Are you thinking of embarking on a new adventure? You’ve spent a lot of time indoors lately, so we don’t blame you for wanting to get out there. As one of the most eco-friendly travel options, walking holidays are the ideal choice for explorers. Whether you’re jetting off to South America or are looking for the best hiking holidays in the UK, our guide will have you on your feet in no time. Find out what to take on a walking holiday, as well as what to wear while you’re out and about, below.
7 Of The Best Walking Holidays Abroad
First up, where are you headed? Here are just some of the best hiking holidays you can embark on around the world.
1. The Corfu Trail
The Corfu Trail is 220km long, leading into a landscape that is untouched by tourism. This trekking holiday provides adventurers with the opportunity to explore more rural locations and delve through the central countryside of Corfu – at every corner there’s a new sight to see. As one of the best self-guided walking holidays, you can find your way using the yellow signs (with the letters CT and a directional arrow), with yellow paint marks that confirm the route along the way. The trail is set out in 10 stages.
Length: 10 days
2. Kumano Kodo Pilgramage, Japan
The Kumano Kodo includes a network of trails through the southern Kansai region, typically beginning in Osaka and ending in Ise. It’ll take around 4-6 hours of walking each day, with overnight stays in various hotels, inns and temples. However, if you wish to break up your walking holiday, there is a good transportation network you can use to travel to various points along the route – allowing you to tackle the trail in bitesize chunks.
Length: 9 days
3. Rainbow Mountain, Peru
As a day-trip from Cusco, the Rainbow Mountain trail offers up a whole host of sights – with the iconic view of red, yellow and orange stripes. After Machu Picchu, this trekking holiday is well on its way to becoming the second-most visited location in Peru. To hike up the mountain, it’ll only take a few hours. The trail itself is mostly flat until the end, but it’s the high altitude that makes it really challenging.
Length: 2-3 hours
4. Verbier, Switzerland
There is over 400km of footpaths across Verbier, so you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to planning your trekking holiday. There are routes available for all abilities, so there’s opportunity for the whole family to embark on walking holidays abroad. At every turn, hikers are graced with spectacular scenery and stunning views. And if you pick up a summer pass, you’ll have access to the lifts and therefore more high-altitude trails and views – or, if you fancy a challenge, hike up to the top instead.
Length: varies
5. Hollyford Track, New Zealand
The Hollyford Track is based in the Fiordland region of New Zealand, taking visitors from the mountains to the sea at Martins Bay. This trail can be enjoyed all year round, with spectacular views and is a low-altitude hike along the valley floor – so it’s accessible to those with reasonable fitness levels. With diverse landscapes and wildlife, this is sure to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Length: 4 days
6. Eastern Lycian Way, Turkey
As one of the best self-guided walking holidays, the Eastern Lycian Way takes you along scenic coastal trails between ancient ruins and quaint villages – walking past sea views, through pine forests and ending up in the harbour town, Kas.
Length: 8 days
7. The Azores, Portugal
With 70 routes to explore each of the nine islands, including São Miguel and Santa Maria, the Azores has a whole host of trekking holiday trails on offer. Most of the tracks are fairly easy, which makes them ideal for beginners – while some are graded moderate and difficult, for more experienced hikers. You can choose from easy village-to-village walks to more remote and mountainous hikes – including a trip up Portugal’s highest mountain, Pico!
Length: varies
Trekking Holidays In The UK
Looking to stay a little closer to home? There are plenty of self-guided walking holidays you can embark on right here in the UK. Check out a few of our guides to find out more:
• Walking in Devon
• Hadrian’s Wall
• Raven Crag, Ullswater
• Glencoe, Scotland
What To Take On A Walking Holiday
Getting ready for your next trekking holiday? Here are some top tips on what to take on a walking holiday to make sure you make the most of the adventure.
• The right footwear. Of course, no walking holiday is complete without something supportive on your feet.
• A first aid kit. All that walking, and the potential heat, might leave you feeling a little worse for wear. So make sure you have a full first aid kit packed for the group, as well as an extra mini kit for yourself to tend to minor blisters and cuts that you might pick up on the trail.
• Walking poles. Keep yourself steady on the trail with a set of hiking poles – ideal for more challenging terrains and generally acting as an extra pair of legs to help keep you safe.
• A rucksack. If you’re heading out on a long hike, you need to make sure that you have all of the supplies you need to keep you going on the trail – whether that’s snacks or sun cream.
• A water bottle. Staying hydrated is essential on any walking holiday, no matter the distance. But instead of wasting your money on expensive bottled water, and to cut down on single-use plastic, take your own reusable water bottle to fill up along the way. That way, you also avoid having to carry multiple bottles around that will just weigh you down.
• Sun protection. Whether that’s in the form of sun cream or sun-protective clothing, no matter where you are, sun protection is essential for trekking holidays.
• Snacks. It’s important to keep your energy levels stable as you embark on a long-distance hike, so make sure you keep your rucksack stocked up on some tasty snacks – like energy bars, sweets and chocolate.
• A camera! Save the memories of your trip for later and capture the sights on camera. Just make sure you keep an eye on the track as you go to avoid any falls.
• Camping gear. Some walking holidays take longer than others, so it’s important to pack your camping gear if you need to stop out overnight. That includes a sleeping bag, pillows, sleeping mats and cooking equipment.
• Breathable outdoor clothing. You can’t take on any adventure without the right wardrobe, including hiking trousers and waterproof jackets.
What To Wear On A Walking Holiday
The best hiking holidays start with a suitable outdoor wardrobe – if you’re not comfortable, the trail will be much harder than it needs to be. Here are some ideas of what to wear on a walking holiday:
• Reliable walking boots. Ideally, they should provide extra ankle support and made from a good-quality fabric. Waterproof membranes are preferable.
• A waterproof jacket. The weather is unpredictable – so packing a lightweight waterproof will prepare you for all eventualities. Just roll it up and keep it in your rucksack while the sun is out.
• Walking trousers or shorts. Whichever you wear will depend on the weather, but having both is always a good bet. If you’re short on room, check out our collection of zip-off trousers – shorts and trousers in one!
• Anti-insect clothing. No matter where you’re headed, all travellers have to deal with mosquitoes, midges and other biting insects. With anti-insect clothing, you have more defence against these pesky bugs and therefore more freedom to travel comfortably. Find out more about the NosiLife technology at Craghoppers.
• Fleece. Ideal for locking in heat when the temperature drops, so you can stay active whatever the weather. Made from feather-light micro fleece material, our fleece is easily packable and versatile.
And there you have it – our guide to planning the best hiking holidays. Pick up all the gear you need for a successful trip at Craghoppers, in our collections of men’s outdoor clothing and women’s outdoor clothing.
Before you go, make sure you check out the travel restrictions and ensure that you’re able to make the most of your trekking holiday.