Walking holidays are a great idea for families, spending quality time together in breathtaking scenery, away from daily stresses and distractions. However, many of the most popular walking trails, including some of the Camino de Santiago routes, can be very physically demanding, covering 20-25 km each day.
If you are travelling with your kids or elderly parents, those may be off the table for you. So, here are some beautiful walking holiday destination ideas that will be suitable for the entire family.
São Miguel Island in the Azores
Situated in the exotic Azores, São Miguel is the largest of the islands in the archipelago, home to lush green landscapes and picturesque lakes.
Although it still has some steep hills and rocky cliffs (not surprising given it’s a volcanic island), the walking trail across the island is considered medium-low difficulty. Each day will include 3 to 6 hours of walking, ranging from 4.9 to 9.9 miles of distance, making it perfectly manageable for most families in good health.
Booking a self-guided tour through Orbis Ways will provide more flexibility, as you’ll be able to walk at your own pace and take breaks as and when needed. They can also sort out luggage transfer services in between the hotels, making the walking experience more pleasant.
Porto and Douro Riverside in Portugal
Portugal is a popular destination for walking holidays, hosting one of the major Camino de Santiago routes – Camino Portugues – known to be a demanding trail.
A great alternative for it, to get a taste of continental Portugal, is the Porto and Douro Riverside trail. Stretching a total of 29 miles over 8 days, this walking holiday is ranked easy to moderate, suitable to anyone in good physical condition.
Your longest day of walking will be just 9.5 miles, so you’ll get plenty of time to enjoy this lush region with no rush, including the UNESCO World Heritage awarded terraced vineyards and the vibrant city of Porto.
The Camino Frances
If you want to walk a route that is part of the Camino de Santiago network, then Camino Frances, otherwise known as The French Way, is the most popular amongst families. This trail is very well-established, with plenty of services available along the way.
Completing the shorter section from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela is a common choice, with it being both manageable in difficulty and highly sociable, attracting people of all ages and backgrounds. Walking Camino Frances typically takes 7-8 days, if you cover 11-18 miles a day.
However, the leading walking holiday agency, Orbis Ways, offers multiple options that are more family-friendly, such as extending the route to 11 days or choosing different starting points based on your needs.
Time to bond
Regardless of which destination you choose, a walking holiday is all about reconnecting and bonding with your loved ones. Use this precious time to have meaningful conversations, get to know each other better, try some new activities or foods and, most importantly, make lasting memories as a family!
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