Harder Walking holidays

Remote moors. High mountains. Long days. Untouched landscapes. What a challenge. Away from it all. Wow, we got there. Our longer, faster-paced routes for fit, experienced walkers with a passion for endurance. Come and achieve your personal challenge with us.

This is an extensive programme dedicated to the harder, higher - and for all ages. These are some of the most demanding holidays that we offer in the UK. You need to be very fit with a head for heights and exposure, enjoy scrambling and high trail walking. On these holidays we go high.

On these holidays there is one leader and one walk during the day to allow you to concentrate on the challenge. They generally run alongside Classic Walking, so if the going gets tough there's usually an easier option for the day. On seven night holidays there's usually a day where you can rest and relax or explore.

Please select a holiday from the left hand menu.

The Ascent of Ben Nevis

A short break for those wanting to tackle the highest summit in Britain. We'll warm up with the summits of Fraochaidh or Glas Bheinn and on the final day follow the zig-zag path to the top of the 'Ben'. With luck you'll be rewarded with panoramic views as far as the Hebrides. 7 to 9 miles with up to 4,500ft of ascent.

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Yorkshire's Three Peaks

On this short break we'll ascend the famous 'Three Peaks' of Pen y ghent (2,277ft), Whernside (2,415ft) and Ingleborough (2,373ft). We'll also climb Buckden Pike (2,302ft), thus completing four of the highest summits of Yorkshire.

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Remoter, Wilder Dartmoor

Tackle the most challenging hill walking in southern England taking us deep into the remote corners of the moor; perhaps to Cranmere Pool, Fur Tor, High Willhays, and Ryder's Hill. 12 to 15 miles with up to 2,000ft of ascent.

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Dartmoor's Greatest Walk

Follow in the footsteps of the twelve knights who in 1240 walked around the royal hunting grounds of Dartmoor to determine its boundaries. This is an historic, highly scenic, moorland walk which justly deserves its title of Dartmoor's Greatest Walk. 60 miles in five stages of up to 13 miles and 2,500ft of ascent.

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South Downs Winter Challenge

The tracks and paths on top of the Downs are ideal for striding out on a winter break. Each day you will walk about 15-17 miles, with up to 2,000ft of ascent. The routes include Cissbury Ring and the Roman Stane Street over Bignor Hill, as well as areas not included in the regular Classic Walking programme, with glorious views to the sea and over the Sussex countryside.

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Mountain Walking in Europe

Our special mountain walking weeks offer the opportunity for more challenging walks at some of our European resorts. Each day there is the choice of a regular Easier Walk plus a high level option of up to 12 miles and 3,500ft of ascent.

Fussen: ascend summits on the Germany / Austria border including Aggenstein, Brentenjoch and Schochenspitze.

Madeira: follow the island’s superb levadas, ascend Pico Grande and walk in the central highlands.

Mallorca: walk in the Serra de Tramuntana to the peaks of Teix, Massanella or the Alfabia Ridge.

Norcia: reach the summits of Monte Patino, Monte Lirto and Monte Vettore in the Sibillini mountains.

Nago: walk high above Lake Garda on the Monte Baldo Ridge and to the summit of Cima Pari.

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