• Previous year's photos and feedback.
• Brief Travel Information (or see 'Travel & Gear' on the left for more detail). We also send you full directions when you book.
• Grade, Accommodation, & Guide information (click each button, or see 'Grades', 'Accommodation', & 'About Us' on the left). Please decide your grade carefully before you choose a holiday.
• Room details: bedrooms available
• What is included in this holiday's price.

Autumn 2008

Holiday Outlines - Autumn 2008

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This second half of the South Downs Way follows the crest of the Downs from the Saxon village of Steyning through increasingly wild and isolated stretches to the culmination of the Downs near Winchester. Along the way there are superb views to enjoy, and many fascinating historical landmarks, from ancient beacons and a lost medieval village, to the hill where the first semaphore messages were sent in the Napoleonic Wars. For the first 3 nights we stay in ensuite twins or singles at the Arundel Park Hotel close to the station in Arundel - making it easy to come by train. For the last 2 nights we all sleep in standard singles at friendly Wetherdown hostel located right on the Way. There will be transport to walks where needed. The average distance is 12 miles a day (longest day is 15 miles). On reaching Winchester on the last day, there will be time to visit the cathedral before our helpful taxi firm brings the luggage for those leaving by train, or gives a lift back to Arundel to any car drivers (cost depends on number of car drivers). Apart from one meal at Wetherdown, our evening meals will be in local inns (not included - from £15).

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For this lovely weekend in early autumn we'll be staying at the friendly Howe Keld Hotel in Keswick near the lake and the landing stage for the Keswick Launch - which we can use to reach walks around the lake. There are many lovely gentle walks in this area, perhaps starting with the path along the far lakeshore for its excellent views down the lake and across to the craggy wooded promontories of Borrowdale. From the end of the lake we can walk into Borrowdale for tea beside the river at Grange. On Sunday there could be a rewarding walk to Watendlath past pretty Ashness bridge and 'Surprise View', or we might walk to Castlerigg Stone Circle which has a superb setting surrounded by fells. This weekend is priced on a full board basis, and in the evenings we'll enjoy David and Valerie's excellent cooking - so do arrive by 6.30pm on the first night!

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The West Highland Way is one of the most breathtaking long distance paths, following ancient trails steeped in history through some of the most spectacular scenery in Britain, from the Scottish lowlands near Glasgow to Fort William near the foot of Ben Nevis in the Highlands. There'll be the wonderful colours of autumn along the shores of Loch Lomond, dramatic waterfalls in Glen Falloch, the bleak expanses of Rannoch Moor, and the dramatic Highland scenery of Glencoe and Lairigmor. We start from Drymen, missing out the first road walking section from Glasgow. From Drymen it is 83 glorious miles to Fort William, averaging 12 miles and 340m of ascent a day over 7 walking days. On the way we stay mostly in B&Bs, old coaching inns, and small hotels, with one night exclusive use of a beautifully converted and catered railway station bunkhouse at Bridge of Orchy. Guided by Sue M. (Evening meals are not included - from £15).

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Not included: evening meals - from £15. Inexpensive shared lift from Glasgow Central station to Drymen at 4pm.

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This weekend break is based on the beautiful Dorset coast, staying at the Cromwell House Hotel in Lulworth Cove to walk the striking coastal paths nearby. On the Saturday we can take the path from the village heading to Durdle Door for a wonderful walk along the cliffs, maybe descending to the beach at Durdle Door if we feel energetic. On Sunday we could either walk in the other direction from the Cove along another lovely stretch of coast path, or do a walk along Purbeck ridge which would give us extensive views across both the coast and the Dorset heathlands, finishing with a spectacular view of the Corfe Castle ruins. (These coastal walks are all well within the Low Intermediate grade, but may involve more 'up' and 'down' than some other low intermediate destinations!) If you can arrive by 1pm on Friday, there can be another shorter walk inland from Lulworth Cove in the afternoon. Lulworth Cove lies between Swanage and Weymouth, and is a short taxi ride from Wool station on the Waterloo to Weymouth line. Cromwell House is a comfortable 2 star hotel 200m from the sea front with ensuite twin and single rooms. (Single supplement £10 a night).

