...and other walking matters!

Choose your grade!
It's important to choose a holiday that will suit your level of fitness and stamina so that you're not overstretched or too achy to enjoy the holiday.

We offer 4 main grades - Gentle, Intermediate, Long Distance, and High Level. However as WW has grown, we've realised we need more grades to suit other preferences and terrains - Easy Access Gentle, Low Intermediate, High Intermediate, Slow High, and High Alpine...
Choose your grade!

The Lake District
The Lake District is 'home' to WalkingWomen - even though we are also offer many holidays elsewhere in the UK and abroad. The Lake District is undoubtedly the most extraordinary area of England. If you have never visited before - and many women come who haven't - now's your chance! Many of our Lake District holidays take the form of short breaks - for getting fit, or simply for getting away from it all!
Read more about the Lake District?

Trekking
Several of our walking holidays contain a trek or hike for all or part of the time. It's a great feeling to walk to somewhere new, and to share that journey with other women. There are treks available to suit most levels of fitness, and on most WW treks your luggage is taken ahead for you....
Read more about trekking?

Walking with other women
Many women enjoy walking with their women friends - but it's not always possible to get away at the same time. WalkingWomen is about safe and interesting walking, enjoyable walking company, and often rich and riotous conversations!
Read more about walking and staying with a group of women?.

Taking time out
Walks are arranged for every day of the holidays except for the date you arrive (shorter on the last day of UK holidays, no walk on the last day of foreign holidays). However you can also take time out whenever you feel like it - except perhaps in the middle of a trek!
Read more about taking time out and other things to do?

9 grades to choose from....

"Is everyone very fit?"
"What pace will we be walking"
This is probably the most common question - even coming from women who are very fit! The answer is that, like the rest of the population, the women who come cover the whole range of fitness - from those who only walk on pavements when shopping, to those who regularly walk in the hills. Of course, the fitness and pace of these two will vary considerably, and we offer a wide range to grades to match this. Between these two are many women who are reasonably fit, do some regular exercise, and who are often delighted to find out they are fitter than they thought!

Erring slightly on the side of caution is safer than choosing too high a grade and hoping or thinking: "I'll be fitter by then", "it's the right dates and a great price!" or "That's where I want to go!". Our experience is that you can't force your fitness up a notch just by hoping, and you also won't enjoy trying. However, if you read the grade descriptions carefully, they will help you choose a holiday with other women of similar fitness and pace. That way you'll have a great holiday and come back for more! If you can't decide, take a look at the holidays that mention two grades in the title. These have two walks to choose from each day, and you can swap to the other walk if you need. Alternatively, give us a ring - we're always happy to help!

NB. The 'Past Holidays' pages also have many photos of paths and walks of different grades.

Grade Descriptions

The heights and lengths given above are the average for each grade. We will usually keep things easy on the first day and work up to more ambitious walks as the holiday progresses. The weather and how everyone feels will also influence what is planned for the day!

Easy Access Gentle - 3-4 miles, almost flat

A new grade in 2008 - Easy Access Gentle paths are almost flat, on good terrain, shorter than most Gentle walks, and will avoid crossing any stiles. This makes them perfect for you if you don't like walking uphill, don't like or can't manage stiles, and prefer a walk shorter than our normal Gentle grade. It also means that Easy Access Gentle holidays are wheelchair accessible. Travel to and from the walks will be by minibus which will have a wheelchair lift in case needed.

See Easy Access Gentle holiday at Easter?

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Gentle - 5 miles, average 200m of up & down

Our Gentle walks are up to 5 miles in length, with an easy-going pace and lots of stops for taking photos and enjoying the scenery. They stay on relatively easy gradients with a maximum height gain of 300m (1000ft) - though usually it is considerably less than this. Depending on where the holiday is based, you might be rambling through woods, following a stream up to a waterfall, or walking beside a lake surrounded by mountains. The paths vary with the location, but can be rocky, uneven, or muddy in places.

This grade is perfect if you like 5-mile walks or if you're new to 'walking' and want to improve your fitness. If you walk a short distance to work each day / have a fairly active lifestyle - e.g. coping with small children / or occasionally do some other form of exercise, you'll be fine. If you get very breathless on stairs, please consider our Easy Access Gentle grade above.

See all the gentle holidays available?

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Low Intermediate - 8 miles, average 350m up/down

Low Intermediate walks are lovely walks of up to 8 miles that don't go much higher than gentle walks: to a maximum ascent of 450m (or 1500ft) and often less than this. The paths may be rockier in places than on gentle walks, and steeper for short distances. The pace will tend to be a little steadier as we've further to go, but still with plenty of stops along the way. You may be walking up a striking gorge in Slovenia, exploring the length of a Lake District valley, or getting away from it all in Northumberland. This grade is perfect if you love longer low walks / or if you're new to walking but already do some other form of exercise fairly regularly e.g. bike rides or aerobics.

