AD Guest Post
According to NHS guidance, children aged 5 to 18 should get an average of 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous activity a day. Ideally, that would also happen outdoors, where they can get some fresh air and relax their nervous systems. But in between the classroom and scrolling at home, many kids today don’t reach that number consistently.
A walking holiday is the perfect way to catch up on all of those things, for both the little ones and the adults. So, here are some of our favourite family-friendly routes:
The rolling hills of the Cotswolds
If you want to keep your walking holiday close to home, there are plenty of beautiful options right on our doorstep. The circular Cotswolds Trail, for one, is ideal for families easing into long-distance walking, thanks to the region’s gentle rolling hills and well-signed paths.
Starting and ending in Moreton-in-Marsh, this route is only 47 miles in total, split over 7 days. It visits some of Cotswold’s most picturesque villages along the way, including Bourton-on-the-Water, Winchcombe, Broadway, Chipping Campden and Blockley, as well as various local attractions and breathtaking viewpoints.
And with all the daily walking kept under 12 miles, there’s plenty of time for spontaneous ice cream stops!
Coves and clifftops on Spain’s Costa Brava
For something more exotic, the coastal Costa Brava trail through northern Catalonia runs from Garriguella down to the Cap de Creus peninsula and back to Garriguella, covering just 36 miles in 9 days.
The walk includes a mix of pine forests, vineyards, olive grove terraces, rocky bays, steep coves, and golden beaches, all with the beautiful backdrop of the Pyrenees falling into the Mediterranean Sea. It’s also full of fascinating historical surprises, as the region is home to Roman ruins and prehistoric dolmens.
This route is graded medium to low for difficulty, with around 4 to 6 hours of walking per day and ascents or descents of up to 700 metres. However, each day is kept at no more than 10 miles of distance, and there’s a rest day in-between, giving you the opportunity to relax or explore the local attractions.
The Algarve’s Wild West in Portugal
Portugal’s Algarve offers an even gentler version of a beautiful coastal walk. The “Wild West” stretch, part of the famous Rota Vicentina network, is a 50-mile trail that starts and ends in the seaside town of Sagres. It’s considered a low level of difficulty, covering anywhere from 2 to 5 hours of walking each day.
The route threads clifftop paths and boardwalks above golden beaches, with plenty of time and incredible stopping points for a swim and a relaxing meal, rather than having to push through to the next town.
Thanks to the region’s unique climate and lush green valleys, it also attracts a variety of different bird species migrating from Africa, which you can spot during your walks. Storks nesting along the cliffs are a particular hit with tourists!
Booking your walking holiday
You may be thinking – all of this sounds great, but how do I go about organising the logistics? Well, you’ll be glad to hear that there are specialist agencies, like Orbis Ways, who can do all of that for you! They will suggest a destination and itinerary based on your personal preferences, plan the route, pre-book selected hotels and organise the luggage transfers or taxis, if needed. They’ll also provide 24/7 travel assistance throughout your trip.
As a busy family with kids, you already have enough on your plate, so having someone else do all that planning for you is exactly what you need. All that’s left to do is pack your muddy boots and enjoy a family adventure together!
