Discover the Joy of Easy Walking Holidays in the UK and Europe

Easy walking holidays across the UK and Europe

Who says a walking holiday has to mean tackling miles of tough trails and steep climbs?

If you prefer to take things easier, with shorter walks and plenty of time to take in your surroundings and explore the landscape in a little more depth, an easy walking holiday could be the perfect way to travel.

You’ll still get the benefits of exploring on your own two feet – trails that take you away from the crowds with plenty of fresh air, but with shorter routes, a more flexible itinerary and more time to sightsee and relax.

As passionate walkers, we’ve walked every step of our easy walking holidays across the UK and Europe. With decades of local knowledge behind us, we ensure that you walk quiet, scenic trails, relax in welcoming and locally-owned accommodation and enjoy the finest food and cultural attractions your destination has to offer.

Here’s what to expect on an Inntravel easy walking holiday, and three of our top picks for those looking for a gentle stroll.

Why choose Inntravel for an easy walking holiday?

Inntravel specialises in walking holidays across a wide range of locations in the UK and Europe. We design itineraries that showcase the best of an area, and find hidden gems away from the beaten track.

If you’re looking for an easy walking holiday with Inntravel, you could find yourself enjoying the peaceful North Norfolk coast, strolling between vineyards in the Loire Valley, enjoying the best of the Italian Dolomites, delving into the myths and legends of Ancient Crete… and much more besides.

Wherever you go on an Inntravel holiday, we make sure you really get to know your destination. Between walks, we offer plenty of recommendations for places to visit, eat, drink and unwind – and on some itineraries, we can arrange cultural experiences that take you even closer to the soul of the region you’re visiting.

On our easy walking holiday itineraries, we offer plenty of flexibility. Hotel-to-hotel walks are broken up by free days at your stop-off points, so that you can choose to relax, sightsee or explore a local trail. It’s completely up to you, and gives you the freedom to rest those legs for a day or two if needed.
 

3 easy walking holidays we love

North Norfolk Coastal Walking

Lose yourself in the timeless landscape and coastal heritage of one of the UK’s most unique regions. An enchanting lowland of shingle beaches, tidal flats and softly rolling hills, Norfolk is also home to a variety of wildlife – and particularly birds –  from the bitterns and marsh harriers that scan the summer reed beds to the wildfowl and waders that fill the marshes in the cooler months.

On this itinerary, you’ll start in the idyllic village of Snettisham and walk to your choice of Blakeney or Clay – with a wonderful stay at The Vicotria hotel, sitting on the edge Holkham estate, with the even more incredicble Holkham Beach within easy reach. This is the perfect itinerary for first-timers looking for an achievable yet incredibly scenic hotel-to-hotel walking holiday.

> Walk This Way

A Stroll in the Italian Dolomites

An Alpine paradise for walkers from all over the world, the distinctive limestone peaks of the Italian Dolomites offer dramatic mountainscapes, dotted by crisp blue lakes and lost-in-time wooden villages.

Luckily, you don’t have to be an experienced walker to enjoy the best that the Dolomites have to offer. Cable cars make unforgettable views and shorter panoramic trails easy to access, and there are plenty of enchanting walks lower in the valley too, through dappled forests and along burbling mountain streams.

> Walk This Way

Châteaux & Vineyards of the Loire Valley

Walking and wine – is there any finer combination to base a holiday around? The Loire’s rolling vineyards, idyllic market towns and elegant Châteaux provide a uniquely romantic backdrop to this walking holiday, with gently undulating routes and plenty of time to relax with a wine tasting or two at a local vineyard.

> Walk This Way



 

What to expect on Inntravel’s easy walking holidays

Accommodation

A hearty welcome awaits at all the accommodation we choose for our itineraries. We offer a few different types of accommodation depending on your route and destination, but whether you’re staying at a cosy bed and breakfast or a boutique hotel, you can be sure that your accommodation offers a great night’s sleep and high-quality amenities.

