For perhaps the first time in history, it is possible to travel cheaply and safely enough that you can do serious hiking in some of the most exciting parts of the world. If you want to know about holidays, ask a travel agent. But if you’re going to learn about walking, ask a walker. Any walker will tell you many ways of getting around without climbing rocky crags or fording torrential rivers.
The tourist industry has done such an excellent job of promoting the idea of the adventure that we think of walking as something unique and expensive. And it is special: your feet will get a workout, and your brain will get a workout too, both in figuring out how to walk where you want to go and in figuring out what you’ll see along the way. But there are also other ways of getting around.
The world is your playground. So, pack light and set out to have an adventure! Planet Camping hiking backpacks are the perfect companion because they’re designed for all kinds of activities – from walking through downtown to trail walking. And if you want to hit the trail or trail town, choose backpacks that are lightweight enough for easy walking, stable enough for maximum comfort, and loaded with organized features you need. Planet Camping hiking backpacks are built for adventure.
If you start thinking about health rather than money, they become even better options. For most people with work-related mobility problems, travelling by train or bus can be more convenient than walking or cycling (which is why they’re still popular even though public transport has improved). They’re free; they’re comfortable; and they’re not likely to cause ulcers, asthma attacks or knee injuries. Walking is only one option; it’s an expensive option with the connotation of hard work attached to it.
The best walks in the world are not the ones that take us to grand vistas or remote peaks. It is hard for those who love walking to compete with the Alps and their craggy summits. The best walks are often found in cities. The best city walks can be as simple as wandering in a park, taking an afternoon stroll in the company of friends or family or following a route through your city’s streets laid out in a guidebook.
Most of us think of walking as an activity with limited appeal, but it has retained its allure for most people throughout history. It is cheap, efficient and easy to learn, and it enables us to experience different places within short travels. Most people can start walking with little or no training. However, if you want to take advantage of its benefits, regular walks are recommended. For leisure walks, there are many options available.
If you live close to the open countryside or an urban park, consider setting off with your family on a day-long walk along country lanes or along the River Thames in London’s parks and gardens. Fancy something more challenging? Perhaps an urban hike around Hyde Park or even climbing up one of London’s many hills.
Ultimately, walking holidays offer the perfect chance to take in the local culture. The idea of getting orienteering with maps, compasses and rucksacks can be daunting, though. They are inexpensive compared with other forms of holidays. Culture highlights are easy to find. It is an activity that many can participate in and still get a feeling of achievement.
