Walking holiday advice
Getting started tip
Jonny Bealby, founder of our leading supplier Wild Frontiers, gives his walking holiday advice:
"Pick the right walking holiday. What I find is that most walkers don’t usually want to just put one foot in front of another for 14 days, they want to experience other things as well. So our holidays are not just about walking – it is a main feature, but you will also get to see cultural highlights, so that when you are walking you get a much greater sense of where you are. If you are an ardent dyed-in-the-wool walker and that is all you are interested in, that is fine. But if you have a broader interest and walking is part of what you want to do, but not the sole raison d’être, then you need to be careful about the walking holiday you choose."
"Pick the right walking holiday. What I find is that most walkers don’t usually want to just put one foot in front of another for 14 days, they want to experience other things as well. So our holidays are not just about walking – it is a main feature, but you will also get to see cultural highlights, so that when you are walking you get a much greater sense of where you are. If you are an ardent dyed-in-the-wool walker and that is all you are interested in, that is fine. But if you have a broader interest and walking is part of what you want to do, but not the sole raison d’être, then you need to be careful about the walking holiday you choose."
Our Walking Holidays
Amalfi Coast walking holiday, Italy
Walk in lemon groves and hillside villages
From
£1099 to £1649
8 days
inc UK flights
Cyclades walking holidays in Greece
A gently active holiday in the Cyclades
From
£1249 to £1499
8 days
inc UK flights
Croatian coast walking tours, self guided
A seven-day walking holiday on the Dalmatian coast — islands and Dubrovnik included
From
€575 to €725
7 days
ex flights
Kilimanjaro climb, Machame route
Amazing Private Or Group Kilimanjaro Climb: Machame Route
From
£2149 to £2249
9 days
ex flights
Atacama and Patagonia hiking holiday
Explore Chile on foot Atacama Patagonia Walking Holiday
From
£4595 to £5170
14 days
ex flights
Kumano Kodo walking holiday, Japan
Village to village walking in the sacred Kii Peninsula
From
£2455
9 days
ex flights
Las Alpujarras walking holiday, Spain
Guided walking holiday, Andalucia, with writer Chris Stewart
From
€1295
8 days
ex flights
Japan self guided walking holiday, Nakasendo Trail
Self-guided walking along Japan’s ancient Nakasendo trail
From
£750 to £1060
5 days
ex flights
The Lycian Way walking holiday in Turkey
Follow one of Turkey's most spectacular coastal trails
From
£699 to £970
8 days
inc UK flights
Croatia national parks walking holiday
Walking holiday in Croatia's beautiful national parks.
From
€840
8 days
ex flights
Great Wall of China walking holiday
Trek along various contrasting sections of the wall
From
£1749 to £2149
10 days
inc UK flights
Patagonia tailor made tour, self guided
Self-guided holiday in stunning Patagonian mountains.
From
US $2850
13 days
ex flights
Piedmont walking holiday, Vineyards of Barolo
A gastronomic gem quietly tucked away
From
£2145 to £2345
9 days
inc UK flights
Guided walking holidays in the French Alps
Guided walking from a historic chalet base
From
£715
8 days
ex flights
Hiking the Inca trail holiday
An unrivalled combination of history and spectacular scenery
From
£1999 to £2499
11 days
inc UK flights
Trekking holiday in Cuba
Hiking and exploring the unspoiled national parks of Cuba
From
£270 to £580
4 days
ex flights
Self drive holiday in Northern Greece, hike & tour
Macedonia & Epirus - sightseeing & walking in ancient Greece
From
£425 to £550
8 days
ex flights
Walking holiday in Montenegro
Guided walking holiday in stupendous Montenegro
From
£745
7 days
ex flights
Catalonia self guided walking holidays
Self-guided walking holidays in Catalonia
From
€715 to €799
8 days
ex flights
Finland hiking holiday
A hut-to-hut hiking journey along Finland's eastern border
From
€1010 to €1020
8 days
ex flights
Picos inn to inn walking holiday in Spain
Hike through beautiful mountains staying in rural inns
From
£1295
8 days
ex flights
Peru highlights tour, Inca trail, Titicaca and Nazca
Taste Peru's diverse landscapes and fascinating culture
From
£3049 to £3299
17 days
inc UK flights
The Carian Trail walking holiday in Turkey
Self guided walking holiday along the Aegean Coast in Turkey
From
£585
8 days
ex flights
Honshu hiking holiday in Japan
A challenging walking and hiking holiday in Japan.
