Self-Guided Walking Trail Holidays
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Choose from 16 trails across Britain and Europe |
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Experience freedom with a self-guided walking trail. Britain or Europe. Stop when you want. Walk when you want. See what you want. Hills. Valleys. Vineyards. Coastal edges. Highlands or lowlands. Trail holidays. Weekends or Short breaks. Bespoke itineraries, friendly hotels, and beautiful destinations. Walk your way with HF Holidays.
An HF Holidays self-guided walking trail holiday is a wonderful way to explore the countryside, walking from one place to another, usually stopping somewhere different each night. We arrange your accommodation along the trail, provide maps and notes describing the route, and transport your luggage between overnight stops. We take care of every detail, leaving you free to enjoy the countryside at your own pace.
You can usually start a self-guided walking holiday on any date between March and November. We have carefully planned all our tours following the best walking routes or we can tailor-make a holiday to suit your specific individual needs.
Our trail routes are usually along parts of National Trails and long-distance footpaths that take you into the heart of some of the best countryside in Britain and Europe.
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Stay in small, friendly guesthouses and hotels along the trail, individually selected for their warmth of welcome and high quality facilities |
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We transport your luggage, leaving you free to enjoy the walk with just a day sack for your route notes, map and picnic lunch |
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Transfers between the trail and your accommodation are provided where necessary |
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Receive a personalised information pack containing all the maps, walk route notes and local information you will need for an enjoyable holiday |
| Choosing your walking holiday |
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Our walks have all been tried and tested by our own experienced staff and take you into the heart of the best countryside with fantastic views and varied scenery. All our walking holidays are carefully planned to let you discover the contours and peaks of the countryside at your own pace.
Choosing the right walks, which are suited to your fitness and experience, will make a huge difference to the enjoyment of your holiday. We recommend that you consider this carefully before booking. If you are in any doubt about which holiday to choose please don't hesitate to contact one of our expert holiday advisers.
Many factors, such as the total distance, ascent, descent and terrain, can all impact on how 'easy' or 'hard' a walk may be. There is no magic formula, indeed we often find that these affect guests in different ways. However, based on our experience, we use the following symbols to indicate the difficulty of each walk:
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On these walks you'll usually be out for most of the day, walking at a relaxed pace or spending time at places of interest along the route. Walking experience isn't necessary as distances are quite short and paths and gradients generally easy. |
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Walks follow good paths and tracks but are generally longer. Walking experience isn't necessary but some walks, particularly in mountain areas, may have sections over rough or steeper terrain. |
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Walks follow well-defined paths, however these may be rough or steep in sections, and will require a reasonable level of fitness. You may be walking in hilly or upland areas, along rugged coastline or following lower-level routes in mountainous areas. |
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A reasonable level of fitness and some stamina is required for these walks. In moorland areas you may cover long distances in remote countryside and the terrain will often be rough underfoot. In mountainous areas you will encounter some sustained ascents and descents and occasional sections of scree and some steep ground. |
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A good level of fitness and stamina is required for these walks. They are likely to be in mountainous areas where you should expect rocky terrain and sustained ascents and descents. Walks visit high summits and ridges, where you'll need a good head for heights, and may include some easy scrambling. |
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| Your itinerary |
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You can usually start your holiday on any date between March and November. We have carefully planned all our tours following the best walking routes. Just call us to discuss the available options.
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| What the holiday includes |
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6, 7 or more nights accommodation with 5, 6 or more walking days, depending on trail |
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Breakfast (meals as described on European holidays) |
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Luggage transfer |
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Transfers between accommodation and the trail as required |
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Maps and trail guide (1 per party) |
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Personal information pack |
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| Welcoming accommodation |
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To make your holiday experience a memorable one, we have chosen friendly guesthouses and family-run hotels that offer a more individual service. Every guesthouse and hotel is inspected and chosen as much for the warmth of welcome that you will receive as for its high quality facilities. You will receive a complete list of your accommodation with contact details in your personal information pack.
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| Luggage transfer |
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We carry the load.
Your luggage (one suitcase per person) is transported to each overnight stop, so you only need to carry a small daysack with you each day. We also provide personalised luggage labels to ensure that nothing gets lost en route.
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| Travel options |
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In Britain
Although travel to and from your destination is not included in the price we can provide detailed instructions on how to reach the start of your holiday by public transport, and return home at the end of it. For overseas visitors we will advise on travel from port of entry if required. Websites providing information on rail, coach and roads within Britain can be found on these links:
By road: www.theaa.com
By rail: www.thetrainline.com
By coach: www.nationalexpress.com
In Europe
All our holidays are offered with flight or without flight (so you can book your holiday with us but make your own way there). We offer flights on a request basis only and the flights listed in the brochure suggest purely provisional departures times. When you make your booking, we will put in a request with our flight department, and then contact you with the flights that we have available. It is necessary to ticket our flights immediately in order to hold them and you will need to pay for your flight at the same time that you pay your deposit.
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| Personal Information Pack |
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The key to a self-guided walking holiday is the Personal Information Pack that we provide with every booking. Whatever you want to know about the region and the walks, this pack contains the details that ensure you have a successful trip from beginning to end. Items included in your pack are:
- A full set of walking route notes or a guidebook on local walks, providing detailed descriptions of the trails or circular walks that you will follow.
- Ordnance Survey 1:25 000 maps, Harvey maps, or equivalent European walking maps.
- Your full itinerary with detailed information about options for other activities.
- Information about your accommodation and the facilities on offer.
- Details of transfers between your accommodation and the route where required.
- Information about public transport including local bus timetables, ferry times where appropriate, and telephone numbers for taxis.
- City and town plans for places that you will visit en route.
- Local information about tourist attractions, as well as details of restaurants and shops where you can get evening meals and food for packed lunches (where necessary).
- Advice on how to get to and from your destination by public transport.
- A guide to map reading and route finding.
- Guidelines for what to do and who to contact in an emergency.
- A comprehensive list of what to take with you.
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Before you depart |
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Before you depart on your walking holiday you'll receive a special pack to help you get the most from your holiday.
 Detailed itinerary designed by HF Holidays describing the walking programme you've booked to whet your appetite for the walking ahead.
Essential gear checklist
compiled by our walking expert to help you take the right gear on holiday
Useful holiday extras, just click here to book your airport parking, purchase travel accessories and find out how to get cheaper mobile calls whilst your away.
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Want to know more? |
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 Click here for our frequently asked questions.
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Guest Feedback |
 Click here to see what our guests have to say or submit your own feedback |
"I can honestly say that our holiday was faultless. The walks, maps and instructions were superb and provide excellent value for money."
"We had an excellent time and the scenery and walks were superb."
"Brilliantly organised holiday - we'll definitely be back for more." |
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