During a walking holiday you are normally going to be taking a series of day hikes whether you purchased a package from a tour operator or planned the walking holiday yourself.
There are some advantages to day hiking as you are more likely to meet fellow hikers along the trail making it a very social outdoor activity. Other advantages include the opportunity for exercise, fresh air, seeing some great scenery and maybe some wildlife.
A day hike is normally 10 to 25 km (6 to 16 miles), the length depending on the trail chosen and your experience. Another major advantage of day hiking is you can go for a short distance one day and a longer distance or take a hike with steeper hills the next day. Also if weather is not cooperating you can change your plans at a moments notice.
What you carry during a day hike can be kept to a minimum so you pack should not be too heavy. Although it depends a lot on the weather and the terrain these are a few items to consider planning your day hike.
First, you require a packsack (rucksack) and cover, although day packs tend to be smaller as you have less things to carry. Inside you will need to pack your lunch and lots of healthy snacks. It is always a good idea to carry extra food should you be delayed for any reason. Water or sports drinks are is essential, particularly in the summer, so a hydration pack or water bottles must be carried. Studies have shown you are more likely you will consume more if you bring sports drinks.
Additional items to pack may include a first aid kit, sunscreen, sun glasses, insect repellent, bear spray and a whistle. For navigation take a compass, guidebook (with map) or GPS. In your day hike takes you along a wilderness trail or into a remote area consider taking a survival kit which might contain items such as matches, emergency blanket. Today many day hikers also carry a mobile phone for emergency purposes.
As with all day hiking wear your clothing in layers and take extra clothing. Start with hiking boots you have broken in prior to the walking holiday and good hiking socks to avoid blisters. Whether you wear long pants or shorts, a long or short sleeve shirt or gaiters depends on personal preference, the trail and the weather. Also you will need a lightweight wind jacket, rain gear at on top a wide brim hat.
Optional items on your walking holiday may include a seat cushion to sit on. And to assist you along the trail take a set of hiking poles. Many hikers also carry a camera and binoculars.
Remember you are on a walking holiday so when day hiking in Europe and the trail comes to a tea room or café do stop for a break. When you finish your day hike sit down in a pub or bar and enjoy your well earned drink as you talk about the day’s experiences.
For further reference see Joy Of Hiking: Hiking The Trailmaster Way
Have an enjoyable day hike using these tips during your walking holidays!
The Joy Of Hiking
Price: $12.41
An inspirational guide to hiking and the hiking lifestyle, this compendium is chock-full of advice for novice and experienced walkers–and everyone in between. Extensive resource section noting hikes all over the US.
Brand: Wilderness Press
Originally posted 2009-08-14 12:13:59.
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Hiking for a singles falls into two categories. First there are singles that love hiking and cannot find a like minded person to walk with or they cannot find anyone with the same vacation time dates. Second there are married couples in which only one person likes to take walking holidays.
In either situation the singles are interested in not paying single supplements for accommodation and having other hikers to enjoy the experience with. This is easily to accomplish than you might think as most walking holiday travel companies provide a welcoming environment for singles. It is not unusual for fifty percent of a hiking group to consist of singles.
If you wish your privacy most of these companies do offer a limited number of single rooms on their walking holidays. Travelling Solo? We make it easy. No single supplements. GAP Adventures.
If you are a single hiker a second option is to request twin share accommodation with someone of the same sex for hikers traveling alone who wish to save the single room supplement. In this situation you really don’t know who you will be sharing the room with but a walking holiday tends to attract a certain type of individual and while problems can occur they are rare.
I have used this option on three occasions and in two situations there was not a roommate available for I got the room to myself at the twin rate. In the third situation I did have a roommate and I found on a hiking tour we were so busy we were only in the room to sleep and change for dinner.
I recently went on a hiking tour with HF Holidays and they had large tables for breakfast and dinner so you had the opportunity to meet the other guests. During the day you meet the other hikers and including many singles who were walking with the group as this is a very sociable outdoor activity. In the evenings groups entertainment was provided.
For women there is an excellent guide, Smart and Savvy Hiking: What Every Woman Needs to Know on the Trail
So if you hike, are single and worried about single supplements and someone to go hiking with consider a group walking holiday. I met many nice people and you will too!
Smart and Savvy Hiking: What Every Woman Needs to Know on the Trail
Price: $8.71
Pages: 224, Paperback, Menasha Ridge Press
Originally posted 2009-08-20 12:28:59.
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A great way to lower your costs when visiting Europe or other parts of North America is to obtain free flights using a Loyalty Card for your Walking Holidays. Many people tell me they never get enough points to travel but you can if you plan the process well.
Tips to obtaining free flights using a Loyalty Card:
1. First, focus only on one card. The major reason that people do not
obtain enough points with a Loyalty Card is that they have
numerous cards and spread their regular shopping too thin. If you
focus on one card and the stores they support your points will grow.
Some Loyalty cards permit other family members to collect points on
the same card which can help. My mother faithfully went to the
merchants to collect points when shopping knowing it was providing
me with additional points. She had no interest personally in the
points.