See all the Low Intermediate holidays?

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Long Distance- 10-15 miles, average 400m up/down

Long distance footpaths offer wonderful long days following ancient footpaths and bridleways steeped in history - old drovers roads or trails used by travelling folk. As such they often follow valleys or ridges to minimise the 'up' and 'down' involved, tending to aim for the next saddle rather than the next peak. They generally involve between 10-15 miles a day, with only a little more height gain than Low Intermediate walks. (Long distance coastal paths tend to have more 'ups' and 'downs' adding up to nearer 500m on some days - i.e. like a longer version of Intermediate walks). We tell you the average distance and ascent in each of their holiday descriptions. They are all fabulous journeys that will reward you with a great sense of achievement.

Their main requirement is stamina and staying power - and boots that are comfortable! Try and fit in some 10 mile walks beforehand as preparation.

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Intermediate - 8 miles, average 650m up & down

Do you love wonderful views and don't mind the uphill effort to reach them? Intermediate holidays offer 6-8 mile walks on the mid-range hills, selecting those that will give the most exciting views and most interesting walking. There is more 'up' and 'down' involved than in the lower level grades: up to 750m (2500ft) of ascent, or 1-1.5 hours of walking uphill at a relaxed pace with stops to catch our breath. The effort is rewarded by the satisfaction of just 'getting there', the stunning views all around, and the general lack of people. Often there is then a flatter ridge walk to follow with great views on each side before we descend.

If you're not already familiar with these pleasures, this might be a chance to discover them in good company. Intermediate paths vary more than on lower walks, being more uneven, rockier, and sometimes steep or boggy in places. Our pace will be easygoing and anyone with a reasonable level of fitness who doesn't mind hills will be fine. For example, you might regularly walk 5 miles and feel you could happily do more; or you might do some other form of regular exercise like cycling, aerobics, or running.

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High Intermediate - 9 miles, average 800m up & down

Are you a high level walker and feel you've lost fitness over the wiAre you a high level walker and feel you've lost fitness over the winter? Or do you already love intermediate walks and want to go higher? High Intermediate walks are stunning walks at the top end of the Intermediate range, verging towards High Level: they more regularly involve 800m (2600ft) of ascent and descent and up to 9 miles in length. Some sections will be as steep and rocky as High Level paths - particularly in the Lake District - offering you an introduction to this kind of terrain.

This grade also suits holidays where some of the days are longer than the Intermediate grade even though the terrain is straightforward; and in winter you will find High Intermediate holidays when short days and the threat of ice on the highest tops prevent us offering the highest grades. If you are new to hill walking yet are confident about your fitness, this grade (and 'Slow High') may be best for your first venture into the mountains.

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Slow High - 8-12 miles, average 900m up & down

We introduced the Slow High grade last year after talking to women who come on the holidays, and it has proved a huge success! Many women love high level walks - and may always have loved them - but now find they want to take them at a slower pace. For other women, 'high level' is the next step up, but it's still an unknown quantity and they worry about slowing others down. If these concerns have stopped you from choosing our High Level grade - even though you feel, or know, you have the stamina to cope with long 'ups' and 'downs' and long walking days, then this new grade is for you! Slow High walks will be similar to High Level walks in all other respects - see below - but will be taken at a slower pace with more stops along the way. The walking day may be a little longer than usual, and as a result we arrange them in Spring and Summer. (Intermediate walks are also offered at the same time so that you can vary your walks or swap to Intermediate if you find you prefer it).

See which high level holidays offer Slow High level walks?

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High level - 8-12 miles, average 900m up & down

High Level walks are 'mountain' walks, offering the most exciting and dramatic views - wild crags where buzzards and ravens fly, expansive views, deserted high level lakes, and wonderful long ridges with views to the valleys below. The walks will be from 8-12 miles in length, and have an ascent and descent of up to 1000m (3300ft). The secret of getting up there is to take the 'ups' at a steady pace without so many stops that you keep losing your second wind. The gradients will vary over the day, but will generally include longer steep sections than the intermediate grades, with 1.5-2 hours of ascent overall. In general, the higher you go, the rockier the paths get, and in places you may use your hands; some high level walks can be unnerving for vertigo sufferers.

If you have reasonable balance for walking on rocky uneven ground and know you have the leg, heart, and lung fitness to cope with sustained exertion - either from recent hill walking or in some other sport - these wonderful walks could be for you! (See alsoIntermediate, High Intermediate, & Slow High above).

