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Walking holidays
Lace up your hiking boots
There’s nothing better than blowing the cobwebs away with a good walk. Breathe in fresh air, take a moment to really appreciate your surroundings and feel so much better for getting those steps in. Walking isn’t only great for your health, it’s also a wonderful way to connect with nature. Forget fancy running gear, all you need are comfortable shoes and plenty of water.
Go one step further and combine a holiday with exploring the great outdoors. Choose from our collection of diverse walking holidays and you’ll get to see some incredible scenery – from the jagged coastlines of Montenegro to the striking Levadas of Madeira, we have a walking holiday to suit all levels of fitness, and across some of Europe’s most incredible destinations.
With carefully crafted itineraries that balance days of walking with days at leisure, and informative hosts who’ll provide lots of hints and tips, these holidays are the perfect choice if you love nothing more than exploring incredible landscapes on foot.
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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.
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Travelling on your own? We offer single room spaces on our walking holidays, too. You’ll join a group of like-minded solo travellers to make new friends while you discover new landscapes, find hidden gems, and gain a sense of wellbeing and achievement.
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We offer both half board and all-inclusive walking holidays, so you can choose the board basis that’s best for you. Our all-inclusive walking holidays include all meals and a free bar for a number of hours each day. Whether you opt for half board or all-inclusive, your Saga host, expert host, guided walks, flights, and airport transfers are all part of the price.
Discover a holiday created with you in mind. We take care of all the finer details, so you can sit back and relax, safe in the knowledge that you’re getting the high quality and personalised service you’d expect from Saga, every time.
70 years’ experience
Experienced travellers have been enjoying great value Saga holidays for over 70 years.
Peace of mind
You’re in safe hands with Saga. We’re an ABTA member and your holiday is ATOL protected.
Great value
We’re constantly monitoring prices and negotiating the best deals with our travel partners.
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