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Frequently Asked Questions
Self-Guided Walking Holidays
This page is designed to answer any questions you may have about how self-guided
holidays work. If you cannot find the information you are looking for then please
call our office on 0845 470 7557 or email us at selfguided@hfholidays.co.uk
and we will be happy to help.
Unfortunately not. All self-guided walking holidays are booked on a request
basis to suit your individual requirements. We offer flexible departure dates
(most holidays can start on any day of the week), flexible travel arrangements
and the option of extending your holiday to match your needs. Providing this level
of tailor-made service means we are only able to check availability once you have
completed a booking request and provided the appropriate deposit for the holiday.
You can send in your booking form and deposit by post, call us direct on
0845 470 7557 and we will take your details and a credit card number
over the phone or alternatively complete the secure online booking form by clicking here.
We do not bank your cheque or take money from your credit card until all
arrangements have been made and you are happy with the booking.
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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), bank 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. We
will do everything we can to accommodate your booking, but if you are making a
late booking it is a good idea to have some alternative dates in mind.
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You can usually start your holiday on any date between March and November, self-guided walking holidays are booked on a request basis to suit your individual
requirements. This means that we do not have any allocated rooms, so we recommend
you book as early as possible, and try to be as flexible as possible regarding
which day you would like to start.
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If you are a very experienced walker and you are used to travelling on your
own, then there is no problem booking a self-guided holiday as long as you take
note of all safety advice offered in our pre-departure holiday information. We
do not recommend that inexperienced single walkers take these holidays. There
is a single room supplement for most holidays please phone for an individualised quote.
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Yes. You can stay for an extra night, for an extra week or for as many days
as you choose. Just ask at the time that you book for a price quote for your holiday.
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Transport to and from your holiday is not included in the price of the holiday.
We provide detailed UK travel
advice as part of your personal information pack. Alternatively you can
try these websites: www.nationalexpress.co.uk
or www.nationalrail.co.uk.
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All our holidays are offered with flight or without flight (so you can book
your holiday with us but make your own way there). We offer flights on a request
basis only and the flights listed in the brochure suggest purely provisional departures
times. When you make your booking, we will put in a request with our flight department,
and then contact you with the flights that we have available. Sometimes it is
necessary to ticket our flights immediately in order to hold them and if this
is the case then you will need to pay for your flight at the same time that you
pay your deposit. We can also arrange ferry crossings.
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No. We provide detailed instructions
in your Personal Information Pack for how to get from the airport to your hotel.
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On trail holidays where you move on from one guesthouse or hotel
to the next, we arrange for your luggage to be safely transferred for you. You
should use the luggage labels included in your Personal Information Pack to label
your bags, and they will be waiting for you at your next guesthouse or hotel when
you finish the day's walk.
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It is usually possible to park your car at one of the guesthouses at either
the start or the end of the trail, and we check this at the time that you make
your booking. We provide you with details of how to then make your way to the
start of the trail, or to get back to your car at the end of your stay. The cost
of this transfer is not included in the price of the holiday but in general the
transfer is quite inexpensive as you are travelling by local public transport.
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We provide a detailed itinerary for each of the holidays on their individual
web pages, and listed under each day is the distance you will walk each day as
well as the ascent along the route. We have categorised the walks
by taking into account the terrain you cover, the time spent walking and the amount
of ascent and descent each day.
Many factors, such as the total distance, ascent, descent and terrain, can all impact on how 'easy' or 'hard' a walk may be. There is no magic formula, indeed we often find that these affect guests in different ways. However, based on our experience, we use the following symbols to indicate the difficulty of each walk:
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On these walks you'll usually be out for most of the day, walking at a relaxed pace or spending time at places of interest along the route. Walking experience isn't necessary as distances are quite short and paths and gradients generally easy. |
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Walks follow good paths and tracks but are generally longer. Walking experience isn't necessary but some walks, particularly in mountain areas, may have sections over rough or steeper terrain. |
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Walks follow well-defined paths, however these may be rough or steep in sections, and will require a reasonable level of fitness. You may be walking in hilly or upland areas, along rugged coastline or following lower-level routes in mountainous areas. |
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A reasonable level of fitness and some stamina is required for these walks. In moorland areas you may cover long distances in remote countryside and the terrain will often be rough underfoot. In mountainous areas you will encounter some sustained ascents and descents and occasional sections of scree and some steep ground. |
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A good level of fitness and stamina is required for these walks. They are likely to be in mountainous areas where you should expect rocky terrain and sustained ascents and descents. Walks visit high summits and ridges, where you'll need a good head for heights, and may include some easy scrambling. |
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No, all the maps, walk notes, town plans, and local information you will need
is included in your pack.
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Yes, if they are travelling at the same time. As all holidays are booked individually
we cannot guarantee that other guests will be there at the same time, but if there
are other HF Holidays guests in the hotel when you are there, then we will let
you know in your pre-departure travel information.
What is included in the Personal Information Pack?
- Detailed walk route notes or the most up to date trail guide including walk
notes and interesting background information about the area.
- OS 1:25000 scale maps as appropriate to the trail or Harveys map for the entire
trail.
- Detailed local information about places to visit en route, recommendations
for places to eat in the evening and general information about shop opening and
closing times.
- Detailed UK travel advice.
- A comprehensive list of what to take with you.
- Further information and contact details for the different places of accommodation
where you will stay, including information about packed lunches and evening meals.
- Guidelines for what to do and who to contact in an emergency.
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