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High Alpine - 8-14 miles, 850-1400m up & down

The high level holidays that are graded 'High Alpine' have some of the most stunning walks we offer - soaring views of snow-clad peaks, glaciers, ice-covered mountain lakes, and alpine flowers all around. However, on certain days, there will be more length or ascent than normal High Level walks - up to 14 miles a day and 1400m (4600ft) ascent/descent. On some holidays you may experience some altitude effects - e.g. headaches or shortness of breath. As a result, these wonderful mountains may require you to pace yourself, e.g. by swapping to an intermediate walk in Gran Paradiso and Bulgaria. On the Langtang Trek in Nepal we build in acclimatising days to diminish the effects of altitude, and you may need to take it easy then.

If you're a hill walker with good knees and stamina, who wants more of a challenge and incredible views, these wonderful walks could be for you! If you are not already a hill walker, Gran Paradiso or Bulgaria offer a choice of grades each day and are the safest High Alpine holidays to try first.

See which high level holidays have some 'High Alpine' days?

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The Lake District

England has many lovely places to walk and you'll find some of them over the next few pages. However, the Lake District remains unique for its dramatic beauty, and for the huge variety of walks accessible at every level from wherever we stay. Within a relatively small area, it contains England's highest mountains and hills - or 'fells' as they are called - and her most beautiful gentle valleys and lakes ('-water', '-mere', and smaller 'tarns' in the hills). There are woodland walks and waterfalls, secluded tarns that invite a swim, and higher and wilder craggy fell tops to roam over or which shape magnificent views from below. In the Lake District we offer lots of weekends and short breaks at all levels - many chances to get fit or just get away from it all! Everywhere we stay is easily reached by both car and public transport.

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Trekking

If 'Trekking' to you means days of slogging with the kitchen sink on your back - forget it!

We use 'Trekking' to refer to holidays that involve a journey, walking to a new place most days, sometimes staying in youth hostels or refuges for their excellent locations, or a B&B for a little more comfort. Treks allow one to get off the beaten track and reach more remote places like the stunning Western Lake District or a high Alpine valley.

We transport the luggage by taxi or porters wherever possible; and if it's not possible to arrange transport we tell you in the holiday details - and we restrict the time that you carry extra gear as much as is feasible - e.g. 1 night at Black Sail YH; 2 nights on Rum.

However, a trekking day can sometimes be a little longer than a day walk of the same grade. The reward is the satisfaction of having walked there and seeing a new valley come into view. All UK treks return to their starting point in time for you to catch a 4pm train. We can book you an extra night at the end of the trek if you wish.

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The walking group

There's something special about walking with other women! It tends to be a relaxed affair even when the walking is high level. There are always interesting conversations going on, and plenty of humour and encouragement. Most women come on their own, and it's very easy to make friends. There are usually around 10 women in a group - of all different ages and interests; some may even have come from abroad.
"I don't know if I have ever talked or laughed so much before, especially over such a prolonged period....The meeting of like minded people and the gelling of personalities was a great experience and indeed the highlight of the holiday". Jessie, from Scotland.

The holidays are arranged so that we eat together in the evening - even if the group is staying in more than one B&B. After eating some women might want to go to the local pub, while others prefer to sit and talk, play games, or enjoy a glass of something where we're staying. You can take space if you feel like it, or have as much company as you want.

The walks are guided by experienced female guides, skilled/qualified in hill walking or in a particular field in the case of special interest holidays. We tell you more about ourselves elsewhere, in 'About us' or in the additional 'Your Guide' information accessible from each holiday description.

Taking time out

As we've said before, WalkingWomen is a means to get away with other women and have the time you need - whether that's to walk every day to your heart's content, or to feel under no pressure to do anything! A WalkingWomen holiday is just women getting together to share something they enjoy; it is not meant to be a 'you will have fun' affair, or an outward bound course! So please, take time out whenever you feel like it; we only ask that you not do so in the middle of a trek!

The places we stay have so much to offer apart from wonderful walks: great pubs to sit outside, views to paint, lakes to stroll beside, unspoilt villages and all kinds of small shops, galleries and tea rooms to visit. In many places there are bicycles available for hire nearby, or a steamer trip across the Lake, historic buildings or a stone circle to visit. You can borrow maps, leaflets, and guides from most places we stay.
(Any such activities after walking are not included in the holiday's cost).

Of course, you may wish to take time out to simply read or do nothing. The holiday and accommodation outlines include information about access to where we're staying during the day, supply of tea and coffee in bedrooms, whether there's a good lounge. If we haven't told you enough, please ask!