Question 1

Where are your offices based?

Accepted Answer

Up until the pandemic hit we were based in the ancient riverside, stannary town of Lostwithiel in mid-Cornwall... and then everything changed! We now have an office at Roche in Cornwall, located just off the A30 and in a great location for covering our South West walks. The Saints Way is our nearest trail, a couple of miles away and the South West Coast Path at Fowey is only around 5 miles down river!

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To obtain details of our address or to find the office, please visit the Contact us page for more information - you are always very welcome to drop in for a cup of tea and a chat!

Question 2

What are your opening hours?

Accepted Answer

Core office hours are Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00 British Standard Time (BST) and the phone lines are open throughout this period.

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The booking office is closed at weekends, on UK Bank Holidays and for 2 weeks a year at Christmas (well we need a break too!)

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Those who have booked with us have an out of hours emergency line number they can use to contact us whilst walking and we have an on-call member of staff covering this when the booking office is closed throughout the walking season.

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You can contact us by email at any time and we will respond quickly to any enquiries or messages we receive when the booking office is next open.

Question 3

What is the best way to contact you?

Accepted Answer

Email  - These days email is often the best way to get in touch in the first instance to ask us about walking options. It allows us to think carefully through your request, come up with the best solutions and email links back to you, so that you can read more about walking routes, overnight locations and anything else you need to know.

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If you already know where you want to walk then send in a quote request form and we will provide a detailed plan by email showing accommodation options that you can click through to view, walking details day by day, travel information to and from the walk and of course prices for you to consider.

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If you just have a general question you can email us now via the contact us page

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Phone  If you prefer to speak directly to someone then you can also phone anytime during office hours (Monday to Friday 09.00 to 17.00) and speak to the bookings team or one of our walking advisors.

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Tel +44 (0)1208 871066.

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Just so you know, those who are booked and out walking with us also have access to an out-of-hours emergency number but this is only for those currently walking with us.

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We are ALWAYS happy to talk to you and we spend a lot of time talking and conversing by email with our walkers while we work with them on building and booking their walking holidays. Many become longstanding friends and we keep in touch after their walks. In any event don't feel you are bothering us by asking question after question as we see it as part of the service we provide to the walking community.

Question 4

Who are Encounter Walking Holidays?

Accepted Answer

We are a medium sized company that specialises in Self Guided Walking Holidays in the South West and Wales. That's all we do - but we are largest and most experienced operator in the region.

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See the "about us" page for more information on why you can trust us, our company details, vision and history.

Question 5

Why should I book with you?

Accepted Answer

There are several companies providing walking holidays in the areas we operate in. We believe we are better than the rest. We provide a higher level of service, local expertise, good quality named accommodation and your named walking adviser will look after you from your first enquiry to the end of your walk.

Question 6

How long have you been operating?

Accepted Answer

We've been offering walking holidays for over ten years - you can find out more about us and our history by visiting our "about us" page.

Question 7

Where can I read reviews from your customers?

Accepted Answer

Click here to read the latest reviews from those who have already booked and walked with us.

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We ask every walker to upload a review of their walk and experiences with us online. We don't alter the review in any way and we upload all the reviews which amounts to hundreds every year.

They are a great source of information and tips about specific walks so we encourage you to read them. On every walking route section in this website you will find a button for "reviews" that will display the reviews for that particular walk so you can easily read about other walkers' experience on the same route and their suggestions for future walkers on the trail.

Question 8

What if I have a complaint?

Accepted Answer

We are proud to say that complaints are not something we generally have to deal with. We ask all our walkers for reviews and feedback at the end of their walk as it's a great way for us to take on board comments and ideas which we can then use to improve the experience for the next walkers.

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If you do have any suggestions or complaints then we would encourage you to let us know as soon as you can by contacting us directly at which point you can expect a quick and thorough response from us.

Question 9

How are our holidays and payments protected?

Accepted Answer

We are covered by a Travel Insurance Bond scheme that means anything you pay to Encounter Walking Holidays Ltd is fully covered if we fail to provide your holiday or cease trading - not that we intend to!

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You can read full details about the scheme and reassure yourself that your money is safe by clicking here

Question 10

When do I need to make the booking?

Accepted Answer

The key message is "try to book as early as possible". We don’t say this for our benefit  - the big issue is availability of accommodation and getting choices. In popular places such as the Cornish coast, accommodation books up very quickly every year for the peak holiday periods (July/ August, other school holiday periods and Bank Holidays.) If you are booking at the last minute then unfortunately you should not expect to still be able to have all the options and choices available to you. Sometimes your chosen route is not possible and you will need to consider another walk. We are making bookings every day, so we have a good idea of what is available so if you are considering a last-minute walking holiday then contact us and ask us for our opinion.

Early Bookings - We start making bookings in September for the following year’s holiday season and you can ask for a quote earlier than that if you are able to plan a long way ahead.

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The busiest period for booking is from January to March for walks later in the same year. Many people in Britain begin to think about their holidays as soon as Christmas is over! If you can get in before that rush you will have a wider choice of accommodation. So if you intend walking at a popular time of year, in a popular holiday area, you should try to get things reserved as early as you can and ideally before Christmas.

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Late Bookings - We continue to take bookings throughout the year and as long as the accommodation is still available we can still make last minute bookings up to a few days before walking. However if accommodation is unavailable in some places then you may need to stay for two night in another location and have transfers instead. If that is the case we will always tell you about this on your quote BEFORE any booking is made.

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The best advice is to ask for a draft quote as soon as you have decided which walk you want to do., even if you are not in a position to book at that point. Once you have worked out the dates you can walk then you already have an agreed plan that we can try to book up for you without losing any more time. If you have booked late and we can't get the original quote choices in all locations we will look for alternative solutions and check them with you as we book.

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Get ahead of the crowd and Request a Quote now to see the prices and options for your walk.

Question 11

How do I book my walking holiday?

Accepted Answer

Once you have received your quote, if you want to go ahead and book then it is a very straightforward process. You simply fill in our Make a Booking form and we then take over all the arrangements for you. Unless this form has been completed we will be unable to make a booking for you, and we can no longer accept booking requests over the phone or via email.

You will have a named walking advisor as a contact right through the booking process and that person will also be on hand to help you with anything you need until you finish your walk.

Question 12

Can I book a walking holiday at the last minute?

Accepted Answer

Its only likely to work if you are walking outside of high season, on a route that is not popular OR if you are happy to be very flexible and walk whichever suitable route has available accommodation.

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In the popular coastal areas the reality is that Bank Holidays, school holidays and peak season dates (July and August) are almost always booked up quite a few months in advance. But if you are looking to walk outside peak times or away from the popular areas then as long as we can find the accommodation you can book at the last minute for your walk BUT be aware that you are likely to need to be flexible where some options are booked out.

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We are always happy to advise on the chances for a last minute booking so contact us and tell us what you want to do and when.

Question 13

What if I need to change my booking?

Accepted Answer

We will always try to help if you need to make changes to your booking. Just get in touch with your walking advisor who will advise you.

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If you want to change any bookings which have already been made and confirmed with you then this will mean cancelling existing bookings and re-booking them which is additional work for us

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The impact of this depends on what changes you want to make.

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Unlike other companies we don't make a flat set charge for any changes. We only charge you for the actual admin time taken to make the change. So, for instance, if it is a very straightforward change of details, we won't charge you as this will take us very little time.

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For more complicated work, which will take time to re-arrange, we will advise you how long it has taken to make your changes and we will charge an administration fee of £10 for every hour of extra admin work. If this also involves changing accommodation bookings then you may also need to pay charges which the accommodation apply for cancelling or altering the booking.

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Please contact the office as soon as possible in the event of having to change your route / holiday dates and we can advise on what costs would be involved. Remember that your travel insurance may well cover these costs if you have to change dates due to unforeseen circumstances that were not your fault or outside of your control.

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We feel this is the fairest way of dealing with any changes. You are therefore not penalised if you are asking for a very minor change but if your holiday needs major alterations you know that you are only paying for the time it takes to actually make the changes you want and you are not paying an arbitrary penalty charge.

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You can read more about changes to your holiday and our other Terms and Conditions here

Question 14

How can I pay for my walking holiday?

Accepted Answer

You will find the details on how to pay on all our quotes and invoices so its easy to make payment.

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We can take payment by credit or debit card or bank transfer. Depending on where you are in the world, some options may be easier for you than others, but we can help advise so just ask if you are not sure.

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Note that we NEVER make charges to you for card payments or bank transfers. The only charges you ever have to pay is if your bank or card provider charges you for making a payment on your behalf - most don't do this but its worth checking with your bank.

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Current Payment Options in detail.

