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WalkingWomen
Calendar for Walking & Skiing Holidays & Breaks in Winter 2008All our Winter holidays & short breaks (or walking tours) are given below. Click on any title for more details. General arrangements and contact details are to be found at the bottom of this page.Or connect to the main WalkingWomen site?You may have arrived on this page via a search engine. This is the unframed version of the WalkingWomen site only for browsers that do not support frames. Connect to the WalkingWomen Home Page? The main WalkingWomen site is constantly updated to show which walking or skiing holidays still have space! |
What's on this page? |
| Winter Holidays Calendar - from Christmas to mid
April Includes Easter. Click on the titles to read about each holiday. |
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Download a Printable Version or just the details you want?
Arrangements gives you all the arrival and departure details. What's
included gives you the 'small print'. |
Calendar for Holidays & Breaks - Winter 2008
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Winter 2008 | Summer? Autumn? Spring ? |
This Gentle Derbyshire break
with Sally is based at comfortable Losehill Hall near Castleton where the
landscapes of the White and the Dark Peak meet. Losehill Hall is a lovely old
Victorian mansion set in its own extensive grounds 10 mins walk from Castleton,
and all the rooms we've reserved here are small ensuite singles without a
supplement! Losehill Hall is the National Peak Park Study Centre, run on
eco-centre lines (everything is recycled, ensuite showers instead of baths,
communal tea/coffee facilities, and there's even a courtesy taxi from Hope
station to encourage rail travel). The Hall has a good bar, a comfortable
lounge, and the food served in the dining room is truly excellent. From here
there are several gentle walks to explore - beside the river to Hope with views
across Hope Valley, or into fascinating Cavedale, maybe including a visit to
the unique Blue John cavern. On one day we can take the bus to walk in Edale,
or we might want to stretch ourselves for the fabulous views from Mam Tor by
taking a gently ascending route onto this stunning broad ridge. 
This February's Map & Compass holiday
will have plenty of space - and 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 Marian & Polly 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!)
Grasmere has plenty of high
intermediate walks to tempt us - along ridges like Helm Crag up onto High
Raise, to the summit of Fairfield via Stone Arthur, or a walk combining all of
the Langdale Pikes - perfect for this time of year when there may be ice or
snow on the higher tops. Since this High Intermediate holiday takes place at
the same time as the Map & Compasses break we will have all of Glenthorne
G/H for WW over this holiday. If you want challenging intermediate walks and
would also quite like the option to do some map & compass practice in the
evening, this holiday is perfect for you. Of course you may also only have
energy left for the pub - that's ok too! (Bring a compass if you have one).
The holiday is based for 7 nights in the lovely Sumava National Park
south of Prague near the border with Bavaria, and finishes with a last night in
Prague. This holiday is perfect whatever your level of experience as there will
be two cross country skiing groups each day (including instruction at the start
of the week for beginners), and a separate showshoe walking group (which skiers
may also join if their XC muscles need a rest!) Sumava National Park contains a
network of well-maintained cross country trails and walking tracks - through
rolling hills and woodland, over open plateau, linking small villages, or
taking us to such beautiful places as the source of the Vltava River. All you
need is intermediate level fitness; all instruction, equipment, and transport
is included in the holiday price. Our accommodation will be at attractive
Pension Pohoda in Kvilda - the highest village in the Czech Republic at 1065m.
Here we have reserved ensuite twin rooms and plenty of single rooms arranged in
pairs to share a bathroom with one other woman - a typical Czech arrangement
(Single suppl. £10 a night). The holiday is priced on a full board basis
including packed lunches to take with us each day -
and there will often be places
we can stop for a hot drink or a bowl of soup along the way. In addition
Pension Pohoda has a sister hotel across the road with an attractive bar and
other facilities such as a sauna and games room for our use. The last night
spent in Prague will give us time to see a little of this extraordinary city in
winter before we travel home. Guided by Diana, Anita, and local guide Eva.
(Last evening meal in Prague is not included - from £12).
This holiday is based just
outside Sandwich in the village of Worth, 5 minutes taxi ride from Sandwich
station. Sandwich is one of the medieval Cinque Ports like Hastings or Rye, and
although it no longer lies next to the sea, the surrounding Kent countryside is
rich in historical interest while its coastal mudflats and salt marshes are a
Special Area of Conservation. From Worth village we can walk through the older
part of Sandwich and out into the countryside to see Richborough fort and
amphitheatre - possibly the most symbolically important Roman site in Britain.
On another day we can walk to the sea and along the coast to Deal, stopping at
Sandwich Bird Observatory on the way to see what we can see. There can also be
a shorter walk to Pegwell Bay where the Saxons and St Augustine landed in the
5th century AD. You see, it was all happening here! In Worth you have a choice
of accommodation between Solley Farm House - a superb 5 star B&B
(£255) and St Crispins Inn across the road (£225) - a traditional
15th century pub where we will no doubt all eat in the evening (evening meals
not included - from £15). 
