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This superb trek in the High Atlas mountains of Morocco takes us to the summit of Jebel M'goun in the M'goun Massif. Fractionally lower than better known Toubkal, it is the more scenic and less frequented of the two, and promises a wilderness experience that is definitely high alpine in grade (involving ascents of 1200 to 1500m on 3 days, and descents of 1200 to 1600m on 3 days). After a first night at Hotel Assia in Marrakech, we will drive to the lovely valley of Ait Bouguemez, staying the night in an auberge at Agouti (1760m) and taking our last shower for 4 nights! From here mules will carry our tents and gear as we make a circuit into the Central High Atlas, taking 3.5 days to get to the summit of Jebel M'goun, and 1.5 days to get back. The scenery will be magnificent and hugely varied - terraced green valleys, traditional Berber villages clinging to the hillsides, strange colours and rock shapes in the Karstic landscape, and breathtaking panoramas from the high cols - Col du Roughelt (2860m) and Col de Targdit (3200m) - as we make our way to our last camp before the summit (2900m). The ascent is non-technical but will involve an early start and 1200m of ascent in the thin air till finally we are rewarded at the summit (4068m) with a literally breathtaking panorama over the whole Central High Atlas. From here we return to our previous camp, then cross the Oumskiyk Pass the next day to reach Ait Bouguemez, enjoying a well-deserved hot shower at a lovely auberge in the valley before we return to Marrakech. We now have 2 last nights at friendly Hotel Amani just outside the centre of Marrakech, seeing the sights, visiting a few last souks, enjoying the small hotel pool, or just relaxing and taking it all in before we travel home.

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This new venue in the Newlands valley near Keswick gives exciting access to the Derwent and Grasmoor fells of the northern Lakes. Our Slow High walks might start with the Robinson ridge to Dale Head for its stunning Central Fells and Buttermere views. We can descend over Hindscarth, or even along the High Spy ridge if we have the energy. On the next day we'll venture into the Grasmoor fells, and maybe even tackle the fabulous Grisedale Horseshoe from Bassenthwaite - a classic Lake District circuit that is hard work but hugely rewarding. For our shorter last walk we might be tempted by strikingly shaped Causey Pike just across the valley... Lots to choose from, and even Skiddaw will be within our reach. For this short break we will be staying at 17th century Swinside Inn and Swinside Farmhouse immediately across the road - all eating together at the inn in the evening for its friendly atmosphere, lovely old bar, and good pub food. (Evening meals not included - from £12).

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The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel was originally a farm, then a coaching inn, and has long been popular with walkers and climbers - especially for a drink at its Hikers Bar after walking. It is a lovely old building with charm and character located beneath the Langdale Pikes with Lingmoor Fell, Pike O'Blisco, Crinkle Crags and Bow Fell right on the doorstep. This makes the hotel perfect for a holiday offering both Intermediate and Slow High walks. Like on other double grade holidays, you can choose the grade you prefer, or swap the next day if needed. 'Slow High' walks are high level walks taken at a slower pace. The dramatic Langdale Pikes will be a 'must' for both groups, and give superb views in all directions from their rocky tops. For other Intermediate walks there is wild Blea Rigg beyond Stickle Tarn with a walk back through Great Langdale; the lovely heather-covered slopes of Lingmoor Fell; and rockier Pike O'Blisco. For Slow High walks, after a 'warm up' walk on the Langdale Pikes, we might tackle the nearby Coniston fells. The Crinkle Crags ridge and Bow Fell could give us stunning views of Scafell Pike and as far as the Isle of Man, leaving Lingmoor Fell or Pike O'Blisco for the last day. The ODG offers a good mix of shared and single rooms, some of which are ensuite while others are standard with a washbasin and a bathroom nearby. Well-behaved dogs are allowed.

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An opportunity to spend a week in the splendour of the Gran Paradiso National Park in Italy's Western Alps - with breathtaking views all around, alpine flowers, marmots, ibex and chamoix! There will be 2 guides to offer an intermediate and a high level choice each day (walking with a day pack only - your luggage is transported for you). We start from Albergo Gran Paradiso, Noasca, in the Valle del Orca; making our way over 2 days past beautiful lakes to Col del Nivolet at the head of the valley, with a night at valley refuge Le Fonti on the way. At Col del Nivolet we stop for 3 nights at Rifugio Citta di Chivasso, which is perched spectacularly above the lakes of Piano del Nivolet and a whole new alpine valley. This wonderful traditional refuge has dormitory beds, cold water washing, and excellent food in true Italian style. Here there are walks at both levels, with stunning views of glaciers and distant ranges including Gran Paradiso itself, or less rugged paths through flower-filled Piano del Nivolet. On the 5th day we return to Rifugio Le Fonti via an old royal game trail - perhaps the best day of all, then back past quaint deserted villages and frescoes to Noasca for our last night. The high walks are High Alpine on 2-3 days - with more descent than the normal high level grade.

