The great thing about going on a walking holiday is that you don’t have to be all that fit when you set off, contrary to what you may think. True, there are treks that are better left for the experienced alone, but even if you are a complete beginner, you will still find a route that suits your predominantly sedentary lifestyle. Here are our suggestions:
You Just Have to Put One Foot in Front of the Other
This is the key thing to remember, because a walking holiday is not a race. Sure, you can go onto YouTube and watch the heroics of ultra-runners whose idea of a holiday is to jog the Appalachian Trail, but that’s not we’re talking about here.
When you decide to go on a walking holiday, you don’t do it primarily to work up a sweat. You do it to get away from the hustle and bustle of the day to day and to give yourself a change of scenery. The added bonus is that when you reach your destination, you’ll feel ready to put your feet up and relax. You want to feel like you’ve earned your rest, so that you fall into a satisfying sleep, rather than end up crawling on your hands and knees to your room because you’ve overextended yourself.
In truth, the human body was designed to move – and walking is the most natural movement you can think of. This is precisely why it is perfect for any level of fitness: you will just be able to cover shorter distances, if you are a novice to walking holidays. And speaking of novices:
The Lake District: Perfect for Beginners
When the time comes to lace up those walking boots and start on your journey, there’s perhaps nowhere more relaxing to do so than the Lake District. The gentle climbs and free-flowing landscapes are a joy to behold and will help you create memories that last a lifetime.
There are plenty of guesthouses and family run B&Bs that will let you stay for the night no matter how muddy you get on your journey! Ideal if you want to be able to get a nice long soak in a hot bath before heading downstairs for a warm meal followed by a well-earned sleep in a comfy bed.
There’s also the added benefit of the milder climate of the UK as compared to the rest of the continent. This should help you stay cool thanks to a gentle breeze that will stop you getting too hot in the middle part of the day. Perfect for those of you looking to embark on a walking holiday where fitness will never be an obstacle.
The Camino de Santiago: The Intermediate Option
The Camino is a network of trails that criss-crosses Northern Spain and Southern France. With a little more sun than the Lake District, you’ll be able to top up your tan and get your walking shorts out as you enjoy uninterrupted good weather. Perfect if you want to ensure that your holiday is never rained off for the week at a minute’s notice.
Because the climbs are gentle and easy underfoot, you’ll be able to tackle any route on this network of trails without too much planning beforehand. There’s also plenty of places where you can stay for the night along the way, so you don’t have to base yourself at the same place all week.
The joy of the Camino is that you can choose a very short, or a very long route. This means that those among you who have already worked up some stamina can tackle the likes of the Camino Frances, and not get too sore after the twenty or so kilometers that need to be tackled each day.
The Peak District: The Advanced Option
No matter how fit you are or how much distance you like to travel each day, there’s no substitute for putting some hilly miles into your legs. The Peak District gets its name from the nature of its terrain, and with a whole host of peaks to conquer, you’ll have more than enough options to warrant a return trip in a few years’ time.
As with The Lake District, the weather is milder than on the continent, which offsets the more rugged nature of the hills somewhat. This means that whilst I’ve penciled it in as the advanced option on my rundown, it could be tackled by a novice walker happy to go at a slower pace.
If you love to summit a peak and enjoy the view with a packed lunch and a flask of tea, then this could be the destination you’ve been looking for.
Hopefully this has given you plenty of food for thought when it comes time to plan and book your next walking holiday. There are so many different options out there that all you have to do is a little bit of reading and you’ll be able to find the right option for you.
Guest Blogger
Rebecca Brown, she can be reached at reberebecca.dorothy.brown@gmail.com or her website