The Cotswolds is an Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty, with sleepy villages built of mellow Cotswold
stone, and rolling hills full of delightful low level walks. It is high time we
offered a holiday here! This weekend with Barbara is based at the comfortable
and friendly Cleeve Hill Hotel which lies only 100 yards from the Cotswold Way
at Cleeve Hill and shares the same superb vantage point. On Saturday we can
follow the meandering Way to make a wide circuit around Cleeve Hill with views
in all directions. On Sunday we could start from the unspoilt village of
Winchcoombe, stopping at Sudeley Castle whose beautiful gardens will be well
worth a visit. If you arrive by 1pm on the Friday, there can also be an extra
walk, perhaps taking in Stanway village if this appeals. The Cleeve Hill Hotel
is 15 minutes by taxi from Cheltenham station. The whole hotel is beautifully
decorated with lovely ensuite rooms - mainly doubles that we can take as
singles, and two attractive and spacious twin rooms with very good views.
Delicious breakfasts are served in the light and airy conservatory, and in the
evening we'll stroll out to sample good eating places in the village. (Evening
meals not included - from £15)
A Lake District holiday with for those
who love the wonderful intermediate walks of Borrowdale or have yet to discover
them. Winter colours, frosty mornings, shapely winter trees, and maybe even
some snow on the tops - this is a favourite time for many people to come
walking in the Lakes. We will be staying at the friendly Glaramara Centre in
Borrowdale - clean, simple accommodation but with plenty of standard single
rooms (no supplement), good food, and a warm fire to come back to at the end of
the day. This holiday offers a choice of Intermediate and High Intermediate
walks each day - which is useful if you're not sure exactly which grade will
suit you or if you like to vary your walks. The walks will range from secluded
Dock Tarn or the wonderful High Spy ridge, to wild Glaramara and the higher
views of Green Gable and High Raise. After walking we can stop at a tea shop,
or get back to relax in front of the fire with a drink from the centre's small
bar. 
The incredible
experience of trekking in Nepal need not be purely for high level walkers. The
Hindu and Buddhist temples of Kathmandu, the amazing medieval city of Baktapur,
the serenity of Phewa Tal ('Fish Tail Lake') in Pokhara, and the breath taking
views of the Himalaya are all features of this intermediate holiday to Nepal
with Linda and Lorraine - including a 7-day circular trek to Gorapani in the
Annapurna region. At Gorapani, weather permitting, we'll climb Poon Hill and
watch the sun rise over the magnificent Annapurna range. There'll be bamboo
forests and huge rhododendron trees in flower, monkeys in the trees, steep
stone steps that we'll take as slowly as we need, and little villages dotting
the terraced hillsides where we'll stop for tea. Before the trek we will have a
warm-up walk from Pokhara, to Sunrise View near Sarankot, and maybe by boat
across the lake to climb to the Peace Temple for another special view of the
mountains. Our accommodation over this holiday will vary from 3-star hotels in
Kathmandu and Pokhara to simple tea houses on the trek (basic lodges with clean
rooms and filtered water. Some have squat toilets). Luggage is transported by
porters - you carry a day pack only.
Atol No. 6497
The chalet has 7 twin bedrooms and 1 single, all fully
ensuite, mostly with baths. The single room is smaller and has a shower
(£10 a night single supplement). The chalet has a good-sized
lounge/dining room on the 2nd floor built around an open fire, and there's even
a sauna downstairs!! Breakfast & evening meals will be prepared for us by
the chalet staff except for the one evening we go out to eat. The food was
excellent last year. 
This Easter holiday offers a
choice of Intermediate and Slow High walks - a new WW grade that has proved
hugely popular. Slow High walks involve the same 'up' and distance as High
Level walks but are taken at a slower pace. You might already love slow high
walks, or you might want the challenge of going higher than Intermediate
without worrying about the pace. Either way, this new grade is just for you! At
the same time, there will be wonderful intermediate walks on offer each day
which might be your preference, or you can swap between the 2 groups when you
wish. Intermediate walks will include wild Blea Rigg and the Helm Crag ridge,
Heron Pike overlooking Grasmere, Codale Tarn and Grasmere Common… Our
accommodation for this holiday is at comfortable Glenthorne Guest House in
Grasmere with ensuite twin and standard single rooms without a supplement,
excellent food, a large lounge, conservatory, and a lovely garden. 
The fantastic ancient yews of Kingley Vale,
superb views from the Downs across Chichester harbour to the sea, Bosham
harbour which dates back to saxon and medieval times, waders and waterbirds
… plenty to explore on this South Downs Easter break based in the quiet
rural setting of East Ashling a short taxi ride from Chichester station. Here
we'll be staying for 3 nights at the Horse & Groom, a 17th Century pub
whose bedrooms are all located away from bar noise in two beautifully converted
adjacent barns. Furthermore, these ensuite twin and double bedrooms can all be
taken as singles with no extra supplement! (The pub has no separate resident's
lounge).
Away from the crowds, this Easter holiday
with Marian & Sally has exclusive use of High Trenhouse near tranquil
Malham Tarn in the Yorkshire Dales - a beautifully converted farm and
outbuildings on the edge of the moors above Malham Cove and Gordale. The
Pennine Way 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
Settle station to make it easy to come by train. 
