What is a Walking Holiday? A Beginner’s Guide
Author : Lara Ehmler
5th December 2024
Whether you are a seasoned hiker or a complete novice, Collett’s Mountain Holidays offer a variety of walking holidays in Europe’s most stunning mountain ranges. Whatever your fitness level, we have a walking holiday for everyone! Having planned walking holidays since 1997, we are the mountain walking holiday experts and pride ourselves in providing experiences packed with the best of everything: stunning scenery, unforgettable walks, invaluable support, unassuming accommodation, fabulous food – and customer service with lots of attention to detail.
How does a walking holiday work?
It sounds obvious, but a walking holiday is time spent on foot exploring a region of abnormally attractive scenery. On a ‘centre-based’ walking holiday, you venture out daily on walks of your choice (or perhaps following a defined itinerary) whilst enjoying the comforts and cuisine of the same hotel for the duration of your stay.
The alternative to a centre-based walking holiday is point-to-point. We offer two types of such adventures: village-to-village and hut-to-hut. A hut-to-hut holiday is ideal for the more intrepid walker covering longer distances at higher levels and staying in traditional mountain lodges (rifugios) along the way, while a village-to-village holiday offers a less challenging trek on scenic trails that connect picturesque mountain villages.
Self-guided vs guided walking holidays
Walking holidays can either be guided or self-guided. Our guided walking holidays are perfect for those who want the reassurance of a guide. You do not have to worry about navigation and it’s great to chat with the guide, as he/she imparts fascinating information along the way, whether that be historical, geological or botanical. Amidst spectacular scenery, you can also enjoy the camaraderie of a small group of like-minded hikers.
Alternatively, our self-guided walking holidays let you set your own pace and choose your own walks from categories, such as ‘Easy & Idyllic,’ ‘Moderate Classics,’ and ‘Challenging Treks.’ We provide you with an in-depth Walk Pack, including tried, tested and much-loved hikes, comprehensive maps and smartphone navigation to ensure you don’t get lost. This means you have the ability to take your time, stop off at interesting places along the way, and marvel at views over a beer or coffee. All in your own time, all at your own pace. You also get the daily support and local knowledge of our on-the-ground Walks Team, who will enthusiastically enhance your experience by helping you choose the walks, which correspond best with your level of fitness and ambition.
Why do people go on walking holidays?
Unlike city breaks or beach holidays, walking breaks provide you with the unique combination of physical activity, relaxation and adventure. Surrounded by stunning landscapes, plenty of fresh air and the sights and sounds of nature, they are a real opportunity to disconnect from your daily worries and reconnect with the great outdoors. Your body and soul will surely thank you for choosing a walking holiday!
In addition, walking holidays are incredibly versatile. Couples, solo travellers, and families all find joy in these adventures, as most of our holidays feature options that can be tailored to fit your personal preference and fitness level.
Our centre-based walking holidays to the Dolomites, Austria and Switzerland are particularly popular for first-time walkers. Instead of committing to a fixed itinerary, you decide how to spend your days in the mountains whilst our local Walks Team is available throughout your holiday to answer any questions and give you suggestions that will inspire and captivate you, whilst keeping you in your comfort zone. With their guidance, you are more or less guaranteed to create a succession of unforgettable days out. Also, lazy days are fine too; our destinations boast fascinating places of interest if you fancy being a tourist for the day, instead of a hiker!
Discover Our Centre-Based Holidays
What to expect from a walking holiday?
Explore scenic trails
Depending on your choice of destination and type of walking holiday, expect trails that vary from flower-strewn paths that undulate gently beside sparkling mountain lakes, to challenging mountain ascents with spectacular views from their rocky reaches. The great thing? The scenery is stunning and it leaves you yearning for more. In fact, it takes a few days to process the natural splendour all around you. That said, every day is a new type of adventure, and the scenery and landscapes on offer can be truly diverse whichever one of our European walking holiday destinations you choose.
Stay in authentic accommodation
During a Collett’s walking holiday, you will stay at handpicked, often family-run hotels which are perfectly in-keeping with your surroundings. Depending on your type of holiday, these can range from delightfully authentic 3* hotels, to some highly impressive, yet reassuringly unassuming, 4* Superior spa hotels. We also feature cosy self-catering apartments and some uniquely thrilling mountain lodges. There really is something for everyone at Collett’s!
Immerse yourself in the local culture
Expect a brilliant insight into authentic local cuisine and culture during your walking holiday. We will provide you with an in-depth handbook with various local recommendations, including our favourite mountain huts for a scenic lunch. Most of our walking holidays come with half-board accommodation options, where fabulous local cuisine is served, allowing you to sample the sights, sounds and tastes of each our breathtaking destinations.