You can pay by Credit / Debit Card on the secure payments page of this site

Bank Transfers can be made to Natwest Bank

Sort Code: - 53-50-10 Account No: - 57767017

Reference - Your Invoice Number

We send receipts for all payments we receive

Question 15

Where do I find your Terms & Conditions?

Accepted Answer

It is very easy to find our Terms and Conditions. We don't try to hide them or make them confusing and difficult to understand.

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You can reach them by following the link at the bottom of every page on our website. We also describe how to find them on our quotes and invoices.

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You can also follow the link here now to view the Terms and Conditions

Question 16

Is our money safe with you?

Accepted Answer

Yes absolutely. We are covered by a Travel Insurance Bond scheme that means anything you pay to Encounter Walking Holidays Ltd is fully covered if we fail to provide your holiday or cease trading - not that we intend to!

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You can read full details about the scheme and reassure yourself that your money is safe by clicking here

Question 17

When is the best time of year to walk?

Accepted Answer

Generally, you can walk at any time of year on most routes with the main walking season running from mid-March to the end of October.

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The most popular months for walkers in the UK tend to be May, June the first half of July and September - you get the better weather but miss the summer school holidays.  However April and October are also fine for walking on most routes - one or two coastal routes require ferries that do not run early or late in the season but we will advise you such issues when you request a quote.

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A few pointers that might help you decide when to walk -

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Spring Walking - March, April, May - Fantastic for flowers on the trails with weather steadily improving so that by May you should be enjoying good sunshine and ideal walking weather. Be prepared in March and April for more spells of inclement weather but one bonus is that the trails are quiet and outside of Easter the accommodation options are excellent.

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Summer Walking – June, July, August - Prime months weather wise as this is our summer – June is possibly the best option for walkers during this period, no school holidays or bank holidays but statistically some of the best weather of the year.

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From the last half of July through to the end of August you are sharing coastal regions with those on their school holidays. Don’t be put off however if you can only walk in the school holidays; the majority of visitors never venture more than a mile away from the harbours and coastal towns so once you are on the trail you will still get your peace and solitude broken by only occasional fellow walkers on the paths.

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However overnight locations will be busier and accommodation is much harder to find if you leave the booking until late but all the facilities are open and you have long daylight hours to make the most of those evenings. It can be very hot during some periods and for those on the coast paths it’s generally from this time onwards that swimming, canoeing, surfing and other water sports are at their best. Just try and book well in advance for this period.

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Autumn Walking – September and October - If we had to pick a best month for walking we would usually go for September. The school holidays are over so the options for accommodation are generally good and the numbers of visitors decline rapidly. Generally however the weather is still very good, the last few years have seen late “Indian summers” stretching into late September. Trails are quiet, as are the overnight stops and the welcome in the holiday areas tends to be particularly good as the locals have by now got through the busy months of the summer. The expression here is "demob happy"! Just book early if you are looking for the first week of September as a lot of local walkers are also well aware its the best time to be walking.

Into October and availability of accommodation is excellent.

The weather, whilst less reliable, is still not that cold and crisp, clear walking days are often the norm, although you need to be prepared for more wet spells.

Distances at this time of year need some thought with shorter daylight hours but all- in-all with the right preparation, October can be an excellent choice for walking particularly on shorter breaks. We won't run holidays on one or two of the very exposed options and some of the coastal path sections such as South Devon that rely on seasonal ferries become difficult but other routes are all open.

We often run a late season special offer and in all locations the prices from mid-September onwards are cheaper but with the best choices of accommodation.

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Winter Walking Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb - Anyone walking outside the season will often have the trails to themselves and get superb value-for-money with many offers on accommodation. You need to balance against this the fact that the weather is much less reliable and you need to be an experienced walker to deal with it.

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The daylight hours mean walking days will need to be shorter but as ever we can advise. The key in the winter months is to be realistic and flexible - have other plans in case there is a spell of poor weather, consider one or two centre walks  - staying in places where there are other options and perhaps a warming wood burner to relax round at night. If a storm blows in remember the walking might be curtailed but need not stop, witnessing mighty waves and the power of the sea with the beach to yourself can be as exhilarating as walking the coast path on a hot summer's day. Careful choice of routes is key and we suggest getting quotes in principal and then booking them late so you can at least see if any longer spell of bad weather is likely before committing.

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We don't operate walks during Christmas and New Year - our staff work throughout the rest of the year so we take a couple of well-earned weeks' rest then.  In addition, B&B's are often closed and hotels frequently have "themed" events and parties that are best avoided!

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Anyone planning Winter walking should talk to us for advice and suggestions but don’t rule it out if you are an experienced walker and happy to deal with whatever the weather brings - fortune favours the brave as they say! We have been sunburnt on Dartmoor in February so you can get lucky!

Click below for Annual Weather Summaries and Charts for the main walking regions

Met Office Weather Charts - South West England  Covers Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset

Met Office Weather Charts - Wales  Covers Pembrokeshire, Snowdonia, Ceredigion & wider Wales

Question 18

What about bank holidays and school holidays?

Accepted Answer

We have walkers out at all periods so you can book anytime you like BUT if you can avoid Bank Holiday Weekends then do so - or at least book well ahead if you can't avoid them.  The walking trails are not particularly affected as most "Holiday" visitors are not here to walk and are heading to the nearby beaches BUT you will find overnight accommodation is in much shorter supply and overnight locations particularly those on the coast are much busier.

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In the UK the Bank Holidays that affect walkers most are the following.

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Bank Holiday Weekends

Easter  -  Good Friday and Easter Monday are bank holidays so it is a four day holiday in the UK. Dates change every year (see below)  but try to avoid this long weekend.

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The first weekend in May (May Day Bank Holiday)

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The last weekend in May (Whitsun Bank Holiday) - and the following week which is school half term

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The last weekend in August (Summer Bank Holiday)

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For actual dates this year check the following website www.gov.uk/bank-holidays

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Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights are the ones to avoid at Bank Holiday weekends with many British families heading to the coastal regions for a long weekend, returning on the Bank Holiday Monday.

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School Holidays

These vary a bit but as a general rule those that may affect you and to try to avoid if you can are

Easter Weeks - 2 weeks around the Easter Bank Holidays.

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Half Term (May) the last week of May/start of June starting with the Whitsun Bank Holiday Weekend.

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Summer Holidays from around mid July and run through to the end of August / first days of September.

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Half Term (October) - usually the last week in October - not that busy so less effect on walkers.

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For actual dates in any given years CLICK HERE

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Advice if you will be walking during a Bank Holiday Or School Holidays - The busy Bank Holiday weekends book up very quickly with the accommodation providers so if you are planning a walk on a peak weekend just get in touch as early as you can. The earlier you contact us the better the chances and choices of accommodation will be.  On the busiest Bank Holiday weekends some accommodation may require a 2 night stay so trying to build a rest day in around a Bank Holiday is often a good idea if you are on a longer walk and are in a popular location.  We an advise on this for you and make suggestions.

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The most difficult dates of the year are usually the Whitsun Bank Holiday and half-term break during the last week of May. The most difficult places are the most popular coastal resorts and beaches so Cornwall between Padstow and St Ives for instance where there are lots of family beaches, North Devon's surfing beaches around Woolacombe and Croyde and Pembrokeshire beaches in Wales.  Inland areas such as Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks are much less affected by Bank Holidays and school holidays and whilst its still their busy time you are much more likely to find options here.

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If it’s a late booking for a busy weekend don’t despair but be prepared that you will need to be flexible and will have a more limited choice of accommodation. In some situations we will have to say that a particular route or overnight stop is just not going to be possible if all the accommodation has gone but we will check for you in case it is still possible.  We can usually come up with an alternative plan or suggestion however, which may be the same route but just staying in another location or at a different type of accommodation.

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When to Book  In general the booking rush starts just after Christmas with a lot of UK families booking summer breaks and holiday accommodation - if you get in early and book your walk before Christmas for the following summer you are much more likely to get the options you need to keep walking through the Bank Holidays and school holidays.

Question 19

Can I walk out of season… In the winter?

Accepted Answer

Yes you can but if you are planning a walking holiday at this time you need to remember that not all routes are open. You should only consider a winter walking holiday if you are experienced walkers, you are well-equipped and essentially happy to deal with whatever the weather brings!  It's not a time to book your first ever walking holiday or for people who don't walk regularly or can't bear the thought of walking in the rain.

Winter Walking November through to mid-March. The good news is that if you walk "out of season" you will often have the trails to yourself and you will get superb value for money, with many offers available on accommodation. Hotels and B&B's appreciate the business at these times and you are likely to be particularly welcomed and looked after if you are staying during the off-season.  You need to balance against this that it is our winter (!) so the weather is much less reliable - indeed if you are unlucky it can be very poor indeed and you need to be an experienced walker to deal with it or be prepared to have days with no walking at all. Of course we live here and walk all year round and there are some superb walking days in the winter - crisp and clear and sunny - the issue is that predicting them more than a few days in advance is pretty much impossible!