This new Easter holiday is designed to be suitable for
all women - accessible for wheelchair users and anyone who has difficulty with
(or doesn't like) stiles, rough paths or gradients. The walks will be short and
easy paced, possibly going to two places in the same day. Based at comfortable
Losehill Hall near Castleton in the Peak District we will have a good choice of
stile-less routes by the reservoirs, along the old railway lines and possibly
even around the Chatsworth House grounds and gardens. (There will be minibus
transport to walks). Losehill Hall is a lovely old Victorian mansion set in its
own extensive grounds. It is the National Peak Park Study Centre, run on
eco-centre lines - everything here is recycled, ensuite showers instead of
baths, communal tea/coffee facilities, and there's even a courtesy taxi from
Hope station if you're coming by train. The Hall has level access to the bar, a
comfortable lounge, and the food served in the dining room is truly excellent.
All the bedrooms we have reserved are ensuite singles without a supplement and
some are fully accessible. 
If you've ever looked west from Cat Bells
near Keswick, the glorious valley you saw below you with ridges leading off in
all directions was Newlands. There are excellent Intermediate walks to choose
from here - up onto strikingly shaped Causey Pike, over whale-backed Knott
Rigg, and not to forget the new vantage point we'll have to walk the stunning
High Spy ridge. On this Newlands break we'll be staying at Swinside Inn and
Swinside Farmhouse immediately across the road - half the group in each and a
good number of ensuite singles available. Swinside Inn is a 17th century
coaching inn with plenty of character, a friendly atmosphere and bar, and a
good pub menu to choose from when we eat together in the evening. (Evening
meals not included - from £12). 
The Abbey Hotel overlooks
Tintern Abbey in the Wye Valley - an area steeped in history, and rich in
wildlife, archaeology, and industrial remains. Here the River Wye forms the
boundary between England and Wales, and King Offa built his famous dyke near
the English bank. In places ancient woodland clings to the steep sides of
dramatic limestone gorge, while elsewhere the river is boarded by tranquil
meadows. Our first walk will take us from Wales into England across the river,
and up to Brockweir Bridge before returning along the opposite bank. There is a
local vineyard we could visit, and we can stop at the old railway station for
tea and home-made cakes. The next day we might catch the local bus to Chepstow
and follow the Wye Valley Walk through the woods to the spectacular viewpoint
at Eagle's Nest. Finally we could explore the historic tracks and ancient
ironworks towards Angidy. The Abbey Hotel has comfortable ensuite twin and
ensuite single rooms (no single supplement) in Tintern village with its old
pubs, tourist shops and craft galleries. Tintern is easy to reach by road or
rail - close to the M4 & M5, or a 6-mile taxi or bus ride from Chepstow
station. 
For this holiday we will be
based for the first 5 nights at the exceptionally comfortable Saints Bay Hotel,
which is located just back from the cliffs of Icart Point. From here we will
have immediate access to Guernsey's spectacular coastal path in each direction
- with all that a 'coastal path' implies (stunning sea views, cliffs &
coves, and more ups and downs than some low intermediate walks). Inland or
across the island there are other walks we can include - like the causeway walk
to Lihou Island if the tides are in our favour. The cost of the ferry from
Weymouth to Guernsey is included in the price, and since the return ferry
arrives late in the evening, our last night will be at Hotel Rex on the
Esplanade in Weymouth. This will allow us easier onward travel and we can also
include a last short walk on Portland Bill before we head for home! 
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path has proved so
popular in 2007 that we've added another section for 2008. This new April
holiday with Polly covers the first quarter of the path from its start at
Amroth finishing at Pembroke Castle. While containing plenty of 'ups' and
'downs' as we round classic Pembrokeshire stretches of stunning sea cliffs,
this first section is gentler overall as it also includes the long bays at
Tenby, Freshwater East, and Angle. As such it makes a good introduction to the
Path althrough the days are still up to 13 miles in length. For this holiday we
will be based at East Trewent Farm for 5 nights, located midpoint along our
route offering a mix of ensuite and standard twin and single rooms. Each day we
will use the coastal bus or taxi to reach our next leg. The nearest station is
at Lamphey. Pat from the farm has offered to pick women up from Lamphey station
if arranged in advance. 
It's about time we offered a holiday on the Isle of
Wight which is a paradise for walkers. This new holiday is based for 4 nights
at the attractive Sandpipers Hotel near Freshwater Bay near where Tennyson once
lived. From the door or with a short hop on the excellent island bus we can
reach several classic IOW walks with variations each day for gentle and
intermediate walkers: Tennyson Down, the Needles, and Alum Bay; Mottistone and
Compton Downs or gentler coastal paths; 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 nestling 50m from the shoreline. It has an airy breakfast
conservatory, an award winning Fat Cat Bar, a comfortable lounge with books to
borrow, excellent aga-cooked food… and to top it all there are plenty of
single rooms!