spend at one or two of your stopping points.
Winter Walking
Another part of the freedom that comes with being on this type of holiday is being able to decide where and when you eat. Depending on the route you are following you may find places to stop off on the way during your day's walk or you may prefer to pack a picnic. In the evening you will usually be able to have dinner at whichever inn or hotel you are staying at or, if you still have the energy, head out to find a nearby restaurant.
If you think that walking is a summer only activity, think again. Increasing numbers of ramblers are discovering the joys of self-guided winter walking tours where crisp mountain air, bright sunshine and spectacular snow-covered scenery form a constant backdrop to your travels. You can even head to higher ground for a few days and combine a skiing holiday with your walking trip.
Regardless of your choice of destination, always be sure to choose a walk that matches your level of fitness and ability so that you can make the most of the sights and sounds without feeling as though you are taking part in an endurance race. After all, you are on holiday!
Friendly Locals
The most basic version of this kind of trip involves you carrying all your belongings with you each day. Many people prefer to carry only a rucksack with the items they need for the day and have the rest of their luggage transported to their next hotel on their behalf. Whilst this will give you the freedom to go at your own pace during the course of each day, you will still have to stick to your overall itinerary in order to ensure you reach your accommodation for that evening on time.
You will also need to be confident that you can read your map and follow directions accurately to avoid getting lost. Although you will usually be able to find some friendly locals to help you if you go astray, much of the time you will only have yourself to rely on to find the correct path. That said, the maps that are provided for walking holidays are usually extremely clear with the correct routes highlighted in advance.
Once you have chosen your destination, it's a good idea to compare several routes and study the features that you will be passing along the way. You will usually spend only a single night in each hotel but if a particular area is of greater interest, it should be possible to increase the amount of time you spend at one or two of your stopping points.
Winter Walking
Another part of the freedom that comes with being on this type of holiday is being able to decide where and when you eat. Depending on the route you are following you may find places to stop off on the way during your day's walk or you may prefer to pack a picnic. In the evening you will usually be able to have dinner at whichever inn or hotel you are staying at or, if you still have the energy, head out to find a nearby restaurant.
If you think that walking is a summer only activity, think again. Increasing numbers of ramblers are discovering the joys of self-guided winter walking tours where crisp mountain air, bright sunshine and spectacular snow-covered scenery form a constant backdrop to your travels. You can even head to higher ground for a few days and combine a skiing holiday with your walking trip.
Regardless of your choice of destination, always be sure to choose a walk that matches your level of fitness and ability so that you can make the most of the sights and sounds without feeling as though you are taking part in an endurance race. After all, you are on holiday!
SHARE