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The daylight hours mean your walking days will be shorter so be conservative with times and distances - in the middle of winter it can be dark at 4pm -  but as ever we can advise. Many facilities such as pubs, cafes and restaurants are on reduced hours or may be closed so you need to be more self-sufficient while you are out walking. But there will still be options in the overnight locations for eating and drinking (and we do a lot of that in the winter months!)

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The key is to be realistic and flexible - have other plans in case there is a spell of poor weather, consider one or two-centre walks, staying in places where there are other activity options or attractions you can visit if the weather is awful and perhaps a warming wood burner to relax round at night. If a storm blows in remember the walking might be curtailed but need not stop, witnessing mighty waves and the power of the sea with the beach to yourself can be as exhilarating as walking the coast path on a hot summer's day. Careful choice of routes is key and we suggest getting quotes in principal and then booking them late. That way you can see if any longer spell of bad weather is likely before committing to the walk.

So, if you are considering winter walking talk to us for advice and suggestions as some routes won't be possible. Exposed moorland routes and higher ground like Exmoor and Dartmoor can be prone to snowfall and any exposed moorland sections like Bodmin Moor are not worth the risk if booking in advance. Other areas on the coast path such as the South Hams Devon section rely on seasonal ferries which don't run after late September so are not really viable without having to build in lots of transfers.

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On the other hand there are routes such as The Coleridge Way which are not on the exposed coast and are as well protected as you can get from any winter storms and this one can make superb out- -of-season adventures for those happy to take a risk on the weather. The Classic Cornwall Short Break route passes very close to the Eden Project and Lost Gardens of Heligan and if you get really bad weather on this route you have these non-walking options that can save the holiday.

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Christmas and New Year - We don't operate walking holidays at this time of year; our staff work throughout the rest of the year so we take a couple of well-earned weeks rest during the festive period.  In addition, it's not generally a good time to try a multi-centre walking holiday - B&B's are often closed and hotels have "themed" events and parties on that are best avoided.

For an honest appraisal of whether your winter walking plans are viable contact us and we will be happy to talk them over with you.

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Click below for Yearly Weather Summaries and Charts for the main walking regions.

Met Office Weather Charts - South West England,  Covers Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset

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Met Office Weather Charts - Wales   Covers Pembrokeshire, Snowdonia, Ceredigion & wider Wales

Question 20

Can I start my walk on any date?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can start anytime to suit you – we fit around your schedule so just let us know the dates you want to walk and we will create the best options to fit in with your plans.

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Try to avoid starting on Bank Holiday weekends, particularly in popular coastal areas. Sunday arrival by public transport is often slower and with less options than during the week so is not the best day to arrive or depart. We can advise on both these issues if you can't be flexible.

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For links to check the actual Bank Holiday Dates for this year see the question in this FAQ section which is  titled "What about Bank Holidays and school holidays?"

Question 21

Can I build other activities into my walk?

Accepted Answer

Most definitely! We are the specialists in this and will try to suggest options for any locations where you want to take a rest day.

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Other Outdoor Activities

You can take time off your walking in a rest day activity, which could be  anything from a gentle canoeing trip in Cornwall through the wildlife creeks of the Fowey Estuary on the South Cornwall Coast Path, through to an adrenaline water sports day, coasteering, kite surfing and more in Newquay.

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Many routes have options for some cycling on trails like the Camel Trail at Padstow; you could even try caving in the Mendips or deep-sea fishing trips from St Ives! We can advise on what is available and pass on details of local operators so you can arrange this directly with them and fit it in with your walking holiday schedule.

Attractions, Gardens and Heritage

Some locations have obvious iconic attractions to visit like St Michaels Mount in Marazion near Penzance in Cornwall, the Tate Gallery at St Ives or Corfe Castle in Dorset.

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There are superb gardens in many places which are either on the trail or just a short walk from it, but South Cornwall has the largest concentration due to its climate, with The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Trebah, Glendurgan and the Eden Project which can all be combined within a single week of walking on the Coast Path in South Cornwall

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Island Visits

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path in Wales is great for these - on "rest days" you can take a boat to explore some of the nearby islands visiting the monks on Caldey or to search out puffins and seals at Skomer and Ramsey Islands. Also the North Devon Coast path allows access to magical Lundy Island by ferry. If you want a longer break then take a look at the Scilly Isles in the far south-west of the UK which are accessible from Penzance on the SW Coast Path. You do need to take at least a couple of days off from walking to fully experience the Scilly Isles.

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Wherever you want to walk, if you want to do more on rest days than just relax (though that's fine too!) then ask your walking advisor for suggestions for what you can get up to on days off the walking trail.

Question 22

Can I take longer holidays than your sections show?

Accepted Answer

You can walk whatever you want. You can mix sections from connecting trails, for example, walking part of the South West Coast Path and then crossing Cornwall inland on the Saints Way for some variety.

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Or you can just extend your holiday by walking multiple sections of the longer trails - the whole of the Cornwall section of the South West Coast Path for instance, which is around 4 weeks of walking.

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Those with more time can complete the full South West Coast Path and we have a number of walkers do this every year - you need around 8 weeks to walk the full route  -  for those that do it in one go it's the walk of a lifetime! Contact us for more info and prices

Question 23

What does my holiday include?

Accepted Answer

We cover this in detail at the bottom of every quote so it's crystal clear. It will depend on your specific plans but we always include:

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- A choice of accommodation, breakfasts every day and luggage transfers (if you want them),

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-  A detailed itinerary / route notes document written by us for your specific walk.

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- A named personal walking advisor to work with to help you with planning and to support you from your first enquiry through to the end of your walk.

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- An out of hours contact line during your walk and ongoing updates on trail news, walking conditions and any diversions.

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- Support and Advice for arranging travel to and from the trail, long stay parking information, help with booking public transport and transfers back to your car or train stations if required.

Request a Quote now by clicking here

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- Administration of all your bookings, transfers and payments.

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- A clear guaranteed price with no surcharges, no extras and no price rises!

Question 24

What do these holidays cost?

Accepted Answer

It depends what you want to walk and how you want to walk it. We try to cover all budgets.   You can view guideline prices on the individual walk pages and then request a guaranteed quote for your ideal holiday by clicking here

Question 25

If I ask for a quote do I have to book?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely not - a quote costs nothing and there is no obligation - so you don't have to take it up.

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The quote will give you a very clear summary of the walking route, the accommodation and what else is included so that you can compare us to any other options you are considering. We want you to get the best options for you at the best prices we can provide and so won't take any bookings until you have seen a detailed quote.

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There is nothing to lose by asking for a quote and no commitment to book.

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Request a Quote now by clicking here

Question 26

I’m on a low budget so how can I get the cheapest options?

Accepted Answer

Talk to a walking advisor about what you want to do and ask them how to keep the price as low as possible.

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The type of accommodation, time of year, choice of trail and where you overnight will all make a difference to the costs. Get a quote for what you want - but tell us about your budget if that is a key issue for you. Your walking advisor will tell you where you may be able to make budget savings.

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If you have had already had a quote and want to try to reduce the cost, again, we can advise where it may be possible to do this and we will be clear about how this will change your plan.

We are all walkers here and we like nothing better than to see others walking the trails we love. For that reason we don't want to see anyone unable to walk because they can't afford the costs so we will always try to help - whether-or-not you end up booking with us.

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We won't offer our walking holidays at prices where we can't maintain our standards of delivery but if our costs are beyond what you can afford we will try to help with other suggestions on how you may be able to get to walk what you want.  Talk to us - we WILL try to help !

Question 27

Are there any extra costs or surcharges on your prices?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely not - the price we issue is guaranteed as your holiday price.

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Unlike other walking holiday companies there are no charges for additional taxes, VAT or insurances. These are all included in your quoted price.

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Also, if you choose not to take up options by carrying your own luggage for instance, then we will also deduct those costs from your invoice for you.

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If YOU decide to add anything extra to your holiday after having a quote such as private transfers, extra nights, then we will advise you of the costs of any changes you request before making them.

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The only time we will make an additional charge is where YOU changed your holiday plans AFTER booking - for instance if you change the route or dates and we need to rebook things for you. Even at that point we will advise what the cost will be before we do anything. Furthermore instead of applying a set "administration fee"  - we will ONLY charge for the actual time it takes us to make the changes you request. If it's only a minor change it won't cost anything at all.

Question 28

Do you charge for credit card payments?

Accepted Answer

No we never charge for taking payments whether by credit card, debit card, bank transfer or cheque.

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Visit the question  "How do I make a Payment" for full details on how you can pay for your walking holiday but rest assured, we won't add any charges whichever payment method you use.

