Why I Love Walking Holidays?

At school I was, like many, forced to do a sponsored walk once a year to raise money for school funds. Whilst this may seem like an outdated form of indentured servitude, it was in fact quite good fun. Once you got over the initial shock of actually having to exercise for more than five minutes at a time (we were used to playing hockey, which mainly involved standing around on a freezing pitch hoping no one sent you the ball), there were lots of lovely things in store.

The walk took us round the hills and farms surrounding our peaceful girls’ school on the outskirts of a small city. If the sun was shining, the views we had over the Kent Downs were simply stunning. Even as an older teenager, I would still get a buzz from trudging through the wooded areas en route, almost expecting to find wild boar and bears still nestled deep within. Then there were the hay bales to jump off when the teachers weren’t looking, cows and horses to pet and lunch by a stream, sitting on overhanging rocks. It was a lovely day.

Perhaps This Idyllic Experience Was What Prompted
me, as an adult, to start going on walking holidays. They make sense in so many ways. For starters, you get to really take in your surroundings and experience the place you are visiting. Then there’s the sociable aspect. You and your walking companions will meet lots of friendly fellow walkers who enjoy the same activities as you. I have always found that people are much more welcoming and talkative on walking holidays than elsewhere. In addition, you know you are keeping fit and getting lots of low stress exercise – what better way to get away from it all?

The best walking holiday I have been on was a trip I took through the Yorkshire Dales. Even now, many years on, I can still remember how the dramatic sweep of the landscape took my breath away. The windswept moors and heather y vales seemed to my romantic mind to be just out of Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights. When the sun shone, the dales lit up in a beautiful green light, which contrasted perfectly with the sky’s blue and purple hues. We walked for three days through quiet Viking-named villages, past ancient churches and alongside meandering streams. The pubs and hotels we stayed in offered good food and exceptionally friendly service. On the shores of Lake Windermere we stood triumphantly, having achieved our goal. It was a great feeling and a fantastic holiday.

So, if you are not sure what kind of holiday to go on this summer, why not consider a walking holiday? They offer beautiful scenery, companionship and a chance to keep fit. Plus, they are usually very affordably priced. What are you waiting for?

Author Bio:Rose Chappell is a walking enthusiast, which is why she is planning a trip with Mickledore Travel.