The three nights of high refuge life are a wonderful experience, but resources at altitude are limited, and taking account of this is a necessary part of the holiday: use water sparingly, hand wash rather than shower every day; solar power only - no power sockets available; bottled drinking water.

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Helvellyn is the second highest peak in England, and its Grizedale Tarn path can be reached just across the valley, saving the superb views over Thirlmere for our descent. The fabulous Fairfield Horseshoe is also close by - with dramatic views of St Sunday Crag and Helvellyn from the summit, and all of Grasmere and Windermere spread out below us as we descend. From neighbouring Great Langdale we can also walk the Crinkle Crag ridge and climb Bow Fell, or perhaps have a shorter foray on the Langdale Pikes on our last day. This exciting holiday is based at Glenthorne Guest House in Grasmere which has lovely rooms, excellent food, and a large garden with views in 3 directions.

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Bulgaria's highest and most spectacular mountains are in the rocky Rila and Pirin massifs southwest of Sofia. Both areas offer exciting high mountain walks with some scrambling in places, fabulous views, alpine flowers, and sparkling glacial lakes. The Rila have a special alpine beauty all their own, while the Pirin mountains are wilder, rugged, and more harshly beautiful. In 2008 this holiday will offer a choice of Slow High or High Alpine walks each day - following largely the same routes, but at different paces. Walks will include the Sedemte Ezera (or Seven Lakes), and routes via high cols with breathtaking views. Peaks will include Mt Musala in the Rila - Bulgaria's highest mountain (2925m), and Mt Vihren in the Pirin where the path threads up through Kazanite cirques before a long scramble over white rocks brings you to the summit. For this holiday we stay in small hotels in ensuite twin or single rooms (Single suppl. £10 a night). Transport to the walks will be in two minibuses and will sometime involve a cable car or chairlift. The trip will also include the famous Rila Monastery, the fantastic sandstone pyramids near Melnick, and a last night in Sofia enjoying its eclectic mix of architectural styles, superb Byzantine cathedral, and relaxed open air cafes. (Luggage is transported for you throughout - you carry a day pack only). Guided by Sue M, and local guides Lati & Nelli. (For full itinerary, click the Accommodation button below or click Accommodation in the left menu).

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Includes: Bulgaria Air flight from Gatwick or Manchester, all transfers & transport including 1 cable car & 1 chair lift to walks; all meals including evening meal out in Sofia, guided walks including the company of excellent local guides. Atol No. 6497

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A change of grade and route for this popular Western Lakes trek in 2008 - great if you know you have the stamina for Slow High and would love to stay in Black Sail Hut and explore the beautiful Buttermere fells. We meet up at Keswick YH the first afternoon for easy rail access, then set off for Borrowdale YH the next morning along the fabulous High Spy ridge. From here our route takes us over Green Gable and Great Gable, with a scramble down the other side to reach our Ennerdale path. Black Sail Hut in Upper Ennerdale is always an experience - only the fells and the sheep, with no other habitation for miles. It has gas lamps in the dormitories, a coal burning stove in the little common room, a tiny kitchen where the warden cooks up delicious meals, and only one shower (with water heated from the stove). Between Ennerdale and Buttermere lies the High Stile ridge - our challenging route for the next day with the reward of superb views over Buttermere and Crummock Water. Then staying 2 nights at Buttermere YH we will have a chance to explore the exciting Grasmoor fells - or spend an easier day on Haystacks if we prefer. Finally we'll return to Borrowdale via Robinson and the stunning Dale Head ridge, hopefully with great views back over all our route so far. Our last walk will bring us back to Keswick via Watendlath and Walla Crag overlooking Derwent Water - an easier day, but please don't book your train home too early! Luggage is transported for you on each day except for the night at Black Sail where you carry a minimum of spare gear with you.

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The Tour of the Jungfrau region (TJR) is a horseshoe trek among some of the most spectacular scenery in all the Alps. It is a journey into the Bernese Oberland that will leave you awestruck: ridges, summits and passes, glaciers, waterfalls, gorges, beautiful mountain lakes, and always the extraordinary backdrop of the Eiger, Wetterhorn, Silberhorn, Mönch, and Jungfrau. Most of the places you stay are in atmospheric locations with breathtaking views, ranging from Alpine refuges with bunk beds and mattress platforms to comfortable small hotels with twin rooms. At certain points the trek includes short sections of fixed cables and some exposed sections that will stretch your comfort zone. No luggage transport is feasible, so you carry the extra clothes you need in your pack. At the mid point of the trek you'll walk the famous Eiger trail to the foot of the Eiger's north face where the summit will feel within arms' reach. Yet while this trek is strenuous, none of it is technical or at altitude. All bedding is provided so you'll only need a sheet liner. Spare gear can be kept to a minimum, and any unwanted travel gear can be left at the hotel in Interlaken where the holiday starts and finishes. Interlaken is a hub of outdoor activity surrounded by high peaks and turquoise lakes. You can catch the train there from either Geneva or Zurich airport, buying your ticket at the airport station for approximately £54 return. Alternatively you can do the whole journey by train from the UK, leaving in the morning and arriving in Interlaken at 19.35 for approximately £123 return. Whether you fly/train or train/train, we can help you book your tickets. The amazing mountain train from Interlaken to the start of the trek (and similarly finishing our journey back to Interlaken at the end) is included in the price. Guided by Sara B who will meet you in Interlaken station. Group size 8 max.