Question 29

Why do I need to have insurance?

Accepted Answer

We require everyone booking our walking holidays to have travel insurance.

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Why you need travel insurance. This is to protect you and the money you have paid against any sudden or last minute cancellations before or during your walking holiday. So if you, someone you are walking with or a close relative is suddenly taken ill, for instance, you can cancel the holiday and seek to claim back the costs from your insurance.

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If you don't have insurance and cancel your holiday you will be subject to the cancellation policy and will either lose your deposit OR if its less than 8 weeks before you arrive you will lose the full cost of your holiday. This is because many smaller accommodation providers generally are not able to refund cancelled bookings. It is therefore important for you to protect yourself against sudden cancellation with an insurance policy. These are generally inexpensive and easy to obtain.

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Include some Luggage Insurance -  Its also worth making sure your insurance policy includes some baggage insurance - we cover you for up to £200 for your luggage transfers while you are walking with us but this won't cover you for onward travel across the UK - and its often at this point that your luggage is most vulnerable. If you have high value items such as laptops, expensive camera equipment etc. it's worth including this on your travel insurance - its very easy to leave an expensive camera at a lunch stop for instance!

If you are not sure where to find insurance see the question below on  "where can I get insurance"  OR contact us for help.

Question 30

What if I need to cancel my holiday?

Accepted Answer

You can find full details on our Cancellation Policy in our Terms and Conditions

In summary this is

If you Cancel  more than 8 weeks before arrival Cancellation Charge - Deposit Only

If you Cancel  less than 8 weeks before arrival Cancellation Charge - 100% of total cost

So if you cancel your holiday after having made your deposit payment you will lose the deposit you have paid but you may be able to reclaim this on your insurance policy if the reason you cancelled is covered by your policy. This is why it is a requirement to have travel insurance in place to protect the money you have paid against sudden cancellation - read more about this in the question on Why do I need to have Insurance?

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If you need to cancel after having paid your balance payment (less than 8 weeks before arrival) then there will be no direct refund on your holiday. This is because the accomodation in remote walking areas are not able to offer refunds for cancelled bookings. In this situation you will need to make a claim on your insurance policy.

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We will help your claim by providing you with an industry standard letter which will detail the payments you have made and confirm when and why you cancelled with us. You will need to submit this with your insurance claim.

Question 31

What if I do not take out insurance?

Accepted Answer

We require all those booking with us to have cancellation insurance in place to protect yourselves against having to cancel your holiday after booking, and by submitting our Make a Booking form you are signing to say that you either already have insurance, or will be taking it out.

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If you choose not to take out insurance, against our advice,  then the cancellation policy applies and without insurance this will mean you will lose some or all of the money you have paid.

The Cancellation Policy is -

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If you Cancel  more than 8 weeks before arrival Cancellation Charge - Deposit Only

If you Cancel  less than 8 weeks before arrival Cancellation Charge - 100% of total cost

We feel that adults are able to make their own decisions and take their own risks but if you do decide to travel without any insurance cover it is at your own risk. Remember that, sadly, we do deal with a number of cancellations every season where walkers have suffered an injury, a bereavement or illness of a family member, either just before their walk or while on their walk and have to cancel some or all of their holiday.

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If you have no insurance in these situations you will lose the money you have paid. If you have an insurance policy in place you will receive your money back and you have the option of re-booking in the future should you wish.

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Basic insurance often costs less than £10 to £15 for a short walking holiday and its well worth having in place just in case.   See "where can I get insurance" if you are unsure of where to find a policy.

Question 32

Where can I get insurance?

Accepted Answer

First - Make sure you don't have it already! If you already have a travel insurance policy for your travel to the UK its probably going to cover what you need anyway. Check the policy, but provided it has curtailment and cancellation cover and some baggage insurance then it's usually sufficient for your walk. Make sure you check the policy DOES include the UK however - some policies only cover you for overseas travel.

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If you are in the UK and you have a "premium" bank account with a monthly fee then you may have an annual travel insurance included as part of the package - check with your bank if you pay a monthly charge for your account.

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Where to find insurance options  We don't provide travel insurance but you can usually find plenty of options available on the internet available within the country where you live. For those living in the UK these policies are often not much more than a pound or two a day for basic cover.

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One thing to note is that in nearly all cases you can only buy travel insurance in the country you are resident in. So you can only buy a UK based travel insurance policy if you are a resident here.

Its worth reading our  information below on Insurance - What type should I get - so that you don't over-insure and pay for more than you need.

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In the UK options like Insure and Go, Colombus and Direct Insurance all provide basic policies you can just buy online.  If you want to compare prices try one of the comparison price websites which will display many of the options in one place and advise the cheapest - see www.comparethemarket.com/travel-insurance/ for instance.

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The main supermarkets nearly all provide online policies so search for the likes of Sainsbury's, Tesco and Asda Travel Insurance and there are often leaflets offering the products in store.

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Europe and Australia  - As with the UK a search online will generally provide plenty of options for insurance cover that you can buy from the internet - or you can try your local travel agent. Note that its wise to have insurance if travelling to the UK whatever you are doing so get a policy that covers you for your whole trip not just the walking.

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USA and Canada - Insurance can be more difficult to find here - there are often options for "flight insurance" but these usually only cover the airfares. For a policy to cover you if you have to cancel  accommodation and services you book here there are some more specialised options you can try.  Those below have been suggested by or used before by customers from the US and Canada but do search online or ask your travel agent as there are more.

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www.TripInsuranceStore.com

www.travelguard.com

www.worldwideinsure.com

www.insurancefortrips.com

www.worldnomads.co.uk are recommended by Lonely Planet and Rough Guides and are unusual in that they will provide insurance for residents of multiple countries though they do have upper age limits

Its worth reading our information below on Insurance - What type should I get - so that you don't over insure and pay for more than you need.

Question 33

What type of travel insurance should I get?

Accepted Answer

Don't over-insure!  Look for a stripped down policy to keep your costs down particularly if you are just trying to insure the walking holiday itself and don't need insurance for any other onward travel before or after the walk.

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All you need is a small amount of curtailment cover (finishing the holiday early) and cancellation options (cancelling before you arrive). These are usually included in all standard policies and you just need to make sure the limits cover what you have paid for you holiday in case you need to claim. The maximum you will be able to claim for your holiday is the total cost so take the lowest level option that covers this.

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You will normally find the policy will include luggage insurance to cover your belongings - if not then add enough to cover what you might have with you, so unless you are bringing expensive equipment you won't need a high level of cover. We insure your luggage while you are walking with us for up to £200 per booking but this won't cover you when you are travelling to and from your holiday which is  when its most vulnerable to loss or theft.

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Watch out for optional extras which you can remove from the policy if you don't need them -  for instance you don’t need options for volcano, civil strife and riot insurance – there's not a lot of this sort of trouble in Cornwall and Wales!

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If you are UK based then look for a policy where you can restrict the cover to the UK only - no need to get a European or Worldwide policy as these will cost much more.

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Finally try to find a policy where you can specify the number of days required - i.e. 5 days of insurance to cover a 5 day walking holiday will be cheaper than a policy that runs for a month.

Remember to check and make sure you don't already have an annual travel insurance policy in place anyway that will cover you or if you have insurance cover included with your bank account. See the questions above on where to get insurance.

Question 34

How do I get to and from the trail?

Accepted Answer

You can arrive by public transport (train and bus), by car if driving or by private transfer from the main train stations or airports. Whichever way we will help advise you -  Read more on our Travel to your Walking Holiday Page

Question 35

Can you help with public transport to the trails?

Accepted Answer

Yes – for those using public transport, and this is something we are keen to encourage - we will provide the help and advice you need about how to get to and from the trail.

We recognise that public transport in the UK is often confusing and can seem complicated to arrange.  Services change and with lots of different operators and different route options, we spend a lot of time checking and advising walkers on the latest situation.

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International Travel We don't arrange international travel but can advise on how to get to your walk from all the main airports in the South West and London as well as ferry ports and Eurostar Train services from Europe. See our Map of how to get from points of arrival in the UK to the walking routes and follow the maps links to find out more about travel across the UK.

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Travel Summaries for every walk For any walk you are looking at click on the "TRAVEL" button at the top of the walk information on this website and you will see detailed info on bus, train and car travel options for your specific route. We will also include this in your quote as a summary AND give full details in your final itinerary to help.

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Getting to the walking regions from the rest of the UK  If you are UK based but unsure how to get to the South West or Wales or you want to see the main rail and airport options then use the Travel Map to see a summary and links to the main train operators and airport websites.

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A great resource for trying to work out your options in advance is www.travelinesw.com (for the South West from London) and www.traveline.cymru (for Wales), these are government-run websites that include detailed options for bus, train, ferry and coach travel.  If you are still stuck however, just contact us and ask for help!

