Spent a great week walking in Sierra de Aitana. The walks were challenging but well worth the effort. The views from the summits were spectacular. Jose was a great guide and as he was local he was so knowledgeable about the area and passionate about his country. He made us lovely sandwiches for lunch and we also had pasta one day. Jose’s mother made little cotton lunch bags for us to use for the week – a nice touch. The accommodation was more than I expected – clean, good breakfasts and a lovely 3 course meal with wine in the evening. The drinks are very reasonably priced. There was a room set aside for Exodus and coffee, tea, milk and biscuits were provided. Raquel and Pepe who ran the hostel were a joy! Jose’s dog Bobi joined us on our last 2 walks. So friendly and well behaved. It was also nice to meet Sara.
Walking & Trekking Holidays
Types of Walking HOLIDAY Adventures
New Walking Holidays
All Walking & Trekking Holidays
Our Walking & Trekking Activity Levels
Several factors are considered when grading our different types of walking holiday to help you find the comfort level that best suits you. These include:
- Length & duration of trek per day
- Trail conditions underfoot
- Average altitude change
- Weather conditions
- Levels of porterage, support and local services available
Level 1: Leisurely walking trips
Experience is not necessary; anyone fit and healthy enough to complete a weekend walk can manage a Leisurely, Level 1 walking trip. Walks are often optional and trails are seldom flat, so expect a reasonable amount of ascent and descent.
You would normally walk for two to five hours during the day and daily ascents will likely be around 300m to 500m.
Level 3: Moderate walking trips
Moderate Level 3 walking tours are either fairly easy medium-duration walks or harder, shorter walks. No experience is necessary, but good health and reasonable fitness are important. Walking at higher altitudes and occasional longer or harder days may be involved, but general underfoot conditions will be fair.
A walking day during these tours is normally five to seven hours. Daily ascents will likely be around 500m to 800m, perhaps with the odd day ascending around 900m to 1,000m.
Level 5: Challenging walking trips
Fitness is important for walking holidays at this grade, which compares to extended walking in mountainous terrain such as the Lake District or Snowdonia. High altitudes, climate and remoteness are also expected. Previous trekking experience is desirable, but not vital if you are confident of your physical condition.
Walking days are usually between six and eight hours, although they may be longer for passes or peaks. Daily ascents will likely be around 900m to 1,000m, perhaps with the odd day ascending to 1,200m.
Level 7: Tough walking trips
At this level, we recommend previous trekking experience, preferably at altitude. You need complete confidence in your ability to trek for many days over difficult terrain. Extremes of altitude and weather may be encountered. This may involve the use of ice axes and crampons.
Stamina is essential as walking days last six to nine hours – or more on occasional days. Daily ascents will likely be around 900m to 1,000m, perhaps with the odd day ascending to 1,200m.
Level 9: Tough+ walking trips
A Level 9 walking tour includes all the elements of our Level 7 itineraries but adds climbing a glaciated mountain peak. Specialist pieces of equipment like ice axes and crampons will be needed, and you should have experience of using them.
Please check the trip notes carefully to ensure that your experience and equipment meet the demands of a Tough+ trip. When climbing, the peak days can be very long and you may be on your feet for 11 hours or more.
Split and optional grades
To provide a more accurate grading system, we use an intermediate or split grade where a trip falls between two grades. For example, Level 2 would combine Leisurely and Moderate qualities.
Occasionally there are optional ascents available en route. In this case, the optional grade will be highlighted below the dial on each trip page.
You can find more information by reading our activity level guidelines. We also have fitness guides to give you a better idea of how you can train ahead of your trip.
Susan Houston Sierra de Aitana Trek
Ian Lochhead Walking the Picos de EuropaAnother superb Exodus adventure. An excellent and varied walk program. The Hotel Torrecerredo was of a very high standard with delicious meals provided each day. The owners Jim & Pilar were brilliant hosts too. Special mention also to Adolfo-brilliant character! We had a small group of 8 and we all got on really well right from the start.
Sylvia Meldrum Sierra de Aitana TrekJust back from doing this tour. The walks are arduous at times but they’re well worth it as the scenery is fantastic. The accommodation was good with clean rooms and good home cooking.
