Top Walking Holidays

Whether you walk for health or happiness, a walking holiday is a great way to get some fresh air into your lungs and leave the stresses of the working world behind.

Poets and philosophers from Jean Jacques Rousseau and William Wordsworth to Pablo Neruda and Nietzsche have recommended walking as a source of reflection and inspiration.

The health benefits of walking are well recognised - burning calories and producing endorphins, it has even been credited by some with slowing the ageing process.

Walking is a form of exercise that minimises stress and strain on your body while maximising the benefits. Whatever the scientists may say, keeping fit and active - even when on holiday - is important for people of all ages.

The independent writers at travelbite.co.uk have put together a selection of the best walking holidays around the world.

As more and more of us are opting to spend our weekends and holidays rediscovering the beauty of the British Isles, we have included a number of walking holiday highlights in Scotland.

New Zealand is one of the best destinations for walking holidays, with wild and beautiful treks exploring the heart of the rugged landscape showcased in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Other destinations on our walking holidays radar are Corsica and Brittany in France and volcanic Lanzarote in the Canary Islands.

We have also included some walking festivals and charity challenges to look out for in 2008.

Make sure you go on a walking holiday well-prepared, with appropriate clothing, equipment, water and food for the chosen route and for all weather conditions.

Walking holidays in Scotland

The Cairngorms region of Scotland boasts wild country and incredible landscapes and a walking holiday based in Braemar or Ballater is the perfect way to get a taste of Scotland's scenic beauty.

For a day walk that offers expansive mountain views, try the achievable mountain ascent to the impressive cliffs of Lochnagar.

Walking up to the shoulder below Meikle Pap and seeing the magnificent cirque for the first time has to be one of the best views in Scotland.

The tiny lake, dwarfed by the soaring curve of rock fringed with a cornice of snow draws many walkers every year, for both summer and winter trips.

The easiest route is from the car park at the head of Glen Muick and 4X4 track leads gradually through forest and scrubland.

Climb the Meikle Pap corrie (980m) before you start up the ridgeline towards Lochnagar for the best views of the entire area.

Keep to the line of cairns leading to the summits of Cac Carn Mor (1,150m) and Cac Carn Beag (1,155m) as these are placed to be behind any potential fracture line if the snow is corniced.

To return, retrace your steps back to Glen Muick.

See the Visit Scotland website for more information about walking holidays in Scotland.

As always, check the weather forecast before you go and make sure you have adequate footwear and clothing for this mountain environment. Carry OS Landranger 44 'Ballater, Glen Clova and surrounding area'.

Natasha von Geldern

Walking on the moon in Lanzarote

Anyone searching for a walking holiday that is really out of this world should add the small volcanic island of Lanzarote.

Where the scenery in and around the islands main tourist attraction – the Timanfaya Volcano Park – is often likened to the surface of the moon.

It was here back in 1730 that Lanzarote endured the worlds longest ever volcanic eruption – which lasted six years and covered around one quarter of the island in lava.

Creating an eerie and raw landscape that has since provided the backdrop for classic Hollywood sci-fi movies such as One Million Years BC.

And a training ground for American astronauts – who viewed detailed visuals of the area before making a moon landing on board Apollo 13.

Today, Timanfaya is a national park and protected area, attracting over 900,000 visitors per year. The bulk of whom are there to tour the park on board coaches.

But a growing number of visitors are now exploring the area on two feet – rather than four wheels.

As a number of specialist companies such as Canary Trekking and Olita Treks have started to offer guided walks through the volcanic region – enabling hikers to get right up close and personal with the incredible twisted shapes of this unique lava scape.

Exploring the volcanic region I just one of a number of options available to walkers – as the rest of the island also boasts intense natural beauty.

For the ultimate contrast to the arid peaks and cones of Timanfaya hikers can head to the North of the island.

Where there are a number of fantastic walks through verdant, palm packed valleys – such as the Valley of 1000 Palms which surrounds the picturesque village of Haria.

The sheer variety of vistas on Lanzarote – as well as the walking itself – is guaranteed to take any visitors breath away.

Nick Ball (Editor of the in-depth Lanzarote tourist guide)

Walking holidays in New Zealand

Consistently voted the country Britons would most like to visit for the past few years, New Zealand has the beautiful scenery and wild, empty spaces that make it a paradise for lovers of walking holidays.

Whether you're looking for challenging day-walks or a multi-day odyssey, New Zealand's many hikes and walks are the best way to see the spectacular landscape.

The Tongariro Crossing is described as New Zealand's best day walk, and deservedly so.

The oxidised slopes of the Red crater, the brilliant opaque waters of the Emerald and Blue lakes, and the symmetrical dome of the Ngaruahoe volcano provide uniquely beautifully landscapes.

Start from the Mangatepopo Valley end to minimise the uphill sections of the 18.5km walk and allow between seven and nine hours, depending on fitness and whether you climb the mountain summits on the way.