Cheaper Options for Train Travel - We work closely with Great Western Railways who are the main providers of services across the walking region and have a very detailed factsheet we can send you covering how to check services, book and arrange cheap travel.

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This includes vital information on how to book train tickets and reserve your seats in advance from the UK and Overseas so that you can take advantage of much cheaper advance purchase tickets which can save a considerable amount of money.

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Private Transfers - Where public transport does not exist or is impractical for your departure from the trail then we can arrange private transfers to the nearest or most practical station or airport. We can also give you contact details for you to arrange this yourself if you prefer. Our responsibility does not stop at the end of the footpath and helping you to work out how to get to and from the walk is part of our service to you.  If we think a transfer will be a cheaper and more sensible option for you than public transport then we will let you know!

Question 36

What are “rail to trail” walking holidays?

Accepted Answer

Rail to Trail walking holidays are designed for those who want the best walking routes which can be easily reached from the rail network and have been developed with and are supported by Great Western Railways who are the main train operators in the South West.

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Direct and fast train routes to the trails including sleeper options to Cornwall so you travel straight to your first overnight location...

then Walk the Trail...

And travel by train straight back out from the other end after your last night with no need for transfers or uncomfortable bus travel.

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Go Rail to Trail and you can forget the traffic jams, parking charges and wasted time having to travel back to where you started to recollect your car.

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You will find  Rail to Trail holidays for all the main walking routes so click here to view the easy and environmentally friendly way to take your walking holiday. We provide lots of information to help with timetables, reserving seats and booking cheap advance purchase tickets in advance so these holidays are not only the most stress free and convenient way of arriving for your walk but are often the most economical.

Question 37

What about parking and getting back to my car?

Accepted Answer

Consider our Rail to Trail walking options first off as you then won't need to arrange any of this. We can help with public transport advice and if needed short transfers to allow you to leave your car at home and still walk any of the routes we operate on, getting to and from the region by train or plane.

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However we recognise that for some people arriving by car is the preferred option, perhaps if you are bringing a dog or you want to stop at locations on the way to and from your walk.

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Parking - If you tell us you are arriving by car we will provide all the information on long-stay parking options. In the older fishing harbours of the South West this is often in specific long-stay car parks set back from the waterfront accommodation - these towns were built for horses and carts not cars! So often the accommodation is situation on very narrow streets with no on-site parking. Locals and visitors alike all use the long-stay car parks instead. We cover the options and costs for you in detail so you know the parking situation for any given location.

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At accommodation in more open areas such as Dartmoor, Wales and away from the smaller harbours we may have arrangements where you can park and leave you car at the first nights accommodation or use free on street parking outside it.  In any event your quote will cover these options for you.

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Returning to your Car - We will always provide the public transport options explaining how you can to return to your car at the end of your walk. We give you a summary with your quote and also cover this in detail in your final itinerary.  In some cases, such as between Penzance and Falmouth on the SW Coast Path, or St Ives and Penzance, returning to your car is relatively straightforward and easy using the rail network.  In other, more remote areas, you may either need to take a bus OR we can arrange a private transfer for you over some or all the journey if travel times are slow or you want the convenience of a quick get away at a time to suit you. If we think a transfer will be a cheaper and more sensible option than public transport then we will let you know!

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So let us give you the options, consider them against using public transport to and from the route and if you do decide to come by car you will have all the information and options you need for parking and returning to your car at the end of your walk.

Question 38

Do you arrange transfers from stations and airports?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely.

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If you prefer to have a private transfer instead of taking public transport options then we can advise on prices and either book these for you as part of your holiday or give you the information so you can arrange it yourself.

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We can have you collected from regional airports, train and bus stations and taken on to your first nights’ accommodation as well as returned at the end of the walk to the same or a different location to suit you.

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Where we are arranging to collect you from public transport we will work with you to establish the time for your pick up once you have managed to arrange your travel to the area.  We will then book your transfers so you are met straight from the train or plane, ensuring you get straight to your holiday, losing as little time as possible en-route.

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Just let us know when you book if you are going to take the public transport options to the trail OR prefer to have a quote for a private transfer.

Question 39

What is a self guided walking holiday?

Accepted Answer

Quite simply, it's the best way to walk in the UK for anyone keen on walking.

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CLICK HERE and we explain what it means, how it works and why it's the way to get the most out of your walking experience.

Question 40

How do I choose a route?

Accepted Answer

We can help!

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Start with using our interactive map - this shows all our routes and if you click on the icons you can read short summaries of each walk - highlights, difficulty, distance etc. You can scan a number of walks this way and then click through to read about the ones that interest you.

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On the same page, if you want some ideas then take a look at the Find a Walk section - this gives short summaries of our main walks by theme, eg. coastal, moorland, easy, short breaks etc.

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If you prefer, just contact us by phone or email and we can help make suggestions to suit your ability, available time and your preferences for which area you want to visit.

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If you are emailing us then tell us about your level of experience... or lack of it. We know the trails well and a walking advisor will be able to work out options with you to consider based on which routes may be of most interest for the area, scenery, accommodation or attractions that are of most importance to you.

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Once you know which route you are interested in then the long route description sections on our website cover this day by day in detail. The descriptions here are more thorough than anything you will find anywhere else on the web.  There are loads of images and video clips as well, giving you a good taste of what you will see and information about the overnight stops on route. After all this, if you still have questions, just let us know and we will do our best to help you narrow the choice down !

Question 41

How hard are the walks?

Accepted Answer

Of course that depends on how experienced a walker you are. The coastal routes often surprise people as there is a lot of climbing and descending on most sections as you climb from coves to cliff tops and back again. Some routes or sections are easier than others - the interactive map give a summary of the grade for each walk.

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Or Click Here to read more detail about the grades and what these mean. You can also see pictures of examples of different grades of walking sections to help gain an idea of what the route is like.

We operate "walking holidays" - rather than "holidays with walks" so you should be reasonably fit and ideally also used to walking regularly. You should be keen to be walking most or all days you are with us, but how much you do each day is up to you. There is nothing technical on any of our routes and in the right conditions a 8-year-old or an 88-year-old can happily walk the most strenuous sections though they might not do the same distances as a 38-year-old.

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When looking at the options, our standard itineraries tend to work out at around 6 hours of walking per day (not including breaks) - relaxed itineraries are around 4-5 hours but we can split things up further or arrange for you to walk longer days if you prefer.

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One or two routes such as the Two Moors Way and the Smugglers Way involve exposed open moorland with very little route marking. These are best left to confident walkers with good map reading skills but we will always check that with you before taking a booking. On the more remote sections of coast path such as in North and West Wales there is often a lack of facilities which may mean long days an being self sufficient.  However with the right preparation and organisation all of them are possible for anyone keen to walk!

Question 42

Can I walk slower or faster than your suggested itineraries?

Accepted Answer

Yes of course.

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We create your itinerary working with you - a mix of our advice and your wishes leading to the right balance of distance and grade of walking. As long as good quality accommodation and facilities exist at the right point in the trail then we can tailor your walk to suit your preferences. Even if it does not we can build in transfers in or out of difficult locations to get your through a section of trail if you feel its too long for you.

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If you look at the options for any of our walks you will find most routes have Standard, Fast and Relaxed itineraries either increasing or reducing the number of days on the trail to allow for your fitness, experience and the amount of walking you want.

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For those who want more time, daily mileages can be reduced or tougher sections can be missed out completely. Very fit and experienced distance walkers who want to increase the daily mileage can be catered for but if we feel you are taking on too much then we will tell you and check that what you are requesting is going to work for you on the ground. One of our walking advisors will give you an honest appraisal of your plans, based on our own experiences of pushing the distances.

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Don’t forget to allow time for exploring, taking pictures, the odd swim if you are on the coast and some restful breaks as you won’t want to rush through this scenery.  In general its better to be cautious if you are not sure as you will always find distractions on the paths or at the overnight stops if you arrive early.

Question 43

Can I add in rest days and activity days?

Accepted Answer

Yes - you can break the journey wherever you want with a rest day and we can include this in your quote. We can help you decide the best place for your rests - where you in better accommodation, where there is more to see and other activities and options to do in the local area.

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Some locations have obvious iconic attractions to visit like St Michaels Mount in Marazion/Penzance or The Eden Project in Cornwall. In Pembrokeshire, Wales on a day off you can take a boat to explore some of the nearby islands and spot puffins and seals. We can advise on what is possible (or not possible) in all locations so just ask and make sure your rest days are not lost days!

There are often other outdoor activities you can do during a day off your walking - cycling in Cornwall and Devon on trails such as the Camel Trail at Padstow, surfing, coasteering, kayaking and other watersports, even caving in the Mendips or deep sea fishing trips from St Ives! We can advise on activities and pass on details of local operators so you can arrange this directly with them and fit it in with your walking holiday to suit you.