From
£3180
17 days
ex flights
Dolomites walking holiday in Italy
Sandwiched between the spectacular peaks of the Dolomites
From
£1099 to £1799
8 days
inc UK flights
Spanish course & walking holiday, Picos de Europa, Spain
Walk and talk on this small group language holiday in Picos de Europa National Park
From
€659 to €699
7 days
ex flights
Montenegro walking holidays, self guided
Self-guided pleasure walking in the beautiful Bay of Kotor.
From
€570 to €690
8 days
ex flights
Canadian Rockies tour
Experience breath-taking scenery in the Canadian Rockies
From
£1459 to £1479
12 days
ex flights
Peru walking and cultural holiday
Trek the cultural sites and mountain scenery of Peru
From
£1917
10 days
ex flights
Packing tips
Melanie McAnaw walking holiday expert from our supplier, Headwater:
“I always carry a small amount of talcum powder. It might sound strange but it’s good for reducing friction and redness if you find yourself with any blisters, chaffing or heat rash. It can also help your feet stay dry and keep your thighs from chafing over long distances if you use a little before (and after) your walk. A small roll of adhesive bandage/plaster (and something to cut it with) can also be a lifesaver if you do feel yourself developing a blister. It can sometimes make the difference between a nice walk and a painful slog!”
“I always carry a small amount of talcum powder. It might sound strange but it’s good for reducing friction and redness if you find yourself with any blisters, chaffing or heat rash. It can also help your feet stay dry and keep your thighs from chafing over long distances if you use a little before (and after) your walk. A small roll of adhesive bandage/plaster (and something to cut it with) can also be a lifesaver if you do feel yourself developing a blister. It can sometimes make the difference between a nice walk and a painful slog!”
Jonny Bealby, founder of our leading supplier Wild Frontiers:
“Bring waterproofs. Not just in your main luggage, but in your daypack on each day that you are walking. Even if there are blue skies in the morning, the weather changes quickly in the mountains, You also need two or three layers. In terms of boots, there are so many to choose from. I don’t even have a proper pair of hiking boots, but use a pair of Caterpillars, which I have used for years and walked all over the place in them. And then they don’t look bad when you are walking around Tblisi or wherever afterwards. But when I do a serious hike like K2, then I had to spend £150 on a serious pair of Meindls.”
“Bring waterproofs. Not just in your main luggage, but in your daypack on each day that you are walking. Even if there are blue skies in the morning, the weather changes quickly in the mountains, You also need two or three layers. In terms of boots, there are so many to choose from. I don’t even have a proper pair of hiking boots, but use a pair of Caterpillars, which I have used for years and walked all over the place in them. And then they don’t look bad when you are walking around Tblisi or wherever afterwards. But when I do a serious hike like K2, then I had to spend £150 on a serious pair of Meindls.”
Emma Garrick from our supplier Exodus has good pointers when it comes to walking holiday advice: “Layers are the way to go as opposed to big jackets, certainly for lower altitude treks; I would bring a couple of lighter fleeces and long sleeved tops and layer up that way. Some people like to use walking poles and I think they’re especially useful on long days of descent as it takes the weight off you knees, though it’s generally people in their 40s and upwards who use them. It’s always the case that you don’t need everything you think you will; as a rule of thumb you’ll probably need half of what you originally pack.”
Our top Walking Holiday
Amalfi Coast walking holiday, Italy
Walk in lemon groves and hillside villages
From
£1099 to £1649
8 days
inc UK flights
Small group travel:
2019: 31 Aug, 14 Sep, 28 Sep, 5 Oct, 12 Oct, 19 Oct, 26 Oct, 2 Nov, 9 Nov, 16 Nov, 21 Dec, 28 Dec
2019: 31 Aug, 14 Sep, 28 Sep, 5 Oct, 12 Oct, 19 Oct, 26 Oct, 2 Nov, 9 Nov, 16 Nov, 21 Dec, 28 Dec
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Walking or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
Health & safety
HEALTH
SAFETY
Holiday reviews from our travellers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travellers are often... other travellers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful walking travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful walking travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.
