Not all walking trips involve climbing rocky crags or fording torrential rivers. Some of the best walks in the world may well be on your doorstep. Still, for a holiday experience, few holidays cost less or promise more in the way of memorable experiences, inspiring surroundings and that all-important 'feel-good factor' when you return home.

There are two main types of walking holiday: walks from a fixed base, where you walk out or drive and walk every day; or 'journeys', where you walk from point to point, staying at a different place each night, over several days or even weeks. Walking holidays can be guided, in groups, or you can do them yourself.

Walking holidays can be more or less strenuous. Many involve gentle rambling, mostly in company (for conversation is an important component of a memorable walk), along a peaceful riverbank followed by a nice pint in the pub or steak frites in the village brasserie. We've included not only the most famous and well known walks in the world, but also some lesser known walks, rambles and tracks. Walks can be social affairs or spiritually uplifting, in hot sunshine or in misty drizzle - whatever kind of walking holiday you prefer it's both valuable exercise, and an (almost) effortless activity to get you out into your local surroundings, or see the world.

Above all, walking provides the basis of not only a memorable holiday, with a chance to mix culture, food and landscape, but an inexpensive one too, that also gets you fit. For all ages. So check out our list of great walking holiday companies and ... get walking!

Related categories: Cycling, Horse Riding, Train Journeys, Road Trips, Sailing, River Trips, Walking

Experts in Walking:  Nadia Le Bon,  Steve Berry,  Russ Claridge,  Ralph Pina,  Kathy Dragon,  Alison Howell,  Andrew Straw,  John Chapman,  Ralph Johnson,  Dave Clucas

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