Question 44

I only have a few days - do you offer short breaks?

Accepted Answer

If you just want a long weekend of walking or a mid-week short break then we can arrange that for you. And you can go wherever you want !

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We provide short breaks on ALL our routes as long as you have a minimum of 3 nights and 2 days walking. With limited time, some sections make more sense than others, where public transport is quicker, for example. BUT by including transfers we can start and end you at any point if there is a particular part of a walk you always wanted to do. See our Short Breaks Page for more details

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There are also routes which you can complete in full with just 3 or 4 days walking on a short break such as The Saints Way, The Coleridge Way and Lands End Coast Path.

Finally, for those wanting both a taste of Cornwall and the South West Coast Path look at our "Classic Cornwall Break" walk along the South Cornwall Coast - 2 or 3 days walking through one of the best parts of Cornwall.

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If you need more ideas or want to discuss a short break plan, as always, contact us and let one of our walking advisors help.

Question 45

How easy are the trails to follow?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the trail, but in general the more popular routes and the National Trails in the UK are easy to follow. However you should always have a high-scale map to help with any confusing bits and be able to understand it!

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National Trails and Coastal Routes - The South West and Welsh Coast Paths are National Trails and due to this they are generally are very well signposted and maintained. They also have a good numbers of walkers on them, the locals you meet will know the routes and direct you back to them and possibly the biggest aid to navigation is that you have the sea on one side to help guide you.  These are not wilderness areas so you won't get dangerously lost.

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Inland footpath Routes.   Walks like the Saints Way and Coleridge Way are not National Trails but they are marked on all OS (Ordnance Survey) mapping, and are reasonably well signposted on the ground. However they tend to have less walkers so the trails can take a bit more concentration to follow.

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High Moorland Routes - If you are planning to walk these you need a higher level of navigation skill. We will advise and check this with you before booking you onto them. This only really applies to sections of the Two Moors Way over Dartmoor, a few parts of Exmoor and on Bodmin Moor routes where you walking across open moorland, at times without signposted trails or obvious tracks, and for these you need a higher level of navigation skills and experience and should have at least basic compass skills in case mist or fog comes down.

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Maps and Guidebooks The section in these Frequently Asked Questions covers what we provide in more detail but rest assured that you have the best possible materials available for your walk as we see this as an important component of your walk. Our daily itineraries also include notes to highlight any potential issues. Our walkers feed back issues and we can keep you informed about this, although these are really not common on the main National Trails these days.

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Ideally, you should be able to follow a map for all the routes. You will generally find UK paths easy enough to follow but it is important to have and refer to mapping in places where signposting may not be as good as it could be.

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If you are unable to use a map or have no experience with one then its important to let us know as we can then suggest walks that the easiest to follow and well signposted AND we an help with advising on a few websites that you can visit to give you the basic skills so that you can use your map at some level if you get stuck.

Summary The West Country and coastal areas of Wales feel remote but they are not a wilderness and if you do lose your way you will come across a house, village or road pretty quickly. If you are not sure of your location you will be able to use your map and guidebook to work out where you are or to return  to the last place you were correct -you may have missed a signpost or trail junction. Asking for help in most cases is the easy solution - local residents and other walkers will happily direct you back onto the path.

Question 46

What sort of facilities in the way of cafes and toilets are available?

Accepted Answer

This very much depends on the trail you are walking, so ask your walking advisor if you want specific details. In most cases you are not walking in a wilderness and although coastal routes will feel remote, even in their wilder areas there is almost always habitation a mile or so inland. On coastal paths you will come across small villages at some point on most days where you will normally find a shop, cafe or pub you can make use of. In the high season many beaches will have seasonal cafes as well, right on the trail.

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Our itineraries cover this day by day in detail for you, with sections on what refreshments you will pass on that day's walking. This will allow you to plan before you set out for your walk and have a good idea of where you will break during the day and what you can expect to be available. In season there are often great inns or beach cafes that can make superb lunch stops on the main walking routes and its good to have this information in advance.

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There are a few remote areas and walking days, generally on Exmoor and Dartmoor where you won't pass anything during the day but these are clearly indicated in the itinerary. On these days you need to be sure you have supplies (packed lunch and water) with you to see you through the day.

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Public toilets tend to be limited to larger towns and villages on the route and many have closed in recent years, so in general the easiest and more pleasant option is to head into any cafe or pub on the route, have a rest, buy a drink and make use of their facilities before heading off again. (But please note, many establishments are not keen on members of the public using their facilities if you are not also a customer.) On more remote days with few or no villages along the route, you will need to use the bushes if you are "caught short" - with walking in the UK this is totally accepted and everyone has to do it in remote areas when there are large distances between any habitation.

Question 47

Can you help with travel to the UK?

Accepted Answer

We do not arrange international flights or ferry travel into the UK but to help you can use our UK Travel Map to see the location of the main air and ferry ports in the South of England and Wales. You can follow links on that map to the websites for the airport and ferry operators to find out about flight and ferry services to the UK.

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We are able to help with advice and information for getting to your walk from your point of entry and again the map above is the place to start. You can see the routes to the walking areas and follow links to find the main train operators as well as view timetables. If you get stuck with travel within the UK then do contact us and we can help you work out options and timetables.

Question 48

What if I get tired and can’t finish the walk?

Accepted Answer

This can happen to us all at times or you can be unlucky with really poor weather and decide you want to finish early and transfer to the next overnight location.

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Public Transport On many routes there are local bus options that can work fine. We provide you with details for the travel information organisation Traveline with your itinerary and you can call up and get details on the next services, although often just asking in a local pub or shop is often the quickest way to get this information if you are not sure. You can also telephone and ask us for information and advice during office hours for your options if you want to shorten a day's walk.

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There are several sections of the South West Coast Path which are well covered by bus routes (ask us  for details on which ones if you think this could be an important issue for you). Along the whole of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path in Wales a superb network of Walkers Coastal Bus Routes allows travels up and down the walking route through the summer. For northern sections on the Welsh Coast Path pretty much the whole route between Aberystwyth and Snowdonia has its own coastal railway just inland of the route which allows you to jump on in many small locations and move forward if you need to cut any day short.

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Taxis In some more remote areas there is little or no public transport and options are therefore very limited - for example, parts of the Lizard in Cornwall, the North Devon/Cornwall borders and inland Dartmoor and Exmoor - here if you want to finish early you are likely to have to call in a taxi.

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Our itineraries have local taxi numbers for every day of the walk so the usual way out if you suddenly decide you want to stop is to head into the next village, find a pub or cafe and call from there. Taxis in rural areas are not like metered London Cabs - they are generally not that expensive and are used by the locals to get around where there are no public transport services. In many cases for around £10 you will be able to cut the walk short with a small taxi ride if you need to and get a lift to your accommodation.

Question 49

I have a fear of heights, is this a problem on the coast paths?

Accepted Answer

Its a difficult question and of course the answer very much depends on how severely you experience vertigo or fear of heights

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A severe fear of heights - In general if you have severe vertigo and can't bear the thought of being near high drops then coastal routes are not a good idea for a walking holiday as you will come across high cliffs and sheer drops fairly regularly. All sections of the South West Coast Path have times when the path runs along the tops of cliffs with drops to the sea on one side.

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If you have a very severe fear of heights then consider inland routes such as the Dartmoor Way, Saints Way, Coleridge Way or Two Moors Way as alternatives. These routes do not involve cliffs or sheer drops and on some routes, like the Coleridge Way you can still have coastal views but from a distance.

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However, if you are very keen to walk on a coastal route then there are a few exceptions, for example, the Meirionnydd and Snowdonia Coast Path in Wales. Here you can walk for five days right next to the sea but you will not encounter any sheer cliffs or sheer drops on the route.

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A mild fear of heights - If cliffs and sheer drops just make you feel a bit uncomfortable then just note that there are no dangerous traverses on very narrow ledges, ladders or technical scrambles on our walking routes, so you may be fine - you can expect along the coast to be on paths that at times will run very close to the edge and you will feel exposed, which is normal but you not be in any real danger of falling off and you can often just keep to the inland edge.

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One way to get an idea of whether the route is suitable is to look at as many images of the path as you can - this will give you a good idea of what the walking and the cliffs can be like. So run an internet search for "South West Coast Path" for instance and click on the image button - you can quickly scroll through hundreds of images of the path and get a better idea of whether it is going to be a problem for you. If you see places which make you nervous then its best you avoid that route.

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Some sections are worse than others of course and we can advise on which so feel free to call BUT its very difficult for us to advise if you will be able to do a particular section when we don't know you or your vertigo - so if you have a severe fear of heights, our advice will tend to always be to avoid the coast path routes and try an inland walking holiday as an alternative.

