FAQ Categories: About our tours

• All of our trips include comfortable accommodation with breakfast, comprehensive information packs, detailed walking notes and maps, and of course backup emergency telephone support while you are on your trip. GPS tracks are also available for most routes.
• Luggage transportation is provided on most trips, with the exception of self-drive tours or holidays based in one location.
• Private transfers are often included when you stay at hotels that are not close to the walking trails, or when public transport options are unavailable or limited.
• Evening meals are generally not included, other than in remote areas with no restaurants. This gives you the flexibility to eat where you want rather than being restricted to the hotel restaurant.
• For cycling tours, bike rental is not included as standard but is always available as an optional extra service. This is because many people prefer to bring their own bikes.
• There may be other services included on certain tours, such as public transport tickets or entrance tickets to national parks, in which case they will be listed under the ‘details’ tab on the tour page.

We have a variety of self-guided walking and cycling holidays, with routes to suit all levels of fitness. Our grading system is designed to give you an idea of how strenuous each tour is and to help you choose the holiday that is right for you. Naturally, the grading of individual holidays is subjective and within each holiday you will occasionally find some days slightly more challenging or easier than others. Also, because all of our tours are self-guided, you can go at exactly the pace that suits you. the grade descriptions below are intended as a general guideline so please read the tour itinerary carefully to make sure that you are choosing the right tour for you. If in doubt, please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you might have.

Hiking difficulty grades

From gentle coastal strolls to strenuous mountain hikes. In general, Grade 1 holidays involve short distances on easy paths while, grade 5 holidays involve longer days with plenty of ascents and descents each day.

1. Easy
   generally short walking days on well-kept paths with few ascents/descents, but perhaps the occasional longer day
2. Easy to Moderate
   slightly longer walking days with some ascents/descents, on well-kept, sometimes stony paths
3. Moderate
   moderate walking on varied terrain, with some long days and regular ascents/descents. Some days will be more challenging than others
4. Moderate to Challenging
   longer days, including some strenuous walking on more rugged terrain with significant ascents/descents on most days
5. Challenging
   very strenuous walks, featuring long days with significant ascents/descents on challenging terrain. A good level of fitness and experience is required

Cycling difficulty grades

1. Easy
   cycling on mostly flat cycle paths. Little to no cycling experience required. Daily distances of 20 – 40 km. Bikes with up to 3 gears will be fine.
2. Easy to Moderate
   cycling in flat to hilly landscapes, with occasional short climbs. Fine for people with some cycling experience but not necessarily frequent cyclists. Daily distances of 30 – 50 km. Bikes with up to 7 gears will be fine.
3. Moderate
   cycling in hilly areas, with some steep or extended climbs. Suitable for fit and frequent cyclists. Daily distances 35 – 65 km. Bikes with at least 21 gears recommended.
4. Moderate to Challenging
   more demanding cycling routes with some steep and extended climbs. Experience of cycling in hilly terrain is essential. Daily distances of 40-80 km. Bikes with minimum 21 gears required.
5. Challenging
   very strenuous cycling in mountainous landscapes with longer and steeper climbs. Suitable for experienced cyclists who are in excellent physical condition. Daily distances 50 – 100 km.

A “self-guided” tour essentially means that you don’t have a guide with you. We will provide you with all the information you need to successfully follow your route. Apart from the basic walking directions, our notes include information on sights and places of interest along the way, as well as restaurants, cafés and any short detours that might be worth taking (to a viewing point, for example).

In case of emergencies, you will also have telephone support from our office and our local agents.

As well as providing excellent value, we believe that self-guided tours promote independent discovery and allow you to enjoy your own unique experience, while going at a pace to suit yourself.