Step Into 2026: The Best Beginner-Friendly Walking Holidays to Boost Your Wellbeing
Struggling to hit your 10,000 steps a day? Walking holidays might be your perfect New Year resolution.
If your idea of a holiday usually involves lounging by a pool or ticking off Instagrammable sights, it might be time to think on your feet — literally. Walking holidays are having a moment, and they’re not just for fitness fanatics. Perfect for travellers looking to combine gentle exercise with culture, cuisine, and scenery, these trips have been recognised as a rising trend in 2026 for anyone wanting a restorative break with a sense of achievement.
Ramble Worldwide, the original walking holiday specialist with a charitable ethos, recently published its top 10 beginner-friendly walks across the UK, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Italy, and France. With over 300 guided and self-guided tours in 40 countries, the company is a trusted source for travellers seeking well-planned, safe, and inspiring walking holidays. Profits are channelled into their charitable trust, which has invested millions in preserving the great outdoors and making walking holidays accessible to all since 2000.
Why take a walking holiday?
These trips offer far more than exercise. Gentle walks in natural surroundings can reduce stress, boost mood, and improve cardiovascular health, while small group itineraries foster connection and shared discovery. With expert guides leading the way, even beginners can confidently explore landscapes and local cultures that might be tricky to navigate alone. For creative professionals, there’s the added benefit of inspiration: imagine wandering medieval towns, flower-filled islands, historic vineyards, or dramatic mountain scenery, all at a pace that allows reflection and creativity to flourish.
Ramble Worldwide’s Top Beginner-Friendly Walks
From gentle strolls to leisurely hikes, here are a few of the standout experiences for 2026:
- The Algarve & Andalucia – Discover charming seaside towns, explore natural parks by boat, and hop across borders for authentic tapas.
- Bologna, Italy – Meander through rolling Apennine hills, enjoy Italy’s culinary delights, and soak up the culture of historic towns like Parma and Modena.
- Gardens of the Channel Islands – A floral-focused adventure across Guernsey, Sark, and Herm, exploring both public and private gardens.
- Kissamos, Crete – Leisurely walks through ancient sites, scenic plateaus, and harbours, paired with Mediterranean cuisine.
- Medieval Portugal – Follow the footsteps of civilisations past through historic towns and monuments in Portugal’s most culturally significant regions.
- Malvern & Worcester – Classic English countryside rambling with a mix of history, cathedral views, and hilltop panoramas.
- Morocco: Atlas & Ocean – Atlantic beaches, rugged Atlas Mountains, kasbahs, and villages offering a journey far removed from everyday life.
- Loire, France – Tranquil walks through vineyards, historic châteaux, and some of the Loire Valley’s most scenic landscapes.
- Lake District, UK – Dramatic mountains, ridges, and lakeside paths with trails suited to beginners, all in a quintessentially English country setting.
- Tenerife, Spain – Choose from moderate to more challenging walks, taking in dramatic volcanic landscapes, ocean vistas, and panoramic views from Mount Teide.
For anyone looking to reset in 2026, these routes are an unbeatable way to combine fresh air, culture, and wellbeing — all at walking pace.
Elena Leo is the Arts & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.
