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Category: Where to walk

Various destinations that are popular with walkers.

Best walking in Europe

Best walking in Europe

Although Britain is full of amazing places to walk, there are also fantastic walking regions across Europe. If you want to explore any of these regions, then it is possible to visit most of them independently. On the other hand, there are a number of large walking tour operators who run regular trips to these regions including guided walks around the best areas.

The Alps

The Alps are a bastion of all outdoors activities. During the winter months, the Alps are well-known as a top skiing destination, but when the snow melts, the steep slopes and rugged mountains become gorgeous places to go hiking.

The Alps
The Alps

The low lying alpine regions can easily be visited without a guide, but inexperienced walkers are advised to consider guided walks if they wish to venture higher. The highest peaks should not be attempted without considerable walking experience and outdoors skills. There is also the opportunity to “walk” using Via Ferrata routes, such as that in the Italian mountain region. Walkers on these routes are forced to clip themselves onto thick metal cables to enable them to traverse more difficult sections of the path.

The Alps region is very well-equipped for walkers and there are hundreds of huts, cabins and chalets which are specifically designed for walkers to stop at for a night’s basic accommodation. There are also a wide range of different campsites, from totally basic pitches through to luxury camping resorts.

Iceland – The Hot Springs Route

The landscape of Iceland cannot be compared to any other landscape in Europe. It is so varied that it is regularly chosen by filmmakers as a stand-in for other worlds. Once you start to explore the Icelandic wilderness, you will quickly come to realise why the country is known as the Land of Fire and Ice. The whole country has been shaped by the ice that regularly covers the land and by the geothermal activities that occur below the surface.

During the summer months, most areas of Iceland are accessible by solo walkers; however some areas do require an additional fee or a guide due to the geothermal activities in the vicinity. A guide will help to ensure that you see the best sites whilst ensuring that you stay safe. They will also be able to speak to you about the fascinating mythology of the area, ranging from trolls to the queen of the elves.

Path of Peace in the Balkans

The Peaks of the Balkans trail is a wonderful example of a path of peace in the Balkans region. The area was torn apart by war in the 1990’s, and this trail has since come to represent the peaceful relationships that the countries are now beginning to foster. The trail winds through high crags and low foothills, and enters Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro. It offers a far more raw experience than that which is offered by alternative long distance trails in Western Europe.

Individual walkers are advised to break down the walk into individual sections and tackle stages separately, because the border crossing procedure can be overly bureaucratic for those who want to cross in the mountains. Some sections of the trail are graded as high level of difficulty and should only be attempted with a guide unless you have considerable outdoor experience.

GR20 – Corsica

The GR20 is one of the toughest long distance routes is France, but it is ideal for those who are looking for a challenge. The trail covers the whole length of the island and takes around 2 weeks to complete. Although it is only 105 miles long, there are a number of steep inclines and sections that require some scrambling. The higher altitude sections of the walk are not for the faint-hearted.

Accommodation along the route is a mixture of camping and guest houses, although you may have to go off route slightly to find the latter. The trail can get to over 40 degrees during the summer months, so take plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

Alsace Wine Trail

The Alsace wine region in France is known for its wonderful mix of fine wines and good food. Combine your love of walking with the opportunity to visit some of the best producers in the country.

Most of the walking in this area is easy and traverses through pleasant vineyard areas and beautiful rolling countryside. Individuals are able to choose their own routes around the region, but the local tourist information bureau should be able to provide you with information about the most popular vineyards and accommodation options in the area. Take care if you decide to head back out into the countryside after you have consumed wine and avoid walking straight after eating a heavy meal. Take plenty of water with you so that you can avoid the dehydrating effects of alcohol.

Best walking areas in Britain

Best walking areas in Britain

Rural Britain includes some wonderful areas of landscape which are famous all over the world. These areas provide many fantastic walking opportunities for visitors and locals alike. If you want to see more of the finest walking areas in the United Kingdom, why don’t you check out some of the destinations in the list below?

Yorkshire Dales

The Yorkshire Dales National Park is the third largest national park in the country, and it is not hard to see why the area has been given national park status. The wonderful scenery offers a huge variety for visitors, including wild moorlands, beautiful valleys and rugged hillsides. The picturesque villages also hint at the amazing human history of the area. Whilst the area has a proud agricultural heritage, you can also see remnants of the industrial revolution that shaped Britain.

Consider tackling the Yorkshire Three Peaks: Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-y-ghent. Walkers normally depart from the Pen-y-ghent Café at Horton-in-Ribblesdale where there is a clocking-out and clocking-in point. The owners of the Café ask walkers to post their name and details through the door or hand them to a member of staff, so that they will be aware if anyone has failed to arrive back in the expected time. Although the walk can be done on a casual basis, many walkers take on the “challenge” for charity, as they attempt to walk the route in under 12 hours.

Cairngorm

The Cairngorm range is one of Britain’s wildest areas. The unique, rugged landscape means that it is home to some of the UK’s rarest plants, animals and bird species. It is largely made up of pine forest, heather moorland and some of the highest peaks in the country.

Within the boundaries of the Cairngorm National Park, there are 52 individual summits of over 900 metres, including Ben Macdui, which is the second highest mountain in the United Kingdom.

Interspersed between the mountains, walkers will be delighted by the beautiful lochs and glacial valleys which were carved out millions of years ago by the immense forces of nature. For those who do not fancy a difficult walk, there are also ski lift facilities and a mountain railway.

There are hundreds of different walking routes to choose from, but hardy walkers may wish to tackle the Cairn Gorm itself. Although the Cairn Gorm is not the highest mountain in the area, most walkers will be delighted by the thrills, challenges and rewards that are offered by this particular peak. The weather in the Cairngorms can be quite erratic, so it is important that walkers take all possible safety precautions when setting off, even if the weather forecast looks good. Inexperienced walkers should not set out in winter without a mountain guide.

Dartmoor

Dartmoor is known for some of the wildest upland in the United Kingdom. The mysterious wilderness has helped to produce some fascinating works of fiction which are known all over the world.

Dartmoor
Dartmoor

The wild upland landscape is dotted with rocky outcrops and interesting archaeological sites. There is also evidence of the fascinating mining heritage of the area, but walkers must always take care whilst they are around old mine buildings, as some open shafts still exist. Visitors will also have the opportunity to see some of the famous Dartmoor ponies.

Most of Dartmoor is open access land, meaning that walkers have the right to roam across the area without being confined to footpaths. However, it is always important to take notice of signposts and never cross into fenced off areas unless travelled on a proper footpath. Part of Dartmoor is used as a military training area and live ammunition is used. These areas are always announced and clearly marked, so you must avoid these zones when they are in use.

Although the terrain is relatively low-lying compared to the other destinations on our list, those who are seeking higher ground should visit High Willhays and Yes Tor. Both of these peaks stand at over 2000ft, but can be easily combined thanks to the height of the rest of Dartmoor.

Snowdonia

Snowdonia, which lies in the North of Wales, is the highest maintain area south of Scotland. The rugged terrain means that many of the walks in the area are challenging but full of character. With so many different ranges to choose from, most holidaymakers will choose one sub-region to explore; such as The Glyders, The Moelwyns or the Arenigs.

Although some of the peaks can get quite busy during the summer months, it is still possible to find areas which offer complete tranquillity. Because of the lack of lower level peaks, inexperienced walkers are advised not to visit Snowdonia if poor weather conditions are expected. Winter walking gear is required for the majority of walks which are undertaken during the winter walking season.