Knowledgeable Walks Teams
If you opt for our centre-based walking holidays, you’ll benefit from the expertise of our local Walks Team. Join them and other Collett’s guests for casual, pre-dinner drinks during our popular ‘Office Hour’ to ask questions, chat with fellow walkers, and plan your next adventure. It’s good to relax over dinner knowing that you have everything planned for the next day.
If you’re curious about what to expect from our centre-based walking holidays, read our interview with first-time Dolomites guests Neil & Heather.
Read The Review
Are walking holidays expensive?
The cost of a walking holiday can vary based on factors such as destination, holiday type, choice of accommodation, and duration. For example, our centre-based walking holidays are generally half-board, making them very cost effective whilst allowing you the freedom to explore local restaurants for lunches if you wish.
The majority of our walking holidays also include airport transfers from selected airports, as well as luggage transfers for our village-to-village walking holidays, ensuring both convenience and comfort as you explore the spectacular landscapes.
As an example, though, a Collett’s centre-based walking holiday in Austria will set you back £1125. This includes 7 nights at the 4* Superior Hotel Sonnenspitze, including bed, breakfast and 4-course dinner each evening; your Walk Pack with everything you need to guarantee a holiday of memorable self-guided walks that suit your level of fitness, including a Holiday Handbook, 1:25,000 local map, comprehensive walk notes and free access to our smartphone App for easy navigation. Finally, you get all the enthusiastic support of our Walks Team, who – amongst other things – invite you each early evening to ‘Office Hour’ – an opportunity to ask questions and plan your days over maps, Walk Packs and a sociable, pre-dinner drink with other like-minded guests.
How many miles a day is a walking holiday?
The daily distance you cover on a walking holiday depends on the itinerary and your own preferences. Generally speaking, our featured walks range from leisurely 5 mile strolls to challenging 15 mile hikes. Head to our find a holiday page and use the filters to discover a more detailed overview of average time of walks per day as well as average ascent/descent. Each holiday webpage has a section that presents the itinerary – or gives you a sample itinerary. By browsing these pages, you will get a good idea of what you are letting yourself in for.
Our founder Tom Collett recently wrote a series of articles on walking in the Dolomites for both beginners and more advanced walkers. They will provide you with a better idea of what to expect distance-wise on a walking holiday in the Dolomites, which is arguably our most popular destination.
Read The Blog
What clothes to wear on a walking holiday?
Dressing appropriately can make a big difference to the enjoyment of your walking holiday. You want to make sure that you can easily adjust to any quick changes in weather. Here are some of the essentials:
- Waterproof Jacket & Trousers: It’s worth investing in a high-quality waterproof and windproof jacket as well as over-trousers. After all, there is nothing worse than getting soggy while walking through a downpour!
- Suitable Footwear: Good ankle support is generally essential if you haven’t already got a pair of broken-in hiking shoes. Look for waterproof options with rugged sole to suit various terrains. Read our in-depth footwear guide for more information.
- Accessories: Don’t forget a sun hat, gloves, sunglasses, and a comfortable backpack with essentials like water, snacks, a map, and a first-aid kit. If your knees are dodgy, walking poles can provide much-valued support, especially on downhill sections. For safety and smartphone navigation, take your mobile telephone and ensure it is nicely charged up before you set out. It’s often hard not to drain the battery taking photographs of the fabulous views!
If you need more tips, head to our detailed walking holiday pack list to help you prepare for your walking holiday with confidence.
Read The Guide
How do you organise a walking holiday?
Planning a walking holiday doesn’t need to be overwhelming, especially when you have a dedicated team to support you. At Collett’s Mountain Holidays, we take the stress out of planning by offering comprehensive holidays that include accommodation, the very best walks in each location, and expert support throughout your holiday, whether that be from our on-the-ground Walks Teams and/or our comprehensive Walk Packs.
Our self-guided holidays take you to spectacular destinations including the Italian Dolomites, Austrian Alps, Swiss Alps, Tuscany, Corsica, Portugal, and beyond! If you would prefer a guided walking holiday, join us for a trip to the Spanish Pyrenees, Andalucia or the Yorkshire Dales where your expert English-speaking guide will look after you every step of the way. In short, we do the hard work, so you can concentrate on enjoying your walks whilst marvelling at the very best scenery that our formidable destinations offer.
Here in the UK, we have an enthusiastic booking team, all with first-hand knowledge of walking in the mountains. So why not get in touch with them? They will be only too happy to answer any questions and help you choose the right destination.
We can’t wait to welcome you to the mountains!
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