Top Tips From Our Walking Leaders

This week we’re celebrating our walking leaders: they lead every tour that Ramble Worldwide operate, and are the champions of our business, bringing endless enthusiasm and expertise. As such, they’re best placed to give advice ahead about our walking holidays. This is just a small sample of the tips and tricks they have to offer.

Know Your Walking Grade

Here at Ramble Worldwide, we offer walking holidays for every walking level. However, knowing which level you are is essential.

While talking about a tour in Andorra, Jane Ascroft states “One of our group members captured the significance perfectly: " The grade 8 walks were interesting and not too easy." That last comment is crucial…Where everything is made easier, more convenient, more accessible, there's something profound about encountering genuine challenge.” Grade 8 tours are our most challenging, and so should only be tackled by our most experienced hikers.

Tom Hanna describes our Wainwright Bagging Weekend Adventure in the Lake District (which is a level 4 tour) as “short, intense, achievable but genuinely challenging.” He also states that you’ll need “sure footedness, a head for heights and good balance are…to complete the tour successfully”.

You can find information on which grade best suits you here.

The Importance of Tranquility on a Walking Holiday

Many of our leaders talk about the importance of a serene location to stay in on a walking holiday. We understand that walking holidays appeal to those who want to experience a slower form of travel, where you can relax without hustle and bustle.

Jane Ascroft states that “the soul of a place matters more than saving twenty minutes on a transfer.”

Having the Right Clothing

When undertaking a walking holiday, what you wear takes on a far greater importance. You need to be comfortable when putting your body through something challenging. Our leader Andrew recommends that when you travel to Hassness House (or in fact take any tour in the UK you should “prepare for all types of weather. Pack waterproofs, warm clothing and walking gear that has been worn in and reliable- nothing worse than having difficulty with your walking boots when there is stunning surroundings to enjoy and take in.”

Megan Bassett echoes how important having the right clothes is in her advice on travelling to Sri Lanka and India. She says “For India, wear lightweight, breathable clothing and comfortable shoes. Delhi and Agra involve considerable walking, especially through large monuments. For Sri Lanka's rainforests, those leech socks remain highly recommended, along with long trousers tucked into socks.”

Choose Your Shoes Wisely

Different terrains call for different footwear, so while we always recommend that you invest in a good pair of walking boots, that’s not all you’ll need to know before setting off for your holiday. Nick Conway has led many of our Italian Dolomites tours and the rocky, hard terrain is what has led him to tell would-be walkers to “bring their strongest footwear”.  Clare Bonnick is a Nordic walking expert, and has found that “walking shoes or trainers are better than boots” for this activity. Another leader talks about how on the snowshoeing tours, late afternoon walks along the valley floor are also enjoyed and they “always recommend bringing snow grippers for your boots for these gentler explorations.”

On Travelling Solo

Over 70% of our walkers travel solo, and meet new friends as they pursue an activity they love. For the leaders, this is incredibly important too, creating environments that feel magically unusual in a time where finding real-life connection can feel more challenging. Clare Bonnick runs our Women’s Activity Week and talks about how “guests loved the fact that the combination of the welcoming country-house vibe of Hassness and an all-women group is ideal for single women. The unique combination of women coming together, trying different activities in a supportive space, creates something special.” So, if you’re travelling solo, don’t be afraid—you’ll be in great company!

Think Ahead About Technology When Travelling Further Afield

Megan Bassett has led several of our long haul tours, and is no stranger to understanding how best to navigate extortionate roaming charges when travelling further afield. Her advice on a tour to India and Sri Lanka: “Throughout both countries, one practical tip proves invaluable: an e-sim. Using the Airalo app, we purchase and download before departure, then simply switch it on upon landing. Service arrives immediately, that modern convenience that makes navigating new places so much easier.”

This isn’t where the advice from our leaders ends. You can find more about Ramble Worldwide from the lens of our leaders in the Expert Guide section of our blog!