Beginner's guide to walking holidays

A walking holiday is an invitation to slow down, to lose yourself in the landscapes around you and discover a destination in a way few other forms of travel can match. 

Whether you’re tempted by trekking or just keen to add some activity to a week in the sun, there’s a whole world of choice. 

That’s why we’ve answered some of the key questions for first-time walkers as well as revealing the best holiday companies for walking and trekking.

This article was first published in Which? Travel magazine. For more independent travel advice and recommendations, subscribe to Which? Travel

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Guided or self-guided walking holidays?

Whether to join a group or go it alone is a decision only you can make. As a rule, walkers are fairly sociable. Some readers told us they enjoy evening chats about the day’s hike, with good food and a glass of wine, almost as much as the walk itself.

Group walking, with an experienced guide, can feel safer and reduces the risk of getting lost. With expert knowledge of the local area, they can take you to places you would never find by yourself, and point out plants or wildlife you might not otherwise spot.

But there’s always an element of compromise to group tours - especially when it comes to pace. You could find yourself waiting around for stragglers or, worse, being rushed along the route.

That’s why some people prefer self-guided tours, where the holiday company provides directions and walking notes, but you’re free to go at your own pace.

What walking gear do I need?

Best waterproof jackets: Paramo

Typically, the more watertight a garment is, the less breathable it will be. But Paramo, our top-rated waterproof jacket brand, has got the balance right. It’s rated the full five stars in both categories, as well as for comfort and durability. 

It’s not cheap - you’ll pay more than £200 on average = but the quality is so good that readers still rated it four out of five for value. 

See our ratings of the Best and worst waterproof jackets

Best walking trousers: Rohan

Our readers raved about how comfortable Rohan walking trousers are, and how quickly they dry after a downpour - both important considerations on a long hike. 

They were also rated five stars for breathability and durability, so you can be sure the trousers will last more than a few walking trips. 

For wet-weather gear, Rohan also topped the table for waterproof overtrousers.

See our ratings of the Best walking trousers and waterproof trousers

Best walking shoes: Grisport

In our walking shoes survey, readers told us that Grisport walking shoes are so comfortable you don’t even need to break them in. 

Some readers even said they wear them in all weathers, even though walking shoes are only really recommended for drier months. They were rated four stars for water resistance. 

If you’re after a sturdier walking boot, Grisport is also a great-value option. But it’s not the top-rated: 

See our ratings of the Best walking shoes and the Best walking boots

Best small portable charger for walking: Anker Nano Power Bank

Small enough to carry in your pocket, this power bank gives your phone a quick blast of power if you’re running low and need to check your map app. 

Its small fold-out USB-C cable means you don’t need to carry a wire with you and it charges faster than any of the other small chargers we tested.

See our ratings of the Best portable power bank chargers

How fit do I need to be for a walking holiday?

Anyone with a moderate level of fitness can enjoy a walking holiday - you just need to pick the right one. Total beginners are best suited to a single-base holiday. 

Which? Recommended Provider Inghams, for example, offers ‘stay and walk’ trips in European mountain resorts, where you can choose whether or not to join guided walks. And most operators clearly grade their walks.

The key is to be realistic about your level of fitness. Even if you're a seasoned hiker, your body probably isn’t used to consecutive days on the trail, especially if it involves steep ascents or descents. 

Make sure you factor in decent rest periods and don’t take on too much. You're there to enjoy yourself, after all.

The best walking holiday accommodation

You can choose between a single-base holiday, with a different walk each day, and a point-to-point route with a different hotel every night. If you have booked an organised tour, most providers transport luggage on your behalf, allowing you to hike with just the essentials.

Accommodation standards vary, but the best providers focus on independent hotels and guesthouses serving up good local food. 

Some providers, like Intrepid, offer different levels of accommodation, from basic – camping, homestays, budget hotels – through to premium resorts. 

The best walking holiday companies

These Which? Recommended Providers offer almost every type of walking holiday

The best walking holidays UK

We asked our Which Recommended Providers to recommend the most spectacular walking destination in the UK for first-timers

Northumberland Coast

Britain’s most brooding coastline ranks highly in our survey of the Best National Landscapes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

It’s also the ideal introduction to walking trips, not least because it packs such a spectacular punch into relatively short (and flat) trails. 

In just seven miles, from Beadnell to Craster, for example, you’ll squeeze in the sweeping arc of Embleton Bay, a pie and pint in the Ship Inn, an isolated village square looking over the sands and the atmospheric clifftop ruins of Dunstanburgh castle, all while keeping an eye out for the razorbills and kittiwakes that soar over the steely sea.

Try this walking holiday: HF holidays’ three-night guided walking from its Alnmouth country house minimises gradients and rough ground, and walkers can choose from three differently graded routes on each day. 