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The Alpujarras stretch from the Sierra Nevada watershed in the north to the Mediterranean in the south and create a paradise for walkers. Moorish influences can still be seen in the little villages with narrow streets and white-washed houses that seem to hang on the hillsides. Forest tracks and intermediate mountain paths wind through a landscape rich in wildlife - boar, ibex, foxes, wild cats, and many birds, while in the valleys vines, almonds and olives are grown and mules still toil in the fields. This holiday is based on the edge of Los Berchules village with a backdrop of the snow-capped Cerro Gordo. Hotel Los Berchules offers good ensuite twin rooms and plenty of singles, a comfortable bar and lounge with an open fire for cooler evenings, a wide outside terrace with lovely views, and tasty evening meals of tapas and other regional dishes. The holiday finishes with a last night in Granada so that we can visit the Alhambra before we fly (not included - €12), or we can explore the rest of this fascinating city. The meals in Granada and 2 evening meals at Los Berchules are not included (on these 2 evenings we will eat out in mountain restaurants - from £10).

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The Grasmere fells will be coming into their autumn colour for this weekend of lovely Low Intermediate rambles or rewarding explorations onto Grasmere's Intermediate fells. You can choose which level of walks you prefer each day - useful if you're not sure which grade will suit you best. Lower rambles might include a wonderful circuit of Loughrigg Fell, with stretches through the autumnal woods, lake views, and a return past pretty Loughrigg Tarn. Intermediate walks have all of Grasmere's fabulous ridges to choose from - wild Blea Rigg, popular Helm Crag, or lesser known Grasmere Common overlooking Easedale Tarn. The weekend is based at Glenthorne Guest House in Grasmere - always a favourite for its friendliness, comfortable rooms, lovely garden, and excellent food!

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Sandpipers Hotel lies close to the shore of Freshwater Bay on the Isle of Wight, near to the Needles. From here it is only a short hop by bus to an impressive choice of gentle and intermediate IOW walks: Tennyson Down, the Needles, and Alum Bay; Mottistone and Compton Downs or gentler coast path stretches; delightful circuits from the pretty village of Shorwell with its thatched cottages and manor houses; and maybe a stroll beside the River Yar to Yarmouth. Sandpipers is a spacious and elegant Victorian hotel with an airy breakfast conservatory, an attractive bar and comfortable lounge with books to borrow, excellent aga-cooked food… and to top it all there are plenty of single rooms! The simplest way to get there is by train to the Lymington ferry terminal, catch the ferry to Yarmouth, then its only 5 miles by bus direct from the ferry to the hotel.

Travel - nearest train station: Lymington
If you're coming by public transport, the simplest way to get to Freshwater Bay is to take the train to the Lymington ferry terminal, catch the ferry to Yarmouth, then its only 5 miles by bus from the ferry to the hotel.
By Car: You can do the same route by car, or it might be quicker to catch the ferry from Portsmouth and drive across the island.

You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335

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The Suffolk Coast is another area of outstanding natural beauty. Centred along this coastal stretch is the ancient settlement of Dunwich - once the seat of kings facing the North Sea. Later it became a thriving port and ship building harbour important enough to elect 2 members of Parliament. However, over the centuries the sea made serious incursions along this coastline, and in the 14th century alone 400 houses, 2 churches, and several windmills 'succumbed to tempests'. Today Dunwich is reduced to a quiet village on the edge of the sea with a fascinating history, a small museum, and a ruined priory. Paths fan out from the village through Minsmere Nature Reserve, to the pretty estuary village of Walberswick, or inland through fields and woodland - giving us several of 7-8 miles circuits to explore. In Dunwich we will be staying at The Ship Inn - a former coaching inn which offers simple ensuite twin and single rooms, and excellent pub fare in the evenings. Darsham station is 5 miles away by taxi. (Evening meals are not included - from £15).

