Europe Walking Tours

This is the secret Lake District of the Caldbeck Fells - John Peel country - an area that sees few visitors, yet its wild and beautiful fells offer superb walking with panoramic views of the Scottish hills across the Solway estuary, as well as the familiar peaks of Central Lakeland observed from a unique vantage. We provide details and maps for several walk options from easy to challenging. Centred on the traditional villages of Hesket Newmarket and Uldale the walks vary from wanders along quiet bridleways and country lanes, taking in local pubs along the way, to ascents of the main Caldbeck Fells of Carrock, High Pike, Knott, Great Sca Fell and Great Cockup. Be different and visit the lesser known ‘Secret Lake District’ of the Calbeck Fells.

Custom routes from 50km (3 days) to 250km (10 days)

EasyWays are pleased to announce a new tour for 2020 that embraces the islands off the west coast of Scotland. The tour offers the opportunity to experience Arran, Islay, Jura and Gigha along with parts of the Kintyre and Argyll Peninsulas in a combination tour that provides something for everyone. The islands have reasonable public transport access from Central Scotland and the terrain offers a good mix of coastal and hill walking.

With the EasyWays package just advise what locations you would like to visit and your preferred dates for walking and let us construct a tour that encapsulates all on a bespoke itinerary utilising public transport connections throughout thereby keeping the price to optimum level. All tours include baggage transfer and ferry travel including detailed advice on how to get to and from the start and end points on your chosen route.

Choose from any of nine segments—follow the link or contact Encounter Walking Holidays for more information.

From towering cliffs to hidden coves, ghostly tin mines to lush wooded creeks. One minute a dramatic rock theatre hewn out of the cliffs, the next a prehistoric fossilised forest. On the South West Coast Path you re-trace the footsteps, histories and lives of old tin miners, fisherman, smugglers, wreckers and of the customs men who chased them.

The full path snakes a staggering 630 miles, but is more commonly broken up into nine shorter sections. Encounter Walking Holidays will happily tailor a route to your preferences—get in touch now for more information.

Hadrian’s Wall Path is an epic 84 miles in total stretching from sea to sea through the beautiful and rugged borderlands between Scotland and England.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is Europe’s largest surviving Roman monument and steeped in history, as well as being a popular location for films and television shoots. It was the northern frontier of the Roman Empire and took a force of 15,000 men 6 years to build.

If you want to see the best preserved parts of the Wall with museums and forts then our Highlights of the Wall walk may be for you. This 41 mile walk between Chollerford and Carlisle is where the Wall can be seen at its best. You will see fine examples of the forts, turrets and milecastles, stay in hand-picked accommodation, visit the historic Border City of Carlisle to see the castle and museums and learn about the “Cursing Stone’, a curse made against the Reivers – robbers, blackmailers and highwaymen – who blighted this area 500 years ago.

Head for the more remote valleys of the northern Dales to explore fast-flowing rivers, stunning hay meadows, traditional villages and fascinating mining remains. Spend your first day crossing the wild, open moorland between Arkengarthdale and Swaledale before enjoying a classic exploration of upper Swaledale, with its waterfalls and welcoming little villages. Your third day takes you along the Swale to popular Reeth before heading up to Fremington Edge for views back over much of your route.

Spend your first day enjoying the famous Malham circuit, taking in Gordale Scar, Malham Tarn and the huge arc of Malham Cove, as well as the quieter footpaths in between. Your second day takes you across the moors into Wharfedale where you visit the pretty village of Linton before arriving at your base for the last two nights in beautiful Burnsall. Spend your last full day exploring a lovely stretch of the River Wharf (great for a dip if you’re brave enough!) and the gorge of Trollers Gill.

This route explores the peaceful fells of the Cumbrian part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Spend your first full day heading for the summit of brooding Wild Boar Fell, with views over much of the western Dales, the Eden Valley and the Howgill Fells. Your second day is a full-length traverse across the distinctive Howgill Fells to reach the ‘book town’ of Sedbergh. Your final day’s walk takes you over moorland and along gentle riverside paths in Dentdale, complete with a stop in picturesque Dent.

The food is as much a highlight as the walking on this trip, with fantastic dishes using lots of local produce on offer at both hotels.

