Rethinking the 'Walking Holiday'
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Is it not just as simple as putting one foot in front of the other? As you watch walkers strapping their multi-socked feet into well worn walking boots, fold their technologically advanced looking wet weather garb into their pack, and consulting their GPS, compass and maps knowingly, you may be forgiven for thinking ‘what’s all the fuss about - can't some toddlers do it?’ The truth is that these are the tools of the serious walker, you don’t need to have them for a walk to the park and back but if you’re going to attempt a serious walking journey you may need to become familiar with them. I should know. My parents are ardent bushwalkers, they spent their honeymoon on Tasmania’s Overland Track, and when they had kids saw no reason not to drag them through kilometres and kilometres of bush and desert. Before I turned ten I had wandered the Blue Mountains, ascended Kings Canyon and walked the Bogong High Plains. Their plan worked, instilling in me the excitement of exploring places on foot and though my tastes lead to more genteel destinations, with the promise of a decent glass of wine at the end of the day and at least a shower, if not a bed, I’m still happiest when I’m seeing places at walking pace. It took me a while to realise that I had become one of them: a 'walker'. At first it was strolling the Loire or part of the Lycian Way or suggesting a ramble along the Amalfi Coast, thinking that was the best way to see the sights for myself (and it certainly is), but then my parents pointed out that I was embarking on walking holidays! And although I may not have been carrying a tent I was wearing sturdy shoes… Just because I don't like to admit it, they're no less right, travelling on your own whim, stopping when there is something to look at and resting when you feel tired really is the best way to get around the place. Even a city. No one considers it a proper walking holiday if you say you’re going to Rome, but in reality you’re probably going to spend your time meandering between the sights, stopping at the highpoints and resting when you're tired, which could easily equal five days on the track, just surrounded by a different kind of scenery. |
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All the best walks from World Reviewer » My kind of Walking Holiday
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Walk St. Andre-les-Alpes to RiezWalking in Western Loire, France For my second run on the European long distance trail the GR4 I opted for something more dramatic. Beginning with views over the Valley du Verdon the trail begins by heading along the pine hills overlooking the Lac de Castillon to Castellane which has a chapel with a breathtaking view. From there the trail follows a Roman forged route past ancient stone villages along the valley walls before hitting the main event, the Gorges du Verdon. It’s just as grand as you would hope it to be, towering limestone walls and the rumble of water add to the thrill of having to climb (ladders granted) the walls themselves. There is a wonderful place to stay in La Maline which has a balcony over looking the whole grand scene. I would recommend you stay the night here, if you’re anything like me you’ll want to spend as much time looking at the view as you can. From there the views don’t get any less brilliant, with beautiful bright blue lakes beginning to show on the valley floor below the deep gorges. Once you get to the Plateau de Valensole the scenery changes dramatically and it’s pretty lavender floored oak woods and the more rural setting of Roman town Riez.
Review by Photo by |
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Walking AndaluciaWalking in Andalucia, Spain If you’re looking for scenery, climate, architecture, history, flora, history and culture (why else would you travel on foot?) then Andalucia has a lot of offer. The Alpujarras, which are the hills leading up to the Sierra Nevada have become pretty popular with walkers, especially seeing the proximity from there to the blue Mediterranean coastline. It’s stunning country and despite the drama it’s not to difficult to get around. The Arabs built all these great Camino Reales (roads), passes and aqueducts from the mountains to the fields which are still in good nick today. Some of the villages on these old roads have become touristy but not all of them. For something a bit more cosmopolitan drop in to Ronda where there is a famous bullring and Berber style houses and streets (and the New Bridge, actually really old, that people used to be hurled off of during the Spanish Civil War) then walk on to Grazalema village (one of the regions famous pueblos blancos or whitewashed arab inspired villages.) then the Grazalema Natural Park. The best time to go walking in Andalucia is late spring, early summer or early autumn for the annual bird migrations (inc. eagles and vultures) and the best weather, but there is supposed to be sunshine all year round (or that could just be what the local information guides say to get you to come in winter?). Certainly everything grows here which is a good sign by my reckoning - olives, grape vines, tropical fruits, flowers. Expect to be eating cured meats, olive oil and fresh veggies for days - often in the form of tapas and drinking sherry.