You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335

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The last opportunity of the year to stay at High Trenhouse near Malham Tarn in the Yorkshire Dales. High Trenhouse is a beautifully converted farm and barn on the edge of the moors above Malham Cove and Gordale. The Pennine Way from Malham Cove passes close by on its way over Fountains Fell to Pen-y-ghent, and across the moors are interesting paths to the pretty village of Arncliffe and the lively town of Settle with its tearooms and small shops. High Trenhouse offers a large number of single rooms - a boon for WW groups - and most have ensuite facilities. There are comfortable spaces for relaxing or making our own fun including a small honesty bar, the food is delicious, and there's even a sauna and Jacuzzi - so bring your swimsuit! A choice of Gentle and Intermediate walks each day will allow you to move between the grades to take it easy or stretch according to mood. We will also arrange an inexpensive shared lift from nearby Settle station at approx 4pm.

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This autumn's Map & Compass holiday will have 2 guides to cater for different levels of map reading experience. One group will start from basics and work up to using compasses - leaving with a secure sense of how to find your way using a walking map, and how to find out where you are (and where you're going!) by using map and compass together. The other will start with a compass refresher, then go on to apply compass techniques in more advance situations - great for if you've done Maps & Compasses before and want to consolidate what you know and take it further. This holiday with Yvonne and Marian is based at Glenthorne Guest House in Grasmere where there are lots of single rooms available, a roomy lounge and conservatory, and a games room which we will turn into a map reading space. Maps and compasses will be provided (or bring your own!)

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Walking at intermediate level near Castleton allows us fantastic opportunities to get up onto the moors and ridges with great views to the hills, forests, reservoirs and valleys of both the White (limestone) and Dark (gritstone) Peak. An absolute 'must' will be the Great Ridge of Rushup Edge, Mam Tor and Losehill. A short bus ride to Edale gives us a chance to 'do' part of the Kinder Edges, perhaps via Jacobs Ladder or Ringing Roger (great names round here!) The Roman Road up and along to Win Hill is a long ridge walk with fab views back down to Ladybower reservoir (perhaps returning via the teashop in Hope). If we want a change of scene, the circuit of Abney Moor from Brough or Bradwell, famous for it's ice cream, gives lovely open moorland walking on easy tracks. We'll be spoilt for choice! Losehill Hall is a beautiful old Victorian mansion set in its own extensive grounds, ten minutes walk from the cafes and shops of Castleton. It is the National Park Study Centre and is run on eco-centre lines (everything is recycled, ensuite showers, communal tea/coffee facilities, locally sourced and fair trade food...). The Hall has a well stocked bar, comfortable lounge and dining room where excellent meals are served. All the rooms we have taken are ensuite singles.

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This holiday is a wonderful opportunity to improve the quality of your photographs with Caroline & Marian, walking in the beautiful scenery of Grasmere at the height of its autumn colours. There will be 2 groups to suit digital and non-digital cameras. If you're happy with your camera, there'll be space to learn more photography techniques from a professional photographer, with plenty of suggestions about how to get the most from your camera, the light and the landscape. If you haven't done much photography before, or have a camera that you're still getting used to - whether it's an SLR, a digital, or an older 'point&shoot' - you'll love their easy style that inspires confidence and a willingness to experiment - always with great results! 'Landscape photography' covers the full range, from majestic views to focusing on just a beautiful rock or fern. For this 3-day break we will be staying at Glenthorne Guest House in Grasmere with lovely views in three directions, excellent food, and comfortable bedrooms (Ensuite single supplement £10 a night). Film & camera not included - bring spare film/memory cards. Caroline will have her laptop with her so that you can look at your photographs in the evening.

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Patagonia in the southernmost portion of South America contains some of the most awe-inspiring scenery in the world. It is a land of wilderness where broad expanses of pampa meet the glacially sculpted spires of the Andes. Unique in its flora and fauna, and the wind blows strongly here much of the time. This high level holiday includes the spectacular 5-night 'W' trek in Las Torres del Paine National Park taking you to the foot of the soaring spires of Las Torres and close to Glacier Grey. We will also visit the spectacular Moreno glacier where huge blocks fall off into Lake Argentino to float away as ice bergs. The holiday finishes with 3 days walking in the magnificent Mt Fitzroy region of the Andes, including walking past Laguna de los Tres to reach close up views of Fitzroy's incredible North Face. Though not at altitude, non-technical, with day pack only, the walking in these areas is strenuous with plenty of 'up', and some long days in challenging terrain. The accommodation will be in hotels in Buenos Aries, tents or refuges on trek, and a hostel in Chalten near Fitzroy. Besides the internal flight between Buenos Aries and El Calafete, there will be a total 19 hours of transfer by minibus during the trip: north on Route 40 to the Paine National Park, and south to el Chalten. The first and last nights are spent in Buenos Aries with time to relax, take a city tour, see the historic area of San Isidro, or shop for souvenirs. The holiday includes the flight from London Heathrow to Buenos Aires. (See WW website Accommodation page for the full itinerary).

