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Introductory walking holidays

A choice of introductory walking holidays from specialist operators. You do not need previous experience for these trips, but you do need to be in reasonably good health. If you enjoy walking, and will be able to walk for 4-5 hours per day then these trips will be for you. See our full walking holiday classification.

Introductory walking holidays

275 reviews for Introductory walking holidays4 star overall rating

These full and frank independent Introductory walking holidays reviews are from travellers who have booked directly through responsibletravel.com. They are not edited by us or any of the companies we work with. Find the real story, from real travellers below.

Annapurna trekking holidays
The most memorable part of my holiday: waking up on trek and looking out of my tent at the Annapurnas with the rising sun catching the peaks and the truly charming and helpful Nepalese people.  (more)
From £995 excluding flights
Walking holidays in Spain
Everything about this holiday was excellent, and exceeded expectations. The walking was varied, the guide/s were knowledgeable and supportive, the food was simply wonderful, and my walking companions were friends by the end of the week. (more)
From €560 - €850 excluding flights
Catalonia self guided walking holidays
Really wonderful! It exceeded my expectations. Steve could not have been more helpful in coordinating and supporting us in this holiday. We loved the places we stayed, enjoyed the people and small towns. The food was excellent. The hikes we great. I felt like we really got to see the country and small communities. (more)
From £359 - £606 excluding flights
Walking in Andalucia
The most memorable part was stopping for lunch on top of hills with amazing views and the homegrown oranges... Top, really enjoyed, excellent value, very well organised, great fun and wonderful people. Also loved accommodation.  (more)
From £649 excluding flights
Andalucia self guided walking holiday, Spain
Lovely apartment with pool in a spectacular location. Exceeded our expectations in every respect. (more)
From £199 excluding flights
Elaphite Islands & Dubrovnik walking tours in Croatia
Most interesting people very proud of their country, enjoyed the whole visit, have encouraged my friends to head to Croatia. (more)
From €680 excluding flights
Amalfi Coast walking holiday, Italy
A great escape especially around christmas. (more)
From £899 - £1129 including UK flights
Short break walking holidays in Andalucia
Seeing a Golden Eagle for the first time....Excellent. Well organised, relaxed and friendly. (more)
From £399 excluding flights
Yoga and relaxation holiday, Scotland
The most memorable parts were: felting, listening to the storyteller by the fireplace, visiting Glen Affric and the waterfalls, delicious food. It was an unforgettable week of active relaxation! (more)
From £695 - £795 excluding flights
Small group holiday to Nepal
An excellent holiday, an excellent experience, one which I very much hope to do again. Top of the tops. (more)
From £1749 - £2249 including UK flights
Sardinia walking holiday, Italy
Despite having a mobility problem, I managed 3 out of 4 walks. They were amazing and Rudy was invaluable to give me the confidence to carry on even on some quite hard terrain. The hotel turned out to be experts in gluten free cooking and so the other perfect half was the ability to eat enough food to fuel the walking.  (more)
From £999 - £1029 including UK flights
Catalonia walking & food tour, Spain
The stunning coastal scenery and the obvious care taken by Alan and Vivian in choosing the routes and accommodation. (more)
From €795 excluding flights
Self guided walking holiday in Sardinia
The best memories I take away from this holiday are of the gorgeous springtime Sardinian scenery, eating enormous home-cooked meals at the agricoturismos and of the all-round kindness and generosity of everybody we met.  (more)
From £710 excluding flights
Tailor made walking & sightseeing tours in Cuba
The variety of the programme - the buzz of Havana - the Cuban people that we met - the guide that accompanied us all week could not be faulted - he made every effort to make sure we maximised our time in his country. The local guides we met were very knowledgeable, warm and open. (more)
From £1260 excluding flights
Jersey self guided walking tours, The Channel Islands
It is hard to pin point one part - the whole holiday was great. Extremely good.  (more)
From £499 excluding flights
Self guided walking tours in Andalucia
Excellent. The best self guided walking holiday we have ever had...Dave's walking itinerary and Gill's packed lunches was most memorable. (more)
From £425 excluding flights
Costa Rica holiday
Most memorable bit - spending Christmas Day exploring the waterways of the rainforests of Tortuguero in a small boat, seeing monkeys swinging through the trees, otters, caiman, iguana, toucans, parrots and countless other birds.  (more)
From £2359 - £2699 including UK flights
Self guided walking holidays in Portugal
For us it was five star because we really did find a little nook where the culture was pre-industrial, living concurrently with other lifestyles.  (more)
From €280 - €720 excluding flights
Scotland walking holidays
Everything about this trip was great, but memories of the magnificent mountain scenery I'm sure will stay with me forever. (more)
From £725 excluding flights
Morocco holiday, Atlas Mountains and Kasbah Trails
We all got on very well and I know that everyone came back home enriched, but we are all so grateful to our wonderful group leader Youssef Bousdour who provided us with a magic carpet and communicated his deep love and respect for his country. (more)
From £939 - £1039 including UK flights