The Anglesey Coastal Path is over 125 miles long and runs through some of the finest coastal scenery in Wales. Much of the Anglesey coastline is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) (one of 5 areas in Wales). This Coast Path walk offers a varied walking holiday crossing sandy dunes, wide estuaries, rocky cliffs and rolling farmland.

From many points along the walk there are fantastic views over to the Snowdon hills and the Llyn Peninsula. On clear days you can see as far as the Isle of Man and even the mountains of Ireland. There is abundant wildlife, including many sea birds and seals and you may be lucky enough to see dolphins.

Enjoy a relaxed ramble through Wharfedale, soaking up riverside paths, woodland trails, moorland views and pretty villages. Explore the charming villages of mid-Wharfedale before heading north all the way to the ‘head of the valley’. On the way, you will take in atmospheric Grass Wood, the fascinating ‘Conistone Dib’, a trip into peaceful Littondale, the villages of Kettlewell and Buckden and stunning views up and down the valley. There is also plenty of time to stop and refuel in some of the many cosy pubs and cafes on the way.

Begin your journey in the small market town of Middleham with its impressive castle ruins and spend a day exploring the quiet footpaths of exquisite Coverdale, remote Walden and idyllic Bishopdale before making your way west towards the head of Wensleydale, taking in famous Aysgarth Falls and the banks of the surprisingly peaceful River Ure.

Explore the famous green pastures of bucolic Wensleydale and its beautiful tributary valleys before crossing one of Yorkshire’s highest mountains to reach the more remote valley of Swaledale, full of dry stone walls, field barns, waterfalls and sweeping views. Much of this route takes in classic ‘Herriot Country’ and is our take on the well-known ‘Herriot Way’.

73 miles (117.5 km) ~ 6 days walking

Also available in shorter segments or as a custom itinerary - get in touch for more information.

The Great Glen Way stretches from Fort William in the shadow the mighty Ben Nevis to the Highland Capital of Inverness crossing a breath-taking landscape of lochs, hills and forests, with glorious views over Loch Ness.

The Great Glen Way offers a great introduction to Highlands long distance walking and although mostly on low-level terrain there are some challenging sections alongside Loch Ness. On leaving Fort William you will first encounter Neptune’s Staircase, a series of eight locks linking sea Loch Linnhe to the Caledonian Canal built by the Victorian Engineer, Thomas Telford in the early 19th Century.

Continue on past beautiful Loch Lochy and Loch Oich to the world-famous Loch Ness, home of myths and legends, overnighting in iconic highland villages of Fort Augustus and Drumnadrochit where the best selection of Scottish food and drink is on offer before reaching Inverness Castle, the end point of the route.

The Northumberland coast is best known for its sweeping sandy beaches, rolling dunes, high rocky cliffs and isolated islands. The special qualities of this coastal landscape led it to being designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1958 recognising that the Northumberland coast is one of the finest landscapes in the country.

This 64 miles walk takes in probably one of the finest sections of coastline in England. Part of the 'North Sea Trail' you will follow the Northumberland Coast Path from Cresswell in the South to Berwick upon Tweed in the North.

The route follows the coast in most places with an inland detour between Belford and Holy Island. Most of the route is on footpaths and bridleways but in some places beaches, minor roads and permissive paths are used.

The route is generally level with very few steep climbs and makes for a superb walking holiday in Northumberland.

Self-guided Walking Holiday along the Northumberland Coast Path From Cresswell to Berwick-upon-Tweed over 7 days giving you plenty of time to explore some of the sights on route.

Walk the best preserved sections of Hadrian’s wall, beginning in the market town of Brampton, and continuing to historic Corbridge Roman Town. Visit world famous forts and museums: Vindolanda, Birdoswald, Housesteads, & Chesters. Admire the architectural splendor of Aydon castle, Thirlwall castle and Lanercost Priory. Spot the famous Robin Hood’s Tree at Sycamore Gap. Travel through the centuries walking along Hadrian’s Wall, the best-known frontier in the Roman Empire.

