Choosing your Walking Holiday
When are your self-guided walking holidays available?
You can usually begin a self-guided walking holiday on any date between March and October, while some of our walks are available year-round. Simply tell us the date you would like to arrive and we will take it from there. Some exceptions may apply, especially on busier walks during the summer months, so booking well in advance is essential if you wish to walk during specific dates.
When is the best time to walk in the UK and Ireland?
You can walk any of our trails between March and October, and each part of the season comes with its own advantages. March and April are best for spring flowers, and views of snow-topped mountains. May and June are usually the driest and sunniest months. The days are at their longest towards mid-summer so you can make the most of long, bright evenings to explore. July and August are the warmest months, though usually wetter. September often brings a period of settled weather, and autumnal colours in September and October can be quite spectacular.
July and August are when UK school summer holidays take place, which in many locations makes them the busiest months. However, in recent years May has been by far the busiest period on many Scottish walking trails.
How long are your self-guided walking holidays?
Our walking holidays are usually a minimum of 3 nights. Additional rest days and sightseeing days can be added at the start, during, and at the end of your itinerary.
Booking your Walking Holiday
Can you check availability for me before I make a booking?
Unfortunately not. All our self-guided walking holidays are booked on a request basis to suit your individual requirements. Providing this level of tailor-made service means we are only able to check availability once you have confirmed your booking and provided the deposit for your holiday.
In the very rare circumstance that a lack of availability means we are unable to complete your bookings, we will, of course, refund your deposit.
How far in advance should I book my walking holiday?
The earlier you book your holiday the easier it will be for us to ensure that we can book accommodation for your preferred dates. Some holiday periods (Easter and school half-term weeks, public holidays and the peak summer months) can get booked up very quickly, therefore if you know you want to travel at this time it is a good idea to contact us as soon as possible.
The West Highland Way is very busy during May and early June and begins to book up a year in advance. Please book well in advance if you wish to walk this route during this time.
How do I book my walking holiday?
Once you have sent us an enquiry you will receive a personalised proposal by email. This will contain the price, inclusions, and full details on how to confirm your booking. If you would like to go ahead and book we simply require a deposit of 20% of the total cost of your holiday. We will then proceed with making all of the arrangements for your holiday.
When will I receive my Information Pack?
We will typically send your Information Pack (which includes a guidebook, map, route notes and details of your accommodation) to you by post 2 – 3 weeks after you have made your final payment. We will also send you a copy of all of the essential documents for your holiday by email. If your booking with us is part of a larger holiday and you will leave home before this date, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate. We can also arrange for your pack to be sent to your first night’s accommodation.
How do I pay for my walking holiday?
Once you have sent us an enquiry you will receive a full proposal by email. This will contain the price, inclusions, and full details on how to pay for your booking. We accept the following payment methods:
1. Bank Transfer – Our account details will be included in your proposal. We ask you to make payment in British pounds sterling (£). If your bank charges you for this service we do ask you to ensure that you settle these charges directly with them.
2. Credit or Debit Card – We accept the following credit or debit cards: Switch/Maestro; Visa; Master/Eurocard. We do not accept payment by Amex.
3. Cheque – Please make cheques payable to “Absolute Escapes Ltd.” Cheques must be made in British pounds sterling (£).
Is my money safe?
In accordance with UK Government regulations, your financial security is guaranteed when you book with Absolute Escapes Ltd. The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for Absolute Escapes Ltd (membership number 5443). In the unlikely event of our insolvency protection is provided for all money that has been paid for non-flight packages.
ABTOT cover provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled or repatriation if you are abroad. Please note that bookings made outside the EEA are only protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with Absolute Escapes Ltd.
In the unlikely event that you require assistance whilst abroad due to our financial failure, please call the ABTOT 24/7 helpline on 01702 811397 and advise you are a customer of an ABTOT protected travel company. Further details can be found at on the ABTOT website.
Do I require travel insurance?
Although it is not a requirement, we do strongly recommend that you take out holiday insurance to cover cancellation, personal accident, illness and loss or theft of personal possessions and/or money.
Can I change the dates of my walking holiday after I have booked?
It is usually possible to change your start date up to 8 weeks before the start of your walking holiday although it is not advisable. We charge an administration fee of £50.00 to cover the work involved in cancelling and re-booking your accommodation. Requests for changes made less than 8 weeks before the start of your walking holiday will be treated as a cancellation of your original booking, and our usual booking conditions will apply.
What happens if I have to cancel my holiday?
If you have to cancel your walking holiday please inform us by email or letter. The date from which we receive your email or letter is the date from which cancellation fees will be calculated. You can find our cancellation policy on our Booking Conditions page.
Package inclusions
What’s included in the package?
Inclusions vary slightly from package to package, so it’s best to check the detail in the proposal you’ll receive when you enquire with us. However, our walking trail packages usually include:
- Accommodation with breakfast included
- Daily luggage transfers
- Map and guidebook
- An information pack containing your daily itinerary, accommodation details, recommended kit list, restaurant and sightseeing recommendations
- 24-hour contact number in case you require any assistance
- Full financial protection
What’s not included in the package?
