The FastDay Forum

I can't quite believe I'm wring this having formerly been a "cocktail-by-the-pool" sort of girl, but has anyone got any experience of organised walking holidays in the UK? I'm looking at the North Norfolk coast and the Isle of Wight at the moment and would appreciate any words of wisdom.....("Don't do it" is not what I had in mind )
Thanks

Hi,
I see nobody has answered this, and I can't really give you a proper reply because I haven't done it either!
However, I have stayed in an HF hotel, run by HF Holidays, who are a big walking holiday company.
When we came down to breakfast, we were put on a table with other people and it all seemed a really nice friendly set up, where singles can to talk to couples without feeling awkward! There seemed to be choice of walks for different abilities.
The demographic did look older than you however!
Do Ramblers do holidays? Again the demographic tends to be older on walks in our local area.
Forgive me if I'm telling you stuff you've known for years, but try out any daypack you might use wearing a t-short/vest top, as sometimes they rub your inner arms, and if you are walkking for a few days, it's not nice.
Compeed the blister treatment is worth its price! Do take binoculars, but very light ones. Good very light ones are hideously expensive, so not so good light ones are better. Good but heavier are best carried by someone else!
I hope you do decide to do this!

Hi there,

Thank you so much for finding my post and replying @Annurca

HF is one of the companies we have been looking at, their hotel on the IOW looks good, the alternative company we are considering plans in pub lunch stops which also appeals.

We have not joined any of the The Ramblers walks mainly because they have not fitted in with our plans/ commitments , they do holidays too, but not at either of the locations we are considering. In the longer term I am hoping to have walking holidays in the Italian Lakes and on the Amalfi coast.

Your advice about binoculars and daypacks is much appreciated.

[Tracieknits]

One of my friends did a walking tour of the Cotswolds, and she loved it. She said while she was doing it, it was sometimes difficult, but that in hindsight she's super happy and proud of herself that she did do it.

Hi I am a rambler, and yes we do do holidays, though I must admit not of late as had total knee replacement.

Google in Walking Holidays and there are quite a few out there. I have done one in Ireland with my late husband. There were only 5 of us plus the leader who was a local lad doing it to supplement his studies. So he was able to take us on walks you would not normally see. It was interspersed with local touristy things like learning the local music, visiting properties. I think it was Go Ireland and it was brilliant.

With most companies you can pick the length of the walk you do. And the company is great.

Go for it.

I believe Offa's Dyke is a good walk and there are a few companies who ferry your luggage. Also the Isle of Angelesy coastal path.

You can do the Wales coastal path on a self organised ramble as long as you pack light, and stop off at a different Youth Hostel every night (Its not just for kids). I worked at one and one of the ramblers had their luggage taken to the next hostel every day by taxi as being cheaper than an organised walk that ferried the luggage every day.

I know what you mean about going from being a cocktail by the pool girl but now to walking. Put Northumberland on your bucket list. Walkinginnorthumberland and visit Northumberland are both good sites. Sorry I can't help with Norfolk and Islywigit.

However if you are thinking of overseas, please go to Mallorca. There are hundreds of great walks there and some lovely cheap agrotourisme hotels. A very far cry from the beaches of the south coast. Corsica is also great for walks, the scenery is stunning, but can be more expensive.

I've been looking at Bulgaria for this years holiday, being ex-communist they have thousands of miles of hiking and rambling walks. It was considered near enough obligatory to keep fit by hiking out there. The mountain scenery is stunning plus they are full of lakes and river with hot and mineral springs everywhere. Plus its MUCH, MUCH cheaper than anywhere else un Europe to eat out and have holidays.

My OH and I love walking but an organised holiday is not our thing. Instead we buy books of walks in the area wherever we go on holiday - you can often get something quite cheaply at a tourist office. We have found many great walks this way.

We have a holiday home on Anglesey and have walked many stretches of the coast path so agree with Pennyforthem's suggestion.

Have fun!

No advice to offer you Sian,but i loved reading what people said..have had a lovely little tour in my head from northumberland to mallorca...really enjoyed it! Thanks for everyone's contributions x let us know what you decide Sian! X

Here's a view from a remote corner of Anglesey

Thanks all for your input.
The main reason I'm looking for an organised walking holiday is so that we don't have to carry our luggage from place to place, and we will be transported to and from the walk each day.
OH has been browsing websites and has taken a fancy to Jersey, which therefore makes it HIS idea so more likely to go ahead. I have ordered brochures (Holiday Porn) and will let you know what we decide.

Lovely photo PFT

[carieoates]

OH has been browsing websites and has taken a fancy to Jersey, which therefore makes it HIS idea so more likely to go ahead.

And that is why women rule.

@carieoates Amen Sister