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This holiday offers an exciting choice of Slow High and High Level mountain walks off the beaten track in the Snowdonia National Park. You choose which high pace suits you best, and you can swap if need be. Some walks will include some scrambling if conditions allow. For this holiday we will be based in the lovely Nantlle Valley at friendly Trigonos Centre - perfect for WW groups with attractive twin rooms and plenty of singles. The glorious Nantlle ridge - one of the best ridge walks in Wales - will be right on our doorstep. Moel Hebog near Beddgelert is another likely choice - steep but rewarding with breathtaking views of Snowdon. We can also tackle the lesser used Snowdon Ranger path up the back of Snowdon, returning over Moel Cynghorion with Llyn Cwellyn lying below. This would leave nearby Mynydd Mawr as an obvious choice for the last day. Trigonos Centre is set in its own grounds near Nantlle lake, and is accessible by 4pm bus from Bangor station.

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Rum is a diamond shaped jewel of a place - an island of the Inner Hebrides of spectacular wildness and beauty. Its glaciated 'cullins' (high rocks), Askival, Hellival, Trollaval, and Orval, started life near the equator, and are the shattered remnants of a once huge volcano. Apart from its incredible scenery, Rum has been a nature reserve for over 40 years. We may be lucky and see otters fishing along the shores of Loch Scresort, or red deer and wild goats in the heather as we walk. Golden eagles often soar above the Cullins, while Shearwaters nest on their slopes and skim the sea in significant numbers. There are many fabulous high walks to choose from here, often off-path through the heather - along high cliffs overlooking the sea, onto peaks with stunning views, or looking north to the Skye Cullins from beautiful Kilmory Sands. To access the best parts of this island, we will stay for 2 nights in a bothy, walking there low level with 3 days' food and gear, living in very simple bothy conditions with water from a nearby stream and sleeping mats on the floor - a real Scottish walking experience! The rest of the time our base will be the hostel in extraordinary Kinloch Castle near Loch Scresort. Trains run from Glasgow to Malaig, and from Malaig you catch the regular Rum ferry which is a magical journey in itself. Guided by Sue M.

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The mountains of Mourne are a compact group of mountains in County Down - designated an area of outstanding natural beauty - just over the border in Northern Ireland from the Irish Republic. Seven of these mountains rise to over 700m - the highest being Slieve Donard at 840m - and we hope to climb all of them over this exhilarating 4-day break! The 'Mountains of Mourne roll down to the sea' at Newcastle where we'll stay on the sea front in Newcastle YH. Breakfast and packed lunches will be included, and in the evening we'll go out to eat in small restaurants nearby (eve. meals not included - from £12). From Newcastle we will climb Slieve Bearnagh with its gigantic granite tors which is one of the most exciting peaks in the Mournes, as well as craggy Slieve Binnian with its dramatic views of the Kingdom of Mourne and the sea. We will also walk on the Brandy Pad path created by smugglers and their ponies in the 18th and 19th Centuries. On some days we will find ourselves following the Great Wall of Mourne - a feat of dry stone wall construction. With some steep ascents and descents and rocky bouldery paths, the Mourne Mountains form an ideal high level walking area for a long weekend in the north of Ireland. Furthermore, the Mournes are only 2 hours drive from Dublin, and this is the easiest way to get there if you're coming from the mainland. (Transfer from Dublin Airport to Newcastle is included in the price - see below).

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On this weekend there will be two guides to offers both an intermediate and a high level walk each day - great if you like to have a choice, or if you're not yet sure which grade will suit you best. There'll be lovely walks on intermediate fells - like the Helm Crag ridge or wild Blea Rigg with its wonderful views of both Grasmere and Elterwater. Or for striking High Level walks we can head for Helvellyn just across the valley - reached past Grisedale Tarn and Dollywaggon Pike, or climb Fairfield whose two ridges form a horseshoe with many breathtaking views along the way. For this holiday we'll be staying at comfortable Glenthorne Guest House in Grasmere which is always popular with WW groups for its friendliness, lovely garden, comfortable bedrooms (including standard singles without a supplement), and excellent food!

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