Travel light as there is a lot of packing and re-packing as you leave one place for the next.
Have some Peruvian Sol in small denominations as change is very hard to find 
– Keith Charters, walking on the Inca Trail
“If you want to get away from it all this the place for you. It would help if you have some basic Spanish or take a phrase book with you! Everyone was very friendly and helpful and the old man in the local supermarket even used Google Translate to help us work out what we were trying to ask for!” - Jackie Day on a self-guided walking holiday in Andalucia
“The walks look short, but involve a lot of up and down so are more challenging than they initially appear. But the views make them absolutely worthwhile…. Swimming in the sea below the ancient monastery at San Fruttuoso after a hot walk was just magical!” - Lynn Bowie on a walking holiday along the Italian Riviera
“Organise a group tip kitty at the beginning - it would save the problem of everyone trying to find 20 Dhm for the Souk guide, the mini bus driver etc. Have a tip kitty for the porters / cook / guides - and don't feel obliged to pay what is recommended, but what you feel is appropriate.” - Simon Brown on Mount Toubkal trekking holiday
“The walks look short, but involve a lot of up and down so are more challenging than they initially appear. But the views make them absolutely worthwhile…. Swimming in the sea below the ancient monastery at San Fruttuoso after a hot walk was just magical!” - Lynn Bowie on a walking holiday along the Italian Riviera
“Organise a group tip kitty at the beginning - it would save the problem of everyone trying to find 20 Dhm for the Souk guide, the mini bus driver etc. Have a tip kitty for the porters / cook / guides - and don't feel obliged to pay what is recommended, but what you feel is appropriate.” - Simon Brown on Mount Toubkal trekking holiday
We travelled with kids aged 13 and 11. Be prepared for the effects of the altitude, although it doesn't stop you from doing everything, it does make you feel tired and headachy. Also, pray for good weather in July/August, we were lucky!
– Alan Levy on a walking holiday to Tibet’s Everest Base Camp
“If you want to learn Spanish, go on some great hikes and be truly immersed in Spanish all week (both in school and in the local community) - then book it without hesitation! If you want the city atmosphere or you are a 100% sun seeker, then keep looking!” - Hazel Tyror on a hiking and learning Spanish walking holiday in the Picos de Europa
“While there are some neat things to see in Kathmandu, spend as little time as possible there. The pollution in the city made my eyes sting.” - Brian Henning on a walking holiday in the Langtang Valley, Nepal
“While there are some neat things to see in Kathmandu, spend as little time as possible there. The pollution in the city made my eyes sting.” - Brian Henning on a walking holiday in the Langtang Valley, Nepal
More about Walking
If you’re interested in finding out what we rate and what we don’t as part of our walking travel guide then you’ll be pleased to know that you have no further to travel other than right here.
When it comes to types of walking holidays they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes with centre-based, walking safaris, self-guided walking tours and winter walking just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to stepping out in your favourite well-worn pair of hikers.
Our interactive map of highlights ranges from Canada and Patagonia to the Alps, the Atlas Mountains and Nepal’s Annapurna Circuit. You’ll have no excuses when it comes to deciding on where to go on a walking holiday.
If you’re looking to try a few new walking holiday activities then take a rest right here as we know what complements a walking holiday including ideas about cultural engagement, local food, wildlife watching and how to get two for the price of one.
Here are our Top 10 tough walks, our favourite ones to not only dream about, but train for, book and go. Boldly, to where just a few men, and women, have gone before.
Our top 10 mountains to climb are scattered around the globe, offering fit and adventurous travellers the chance to shoot for the summit and experience a unique part of the world in a single trip.
Our walking holidays for families are based around expert advice from those who have been there and done that, so we can offer a wide range of trips for families with children of all ages.
From porters’ rights in Nepal to leaving no trace wherever you are, responsible walking holidays start and finish with you, the responsible traveller, so read on and find out how to travel right when on a walking holiday.
Find all our walking guides in one place covering everything from the paths of England to the snow capped mountains of the Himalaya or the mystical Inca Trail.
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Photo credits: [Page banner: Tdway] [Getting started tip: Fresco Tours]
[Packing tips: pxhere]
[Health & Safety: pxhere]
[Keith Charters quote: Wendy Harman]
[Alan Levy quote: Sam Hawley]
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