Don’t make these mistakes on your walking holiday
A walking holiday is one of the simplest ways to explore a landscape. You walk from one place to another, enjoy the scenery, discover somewhere new and settle down for the evening. But a little preparation can make a big difference. From choosing the right route to packing sensibly and keeping an eye on the weather, avoiding a few common mistakes can help make your days on the trail more enjoyable.
Here are some of the things that can catch walkers out, and some simple ways to avoid them.
Breaking in New Boots on Day One
Few things can put a dampener on a walking holiday quite like sore feet. New walking boots or shoes might feel perfectly comfortable around the house or on a short walk, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are ready for several consecutive days on the trail.
Wear new footwear well before your holiday and gradually increase the distance you walk in them. This gives the footwear time to mould to your feet and, importantly, gives you a chance to discover any pressure points before they become a problem.
It’s also worth carrying a small blister kit. A few blister plasters and some tape take up very little space but can make a considerable difference if a hot spot develops.
Taking on More Than You’re Ready For
Long distance trails can be deceptively demanding. A route might look manageable on a map, but several days of walking can be very different from completing a single long day.
When choosing a route, consider the distance, terrain and amount of ascent as well as your general level of fitness. If you’re new to multi day walking, there’s nothing wrong with choosing a gentler route or a shorter itinerary. The aim is to enjoy the journey, not to prove a point to your legs.
And once you’re on the trail, start steadily. It’s easy to walk too quickly on the first morning when you’re feeling fresh and enthusiastic. A comfortable pace that you can maintain throughout the day, and again tomorrow, is far more valuable.
Underestimating the Weather
British weather has a habit of changing its mind. A promising morning can become wet and windy, particularly on exposed hills or coastal paths.
Check the forecast before setting out, but don’t rely on it completely. Carry waterproofs, an extra warm layer and sun protection, whatever the forecast suggests. A hat and gloves can also be surprisingly useful outside the summer months.
Being prepared for a change in conditions means you can concentrate on the landscape rather than worrying about what the clouds are doing.
Carrying Too Much
It’s tempting to pack for every eventuality. But when everything you bring has to be carried up the next hill, those “just in case” items can quickly become less appealing.
Think carefully about what you actually need during the walking day. Waterproofs, warm layers, water, snacks, navigation and a small first aid kit are essentials. Several changes of clothing probably aren’t.
On a supported walking holiday, luggage transfer can make a real difference. Your main luggage travels ahead to your next accommodation, leaving you to carry only what you need for the day. It’s a simple way of enjoying the freedom of a multi day walk without carrying everything you own.
Not Checking What’s Available Along the Way
One of the pleasures of walking between places is discovering what lies along the route, but it pays to do a little research beforehand.
A village shop, café or pub might be the perfect place to stop for lunch, but opening hours can vary, particularly in quieter rural areas. Some stages may have very few opportunities to buy food or refill water.
Your map and guidebook can help you identify services along the route, allowing you to plan ahead and carry what you need. It also means you can make the most of those unexpected tea stops when they do appear.
Treating Navigation as Something You Only Need When Lost
You don’t need to be an expert navigator to enjoy a walking holiday, but it helps to stay aware of where you are.
Even on a well waymarked trail, checking your map or digital mapping regularly gives you confidence that you’re following the intended route. More importantly, it helps you understand the landscape around you.
A map can reveal much more than the way ahead: an ancient monument, a ruined settlement, an old trackway or a viewpoint just beyond the path. Navigation is not simply about avoiding getting lost. It can help you discover more.
Forgetting That Your Feet Need Looking After
Feet work hard on a multi day walk, so give them some attention. Change socks if they become wet, deal with hot spots before they turn into blisters, and take the opportunity to let your feet recover at the end of each day.
A comfortable pair of shoes for the evening can be a small luxury after several hours in walking boots. And don’t underestimate the value of putting your feet up for a while before heading out for dinner.
Forgetting That Tomorrow Matters Too
Perhaps the biggest difference between a day walk and a walking holiday is that there is another day waiting for you.
It can be tempting to walk every mile as quickly as possible, particularly when you’re enjoying yourself. But pacing yourself over several days is important. Take regular breaks, eat and drink before you become hungry or thirsty, and listen to your body.
There is no prize for reaching your accommodation first. A steady pace and sensible breaks will leave you with more energy to enjoy the following day.
Leaving No Room for the Unexpected
Walking holidays rarely go exactly to plan, and that’s part of their appeal.
A viewpoint might tempt you to stop for longer than expected. You might discover a particularly good café, meet another walker, or simply find yourself wanting to sit on a wall and enjoy the view. Allowing a little flexibility makes it easier to embrace these moments rather than feeling that you are constantly racing the clock.
And Perhaps the Biggest Mistake…
It’s easy to become focused on completing the route: reaching the next village, ticking off the miles or getting to the end of the day’s stage.
But the best walking holidays are about much more than covering the distance. Pause occasionally. Look around. Notice the changing landscape, the wildlife, the weather and the details underfoot. Take the photograph. Have the cup of tea. Stop and enjoy the view.
After all, unlike a holiday spent in one place, a walking holiday is constantly moving through the landscape. Once a particular view or stretch of path is behind you, it’s gone.
Final Thoughts
A little preparation can prevent most of the common pitfalls, leaving you free to concentrate on what matters: enjoying the journey, discovering somewhere new and experiencing the landscape one step at a time.
If you’d like to explore more about self guided walking holidays and the practicalities of planning a multi day walk, you can find further inspiration and advice at Mickledore Travel.
Britain’s Best History and Heritage Walks
Will you be ticking a long distance footpath off your list this year? – Why not pick one of these historical walks
Top 10 Tips for Multi-Day Walks
10 practical tips for multi-day walks from the experts at Mickledore – useful advice to make your walking holiday a success
How a Self-Guided Walking Holiday Works – Tips for Beginners
Discover how a self-guided walking holiday works, combining independence with organised travel for the perfect adventure
By Mark Wright
Meet Mark Wright – Product Development Manager at Mickledore
Mark moved to the Lake District from the Scottish Borders in 2010. He began contributing to Mickledore’s social media in 2014, before joining the company full-time in 2019. Since then, he has been creating new routes, developing existing ones, and marketing them to the world.
Visit Mickledore for detailed itineraries and inspiration for your next walking holiday