A strong tourist infrastructure make this walk easy to arrange for both individual travellers and groups.

Transport is available to the trackheads from accommodation providers in National Park Village.

This is an alpine walk so take it seriously by ensuring you are physically fit and well-equipped for all conditions. It is important to check the weather forecast before you set out.

For more information on the Tongariro Crossing see www.tongarirocrossing.org.nz.

Natasha von Geldern

Walking holidays in France

From rugged coastal trails to gentle riverside paths, traditional fishing ports and picturesque villages, Brittany is a traditional favourite for walking holidays in France.

There is a popular four- or six-day walking holiday that starts from the fishing port of Benodet, at the mouth of the Odet estuary, along the coast to the sandy dunes near Mousterlin.

This is flat, gentle walking on well-marked paths and the views of the coastline are spectacular.

The path travels between the sea and the salt-water lakes to Port Manec'h, where there are plenty of opportunities for bird spotting.

Visit idyllic fishing villages and then follow the river Aven to the picture-postcard village of Kerdruc.

Pont Aven is itself very pretty and has been popular with painters since Paul Gaugin visited in the 1880s, later setting up an art school.

For a more rugged walking holiday experience the mountains and coastlines of Corsica offer spectacular scenery, turquoise waters, lush forests and a multitude of walking opportunities.

The spine of this Mediterranean island is formed by an ancient mountain chain with many peaks over 2,000m (6,500ft) and a national park covering 3,5000 square kilometres of wild country.

As well as the famous Grande Randonee (GR) 20, a network of ancient and modern pathways criss-cross the island and form a paradise for walkers.

In the southern Alta Rocca region, walking centres around a number of mountain villages and the famous Bavella rock needles.

Views of these impressive granite pinnacles can be enjoyed from very achievable day walks, as well as more ambitious multi-day circuits.

Natasha von Geldern

Walking holiday festivals

Walking festivals are a great way to meet like-minded people and explore new parts of the country.

They provide a supportive environment for people who want to get into walking holidays - but are not quite sure where to start - and new challenges for experienced walkers.

Here are a round-up of the best walking festivals this summer around the UK from travelbite.co.uk:

The Bishop's Castle Walking festival allows walking holiday enthusiasts to experience the breathtaking scenery of the Shropshire Hills on the weekend of June 10-12th.

Guides will point out features of interest in wildlife, scenery and history on all of the nine walks.

Click here for more information on the festival.

The sixth annual Strolling in Gloucestershire event is also in June and focuses on short, guided countryside walks and the NHS-supported event aims to promote walking as a fun and enjoyable activity for all ages.

Explore the unspoilt west Pennine moors with the Weavers Way Festival, which will provide free guided walks and events for all ages and abilities with distances from 1 to 12 miles.

The nine day festival of 26 walks explores the beautiful countryside in East Lancashire between August 27th and September 4th.

The aptly-named Gorgeous Walks Festival is set in the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding National Beauty on the weekend of September 2nd and 3rd.

Guided walks in Cheddar Gorge and surrounding valleys will be designed to suit people of all abilities.

For more information email walk@thegorgeoutdoors.co.uk.

For information email countryside@blackburn.gov.uk or telephone the Countryside Services office 01254 691239.

Just a short ferry ride from Liverpool, the Isle of Man is packed with beautiful countryside, from lush woodland to sandy bays and rugged coastal walks.

So much so that this little island has two annual walking festivals - the summer festival from June 22nd to 27th and the autumn festival from October 9th to 12th.

The walks are aimed at people of all ages and abilities, and distances range from a short three and a half-mile walk to one of almost 14 miles.

For more information see www.isleofmanwalking.com.

Walk Scilly, the UK's most westerly walking festival is held at the end of March and the week-long event will feature guided walks, talks and music events across the islands.

See the website for more information.

Walking holiday charity challenges

Many walkers want to push themselves physically and know they are raising money for charity at the same time.

Routes such as the national three peaks challenge, the Yorkshire three peaks challenge and the Welsh 3,000 are popular walking holiday charity challenges in Britain.

On midsummer's day this year (June 21st 2008) ActionAid is inviting anyone with a passion for walking and a love of the British countryside to embark on the first ever Midsummer Challenge

On the longest day of the year people will be walking from sunrise (03:30 GMT) until sunset through the breathtaking scenery of the Lake District.

The walk is for a great cause: ActionAid is an international development charity that works to end poverty throughout the developing world.

Climb the northern escarpment of Cat Bells in time for first light rising over the mountains and then continue through Keswick towards Castlerigg.

The trail includes a visit to the famous Stone Circle and as the sun sets, walkers will be able to take in the magnificent skyline of Derwent Water, Catbells, Dale Head and High Spy.

For more information or to register see www.actionaid.org.uk/adventures.