Our walks are some of the most spectacular in the world, the scenery is incredible and you’ll get a huge sense of achievement after completing each one. It’s important, though, to prepare fully for your walking holiday to ensure you are fit enough to really enjoy it – especially if you are not a regular walker. Some walks can be quite strenuous and can often take people by surprise. Your Holiday Director will give your further detail on the walks at the Welcome Meeting and we recommend talking to your Holiday Director if you’re concerned or would like additional information about the difficulty of any of the walks. Alternatives will be arranged where possible if you don’t feel you can manage the entire scheduled walk.
Preparing for your walking tour
We suggest you do the following in the weeks leading up to your walking holiday to give yourself the best chance of fully enjoying it:
Get out and about on walks as often as you can, try to include hills and steep gradients where possible, and increase the length each time.
Make sure your walking shoes/boots are fully broken in – don’t wear walking shoes on your walking holiday for the first time!
Get used to wearing your backpack.
Make sure your mobile phone works in the country you are travelling to and don’t forget to pack your charger.
Do some daily light stretching to start getting your muscles and joints prepared for the movement.
Top tips for keeping your feet in good condition
You don’t want to have to curtail your walking because of painful feet. Here are some top tips to keep your feet in good working order:
Wear comfortable, good-fitting, worn-in boots or shoes - essential on long walks
Wear good walking socks in the right size - wearing two pairs of socks can help prevent rubbing
Immediately remove anything from your socks or boots which causes irritation
Check your feet carefully and regularly, for any sign of rubbing and tenderness
Walk as much as possible in your boots so that your skin hardens
Act as soon as you feel any discomfort, as blisters can form very quickly. Stop, remove your shoes and socks, apply some foot cream and rest for a while
Remove your boots and socks when you stop for a rest to give your feet a chance to dry off and cool down
Carry some plasters (ideally blister plasters) or padded dressings in your rucksack
Keeping your energy levels up
It’s important to take plenty of food and water with you when out walking to stay hydrated and keep your energy levels up, especially on longer walks. It’s advisable to carry appropriate walking snacks, such as:
Energy bars
Flapjacks
Dried fruit & nuts
Jelly babies
Malt loaf
Crackers and cheese
Remember to take all your litter away with you – including fruit peel, skin and cores - to avoid spoiling the beauty of the countryside, and causing unnecessary harm to wildlife.
Hydration
Staying hydrated is one of the most important things to do when walking. It is especially important when you are on holiday and walking in temperatures higher than you’re used to and/or at different altitudes. Dehydration can lead to tiredness, cramps and headaches and could be dangerous, so take plenty of water with you, particularly if you’re going on a long walk or are walking in remote areas. It’s equally important to keep hydrated in the days before your walks.
A few helpful tips
The Department of Health recommends that we should drink about 1.2 litres of fluid a day. On holiday you’re likely to need more, particularly in warmer weather.
Take regular sips of water as you go, rather than large gulps when you stop for a rest.
Still water is your best option when on holiday, over and above any other types of drinks. Fizzy drinks are not good for quenching thirst as they are difficult to consume quickly. Fruit juice, sports drinks and non-diet soft drinks contain sugar which will boost your energy but aren’t as effective as water at keeping you hydrated.
Items to pack
Please note on this tour, as well as your usual packing, there are some key items to bring with you to ensure you can make the most of your walking holiday.
Essentials
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