Where we can, we prioritise locally owned accommodation that gives back to the surrounding community. This brings opportunities to see your destination in a new light, whether through chatting to your friendly and passionate hosts, enjoying locally sourced (and in some cases home-grown) meals, or enjoying the sunset from your hotel terrace or pool.

Food and Drink

One of the major advantages of being on an easy walking holiday is that you’ll have plenty of time to sample the local delicacies unique to your destination. Whether you enjoy award-winning restaurants or low-key local cafés, our holidays offer ample opportunity to discover new cuisine.

Our holidays use every opportunity to showcase regional cuisine in all its forms. Enjoy world-famous dishes at their most authentic, unaltered for foreign palettes or the demands of mass tourism, or discover new, lesser-known favourites whose taste lingers long in the memory.

Where meals are included with your holiday, we book you into restaurants (either at your hotel or elsewhere) based on their use of locally sourced ingredients and regional menus. For meals that aren’t included, we’re always happy to offer a tip or two about where to find the best food.

 

Preparing for your Inntravel easy walking holiday

What Should I Pack?

This will depend on a few things. Are you looking for easy walks in the UK, where the weather can be variable, or a trip to Europe’s sunnier climes? Are you going for a short break or for a little longer?

Use the suggestions below as a starting point for a week’s worth of walking gear and a couple of evening outfits. Customise as you need depending on your holiday’s length and destination – or simply if you like a couple more options in the evening!

Shoes: 1 pair walking boots and 1 pair evening shoes
Tops: 3 base layers, 2 mid layers, 1 sweater (that also works for evening), 2 evening shirts/tops
Trousers: 2 walking pairs and 1 or 2 evening pairs
Outer layers: 1 jacket and 1 set of waterproofs
Accessories: hat, gloves, scarf or neck gaiter, sunglasses, rucksack, walking poles

Need more detail on the type of clothes to pack? Check out our comprehensive guide to packing for a walking holiday.

How Fit Do I Need to Be?

Inntravel offers a range of walking holidays, encompassing gentle strolls along the beach to challenging mountain trails – and everything in between.  

To find out whether a holiday is right for your level of fitness, you can check its rating on our walking holiday grading scale. Our easy walking holidays are all ranked as Grade 1, or Grade 1-2:

Check our walking grades and what they mean.

Our easiest holidays offer flexible itineraries, with single-centre stays that allow you to undertake as much or as little walking as you feel like.

Our easy-to-moderate holidays are sometimes based on a hotel-to-hotel itinerary, so you can expect some longer days walking with days to rest between routes.

 

What is an easy walking holiday?
Easy walking holidays are walking holidays designed for beginners, or for those looking for a more leisurely pace to their wanderings. On an easy walking holiday, you’ll enjoy incredible landscapes and unforgettable views on shorter routes, without difficult terrain or long, steep ascents.

Where can I go for an easy walking holiday with Inntravel?
Inntravel offers plenty of itinerary options for easy walks in Europe and the UK. Will it be the North Norfolk Coast or the sunny Greek islands? The rolling vineyards of the Loire or Tuscany, or the majestic Alpine mountainscapes of the Italian Dolomites? Take a look at all our easier itineraries here.

Are these walking holidays suitable for all ages?
Our easiest walking holidays offer flexible itineraries and depending on your level of fitness are suitable for all ages. For our entry-level hotel-to-hotel itineraries, we recommend being comfortable walking 4-8 miles in one go. 

How long are the daily walks on an easy walking holiday?
Typically, the walks on our easy walking holidays range from 4-8 miles, which can be completed at a leisurely pace. We also schedule rest days after longer days of walking to keep the pace relaxed and allow plenty of time to take in the sights.

Do I need special equipment (poles) for an easy walking holiday?
Poles or any other specialised equipment aren’t necessary for our easy walks – though if they make you feel more comfortable whilst walking it’s worthwhile bringing some along. We would recommend packing comfortable walking shoes or boots and appropriate clothing for the weather conditions you’ll be walking in.