- Travel insurance
- Transport to the start and from the finish of the walk
- Lunches and evening meals
Do you arrange luggage transfers along the trail?
On all our walking trail holidays we arrange daily transfer of your luggage from one accommodation to the next. Our packages include one piece of luggage per person, though if you require more than this please let us know and we can certainly include additional luggage in your package. Weight restrictions vary between walking trails.
Can I extend my holiday by booking additional days?
You can book as many additional days as you wish. To assist you in choosing where to spend an additional day we have made some recommendations on our holiday pages for each walking trail – you can find these in the ‘Additional Days’ section.
Can you book flights or train travel for me?
We are more than happy to advise you of the best routes, however, we do not arrange flights or train travel.
Accommodation and meals
Where will I stay?
Where you will stay depends on which accommodation package you book: Premium, Standard, or Budget. We offer a Standard accommodation package for all of our walking holidays. Whether we offer a Premium or Budget package depends on the range of accommodation available along the trail.
Premium: Carefully selected guest houses, inns and hotels which will be the best available in each location. As premium accommodation is in short supply on some walking trails, please note that some establishments will be of a higher standard than others. En-suite facilities or a private bathroom is guaranteed.
Standard: Good quality and comfortable B&Bs, guest houses and some hotels located as close to the trail as possible. We will prioritise en-suite facilities or a private bathroom, although in remote areas with limited accommodation this may not always be possible.
Budget: A variety of hostel, B&B and guest house accommodation located as close to the trail as possible. Please note, breakfast is not included when you stay in hostels, but most of them have self-catering facilities and there are places to eat nearby. Hostel accommodation is in shared bunkrooms.
All of the accommodation that we book for our clients has been personally selected by our expert team to ensure it meets our exacting standards. We regularly review our extensive accommodation database and maintain excellent relationships with our accommodation providers.
Occasionally your accommodation may be situated a distance from the trail or you may have to spend more than one night in the same place. Where this is the case we provide transfers between your accommodation and the trail, and this cost will be included in your package.
Do I need to bring a sleeping bag with me if I book a Budget walking package?
It is not necessary to bring a sleeping bag. When you are staying in hostels sleeping bags and duvets are provided. In most hostels you will not be permitted to use your own sleeping bag.
What meals are provided?
Our Standard and Premium packages include a full breakfast each morning. Our Budget package includes breakfast on the nights you stay in B&B or guest house accommodation.
Breakfast will generally consist of sausage, bacon, eggs etc, cereals, fruit, toast, and tea or coffee will also be available. Lunch and dinner are not included, however, your Information Pack will include recommendations on the best pubs and restaurants to eat and drink in each evening.
Lunches can usually be bought along the route but we will advise you of the days when this is not possible. On these days you can usually book a packed lunch from your accommodation on arrival, at a small additional cost. Most towns and villages in which you stay have shops where you can buy items to make up your own packed lunch.
You will normally be staying in a town or village where there is at least one pub or restaurant to enjoy an evening meal. On the rare occasion that this is not possible then we will book you into accommodation which provides an evening meal.
Can you cater for my dietary requirements?
Please tell us about your requirements when booking. It is usually possible to accommodate dietary requirements, but please check with us first before booking.
Solo walkers
I’m travelling on my own. Can I go on one of your holidays?
We heartily welcome solo walkers. To enjoy one of our walks by yourself, you should be a confident walker with reasonable map reading skills. We ask you to take sensible precautions and also to inform the accommodation providers if you expect to arrive late. You should also walk with a mobile phone, though of course in mountainous regions reception is not universal.
Why do you charge a single supplement?
Our usual package prices are calculated based on two people splitting the cost of the accommodation, luggage transfer, map and guidebook. We, therefore, have to add a single supplement for most of our packages to cover the increased cost for a solo traveller.
Preparing for your Walking Holiday
How should I prepare for my trip?
We emphasise that to get the maximum enjoyment out of your walking holiday you must be in good physical shape and both your feet and your footwear must be accustomed to walking the distances indicated for your particular itinerary. The best way to ensure this is to go for a number of walks during the weeks immediately preceding your departure, wearing the boots that you will wear during the trip – nothing spoils a walking holiday more than blisters.
Do you provide a guidebook and maps for the trail?
The holiday price includes a map and guidebook for the trail.
What do I have to carry each day?
All you need to carry is a daypack containing your lunch, water bottle, waterproofs, first-aid kit and any other personal items you might want during the day. We provide a full recommended kit list in our information packs.
What do I need to bring?
A recommended kit list will be included in your Information Pack.
Other questions
Are your walking holidays suitable for children?
We do not generally recommend our long-distance walking holidays for children under 14, although we do offer drive and hike holidays which are more suitable.
How do I get to the start and from the end of my walking holiday?
We provide information on how to get to and from your holiday by public transport in your Information Pack. If you plan to travel by car it is sometimes possible to leave it at your accommodation at the start or at the end of the route for the duration of your holiday. Please let us know when enquiring if you would like to do so.
Can I bring my dog with me?
Some of our walks are available for dogs. Please contact us for more information, or read our blog on Britain’s Best Dog-Friendly Walking Trails.
