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Contours Holidays

Self-guided walking holidays in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland

Custom itinerary, Self-guided tour
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Whether you choose to walk, run or cycle, come and explore the superb landscapes of the UK and Ireland with the help of our fantastic self-guided holidays!

We take the pressure out of arranging your self-guided walking, trail running or cycling holiday by booking comfortable accommodation, providing maps and guidebooks and transporting your luggage from one stop to the next. We take care of every detail for you, and with a wide selection of UK and Irish trails to choose from - as well as a choice of customisable itineraries to tailor to your needs - there is bound to be a perfect adventure holiday to suit everyone!

Good to know

  • Book with confidence: flexible rebookings
  • Covid-19 protocols in place
  • Leading UK walking holiday specialist

Key information

Destinations The United Kingdom
Activity Active, Walking, Cycling, Nature & Wildlife
Tour Type Custom itinerary, Self-guided tour

Contours Holidays Reviews

What people are saying about Contours Holidays

D
Daniel Allen
16/05/2020

Been on Adrian's wall walk and now doing legs of south west coast walk it is absolutely stunning. Hotels have all been decent accommodation. With pubs nearby to get refreshments and luggage transfers are never an issue after talking to other people on the trail who booked with contours they also have been happy. Would recommend this tour company to any one and have done so many times with no comeback.

A
Adam Madge
10/05/2018

I've used Contours for the last 3 -4 years on about 12 walking holidays across the country from Berwick to Penzance and they are by far the best multi base walking company operating in the UK. I've looked at other companies and they just don't come close. I can genuinely say I haven't had a single problem with them in all those trips (and that equates to probably well over a hundred or so pubs/hotels and b and b's and a similar number of luggage transfers) Not a single luggage transfer missed or damaged the standard of accommodation and hosts is excellent and having regularly compared prices with other walking companies they are very competitive.

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Ian Gunn
15/09/2020

We would like to thank the Contours Team and their industry partners (Luggage Transfers, Taxi Firms & B&B/Hoteliers) for helping us complete another 91+ miles of the SWCP (South Devon & Torbay). Everything went like clockwork and we appreciated the attention to detail that made the trip so memorable. We especially liked the call from Ben before the holiday, offering advice (which we took) about the Noss Mayo circuit and during the holiday to discuss one of our taxi transfers. If everything goes to plan, in these uncertain terms we will be using Contours again to plan the last 115 miles of our SWCP odyssey.

D
Donna Hadsley-Chaplin
27/01/2020

Great walking holiday on Hadrian's Wall. All organised well and service was efficient. Great choice of B&B's.

Contours Holidays tours

Kintyre Way

Self-guided tour from Tarbert to Machrihanish

5 days From £550 Customisable
Destinations Kintyre Peninsula
Activity Active, Walking, Nature & Wildlife
Tour Type Custom itinerary, Self-guided tour
View trip

Glyndŵr's Way

Self-guided walking holiday to Mid Wales

10 days From £925 Customisable
Destinations Powys
Activity Active, Walking, Nature & Wildlife
Tour Type Custom itinerary, Self-guided tour
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Glyndwr's Way Short Break

Self-guided walking holiday

4 days From £380 Customisable
Destinations Powys
Activity Active, Walking, Nature & Wildlife
Tour Type Custom itinerary, Self-guided tour
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St Cuthbert's Way

Self-guided walking holiday

5 days From £445 Customisable
Destinations The Borders
Activity Active, Walking, Nature & Wildlife, Culture, History
Tour Type Custom itinerary, Self-guided tour
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Great Glen Way

Self-guided walking holiday

3 days From £555 Customisable
Destinations The Highlands
Activity Active, Walking, Nature & Wildlife
Tour Type Custom itinerary, Self-guided tour
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Great Glen Short Break

Self-guided walking holiday

3 days From £290 Customisable
Destinations The Highlands
Activity Active, Walking, Nature & Wildlife
Tour Type Custom itinerary, Self-guided tour
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Yorkshire Wolds Way

Self-guided walking holiday

6 days From £580 Customisable
Destinations Yorkshire Wolds
Activity Active, Walking, Nature & Wildlife
Tour Type Custom itinerary, Self-guided tour
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The Cleveland Way

Self-guided walking holiday

6 days From £275 Customisable
Destinations Yorkshire
Activity Active, Walking, Nature & Wildlife
Tour Type Custom itinerary, Self-guided tour
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Usk Valley Walk - Stile-Free

A relaxed, 20-mile canalside walk

4 days From £490
Destinations Brecon Beacons National Park
Activity Family, Adventure, Hiking & Trekking, Active, Walking, Overlanding, Nature & Wildlife, Accessible Travel
Tour Type Self-guided tour
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Derwentwater Round - Stile-Free

A gentle, circular walk around Derwentwater

4 days From £360
Destinations Lake District
Activity Family, Active, Walking, Nature & Wildlife, Accessible Travel
Tour Type Self-guided tour
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Lincolnshire Coast Path - Stile-Free

A short, obstacle-free walk along England’s beautiful coastline

4 days From £325
Destinations Lincolnshire Coast Path
Activity Family, Active, Walking, Nature & Wildlife, Accessible Travel
Tour Type Self-guided tour
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Downs Link - Stile-Free

A shorter, easier alternative walk along the Downs Link

7 days From £785
Destinations South Downs
Activity Family, Active, Walking, Nature & Wildlife, Accessible Travel
Tour Type Self-guided tour
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What's included

All trips with Contours Holidays include the following services. Get in touch to find out more.

Accommodation

We book three star and above or equivalent accommodation at family-run bed and breakfasts, friendly guesthouses, country inns and small hotels. Each has been carefully chosen for their quality, the warmth of their welcome and their closeness to the trail. We aim to book en-suite rooms each night, but please be aware that this is not always possible, especially in the most remote areas.

Breakfast

A continental or cooked breakfast is included at your accommodation each morning as standard. Inform Contours of any dietary requirements within your group and we’ll notify each accommodation in advance. We recommend telephoning your accommodation prior to your arrival to discuss your specific requirements. In some cases it may be worth carrying your favourite substitute items with you.

Ground transfers

A light daypack is all you’ll need to carry during the day. Your larger luggage will be transported for you between each overnight stop.

Support

24-hour emergency support, plus a holiday pack which includes: Maps, route guidebooks, a day-to-day itinerary, details of each night’s accommodation and how to get there from the trail, and luggage tags.

Ground transfers

There may be occasions during your walk where your accommodation is situated more than a mile from the trail, or you may have to spend more than one night in the same place. Where this is the case, we generally provide transfers between your accommodation and the trail, which will be included in the holiday cost.

Why Horizon Guides?

Impartial guidebooks

Impartial travel guides

Our guides are written by the leading experts in their destinations. We never take payment for positive coverage so you can count on us for impartial travel advice.

Expert itineraries

Expert itineraries

Suggested itineraries and routes to help you scratch beneath the surface, avoid the tourist traps, and plan an authentic, responsible and enjoyable journey.

Specialist advice

Specialist advice

Get friendly, expert travel advice and custom itineraries from some of the world's best tour operators, with no spam, pressure or commitment to book.