2. Loyalty Cards may obtained for free, while others for a cost. If
paying for a card ensure the benefits truly outweigh the costs, if
will depend on your spending pattern.
3. Ensure the points are awarded at merchants where you currently
shop or can easily shop. If you do not fly often do not obtain a
airline card unless it supports other merchants.
Which card is best for you will vary depending on where you live and
your spending pattern. In Canada, Britain and the Netherlands the
Air Miles card permits everyday shopping for groceries, hardware and
credit card purchases while allowing you to redeem for flights.
4. Before you obtain a Loyalty Card check how easy it is to redeem
your points for flights? Are there blackout periods; limited seat
availability; limited airlines? How are airport taxes and fees handled?
Do they have a fee to redeem the points? Do points expire after a
period of time if not used?
5. Focus on the flight offer for your points. Although the program may
offer hotel and car rental offers as well only consider them if they
too are good value, they frequently are not. Some Loyalty Card
companies do not offer travel insurance so be sure to obtain
insurance before departing on your Walking Holiday.
And finally remember points from one card may not be equal to those from another plan.
If you carefully follow these tips you too can easily obtain a free flight using your Loylaty Card for your next walking holiday.
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Hiking with a group can be different than with a just few individuals. There are a few group trail protocols which are generally followed.
If you are the group leader always start the hike on time. Never wait more than a few minutes for anyone, it is just common courtesy for those who arrived on time.
If a change is suggested in the hiking distance or planned route from what was advertised always poll the other hikers. Generally it is never a good idea to make changes with a group as only the voices of the loudest are heard.
If this is a large group there is usually a sweep, someone hiking and the end of the group to ensure no one gets left behind
Try to have lunch at a scenic spot at least half way or more along the route.
Do stop and smell the flowers, view the scenery and take a break a least every hour to two hours.
Leave the wild flowers and plants for others to enjoy, Take nothing with you but pictures.
Close all gates behind you so the cows and/or sheep do not wander off
Should you need to leave the trail for any reason it is good practice to leave your packsack of the trail so those following behind are made aware
Leave the trail cleaner than you found it, leave no litter. This one applies to everyone.
To learn more about hiking this guide provides the how to you need, Trailside Guide: Hiking and Backpacking,
Have fun as hiking is like minded people is a social event. It is usually a good idea to stop for coffee or at a pub afterwards as well.
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Hiking (101 Essential Tips) Price: $5.00 Pages: 72, Paperback, DK ADULT
Take a walking holiday and travel the world. You will have the opportunity to enjoy great scenery, meet other hikers, and see another country. Listed below are seven walking holiday planning tips to get you started for a great holiday hiking.
Tip 1 – Good planning makes for a great holiday
The easiest way is to book with a travel company that specializes in walking holidays.
They will arrange the hikes with experienced guides, the accommodation and perhaps some meals. Some offer one hike a day, a sort of one size fits all method. Other companies offer different level hikes each day suitable for different skill levels. If you are tackling a major multi-day walking holiday check on the level of fitness and experience required.
You may decide to plan your own walking holiday and should consider a hiking guidebook of the area to assist in research the trails, accommodation and local transportation.
Tip 2 – Walking Holidays gear
If you do not already have hiking gear purchase it today as you need to do some training walks in your local area prior to your holiday. Base essential gear for a walking holiday include hiking boots, a packsack, good socks, hiking poles, water bottle, rainwear and other clothing which will depend on your destination.
Do not forget to pack such items as insect repellent, sunscreen, a first aid kit and perhaps even bear spray for some destinations. A digital camera is essential to record your walking holiday experiences to show friends and family upon your return.
Tip 3 – Warm up walk
Start a program of light walks progressively gets harder to get in shape. Break in those hiking boots and test all your equipment. Make sure you know how to use the GPS, hiking poles and other equipment.
Tip 4 –Transportation
Book your flight and/or train arrangements. It is also essential you purchase travel insurance when travelling outside your local region. If you have purchased a walking holiday from a travel company insurance is normally mandatory, check on the level of coverage required.
If travelling to Europe for your walking holiday consider a rail pass which frequently includes discounts on local buses, mountain railways and cable cars to get you to the start of the hike.
Tip 5 – Documentation
Check on the required documents such as passports, visas, vaccinations. These may take a while to obtain so make arrangements well in advance. Be sure to take photo copies of all important documents along on the trip as well.
Tip 6 – Accommodation
Where you stay is an important consideration. What about a room in a chalet with a balcony overlooking the Swiss Alps? Accommodation in popular hiking areas can fill up quickly so book well in advance. Consider taking a walking holiday off season for cheaper prices and more availability.
Tip 7 – Local Culture
Check up on local sightseeing opportunities to enjoy the local culture along with your walking holiday. Visit castles, historic sites, natural wonders, wineries, museums, etc.
If visiting a foreign country it is considered a courtesy to learn a bit of the local language.
You are now ready to hit the trails, enjoy planning your walking holiday.
Originally posted 2009-12-08 12:51:59.
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