Question 50

Will I meet other people on my walk?

Accepted Answer

This is often a concern for solo walkers and you can read more about how to walk safely if walking alone in the safety section of these Frequently Asked Questions.

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On the National Trails you will come across other walkers on the route, although, in general, once you are a mile or so outside towns and villages the local walkers disapear and the routes are quiet and not crowded. In high season you will usually pass other walkers at fairly regular intervals along the coast paths and when you reach beaches, villages and harbours you will find plenty of people who have driven to visit these rather than walked to them.

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At night in overnight stops you will often find you are staying with other walkers particularly in the smaller locations and its often quite amusing to bump into people you met a few days back down the trail who are walking a slightly different schedule to you. Walkers will often share experiences and tips with each other and its well worth getting in the habit of asking anyone walking the opposite direction what the next bit of walk is going to be like, what places they stopped at, any wildlife they saw, what the trail condition was like - the most recent information is by far the best!

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Inland paths like the Saints Way and Coleridge Way see many less walkers and you may be pleasantly surprised not to see any at all as you walk them, however you are never that far from habitation or small villages should you need them.

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In remote inland walking areas like Dartmoor and Exmoor and in some of the most wilder coastal parts of North Wales it is possible though not usual to walk for several hours and not see anyone at all.

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As a general rule - on well known walks, in good weather and in the walking season there will be other people out walking the trail that you meet during the day but out of season or on less walked routes you may walk for sometime without seeing anyone at all.

Question 51

Do you advise on things to visit on the routes?

Accepted Answer

You will find lots of useful information in both your personal itinerary and also your guidebook about things not to miss on each day's walk  - such as good beaches, attractions, places to rest up and highlights for that day's walk. On coastal routes the Trailblazer Guidebooks also provide plenty of  information about the overnight locations with suggestions on where to eat, what to see, locations of services such as banks and shops and interesting things to look out for.

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When planning your walk its well worth reading the relevant sections on our website to find out about larger and more significant visits you want to build time in to see - such as St Michaels Mount or The Eden Project in Cornwall, Castle Drogo on Dartmoor or some of the many offshore islands and castles in Wales. Some routes such as The Dartmoor Way have as many things to see off the trail as on it but they are all places you can reach on foot on your walking holiday.

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Let us know what interests you and we can work with you to make sure that you have built in enough time on any given days walk for any of these larger type of larger attractions. Alternatively, take a look at our Other Activities page, where you can get an overview of what each region has to offer. Just use the tags at the top of that page to narrow your search.

Question 52

Can I choose my own accommodation?

Accepted Answer

Yes you can – this is an key part of our service and what sets us aside from other walking holiday companies.

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Once we know what you want to do, we will provide a quote with accommodation options to look at.

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Where choices exist, and they do in most locations, then your quote will give standard, alternative and an upgrade choice to consider. You will have links so you can view the acccommodation websites to find out more about them and clearly see the cost of any upgrades.

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Then it’s up to you - you can pick and choose where you stay according to your requirements and budget, giving you control over where you will stay as you walk. You might want to consider upgraded accommodation for the first and last nights and perhaps any rest days where you may spend more time in the place you are staying during the day, for example. On the other hand your priorities may be the competitively priced or the most luxurious options all the way along your walk. It's really up to you.

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Let us know as much as you can about the type of accommodation you want with your enquiry - for instance if you like staying in inns - or indeed don't like staying in them - then tell us and we can try to provide the most suitable options available, based on what you tell us about the type of accommodation you want.

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Being independent, we are not tied to any particular places though of course we have a very good knowledge of the best options in the different locations, based upon our experience. But if there is a particular accommodation you have found yourself or have stayed in before that you want to include in your walk, then if its available we can book it for you.

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Once you are all booked in we will send you a booking confirmation. This confirms with you where you are staying, which dates and which type of room, day by day for your itinerary  - you can then check through this and make sure you are happy with your accommodation before moving onto the next booking stage. If not we can make adjustments to get it right.

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With Encounter Walking you will not only know where you will be staying each night but you will have been involved in selecting your own accommodation before we even accept your booking.

Question 53

How do I know what the accommodation will be like?

Accepted Answer

You will be able to use the links from our quotes to view the full accommodation websites before you book. The accommodation websites give you plenty of information and will frequently also have images for you to look at. We only use reliable, clean and good standard accommodation options - as the largest holiday provider we quickly know about any problems and won't use places that are not of an acceptable standard for our walkers.

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If you have further questions about a particular accommodation you can ask us or if you prefer you can contact the accommodation directly - we don't discourage this and we also have a good relationship with the accommodations we use. If you are still unsure then consider checking Trip Advisor for some recent and independent reviews - look at general trends from those commenting there. A better source of feedback is from our walkers and the reviews section. You can find these for every walk and the reviews will often have comments about accommodation that they felt particularly stood out on their walk.

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If you still want to know more then ask us - one of our staff may well have stayed or visited the accommodation and we can put you in touch with them if need be. We want you to be sure BEFORE you book that we have helped you make the right choice of accommodation and so are happy to provide you with any information we have to ensure this happens - so do just ask!

Question 54

Can I ask for en‑suite rooms on my walk?

Accepted Answer

Yes you can. These days around 95% of rooms on the walking routes are en-suite (a bathroom immediately adjoining the bedroom within your own room). Occasionally bathrooms are private (for your own use but located outside your room). We very rarely use shared facilities (where the bathroom is shared with other people) and will only include them if there is no other option. So only in situations where due to the remoteness or lack of accommodation there is no choice OR where we have been asked to keep the costs as low as we possibly can by you.

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We realise most walkers want en-suite rooms or failing that, private bathrooms. Our quotes, booking confirmations and itineraries all specifically state whether a room is ensuite, private bathroom or shared bathroom so you know exactly what has been suggested before any bookings.

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In one or two small and remote locations en-suite rooms can be a problem, usually where the only accommodation is a farmhouse or similar.  However we are clear about this AND if you can't manage that night without an en-suite room then we will work to provide a solution.  Changing the daily stages will often will get you around the problem (so walking on further to the next village or stopping at an earlier point) OR if that is not possible then staying 2 nights in the previous location with transfers to and from the problem area to get you along the trail with en-suite rooms all the way.

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So you will know what the bathroom arrangements are before booking and if there are only shared bathrooms available at any particular locations we will come up with solutions if you raise this with us as a problem.

Question 55

What’s the difference between en‑suite and private bathroom?

Accepted Answer

Bathrooms will be one of the following and your quotes will clearly confirm which for you

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En-suite -  With your own bathroom adjoining the bedroom within your room - most rooms these days are en-suite on the walking trails.

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Private Bathroom - Your own bathroom for your use only but just outside your bedroom - so perhaps across the corridor. These can occur more often in older historic buildings such as in the fishing harbours where properties may have been built 300 years ago and the layout is difficult to change.

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Shared Bathrooms -  A bathroom shared by a small number of rooms.  We only use these if there are no other options in that location OR if you are looking for the cheapest accommodation options. You will only use rooms with a shared bathroom if you have agreed to it.

Question 56

Can I get room upgrades within the accommodation?

Accepted Answer

Yes - if seaview options or deluxe or premium options exist in a particular accommodation then you are very welcome to request them. As superior rooms usually cost more than the standard rooms, where we think they may be of interest we include them as an option and advise you of the difference in price - you can then choose them if you wish and in most cases you can see the rooms on the accommodation websites to help you decide.

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If you know you want the best rooms possible throughout your walking holiday then let us know when you request a quote and we can price it based on upgraded options from the start.

Otherwise our advice would be to pick and choose from the quote but if you see a particular room on a hotel website and want us to try and secure that for you then just tell us - if it's available we can arrange this for you.

Question 57

Is your accommodation close to the path?

Accepted Answer

Yes. This is a very important question which you should always ask of walking holiday companies before booking.

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Encounter Walking will always try to use accommodation as close as possible to the route you are walking. We are aware that, sadly, some other walking holiday companies either don't check this or will use accomodation that is further away from the trail because it is cheaper.

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We don't do this and location of the accommodation is a very important component of the way we operate.

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We are walkers as well and we fully understand that having walked all day you don't want to find you then have to walk several miles further to your bed after reaching your destination and worse still have to return to the centre of a village or town in the evening to eat.

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In most cases you want to be as near to the centre of a village as possible - its easier for evening meals, likely to be closer to the path and will also be a more interesting location to spend the night at with the centre of the town to explore close by along with its restaurants, shops and facilities.

