The words ‘walking’ and ‘holiday’ ring alarm bells for some people, scared they will be frog-marched to the top of a mountain or end up hot and bothered whilst trying to keep up with a group, however self-guided walking holiday specialists Celtic Trails has just launched a calming collection of Walking Holidays for Beginners; proving you don’t need to be hardcore hiking enthusiast to reap the benefits of a walking holiday.
The collection of ten gentle walks allows unseasoned hikers to strike out into the wild on a variety of short flat routes; each covering a low daily mileage whilst making sure to capture each area’s highlights be it wild flowers, cliff birds, marine life, preserved Roman forts or pristine island beaches, with the gentle pace factoring in plenty of time to enjoy the surroundings and reconnect with nature.
Options range from a three-night walking break in Pembrokeshire to a week of sunshine filled strolls in Tuscany, proving you don’t need to cover a lot of ground to experience Europe’s most breathtaking natural sites. Plus, a walking holiday is one of the easiest and most natural ways to reduce anxiety and stress whilst improving overall wellbeing.
Examples are below, whilst Celtic Trails’ full Walking Holidays for Beginners collection can be viewed here.
St David’s Single Centre Break: Solva to Abereiddi – 20.5 miles over two days
This short break can easily be taken over a weekend and dips into the popular Pembrokeshire Coastal Path; Celtic Trails’ very first self-guided walking holiday 20 years ago. Knowledge for the area is second to none, making this an ideal introduction to a truly special part of the world. Explore charming old fishing villages and enjoy peaceful clifftop strolls with views across West Wales, all without the more challenging sections that this path can bring, returning each night to the UK’s smallest city (St David’s) with it’s wonderful 12th century cathedral. Three nights priced from £290pp based on two sharing, including hotel or guesthouse accommodation on a B&B basis, luggage transfers and all route planning.
For a taster of what lies in wait for you, read: Walking the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
St Peter’s Port Circular: Guernsey Coastal Path – 38 Miles over four days
At just 24sqm, Guernsey is the perfect bite-size paradise for walking holiday newbies. It has more annual sunshine than the UK, is less busy than neighbouring Jersey and has wilder clifftop walks. This walk starts and ends in St Peter Port, the island’s capital, and covers between 8-12 miles per day, encompassing tiny Petit Bot Bay cut into ochre cliffs as well as the picturesque working fishing bay of Portelet Harbour and the gloriously unspoilt Cobo Bay. One highlight is Renoir’s Viewpoint, where the famous French Impressionist artist created paintings of the island’s magnificent cliffs and bays during his stay in 1883. An optional rest day spent exploring the quiet neighboring islands of Sark and Herm is available. Five nights priced from £575pp based on two sharing, including hotel or guesthouse accommodation in two or three different locations a B&B basis, luggage transfers and all route planning. Price excludes flights and ferries.
Best of Hadrian’s Wall Path: Corbridge to Brampton – 33 miles over four days
The magnificently rugged landscape of the Northumberland National Park provides the perfect setting to forget every day stresses and explore this least populated and most remote region of the UK. The simple route sees walkers complete 33 miles over four days (around 8 miles per day) stretching along Hadrian’s Wall and taking in a landscape largely unchanged since Roman sentries looked north toward Scotland and south toward the Lake District. During the four active days walkers will visit some of the most significant Roman sites in the area including Corbridge, staying in a collection of quaint Cumbrian and Northumbrian towns along the way. Five nights priced from £415pp based on two sharing, including hotel or guesthouse accommodation in two or three different locations a B&B basis, daily luggage transfers and route planning throughout.
Tuscany’s Val D’Orcia: Montepulciano to Siena – 57.5 miles over six days
The Val D’Orcia is a paradise for those who like to combine gentle walking with food, wine and a rural landscape dotted with hilltop towns. Daily distances are all under 10 miles and the emphasis is on taking in the surroundings at a relaxed pace; getting up close to vineyards and olive groves of the Brunello wine region with opportunities to sample the Brunello local red en route! Spend the night in the Renaissance city of Pienza, a designated UNESCO world heritage site, where there’s time to visit Romanesque churches and the Pienza Cathedral. Other highlights include a visit the historic red brick monastery of Monte Oliveto Maggiore and a final night in the famous medieval city of Siena. Seven nights priced from £765pp based on two sharing, including hotel or guesthouse accommodation in two or three different locations a B&B basis, daily luggage transfers and route planning throughout.
For more information or to book, visit www.celtictrailswalkingholidays.co.uk or call 01291 689 774.