Highlights

• Walk the best preserved sections of Hadrian’s wall, beginning in the market town of Brampton, and continuing to historic Corbridge Roman Town.
• Visit world famous forts and museums: Vindolanda, Birdoswald, Housesteads, & Chesters.
• Admire the architectural splendor of Aydon castle, Thirlwall castle and Lanercost Priory.
• Spot the famous Robin Hood’s Tree at Sycamore Gap.
• Travel through the centuries walking along Hadrian’s Wall, the best-known frontier in the Roman Empire.

Hike across remote borders in the undiscovered Balkans on this walking and cultural holiday through Kosovo, Montenegro and Albania – the famed Peaks of the Balkans trail.

A country whose painful birth still reverberates across the Balkans, Kosovo is a land rich in natural and cultural highlights. A staunch stronghold of Albanian traditions, its mountains and valleys are blanketed with dense forests that are home to wolves, bears, lynx and golden eagles. What better place than for a walk through some of the most beautiful and remote landscapes in Europe.

This 10 day Winchester to Eastbourne South Downs Way walk is the perfect choice if you want to take things at a slow pace with no long days. Choosing this 10 day holiday will allow you to really enjoy your surroundings and have some time to explore places of interest along the way.

Return to Nature and the English Countryside on an 11-day, 10-night tour tracing the full length of the rolling Cotswold hills. 102 miles of magical walking from Chipping Campden in the North to Bath in the South, leading you from one breath-taking view to the next, immersing you in the Cotswolds’ iconic history and heritage and championing England in all its glory.

Journey on foot, at your own pace, in your own time. We take all the hassle out of walking by including all luggage transfers, organising and booking all accommodation, providing maps, GPS instructions, and recommending incredible iconic palaces, castles, estates, ancient sites and more to visit along the way. Walk through the Cotswolds along canals, rivers and meadows into our incredible towns and cities.

Step back in time on one of our idyllic walks through the heart of the English countryside, along routes used since prehistoric times, winding through villages, tracing ridgelines, down into woodlands and valleys, and with panoramic views around every corner. These linear journeys are the perfect way to discover England at its finest.

Explore Armenia and Georgia by bike on this thirteen day tour. Starting in Yerevan, taking in the architectural masterpieces of the city before heading off to cycle through fields, meadows and small roadside villages, stopping at Sevan to take in the blue pearl of Armenia and one of the highest freshwater lakes. Visit local wineries and admire the architecture of the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, a masterpiece of the Early Middle Ages and UNESCO site.

Setting off from the village, we will climb through Shropshire’s ‘little Switzerland’ passing Victorian reservoirs and viewing ancient fossils as we make our way up to the top of the Mynd, learning about the history and features.

The route starts in the famous Carding Mill Valley from a National Trust car park, climbing the steep paths past waterfalls, lakes, bronze age barrows and iron age forts, reaching the Pole Bank summit with views across Wales, Shropshire, Hereford and Worcestershire where Woolly Mammoths once roamed and gliders now soar. We follow ancient tracks, such as the the Portway path riding the ridge for several miles and making our descent into the batches, ending back at the cafe for cake.

From the village of West Burton, head past the famously beautiful waterfall before gaining height through woodland, where you can see a wealth of wildflowers and keep your eyes peeled for the odd early evening deer. Emerge onto the fellside, where great views over the Dales start to open up and your guide will help you spot fossils embedded in the rocks over 300 million years ago.

After a last uphill pull, enjoy a lovely stroll along walled green lanes to get to your perfect sunset spot, where your guide will provide drinks and nibbles while you enjoy the sunset over a stunning vista stretching along Wensleydale, Bishopdale and the Walden Valley.

Once the sun has set, your guide will ensure you arrive safely back in West Burton as night descends.

If you prefer to organise your own accommodation we can arrange a convenient and reliable door-to-door baggage transfer service at unbeatable rates. Prices below are based on sectors of less than 20 miles and travelling west to east. If you are doing more than 20 miles per day or walking/cycling in the other direction please contact us. The maximum permitted weight per bag is 20 kgs.

