You may be a little concerned about the warnings of climate change and other looming ecological disasters. According to some scientists, travelling and other pursuits may be causing irreparable damage to our planet and as such, you need to change your behaviour to compensate.
So what can you do? You need a holiday, you need to detox from the hustle and bustle but what is an eco-friendly option? The answer is walking holidays.
Walking holidays give you the opportunity to explore new locations and take in your surroundings with every footstep.
With this in mind, here are some ideas for good walking holidays like those featured by Orbis Ways.
Camino de Santiago from Sarria
Every year, thousands of walkers complete the walk of Camino de Santiago from Sarria. Starting in the medieval village of Sarria, the bustling village is a good place to get what you need and prepare for your next week.
The trip takes around a week to complete walking around 22 kilometres a day. The terrain is varied. You’ll encounter slopes, green meadows, forests, and charming villages and towns. Historical gems also await you, including the Church of Santiago de Barbadelo, and the Church of Santa Maria.
The Camino de Santiago is a pilgrimage and a wonderful walking holiday. If you’re feeling really brave, you may want to consider the 36 day walking holiday and follow in the footsteps of pilgrims that have followed this route for centuries. Whether you go for the 8 days or the 36 days, you should check it out.
The West Highland Way Walking Holiday
If you want something rugged and historical, then the West Highland Way is for you. This walking holiday begins at Milngavie, a small town just outside Glasgow, and treks towards Fort William in the northwest.
It is here were Scottish and English troops used to fight, and many a Hollywood film production has been shot here. With every step, you’ll find lakes, mountains, and valleys such as those in the Loch Lomond National Park.
The better routes take you through the ‘Devil’s Staircase’ which is an ancient route used by armies to reach Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain.
As well as the rugged beauty of Scotland you’ll find yourself in dense woodlands, small towns, and villages, and you’ll savour the awe-inspiring landscape that has inspired some of the most famous writers ever to have lived.
Amalfi Coast Walking Holiday
If you want to savour the splendour of Italy, then a walking holiday on the Amalfi Coast is for you. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has attracted visitors year on year since the Victorian era.
Taking the ‘Path of the Gods’ route you will discover villages and towns, have the best seafood on the planet, and take day trips to the island of Capri and visit the ruins of Pompeii. This southern Italy tour will amaze you on a daily basis and your social media feeds will be filled with some astonishing views of the country, especially those on the Path of the Gods where paths have been carved into the mountains.
At the end of this magnificent tour, you may want to consider spending time in Naples which is a short train or bus ride away.
Montefiascone to Rome Walking Holidays
For another blast and region of the amazing country that is Italy, the Montefiascone to Rome walking holiday brings the country alive. The village of Montefiascone is the perfect place to start as you follow the route of the pilgrims taking in parts of the country few tourists see. This includes the thermal pools in Bagnaccio, the Sorbo Valley where wild horses roam, and the Roman amphitheatre in Mithraem in Sutri.
This is not just a sightseeing holiday, however, as you’ll also experience amazing cuisine and meet amazing people en route.
The furthest you’ll walk in any one day is 24 kilometres which is achievable for most people. If you want to see Italy you can spend a week in Rome which is brilliant, if you want to experience, live, and breathe Italy, then a walking holiday is the only way to do it.
Final Thoughts About Walking Holidays
It is fair to say that lives are hectic and we need a good holiday to refresh and escape from the daily grind. Most holidays offer this, but you may feel rushed to see ‘everything’ as you may only be somewhere for a week. It is a case of hotel to attraction, attraction to hotel. This is fine, but how much of a country do you actually see?
When you go on a good walking holiday you see the country with every step. Whether it is the West Highland Way to the Camino de Santiago, you’ll experience the history and realise the significance of the land.
You’ll take the trip at your pace, allowing you to stay longer in places without the conscious thought about not missing the bus back to where you are staying.
If you want to detox and appreciate the land, walking holidays are the way to go.