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So for instance on a coastal route, if possible, you want to be by the waterfront or overlooking a pretty or historic harbour - not a one mile walk up a steep hillside in an area of dull modern housing on the edge of the town. In one or two places the reverse is true - for instance at Newquay in Cornwall the centre of the large town there is noisy with nightclubs and bars and we place you instead in a much quieter location around 2 miles further along the coast path above a beautiful beach at Fistral Bay.  You can choose the nightclubs and the centre of course but in the first instance we are very aware of the importance of WHERE your accommodation is in relation to the walking trail, the location centre and any possible annoyances and we will be using the best options based on those factors.

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The only other reasons for NOT being in accommodation as close to the path as possible is where things are already booked out, where there is no accommodation on the path and everyone has to walk inland to the nearest village OR if there is particularly good accommodation option that you have chosen or we know about that may be worth a bit of extra distance.

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If you have to walk any significant distance from the path we will make you aware of it such as places like Zennor or St Just on the Cornish Coast Path where all accommodation is in villages inland of the trail and the path does not go near any habitation.

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By providing you with the information about which accommodation you would be in BEFORE you book you are able to see for yourself the distance from the trail but be assured that we will be looking to locate you in most cases as near as possible to it.

Question 58

What size are UK beds?

Accepted Answer

UK bed sizes are different to the USA and Canada and are as follows:

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Small Single Bed - 75cm x 190cm (2' 6" x 6' 3")Standard Single Bed - 90cm x 190cm (3' x 6' 3")  - This is the usual single bed / twin bed optionSmall Double Bed - 120cm x 190cm (4' x 6' 3")Standard Double Bed - 135cm x 190cm (4' 6" x 6' 3")  This is the usual double bed optionKingsize Bed (US Queen Size)  - 150cm x 200cm (5' x 6' 6") - These are available in some locationsSuper Kingsize Bed (US California King Size)  - 180cm x 200cm (6' x 6' 6") - Not common in the UK

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Bed size refers to mattress size and these are the standard names for those sizes.

More information and a handy chart can be found on this site for UK Bed Sizes

Question 59

Is there WiFi and mobile phone signal at my accommodation?

Accepted Answer

Wi-Fi -  These days most accommodations will provide free wi-fi at some level and recognise it as something people want to have if possible. Larger and more modern hotels will often manage it in most or all rooms whilst in smaller and older B&B's and Inns it may be restricted to public areas like the bar or lounge.

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You will be walking in remote areas and staying in locations that are often at the end of any physical internet network so don't expect to get super-fast speeds or to be able to download movies, particularly as you move further away from major towns and cities. That said, most places will be able to manage some sort of connection or if its urgent may allow you to use their computer to check emails if you ask.

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If its a key issue you can always contact the accommodation in advance to find out exactly what they will be able to provide - you will have been given their details and you can therefore plan around this but remember that remote inland and coastal areas are NOT the places to go to on holiday if its vital for you to have constant and fast internet or mobile phone connections 24 hours a day.

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Mobile Phone Signal - This is always patchy once you are in rural and remote areas of the UK, although it is improving year by year. Generally, you should be able to find a phone signal in higher locations and hillsides, so if you lose connection in the valleys you should pick it up again at the top of the next hill although you may find using the internet on a smart phone is not possible.

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Overnight stops in hamlets at the bottom of deep valleys or at the end of narrow river estuaries are usually the worst. If it's urgent then ask at your accommodation; if you are in an area where there is no signal the locals will all know where you can get a signal for service -  usually by walking a short distance to the top of the nearest hill to get above any black spot. The UK still has some village telephone boxes usually in locations with bad mobile phone signal (for obvious reasons) and your accommodation will also allow you to make any calls in an emergency.

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Is one mobile service better ? We are often asked if one mobile phone provider is better than another but it doesn't make too much difference as most of them share masts and have pretty similar coverage. You will get some slight variance between providers - one may be better than another in one overnight location for instance and if you are planning to stay in one place for a long time it can be worth trying to establish the best. However for those walking on every day to a new location the level of phone coverage from different providers will effectively even itself out and its not worth agonising over. All the main providers such as Three, EE, Vodaphone & O2 provide coverage maps on their websites but they are not particularly reliable guides on the ground  - you could spend more time trying to work out who claims to offer the better service than it would take to actually walk the route itself!

Question 60

What type of beds do I need – twin or double?

Accepted Answer

This can be a confusing issue particularly for overseas walkers as a "double bedroom" can have a different meaning in other parts of Europe and the USA.

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Bedrooms across the UK will be -

Double Bedrooms -  These are a single large bed for 2 people to share - so usually for couples.

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Twin Bedrooms -  These rooms will have two SINGLE beds - so suitable either for couples who prefer their own bed or for 2 friends who want the same room but not the same bed!

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Single Bedrooms -  These rooms will be a single bed for a single walker. They often tend to be quite small but are the best value for single walkers.  If you want more space but your own room then consider upgrading to a double bedroom for single occupancy. You will then have a larger room and a larger bed though the accommodation will charge a bit more for it.

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Larger Rooms for more than 2 people

Family Rooms  -  Larger rooms usually for families - normally a double bed and a single bed - which will sleep two parents sharing a large bed and a child in a single bed.

Larger family rooms may have 2 single beds (or bunk beds) so they can now take 2 children, or a small put-up camping bed can be added if its for a younger child. Larger family rooms are not that common on many of the trails as accommodation is often in older historic buildings that tend not to have the large rooms. If you are a family of 2 adults and 2 or more children you are likely to have to take 2 rooms on some nights to fit everyone in.

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Triple Rooms -   These are not common but you can find them on occasions and will be 3 x single beds for 3 adult friends   - they will be cheaper than a twin and a single if there are 3 of you.

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Dormitory / Shared Bedrooms - Tend to be in youth hostels only. We don't generally use these unless you have specifically asked for the cheapest possible accommodation - you will share a larger room typically of around 6 beds with other guests - these are very cheap but not suitable if you don't want to share a room with strangers. Dormitories will almost always be single sex - which means female only or male only rooms.

Question 61

What meals are included?

Accepted Answer

All our holidays include a full cooked breakfast every day within the holiday price so you are well set up for the day's walk.

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We provide information in your final itinerary so you can choose to arrange packed lunches with your accommodation or eat at inns, cafes or restaurants on the trail during the day. You will pay for these locally.

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You will pay for your own evening meals but again we cover the options in your itinerary for you. Inns and hotels will usually have evening meals available on site. With smaller B&B's we advise on where to find local eating options in the location where you are staying. These will always be close by, we are walkers here as well and we understand you don't want to have to walk a long way again in the evening to get something to eat.

Question 62

Can I book packed lunches and what other options are available?

Accepted Answer

We give you all the information you need about lunches in your final itinerary.

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A lot of accommodation will provide a packed lunch. Your walking itinerary will tell you which accommodation provides packed lunch and how to order it. However to give you complete control we also note where there are places on the route each day where you can buy lunch. You can then choose to stop at a nice pub or cafe if there is one for instance. In one or two remote locations where accommodation can't provide a packed lunch and there are no options during the walking day then we make sure you are aware of where you can buy provisions before setting out on that day's walk.

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So for each walking day we make sure you have all the options and you can then make your own decision - and won't go hungry!

Question 63

What about evening meals?

Accepted Answer

Most of our walking routes include overnight stops in locations where there are plenty of pubs, restaurants and other eating options close by. In remote sections, if these are not available, your itinerary will advise on whether evening meals can be obtained at your accommodation or what other arrangements there are to eat.

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Whatever the location, your itinerary will have advice for every night about eating options so you will never be caught out.

Question 64

Do you cater for vegetarians and special diets?

Accepted Answer

Yes - these days vegetarians will have no problem getting options for meals even in remote locations and accommdoation is very used to providing vegetarian breakfasts.  Make sure you tell us when you book, however, so we can advise your accommodation in advance.

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More specialist diets such as gluten free and vegan can be requested and in the larger and more cosmopolitan towns like Padstow and St Ives, the restaurants,  B&B's and Hotels are usually able to help here. However in smaller and remote locations it will be more of a struggle. We will always advise your accommodation of any special diets if you tell us about them so they will know in advance but you need to be realistic and prepared for the fact that in remote areas you may well not be able to get the options you want.

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So, if there are things that are very important for you to have - such as gluten free bread, non-dairy spreads and soya milk for instance - then we advise that you send a supply with your luggage to cover any nights where the accommodation is not geared up or able to fully cater for your diet. In remote locations you won't be able to find these items in local shops and there may not be a shop anyway!

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You will have the details of the accommodation in your itinerary and if it's a key issue we would advise you contact them in advance to discuss what they can and can't provide for you. Often there is just a lack of understanding in smaller B&B's and Inn's about what you need.  By checking with them, if they can't manage everything you need, you can at least be prepared by having items in your luggage transfers to get you through areas where special diets are not fully understood or available.

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