Holiday Reviews

We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same holiday can have different views!

Read our review policy

Unedited reviews from other travellers

5 stars
I am reborn! Simply the best holiday I have ever been on
4 stars
Some great stories to tell the grandchildren. Would recommend to a friend
3 stars
Very enjoyable
2 stars
It was OK
1 star
A bit disappointing really

Walking holiday classifications

We organise our walking holidays by difficulty & the number of hours you walk each day to help you find the right walking holiday for your level of fitness.

Introductory walking
You do not need previous experience for these trips, but you do need to be in reasonably good health. If you enjoy walking, and will be able to walk for 4-5 hours per day then these trips will be for you. Although these trips are not at higher altitudes, and will have time for rest, remember that the walks will not be flat and that you'll enjoy them even more if you've built up a little stamina!
Moderate walking
If you have walked in the hills at home and are reasonably fit you will enjoy these trips, which will typically involve 5-8 hours walking per day. These trips might involve a day or two of harder and steeper walking, but generally walking conditions will be good.
Strenuous walking
Fitness is important for these trips, and you'll need to improve your stamina before you depart. You should expect to walk in mountainous terrain, usually at significantly higher altitudes than at home, for between 6 to 8 hours per day. You will either have trekked before, or be confident of your fitness.
Very challenging trekking
We recommend previous experience of trekking. You will need to be fit, have very good stamina, and be confident that you can to trek for many days without a break. You will be able to cope with difficult underfoot terrain such as scree, snow or difficult paths on steep mountainsides. Extremes of altitude and weather may also be encountered and walking days can be from 6 to 9 hours.
High altitude trekking
If you want to get away from it all and up into some of the highest and most spectacular mountain ranges in the world then here are some awesome treks for you! As you will be at altitude you will need to be in good health, and have good stamina and fitness for those uphill days. You should expect some long days, cold temperatures, high altitudes, and some tough terrain in simply spectacular scenery.
Climbing
A choice of climbing holidays from specialist operators. For these trips we recommend previous climbing experience, preferably at altitude or the confidence to learn as you go. You will need to be fit, have very good stamina, and be confident that you can climb in demanding conditions.
Wilderness trekking
We've selected these treks for you based on their remoteness and beauty. If you prefer to enjoy the solitude of the mountains away from too many other people then these treks are for you. You'll need a reasonable level of fitness and you will enjoy walking, but these trips are more about enjoying the surroundings than searching out really tough treks.
Walking safari
There is no better way of really experiencing wildife and wildlife habitats than getting out on foot to see and track game. Your safety will be paramount and you will be accompanied by expert guides. It might involve anything from a 3-4 hour walk from camp, to a mobile safari over several days moving from camp to camp. You'll will simply need to be able to walk for 3-4 hours.
Self guided walking
If you prefer to avoid groups and guides, or want create your own group, then a self guided walk is for you. No previous experience is needed.
Charity treks
Charity treks are ideal for people who don’t only want to travel responsibly, but also want to give that little bit extra and help contribute towards a favourite charity. All of our charity treks are either run by charities, or contribute a significant proportion of the cost of the holiday to a good cause.
Summer walking
Want to enjoy the fields, meadows and mountains in the summer sunshine? No previous experience required, just an enjoyment of walking and the outdoors.
Winter walking
Are you looking to get away during the winter months to enjoy an invigorating winter walk? No previous experience required, just an enjoyment of walking and the outdoors.
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