Author: Fiona Galloway

The age of modern travel has opened the way for people to visit all corners of the Earth, take in wondrous sights and explore once hidden locations. The advent of quick and cheap travel means that a visit to the other side of the world no longer takes 6 months or more to achieve, while luxury cruise liners can transport travellers to the icy and inhospitable lands of the Polar Regions. Even the opportunity to view the wonders of planet Earth from the reaches of space on a holiday voyage might also be closer than you think.

But despite all these advances in technology, true travellers continue to enjoy the simple pleasures of walking holidays, and such trips are becoming increasingly popular. With some of the most wondrous sights on Earth still only admissible by foot, there is a lot to be said for travelling under your own steam. If you fancy stepping off the beaten path for a while, and want to swap cushioned airplane headrests for cushioned walking soles, here are a few must-see destinations that will have you leaving your hire car at the depot and strapping on your walking shoes.

The Grand Canyon

You’ve all heard of it, but how many of you have actually walked in it? Leave the Skywalk and viewpoint areas to the rest of the tourists and venture into the canyon itself. Guided walks are available for travellers who don’t fancy getting lost in this ancient abyss, and provide a fantastic way to learn more about this incredible mile-deep natural wonder. A two day hike through this awe-inspiring American icon gives visitors a superb opportunity to explore the canyon in greater detail and experience its isolated beauty in full. The sheer scale, remote location and secluded stillness of the Grand Canyon make it the perfect destination for walkers who will fully appreciate the stillness and majesty of this amazing natural phenomenon.

Sahara Desert

As vast expanses of isolated terrain go, the Sahara Desert sits pretty high on the list, and this is definitely a place to visit if you’re the type that likes a little solitude. With few roads running through this inhospitable area you’ll experience true isolation with miles of dunes ahead of you in the day and an amazing canopy of stars above you at night. True, you can hire dune buggies or rent a camel for the day, but to get that authentic ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ experience, you’ll need to head out on foot. Trekking through the world’s biggest desert is an incredible experience with walkers with huge sand dunes to conquer, a vast and tranquil environment to explore, and nights spent camped out under the stars. There are also some fantastic towns to explore with bustling souks and markets, delicious food to enjoy and welcoming oasis’ waiting for you at the end of a hard day’s walk.

Venice

Few cities are known more for their pedestrianisation than Venice. Although other means of transportation include water taxis and buses, their set routes are limited and bespoke journeys cost an arm and a leg, so you’d be better keeping your limbs and making use of them yourself. Venice is a veritable maze of cobbled back alleys and hidden courtyards, many of which don’t have canal access, so to experience the true essence of this Italian city, you’ll need to explore on foot. A walking holiday here is a great way to enjoy some of the health benefits of going on a trek, while also being able to relax and enjoy the calm serenity of one of the most beautiful cities in the world. For those who want a little more action on their travels, a visit to Venice can form part of a larger walking or cycling tour around Italy with the impressive Dolomite mountain range and Lake Garda nearby. This Italian delight offers one of the best locations for walking holidays, and a great place to start for newbie travellers.

Thanks to James Byrum for the photo from Flickr!