Walking holidays are rapidly gaining popularity, as holiday-makers are increasingly looking to reconnect with nature and spend their free leisure time more actively. A self-guided walking holiday, in particular, offers the freedom to explore at your own pace, whilst having an itinerary and support needed for a memorable tip. So, here are a few useful tips for first-timers!
Choose your destination wisely
Picking the destination is, perhaps, the most difficult part of planning a walking holiday. With so many incredible options across Europe, how do you begin to narrow it down? Do you go to the places that stand out the most for their natural beauty? Or the ones that are most popular?
Not entirely – the choice of your walking holiday route shouldn’t be based entirely on the landscapes. As a beginner, you must consider how comfortable you are walking long distances without guidance and how prepared you are physically. For instance, a Mediterranean destination, such as Italy, is home to both challenging mountain routes and gentle coastal walks.
If you want to explore quaint fishing villages and picturesque vineyards, surrounded by dramatic coastal scenery, the Cinque Terre walking holiday will be an excellent option. It includes both dreamy walks and rewarding hikes, ideal for visitors of varying fitness levels. It’s also well-marked and easy to follow, with plenty of services and help available.
But, if you’re ready for something a bit more intense, the Alta Via 1 route in the Dolomites is a challenge worth considering. This walking holiday will require a good level of physical preparation, as most of the trip will be ascents and descents in the mountains. Some of the paths might be snowy or technical, hence this option also requires previous hiking experience.
Preparations before the trip
Regardless of your destination, physical preparation is of paramount importance, especially if you’re not someone that goes on regular walks and hikes. A walking holiday usually involves walking 10-20 kilometers a day, for 5 days or longer – it is a physically demanding holiday that needs to be taken seriously.
Your preparations should begin at least a month before your departure. Start with shorter walks locally and gradually increase both the distance and difficulty of your walks. If you know you’ll be hiking in steeper areas, make sure to incorporate hikes in your training too. This will help build your stamina for the big trip.
Not just that, training walks will also allow you to test your equipment beforehand. You should do them wearing the boots and clothing that you are planning to bring with you, identifying any potential issues early (e.g. your shoes don’t provide enough ankle support). If you’re planning to carry a backpack with you, it’s also a good idea to test pack and bring it with you on a walk, to see how manageable it is.
Partner with a reputable agency
For your first self-guided walking holiday, partnering with a specialist agency is recommended. Orbis Ways, for example, have years of experience organising walking holidays across Europe, including the infamous Camino de Santiago trips. They have built an exceptional reputation with 4.7/5 star reviews on Trustpilot and 4.5/5 star on Google.
They are here to help you with all the logistics, such as route recommendations, itinerary planning, accommodation bookings, luggage transfers and more. They will also provide 24/7 emergency support on the trail, giving you that extra peace of mind.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
You’re almost ready for your big adventure! But, before that, one final tip – when in doubt, always ask others. The walking and hiking community is generally super friendly and most people you’ll meet on the trail will be happy to help or guide you in the right direction. Enjoy!