Walking holidays are a wonderful way to embrace the slow travel trend for an experience that’s good for the planet, the body and your mind. Using just your own two feet, you can explore a spectacular destination in depth while boosting your physical and mental fitness. Better yet, you can have a digital detox for a true break from the stresses of everyday life.
Choosing to go guided gives you the security of suitable routes, logistical support and detailed information relating to your hike and wider destination, so that’s a no-brainer. But within the guided category, you have group tours and self-guided trips. Read on to discover the pros and cons of each type to find the right format for your next hiking vacation.
Understanding guided holidays
Group walking holidays
As the name suggests, on these trips you are accompanied by others throughout, led by one or more experienced walkers depending on how many of you there are. Group sizes tend to range from 6 – 16 depending on where you are and the time of year you go.
Traveling as part of a group is social, and gives you the chance to meet like-minded people. These vacations are often billed for certain ages and abilities so you can be sure of fitting in. Going with a group also means everything is organised for you, so you can relax from the word go.
Being one part of a whole means that you have to run with pre-set logistics in terms of start time and dining which might feel limiting. You’ll also have to match the pace of the slowest walker unless you have multiple guides. Group trips tend to be more expensive as you’re paying for the specialist knowledge and assistance of your leader(s).
Self-guided walking holidays
If you want more freedom but with the security of support when you need it, self-guided hiking trips from a specialist company are for you. You can walk at your own pace and soak in the serenity of your surroundings, either alone or with close friends and family.
Following clear trails on interactive maps with complementary route descriptions, you are responsible for navigating from point A to point B each day. However, your responsibilities stop there: your provider will organise transport for your luggage between hotels and provide you with emergency contact numbers in case of issues.
Self-guided walking holidays are less relaxing in that you have to concentrate more – and route disputes might lead to light-hearted disagreements – but equally, there’s no demand on your attention other than the captivating scenery of an epic trail. Hiking alone can be rewarding with major mental benefits, but be wary of loneliness.
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