Includes: all breakfasts, 10 packed lunches, 7 evening meals; international flight incl. fuel surcharges & taxes; transfers & transport to walks/trek; local guide Maria; porters, & most other costs. Atol No. 6497

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Arrangements

UK holidays and travel times

The first date given for a holiday is the day you arrive. We don't walk on that day, except perhaps for an evening stroll to get to know each other. You can usually get into your room from 2pm. Your guide will arrive by 5pm and will leave a message at reception to say where she'll be at that time. Dinner is generally at 7pm - so do tell us if you think you will be late in case we can hold your meal. The walks start at a convenient time after breakfast each day. Their length depends on the grade and sometimes we might change a walk because of the weather. The walk on the last day is shorter, and we are generally back by 2pm for trains from 3pm. However, on weekend breaks and treks - especially if intermediate and high level - we are generally not back till 3pm for trains from 4pm. When booking a weekend or a trek, please tell us if you will need to leave earlier than this.

Accommodation

The accommodation we book for the holidays varies hugely - from charming small hotels and inns, to moderately priced guesthouses, and ideally-located hostels and mountain refuges. The prices are based on you sharing a room with another member of the group unless it says otherwise. Singles with or without a supplement are often available if you book early. All supplements are given as a figure per night. In hostels and refuges you mostly sleep in bunk beds sharing a dormitory with other members of the group. Help yourself to a free welcome cuppa from the Member's Kitchen when you arrive! For much more accommodation information see our Accommodation page

Frequent Walker Miles!

It's very gratifying how many women return for more WalkingWomen holidays after their first experience. So we've introduced 'Frequent Walker Miles' as a way of giving something back to you. This means that if you come on 3 holidays in a calendar year, we'll take £20 pounds off the 3rd one - and again off the 6th!

Trekking

If 'trekking' to you means days of slogging with the kitchen sink on your back - forget it! We use 'Trekking' or 'Trek' to refer to holidays that involve walking to a new place most days, allowing us to get off the beaten track and reach more remote places like the stunning Western Lakes or a high Alpine valley. We transport the luggage by taxi or porters wherever possible, and on trips where this is not possible we clarify in the holiday description the number of days you will carry extra gear. A trekking day can sometimes be a little longer than a day walk of the same grade and there isn't the same flexibility to take a day off as with other holidays, so please choose the grade with special care. The reward is the satisfaction of having walked there and seeing a new valley come into view. If a UK trek is not circular we arrange transport back to the starting point or nearest station for free or for a small, shared charge (see the holiday description).

Taking time out - other things to do

Whether you walk each day is up to you; it's only tricky if you want to take time out on a trekking day! There are lots of other things to do - either for a day off or after walking. You might also want to walk on your own for a day, or sit under a tree to read, paint, or do nothing!

Travel directions

Travel directions and a list of what to bring will be sent to you with your confirmation of booking. You will also find a lot of useful information on the Travel & Gear page of this website. We confirm the booking after you have paid the deposit. If you would like to see travel directions before you book, just email us for a copy.

Dogs

WalkingWomen has been set up to cater for the needs and safety of women who want to walk. Assistance dogs (e.g 'blind' dog, 'hearing' dog etc) are permitted on all WW holidays and at all UK accommodations we use. Non-assistance dogs are allowed at some accommodations we use (see below), but will only be allowed to join walks if they are well behaved around people and sheep, are under control at all times, do not endanger other women while walking (e.g entangling their lead around women's feet or poles), and are not a large or 'dangerous' breed (like a Rotweiller). If the guide feels that your dog is endangering or annoying other women, you will be asked to make other arrangements even if it means that you cannot join the walk. For this reason, please consider carefully whether your dog is sufficiently well behaved and non-threatening to others before bringing him or her on a holiday - and please let us know beforehand!