Our guide Jose was local and he was knowledgeable in all aspects of the terrain, history and agricultural status, he also makes great sandwiches! The group also benefited from pick ups and drop offs on our free day from Jose and lots of suggestions regarding what to do.
If there was a problem it was the mosquitos….make sure you take repellents as they will eat you alive!
Can’t not mention Bobi (the dog) and Sara who also did some of the pick ups and drop offs, thank you both.
Walking and trekking holiday FAQs
Depending on the type of walking holiday you choose, you could be scaling great heights, soaking up coastal scenery or spotting incredible wildlife.
It could be self-guided or you could make friends with like-minded travellers in one of our group walking tours. Either way, our guided tours will mean you’re supervised by one of our expert leaders. They’ll impart valuable knowledge about your destination, giving you a more personal experience you simply won’t get anywhere else.
We offer self-guided, guided and even private group walking tours.
Our point-to-point walking holidays allow you to cover vast distances, uncovering new scenery each day. Examples include everything from the Peruvian heights of The Inca Trail to the almighty Everest Base Camp Trek.
Want to scale some of the largest heights around the globe? Our summit walking tours will take you up the likes of Mount Toubkal in Morocco and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Alternatively, you might prefer a centre-based walking holiday where you’ll stay in accommodation for the entirety of the trip, giving you a comfortable base. This includes our Walking the Amalfi Coast and Mont Blanc Highlights walking tours.
While many of our walking trips are 16+, we do offer several family walking holidays too.
You can embark on walking holidays in Europe or stay closer to home with a walking tour in the UK. Want to go further afield? Browse our full selection of walking and trekking holidays, which includes destinations like Peru, Africa and Nepal.
You can also filter your walking preferences by the type of destination you’d prefer, such as any of the following:
Every walking holiday is different, so make sure you check your itinerary. Consider the terrain and the weather at your chosen destination and set time aside to research the climate expected during your walking tour.
Sturdy walking boots with good ankle support are essential, as well as appropriate socks to reduce rubbing.
A hot climate will require a sun hat, sunglasses and appropriate clothing, such as shorts and t-shirts made from breathable materials. Walking trips in destinations with hotter climates, such as those in deserts, can plunge to chilly temperatures at night, so be sure to bring layers, particularly if you are camping. Some countries also experience heavy or intermittent rainfall, so a waterproof is recommended.
You should also consider whether your destination requires a more conservative dress code. Many of our walking tours integrate cultural activities that may require a shawl or headscarf.
Meanwhile, a snowy climate will demand a warm hat, headband or buff. We recommend two pairs of gloves, with one waterproof pair. Be sure to remember sunglasses, as the sunlight reflecting from the snow can be very intense. Check our winter adventure kit list for more information on clothing and accessories you might need.
We have an essential walking kit list that highlights items such as SPF and gel plasters. You might consider a first aid kit with painkillers too. Depending on the climate, mosquito spray could come in handy.
If you go for one of our snowshoeing walking holidays, we’ll provide equipment like snowshoes, walking poles and avalanche transceivers.
Walking tours can be as little as a few days or upwards of 12 days if you choose a longer expedition.
Many of our trips are guided, but you have the option to choose a self-guided walking holiday if preferred.
If you choose one of our guided small group walking trips, you’ll be in a group of 8 to 16 people. A large proportion of our walking holiday trips are made up of solo travellers, creating a great opportunity to make friends with like-minded people with different stories to share.
Again, this will depend on your chosen tour. You could be camping or staying in a range of unique, locally owned accommodation throughout your tour. This could be anything from mountain huts to farmyards, rural gîtes to hotels.
Most of our trips include food and drink, with some tours allowing you to buy your own if there are services or eateries available. Check the details of your chosen tour to see whether food is included.
Some of our walking holidays are very food-centric and involve related activities, such as wine tasting in the vineyards of Burgundy. So be sure to choose your walking trip based on what you want from the experience.
Danny Bell
Meet the Expert – Product Manager Europe
“Walking and trekking has always been at the heart of Exodus with Nepal being central to this. Our guides and leaders here are part of our family-run local team – some are second- and third-generation Exodus staff, who have inherited their expert knowledge of this beautiful region to provide a unique trekking adventure.”
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