• £23 per transfer for 1 bag
• £28 per transfer for 2 bags
• £33 per transfer for 3-4 bags
• For 5 bags or more contact us for a special rate

A tour of the eastern side of Peak District's highest mountain.
Together we enjoy the peace of the dawn and panoramic views, with just birdsong for company. At a steady pace we ascend the plateau, journeying past the atmospheric, mysterious shapes of gritstone tors. As the sun rises, we settle down in a comfortable spot for breakfast coffee, tea, orange juice, croissant, pastries and fruit. We then have a little more time for exploring in the fresh morning air before descending back to Edale.

Enjoy what must be one of the most scenic ascents of any mountain in England up the waterfall filled slopes of Buckden Gill, including a couple of short scrambles to get round the bigger cascades, to reach the atmospheric ruins of Buckden Lead Mine. Here your guide will tell you about the mystery of ‘Buckden Bill’ as well as the history of the mine itself before a last pull up to the summit of Buckden Pike.

Enjoy a picnic lunch while taking in the stunning views over much of the Dales (and further on a clear day) before visiting the nearby war memorial, erected to commemorate the Polish airmen whose bomber crashed into the hillside during a snowstorm in 1942. Find out the story of the lone survivor before descending back into Wharfedale along ancient ‘green lanes’. Stop in the pretty village of Starbotton for a well-earned drink at the village pub before finishing the day with a gentle stroll along the banks of the River Wharfe back to Buckden.

Enjoy a full exploration of fascinating and beautiful Gunnerside Gill. As well as spending the day in the tranquil Yorkshire Dales landscape, we will be looking at the surviving lead mining remains and getting a feel for how different this area must have been 200 years ago when it was bustling with people and machinery.

We will look at how nature has slowly been reclaiming the landscape over the last couple of centuries, as well as future plans for nature recovery in the area - it is part of the ‘Tees-Swale: Naturally Connected’ project, which is aiming to restore, expand and connect habitats across the uplands of Teesdale and Swaledale.

You will also have chance to discuss and consider our own interaction with nature and how the landscape we enjoy today is inextricably linked with human actions, both past and present. End your day with a fascinating visit to a 200 year old working smithy and a drink in the local pub.

Based out of historic Hayfield, a picturesque village with excellent pubs, cafes and accommodation choices. Each dog friendly walk showcases amazing panoramic views from feature packed trails. John and Stu are both experienced dog owners. They regularly guide groups together, sharing enjoyment of the Peak District, scenery and environment, with great enthusiasm.

The highest points in the Peak District are the only places in England where you can still find Mountain Hares. Most people will never see them when walking in the hills but I have a 100% record of seeing them and getting some great photos on these trips. It goes without saying that it's worth taking along a camera with a long lens or zoom and binoculars if you have them. If you don't, not to worry as I'll send you a set of digital photo's taken on the day.

The walk starts from the Snake Pass road, between Glossop and Sheffield. After a gradual climb of around 200m (600ft), we reach a flattening from where we leave the Pennine Way path. I will now navigate you across the complex moorland terrain to some of the best locations to see Mountain Hares in their natural habitat. There will also be the chance of seeing short-eared owls, golden plover, red grouse, kestrels, and other wildlife on these trips as well as learning about the ecology and restoration of these amazing bog and moorland habitats.
We will spend time here observing the hares before heading to the site of the B29 Superfortress "Over Exposed" plane crash. This is an incredible and moving location, and the most impressive in the region.

The walk is mostly on a mixture of good tracks and smaller footpaths which can be rough in places and includes a few gradual hills. Some of the paths is paved and tends to be a little slippy when wet. At any time of year, there are likely to be some muddy sections, especially once we start to head away from the Pennine Way across the moors. The terrain here becomes rougher with no paths in some sections.

This experience is also available as a private bespoke event for you/your group on a date you select and with a number of different walks to the hare locations. We also operate a Mountain Hare Photography Experience which is again booked as a private bespoke event on a date you select and focussed on spending a day photographing the mountain hares.

We set off from Bowden Bridge car park, the starting point for the famous 1932 Mass Trespass. We head up an easy track to Kinder Reservoir which provides some great views. The track gives way to a smaller path now which can be rough and somewhat muddy in places as we start to head up the main climb towards Kinder Scout.

After a climb of around 300m (1000ft), we reach a flattening from where we make a short detour to the site of a 1942 plane crash (both crew members walked away). The plane was a brand new USAF B24 Liberator which had departed from Burtonwood near Warrington. The wings and remains of engines and other parts can still be seen.