Looking for more UK walks? Discover the Best UK walks this spring

The best walking holidays Europe

Mayrhofen, Austrian Tyrol

The 3,000m peaks of Austria’s Zillertal Alps may not seem like an easy option but Mayrhofen caters to walkers of all abilities. 

The Stilluptal walk, for example, takes in cascading waterfalls and a turquoise reservoir without leaving the flat valley floor, and the Penken Panoramaweg offers eye-popping mountain views and wildflower meadows on a family-friendly five-mile trail, ending up at the Brandberg dairy farm for cheese tasting. 

The network of mountain lifts makes it easy to skip the most arduous ascents, and when you can walk no further, there’s no shortage of Tyrolean mountain huts serving fresh apple strudel from their panoramic terraces.

Try this walking holiday: Inghams Mayrhofen deals include seven and 14-night breaks in stylish hotels with guided walks included. 

The Italian Lakes

The spellbinding combination of Swiss mountain scenery, Italian fin-de-siècle resorts, shimmering waters and a reliable Mediterranean climate is enough to seduce you into an entirely sedentary holiday. 

But those who hike into the hinterland are rewarded with lost valleys, tumbling glacier streams, ruined castles and medieval Alpine villages.

Try this walking holiday: Riviera Travel’s eight-day ‘Walk and Discover’ tour of the Italian Lakes combines a sightseeing tour with guided walks through the villages, castles and gardens surrounding lakes Maggiore, Como and Orta. 

Northern Costa Brava, Spain

The quiet coast of northern Catalonia is a well-kept secret. What sets this section of the Costa Brava apart is the extreme diversity of its natural landscape, from lofty mountains and pine-clad hills to wildlife-rich wetlands and sweeping golden-sand beaches—all squeezed into a tightly knit area. 

Following sandy trails, you can skip the steepest ascents, allowing more time to explore medieval villages and linger over lunch in an area famed for its cuisine.

Try this walking holiday: Inntravel’s Along the Catalan Coast is a seven-night, grade one (easy) walking holiday that stops at a different family-run hotel every night, with luggage transported along the way. 

Cote D’azur, France

For generations, the French Riviera has played host to nobles and artists, high-rollers and the glitziest of film stars. 

That’s why walking this coast isn’t just about the sweeping Mediterannean views, but also opulent villas, the decadence of Monaco and the glamorous summer palaces that dot the coastline, not to mention the lavish gardens at Eze and Villa Ephrusi.

Try this walking holiday: Jules Verne’s Walks and Gardens of the Cote d’Azur balances gentle daily walks with a healthy dose of culture and visits to the region’s exotic gardens over seven nights. 

Camino de Santiago, northern Spain

The mystical allure of the Camino de Santiago has been enticing hardy pilgrims for centuries. 

A spiritual journey for many, the last 100km is the shortest stretch you can do by foot and still receive your certificate upon reaching the Santiago de Compostela cathedral - the official endpoint and a towering Romanesque masterpiece. 

You’ll need a decent level of fitness to cover the distance, but the terrain - through the lush green forested landscapes of Galicia - is relatively flat. There are Roman ruins, medieval churches and traditional hamlets to take in along the way.

Try this walking holiday: Intrepid’s Camino de Santiago walking holiday is a seven-day guided walk from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela, with hotel accommodation and luggage transfers each day. 

Expert tips for your first walking holiday

Which? walking expert, Jo Rhodes has walked three of Spain’s Camino de Santiago routes, hiked in Morocco’s Atlas mountains, and trekked to Annapurna base camp in Nepal. She says:

‘Be prepared. Some long training walks, interspersed with brisk 30-minute walks, are a great way to get prepared. They’ll also break in your boots: a comfortable but sturdy pair with good ankle support is a must. Buy them a size or a half size bigger than you’re used to for the best fit. 

Try walking poles. They are a godsend for hills or if you suffer from knee or joint problems. Just remember that you can’t carry them in your hand luggage if you fly.

Take the right kit. Pack lightweight, quick-drying clothing. A poncho that covers you and your backpack is a good idea for wet weather, plus dry bags for your valuables. You’ll also need a basic first aid kit, including water purification tablets for emergencies and plenty of blister plasters. Consider taking a power pack to keep your phone battery topped up, especially if you’re relying on GPS for navigation.

Don’t weigh yourself down. If you’re walking point to point rather than using one hotel as a base, you may have to walk with all your luggage. Your backpack should be no heavier than 10% of your body weight (before adding drinking water). I live by the ‘wear one, wash one’ philosophy for most items of clothing. A wide-brimmed hat or cap will work well for rain or shine.

Take a tennis ball. Finally, carry a massage ball or even a simple tennis ball to roll over sore feet and muscles after a long day’s walking - you’ll thank me later.’