Review by Photo by flickr user Fresco Tours |
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The Istria PeninsulaWalking in Pula, Croatia Croatia has been had, historically, by so many different cultures and all of them have left their mark on the peninsular. Most came in from the Adriatic in the bright sunshine thinking, wow, this is a great coastline (assuming people though out history like white beaches, rocky island pocked bright blue water and well meaning flora.). They then built their various temples, churches and settlements from the basic to the gloriously complex and detailed - people who know their stuff will be able to tell you which is Medieval, Roman, Baroque, Gothic, Byzantine or what have you but let it be enough for me to tell you that it’s pretty and varied. Practically this region is pretty well set up for walkers, along the coastline there are plenty of places to camp and tracks that if they aren’t well marked are well kept (and it’s quite nice to let yourself get lost now and then.). If you’re not a camper the towns and villages here are close enough together to plan your route to hop between them - Fazana and nearby fishing village Peroj is particularly nice. This bit of coastline is for farming and fishing but along further is a section which is part of a National Park, so you’ve got the best of nature and of culture. The Hapsburg villa town of Lovran also makes a nice base, if a bit on the expensive side. If you stay on this side you can take a short walk to a spot with views across Istria to the Dolomites. The local spirit, which I like to taste when ever I visit a new place is called Sliwowitz, it’s a kind of plum-schnapps.
Review by Photo by flickr user Chiara Marra |
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Aphrodite and Adonis Walks, AkamasWalking in Cyprus These lovely trail names, the Aphrodite and Adonis run along the coastline of Cyprus between archaeologically interesting spots, old towns, farms with fruit and olive groves and beautiful views. Begin near Polis then follow the Adonis Trail up to the Moutti tis Sotiras for views almost to Turkey and the pool, spectacular in it’s natural beauty, where Aphrodite and Adonis bathed before following the coastline round to the monastery of Agios Georgios. Passing between Mount Olympus and the ocean the land is covered in vineyards and you’ll see the abandoned village of Terra. A detour up Mount Olympus will add a day to your trip but is worth considering for the view. It’s not particularly difficult, the trail is rocky and on a cooler sunnier day this could easily be the highlight of your trip. Past the town of Drouseia is the chapel of Ayia Paraskevi with it’s beautiful view of the coves below it and above that the town of Kato Akourdaleia. Below this town and along the coastline is Lara Bay which was steep to get to but where turtles are supposed to lay their eggs. There are several possible itineraries around the Akamas region and these sights are just a few of the possibilities. The nice thing about the region is the varied sights and the way you can plan your route around the themes you’re most interested in be it history, mythology or natural beauty. I think everyone will enjoy something about this beautiful area. There is also plenty of accommodation to choose from. Take proper walking boots to stay comfortable and carry water at all times.
Review by Photo by flickr user Leonid Mamchenkov |
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Walk King Ludwig's WayWalking in Munich, Germany At the beginning of your journey standing on the meadows beside Lake Starnberg you can see the periodically increasing gradient as the landscape rises to meet the Alps near where your path finishes. But the distance and gradient is far greater than it looks. The architecture of the resort town is pale and appealing and as you walk upwards the theme continues, passing through several villages of pretty, pale chalets and Orthodox churches, Andrechs and Wessobrunn monasteries, Diessen Cathedral and the Rococo church at Wies. The way also crosses two dramatic gorges and passes two of Bavaria’s lovely alpine lakes. Supposedly a favourite pathway for Bavaria’s King Ludwig it begins at the shrine near where he died and finishes near the fairytale castle of his imagination, Neuschwanstein. The pathway is well signposted, with a K for King Ludwig, along footpaths and gravel roads. Assuming you cover 15 to 20 kilometres a day this journey will take you between five days and a week staying overnight in chalet and B&B style accommodation.
Review by Photo by flickr user flickerl |
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Aphrodities Bath, LatchiWalking in Cyprus This is a beautiful spot, the walk up to the site where the Godess Aphroditi is said to have bathed after emerging from the sea near to Paphos. We carried on up the trail past the baths and came to a picnic site on to of a cliff with lovely views around the bay. There are eating places nearby and the beautiful village of Latchi is well worth a look too.
Review by Photo by flickr user sk12 |