We head back now and climb another 100m (300ft) onto the plateau of Kinder and follow the edge towards the spectacular Kinder Downfall, still following the original 1932 Trespass route. After the downfall, we continue on to the strangely named Kinder Low which is actually the highest of Kinder's three trig points at 633m (2077ft). It's not quite at the very summit, which is a rather indistinct point 3m higher and about 800m away on the boggy plateau. I can guide you to it if you want to be at the very top!
It's now time to start heading back down which we do via a nice path over Kinderlow End. Before we drop down we'll pass a "Bowl Barrow", which is an early Bronze Age (~2000BC) burial mound. We continue down through the fields and back to Bowden Bridge.
The walk is mostly on a mixture of good tracks and smaller footpaths which can be rough in places and includes 1 fairly long hill. The hill up to Kinder is a steady climb of about 400m (1300ft)

Just before that climb, there is a short steep stone path which tends to be a little slippy when wet. At any time of year, there are likely to be some muddy sections, especially once we start to head up towards Kinder with it's peat bogs. As we climb up onto Kinder the path becomes rougher and a little rocky in places. Either side of Kinder Downfall a little more care is needed on these rocks. There is a fairly long descent back down but the route I have chosen provides one of the more gradual descents.

The walk starts from the small village of Rowsley, located where the River Wye meets the River Derwent. Rowsley is home to the fascinating Caudwell's Mill which still runs most days.

We pass by the back of the mill, and head through fields below the beech wood-topped Peak Tor which was home to an early Celtic settlement and still has the remains of a dry moat. We soon head up fairly steeply towards some lovely woods and then onto Stanton Moor.

The site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and the sandstone moor is home to many interesting features for us to visit including the famous bronze age Nine Ladies Stone Circle, the Reform or "Earl Grey" Tower, and the Cork Stone. We then head down to the small village of Birchover, which we wind our way around, before returning via another route through Stanton Moor before heading back down to Rowsley.

The walk is mostly on good tracks and footpaths with one fairly steep hill up to Stanton Moor from Rowsley, a climb of about 200 m (600 ft). At any time of year, there could be some muddy sections.

Probably one of the most interesting routes on Kinder Scout. Starting from Edale we walk through the lovely village of Edale and across fields before heading fairly steeply up towards Grindslow Knoll. From here the route we take is a stunning walk past many of Kinder's key features including the Wool Pack rocks and Pym Chair until we reach one of Kinder Scout's 3 trig points at Kinder Low.

We then continue on to the famous Kinder Downfall which changes its appearance depending on the weather from a lovely sunny lunch spot by a trickling stream to an almost perpetual waterfall on windy days when the water blows upwards as in the photo!

Next we walk into the notoriously complex "groughs and hags" that cover the plateau. This is an area of deep winding channels through the peat, the sides of which are often several metres high making navigation extremely difficult. The terrain will obviously be rough as we cross this area for approximately 2km and involve the crossing of several of these channels and working our way around some areas of bog. Having reached the main path once again we follow the southern edge back to Edale.

The walk starts out with a short but steady climb of about 100m (300ft) up to the top of the famous Mam Tor (or Shivering Mountain) at a height of 517m. From here we'll experience what has been described by a previous chair of the National Trust as "one of the top ten views in England".

We then follow along the Great Ridge towards Hollins Cross, which provides a great place to view the remains of the old Sheffield to Chapel en le Frith road which was lost to the landslips in 1979. We continue along the ridge to Lose Hill for another great viewpoint.

Leaving the ridge we drop down and follow another beautiful path back towards Mam Tor. We drop down further through a beautiful wood (with bluebells in spring) to join the route of the old road providing spectacular views of Mam Tor.

After returning to the cars there is the option to walk a little further for views of the amazing Winnats Pass.

The walk is mostly on good tracks and smaller footpaths and includes 3 fairly short but steep hills, each a climb of about 100m (300ft). At any time of year there could be some muddy sections. There is a fairly long descent towards the bottom of Mam Tor which is a little steep in places and can be a little slippery when wet so footwear with good grip is required.