Winter walking holidays

A winter walking holiday can be a challenging yet hugely rewarding experience – not to mention an opportunity to see beautiful mountain ranges at their most spectacular.

Covered in snow and bathed in soft winter light, Britain’s peaks appeal to walkers more than ever. But the mountain’s serene and tranquil appearance belies a tough and demanding physical challenge, made only harder by winter conditions.

To equip you for the task, many winter walking holidays include winter skills training – giving you the confidence and ability to tackle the mountain in snowy, icy climes.

These winter walking courses usually cover everything from the safe and proper placement of your feet to stopping a sliding fall. You can also learn more about navigation, discovering how to read the contours of a mountain when your route becomes unclear thanks to falling snow.

This tuition may not appeal to all, but the pay off comes in the breathtaking scenery – a vast, pristine canvas of white almost exclusively to yourself.

Less strenuous winter walking...

Of course, a winter walking holiday doesn’t have to be all crampons and ice picks – it could simply be a chilled out exploration of the Great British Countryside; A chance to don your gloves and your walking boots and get out in the bracing country air.

Indeed, what feeling can beat that of thawing out your extremities next to an open log fire, following an invigorating winter walk?

So whether you’re up to the challenge of Britain’s tallest peaks, or simply want to put some colour in your cheeks with a fresh, frosty walk, here are some of the areas you simply can’t ignore.

Caingorms, Scotland

Known to be one of the most consistently wintery mountain ranges in the UK, you won’t have to wait for deepest, darkest December to find Cairngorm peaks capped with snow. Perfect for those looking for a full-steam-ahead winter walking holiday, the Cairngorms are the highest mountain range in Britain.

Snowdonia National Park

Home to Mount Snowdon, but also a whole host of less challenging winter walks. Whatever your walking ability, you’ll find routes that not only suit you – but astound you with their beauty.

Peak District

A vast and spectacular region perfect for a winter walking holiday – not least thanks to a proliferation of charming and elegant hotels which make your stay that much more enjoyable.

Cotswolds