Welcome, if you are a returning visitor you will notice a different theme Thanks for visiting!
Want a fairytale walking holiday, then visit Tegelberg located in the Alps of Bavaria, south of Munich, Germany. This trip is suitable for moderate level hikers.
Stay in the town of Schwangau. Start your walking holiday by walking along a local road for about two kilometers to the base of the mountain. The cows spend the night in town and head out into the fields in the early morning and returning about 5 p.m. causing all traffic to stop and wait for the herd to cross. Best vantage point is the outside patio with great beer on the main road.
If you want to see the famous castles of Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein built by King Ludwig purchase your tickets for the English language tours at the base of the mountains and plan to take most of your first day for this. Another great castle build by King Ludwig is the nearby Linderfhof, his summer home, and also worth a visit.
For the hike take the steep walk up the mountain to Neuschwanstein which takes 40-60 minutes. There is a café near the top to relax. Just past the castle follow the hiking trails to the Marienbrucke (bridge) which provides an excellent view of the castles, Schwangau and lake below.
Continue along the trail over to the Tegelberg where there is a panoramic restaurant and plenty of hang gliders to watch. From the top take the three hour hike back down the mountain which offers amazing scenery at every turn. Expect to take about 7-8 hours to complete the entire hike.
On your third day you could take the cable car up Tegelberg to walk along one of the trails departing from the panorama restaurant.
These are other great hikes in the Bavarian Alps can be found in Walking in the Bavarian Alps
With the fairytale castles, fine beer, amazing scenery a walking holiday in Tegelberg, Bavaria makes for a great vacation.
Filed under Best Walking Holidays, Hiking Trails, Hiking in Europe by on . Comment. 
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.
Filed under Walking Holidays by on . Comment.
Your walking holiday may be planned by yourself or purchased from a tour company specializing in this type of vacation. A common question is which company to purchase your walking holiday with.
Consider the following 7 items when purchasing a walking holiday:
1. Destination – you will not only want a destination that you personally find exciting but you will need to consider any flight or train connections to get you there. Are you looking for something exotic like the Inca Trail in Peru or a more traditional walking holiday in the English Lake District.
2. Years in business – how long has the walking holiday tour company been in business. Companies that have been in business for years have the experience to plan great routes which have been over time by other hikers. This is considered green travel and many walkers are environmentally sensitive, what is the policy of the walking holiday tour company?
3. Variety of walking – consider the level of fitness required on the walking holiday. Some companies only offer one walk each day for everyone and as long as that fits your level of fitness that is fine. Other companies offer easy, immediate and advanced walking so that you are challenged at your own ability and will be walking with other hikers of the same fitness level.
4. Walking leaders – how experiences are the walk leaders and how large is the group size. Can they point out local vegetation or historic sites? Do they know the best lunch and snack spots? Can they find their way? Are they qualified to handle any emergency that may arise during the walk?
5. Accommodation – consider the rating of the accommodation. You may prefer a more rustic type of accommodation and some companies specialize in using basic local hotels while others use 4 or 5 star properties. Which do you prefer? And how close is the accommodation to where your will be walking? How is luggage handled if you are moving from destination to destination?
Many walking holiday tour operators offer a single share program so that if you are traveling alone you can save on the price by sharing with another guest.
6. Meals – which meals and snacks are included in the base price. Food can be expensive in destinations such as Switzerland. If not included be sure to visit a grocery store on arrival to stock up. In addition some walking holiday tour companies have a welcome or farewell cocktail or wine party and other extra inclusions.
7. Local transportation is transportation from the railway station or airport to your accommodation included or can it arranged easily. Also are local buses or chartered coaches used to take you to the start of the walk each day.
In addition some most companies will have requirements regarding the insurance coverage.
The cost of walking holidays to a similar destination will vary between walking holiday companies but is usually a result of the quality and inclusions of your walking holiday.
Originally posted 2009-09-15 17:36:59.
Filed under Walking Holidays by on . 1 Comment.
Booking a guided walking holiday can be an exciting and fun way to plan your next hiking trip. Particularly in a foreign country where the culture is different than your own having someone else make arrangements can be benefical.
There are 7 benefits of booking guided walking holidays:
· Planning – the travel company making all the arrangements and has had the experience of walking the same trails throughout the season picking the best routes, see Classic Hikes of the World
· Guides – experienced guides to show you the way, explain local history and vegetation, advise on proper hiking techniques and assist you if you get in trouble
· Local transportation – your guided walking holidays the travel company arranges buses to get you to the start and finish of your hikes. On your own in some destinations this could involving local buses according to their schedule and connections.
· Accommodation – they have buying power and have blocks of rooms for the season at well located hotels they have checked out in advance. Some companies such as HF Holidays own their own country houses which gives them great control over the facilities such as a room for drying your boots. If travelling solo you can save money by sharing a room.
· Meals – fabulous meals featuring local cuisine are normally included and you have other hikers in the group to dine with
· Other Hikers – you will meet like minded people from all over the world with various skills
· Saving money – accommodation, local transportation and guides are all less expensive when arranged for a group
Some companies that offer guided walking holidays include GAP Adventures, HF Holidays, Ramblers, Explore, Exodus, the Wayfarers and Peregrine.
A guided walking holiday may be the way to go on your next hiking trip.
Filed under Walking Holidays by on . Comment.
While you can certainly arrange your own walking holidays there are some huge advantages with guided hiking.
First, it makes more trails accessible to you as when you travel with a group a bus is frequently arranged to drop you off at the trail head and pick you up when finished. If you had arranged your own walking holiday you would be restricted to circle hikes or using local transport which can be a time consuming activity. In some destinations this limits the hike you are able to enjoy.
You won’t need to keep flipping through guide books andmaps every time you come to a crossing of the hiking trails. In many countries there is good signage, in others the hiking signs may be lacking or confusing. With a guided hike you are going to walk the most interesting trails as the guide knows where to find the best views, a historic site, a gentle or hard climb as may be desired. Not having to purchase maps and carry them is also convenient.
With guided hiking you are walking with an experienced person who can provide advice on improving your hiking techniques such as how to ascent a hill, navigation skills and other topics.. On a recent walking holiday in the Lake District in England our guides also used their experiences to discuss interesting things about the countryside we were hiking through. Topics included how the stone walls are constructed, history of an ancient stone circle, details on some of the plant life and the different types of sheep.
There is also the safety aspect. Should an injury occur on a guided hike the leader knows whom to call and can provide proper help immediately and something can be said for safety in numbers as well.
On a guided hiking trip you are going to be with other like minded people who can share some of their experiences with you as you walk along, at your lunch stop or a the pub after you are finished and are celebrating your day. Guided hiking is a very sociable activity.
On your next walking holiday consider a guided hike.
Classic Hikes of the World: 23 Breathtaking Treks
Price: $26.37
Pages: 224, Hardcover, W. W. Norton & Company
Filed under Walking Holidays by on . Comment.