Dogs are only permitted at the hotels we use in: Great Langdale, Derwent Water, Patterdale, and Lulworth Cove. Dogs are also exceptionally allowed at Glenthorne when we take the whole guest house for ourselves - e.g Christmas. (Accommodations often charge a small amount extra for cleaning).

If you are frightened of or allergic to dogs, please avoid holidays at the above locations since even if there is no dog ' in the group', there may be other dogs staying at the hotel. If you are very allergic to dogs, please let us know in case there is an Assistance dog as part of the group.

Foreign Holidays - where the flight is included - ATOL

We include the cost of the flight and transfer in as many holidays as possible - usually from Gatwick, Manchester, or Heathrow. The holidays in this brochure with flights included are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 6497. Usually one of the guides for the holiday is on your flight and will be at the airport to meet you. We send you all the particulars when you book.

Your ticket will arrive near the departure date. Please make sure we have your name as it appears on your passport, that your passport will be in date, and check the ticket for any last minute changes in the terminal or flight time. Airports can be very busy during the holiday period and security queues are longer than in the past. Please make sure you arrive at the appropriate check-in desk by the time given for checking in. Unfortunately, WalkingWomen cannot accept any responsibility if you miss your flight due to arriving later than the check-in time given.

Where the flight is not included

Where the flight is not included - usually due to that route being dominated by one or more low cost airlines - we will include a shared transfer to suit the best/most flights. The advantage to you is that you can gain from low Internet prices if you book early. We will happily book your ticket for you if you don't have the time or the Internet access to do so. The disadvantage to you is that the ticket will be booked in your name and on your credit or debit card at the time of purchase, and if you later cancel you may lose your money (making cancellation insurance essential). Please talk to us before you book a flight at a different time from the one recommended.

Insurance now essential abroad

It essential that you take out sickness and injury insurance if you are booking a holiday with us abroad (insurance against theft or cancellation is also very highly recommended). Additionally it pays to travel in Europe with an E1.11 Form from your post office to reduce any medical charges payable at the time if you are ill or hurt. If you want very competitive annual insurance, try Essential Travel on 0870 343 0314 or Columbus Direct Insurance on 0800 9801030. Columbus will also take an additional 10% off is you say you're booking with WalkingWomen. Age Concern (0845 601 2234) is the most competitive insurance we've found if you are over 65 years. If you hear of a direct insurance company offering better rates, please do let us know!

Insurance on UK holidays?

If you are taken ill at the last minute and cannot come on holiday, you might also be very glad to have cancellation insurance in place. Many companies offer very competitive rates for short breaks, or for an annual travel insurance policy that covers all your holidays over the year. Try Essential Travel Insurance or Columbus Direct Insurance above.

What is included in our prices

• Every holiday/break price is inclusive of: the walks and guides; any activities that are specified as part of the break; and guides for special interest holidays. There are walks arranged for every day apart from the day you arrive, and shorter on the last day. You can walk every day or take time out whenever you feel like it (this is not possible on a trekking day when we have a new destination to reach).

• Unless we say otherwise prices include: all luggage transport on trekking holidays; transport to walks or across a lake on a ferry if it's a necessary part of the walk for that day; transfer from a foreign airport to the holiday venue on all flight included holidays, and most non-flight included holidays.

• All accommodation is included for the number of nights specified, plus full or part board per number of nights (see individual holidays in the Calendar). Where full board is not provided it is generally because you will get a more economic deal with part board. Full board means that all breakfast, packed lunch, & evening meals are included. If the holiday is 'part board' please check the holiday details for clarification. In B&Bs/hotels the price is based on you sharing a room, with a friend or another woman from the walking group. In youth hostels and refuges it is based on you sharing a dormitory. Very exceptionally in alpine refuges we might have to share with individuals not from the group. The price and availability of single and ensuite supplements is given in the holiday details as a figure per night (see the page number referred to in the Calendar).

Each holiday/break clearly states what is included in the cost of the holiday. We are not able to cover costs for any other activity you may choose to do besides walking eg. bike hire, cream teas, refreshments apart from those provided as part or full board, entrance fees unless specified as included, public or private transport separate from that used during a walk. If you are in any doubt, please phone us.