Fitness questions answered
What fitness level do I need for a Leisurely walking holiday?
To take part in our Leisurely-grade walking holidays, you should be in good health and have a basic level of fitness. You don’t need to be a seasoned hiker, but you should enjoy the outdoors and be comfortable being on your feet for an extended period.
How does a Leisurely walk feel?
These walks feel like a social stroll with friends. You won’t be gasping for breath, and you should have plenty of ‘conversational oxygen’ to chat along the way. Your legs are likely to feel pleasantly tired at the end of the day, but you’ll be ready to do it again after a good meal and a night’s rest.
You’ll enjoy this if you can:
- Walk for 3–5 hours continuously without significant difficulty.
- Manage gentle inclines: Think of the elevation in terms of 3–5 flights of stairs spread over an hour.
- Handle uneven paths: You are steady on your feet when walking on gravel, grass or cobblestones.
- Stay active most weeks: You already incorporate some form of movement into your daily life.
How far do you walk each day on a Leisurely walking holiday?
Each of our walking trips is different, but on a typical Leisurely-grade walking trip, you’ll take around 20,000 steps each day. You can see a breakdown of daily distances and any elevation on each tour’s trip page.
What should I expect from a Leisurely-grade walk?
While each route is different, here’s what you can generally expect from a Leisurely-grade walk:
- Terrain: You can expect to be walking on well-maintained trails; terrain will vary largely and you could encounter anything from flat coastal paths to undulating hills.
- Pace: Walking days are generally shorter and approached with a relaxed attitude. There’ll be plenty of time to stop and take pictures, sightsee or take a long lunch. You can expect to be walking for several days in a row. Your muscles will need to adapt to the daily routine of being on the move.
- Elevation: Our Leisurely-grade walking trips are generally at low altitude and have minimal ascent and descent.
- Weather: Be prepared (and packed) to encounter light rain or a breeze. We don’t walk in extreme conditions, but you might expect a bit of ‘character-building’ weather.
How should I prepare for a Leisurely walking holiday?
You don’t need a dedicated training plan, but starting some light preparation four to six weeks before departure is a good idea. Here’s what we recommend:
- Complete 2–3 walks per week, around 45–90 minutes each.
- Once a month, walk on two consecutive days to help your legs acclimatise.
- Try longer walks (extend your route to 8–10 kilometres / 5–6 miles at the weekends).
- Incorporate a complementary activity into your routine, e.g. yoga, cycling or swimming 1–2 times per week.
You don’t need prior trekking experience to take part in our Leisurely walking trips, just a love of the outdoors, a spirit of adventure and a comfortable pair of (broken-in) walking boots.