Walking holidays

Choosing the right walking holiday can be a little overwhelming. Especially if it’s your first time and you’re not quite sure what to expect. Start by asking yourself what you’re looking to get out of your walking holiday. Where would you like to go, and what you would like to see? How far do you want to walk each day, and at what level of intensity? Our travel experts are on hand to answer any questions and can help you settle on the walking holiday that’s just right for you. To help you better understand which of our walking holidays is right for you, we’ve assigned grades to each one. You’ll find them on each of the individual holiday pages.

Grade 1:

Walk at a leisurely pace with no previous walking experience necessary as you cover mostly level ground and varied terrain. You’ll cover approximately 2 to 4 miles a day in the space of 1 to 2 hours per day.

Grade 2:

Walk at a leisurely pace but with a little steeper ground and varied terrain; we recommend a little walking experience prior to you tour. Within 2 to 3 hours a day, expect to cover a rough distance of 4 to 6 miles per day.

Grade 3:

This grade is ideal for those who enjoy a variation in walking levels from easy to moderate. You’ll be walking mainly on good paths at a low altitude, with occasional more demanding ascents and descents. Walking regularly in preparation prior to the tour is recommended due to 5 to 9 miles of walking in the space of 2.5 to 4 hours per day.

Grade 4:

Experienced, frequent walkers with a strong level of fitness can expect a more challenging walk of 10-13 miles a day with varied terrain including potential rocky paths. At a moderate altitude from 3000 to 6000 ft, there will be longer and steeper ascents and descents during your 4 to 6 hours per day including rest stops.

Grade 5:

A strong level of fitness and previous mountain experience are both essential for this level of walking. The terrain may be rocky, mountainous, and tough under foot in places with some walks at a high altitude of 6000+ft. Grade 5 tours involve 12+ miles of walking with long, challenging walking days or 5 hours+ with some prolonged ascents and descents.

While some walking holidays involve relaxing hikes, some are more intense. The more relaxed walking holidays might be the way to go if you have a number of interests, such as history, nature or photography, as they’re typically guided at a slower pace. These give you the chance to take in the surrounding landscape and capture incredible snapshots.

You can typically expect up to five guided walks during your holiday, ranging from 5 to 15km per walk. Our expert hosts are super knowledgeable and usually local to the region themselves. They’ll take you through the most scenic routes, explaining and identifying exciting historical sites and landmarks along the way. Throughout your walking holiday, you’ll also have an opportunity to walk within your own parties, or as individuals away from the guides. This is a great chance to experience the local culture and explore under your own steam.

While other walking holidays may consist of much longer treks, travelling to several destinations and ultimately arriving at an end destination, all Saga walking holidays lead back to a base hotel at the end of each walk. Here, you can rest up and enjoy a drink (or two!) and a bite to eat.

If spectacular scenery and breathtaking views excite you, then consider the Dolomites in northern Italy or the lunar-like landscapes of Lanzarote. Or, if history and wildlife is your passion, then how about the mining heritage and lush national parks in Huelva, Spain?

Ultimately, the choice is yours. A good walking holiday should consist of relaxing accommodation, great food and drink, as well as an unbeatable location.