Use time indoors to appreciate what’s on your doorstep by planning a walking holiday, says SARAH MARSHALL
waters contrast with a white sand beach. The full 127km trail begins in Rathfarnham and ends in the County Carlow village of Clonegal.
How: Wilderness Ireland (wildernessireland.com; +353 (0)91 457 898) offers the six-night Hiking The Wicklow Way guided tour from E1,870pp (two sharing), including accommodation, some meals, transfers and guide). Depart June 27, 2020 or April 10, 2021. outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor.
How: Wilderness Scotland (wildernessscotland.com; 01479
420 020) offers the seven-night Wilderness Walking The West Highland Way guided tour from £1,695pp (two sharing), including accommodation, some meals, guide and luggage transfers. Departures until October 2020.
PEAK PERFORMANCE
Where: Snowdonia, Wales CONTAINING one of the highest peaks in the United Kingdom, Snowdonia National Park is a playground of popular walking trails.
But there’s more to this region of North Wales than majestic mountains; forests, moorland and sparkling blue lakes present some of nature’s finest work.
Some walks cover tourist towns such as Beddgelert and Betws-yCoed, while quieter routes pass through remote sheep farms and vestiges of the Welsh slate industry.
If you have time, combine a hike with a ride on the Welsh Highland Light Railway and the Ffestiniog Railway.
How: Ramblers Holidays (ramblersholidays.co.uk; 01707 817 432) offers a six-night The Wonders Of Snowdonia guided tour from £769pp (two sharing), including half-board accommodation, transport and tour leader. Available in August and September.
CASTLES IN THE SAND
Northumberland’s coastline is an area of historical interest and remarkable beauty.
Undulating dunes back vast beaches along the 100km Northumberland Coastal Path, gazing out to islands famous for their rich birdlife.
There are more castles here than any other county in England: explore Alnwick, where you can take part in Harry Potter-themed activities; discover Bamburgh, which sits on a basalt crag overlooking the sea; or admire Dunstanburgh, which sits on a remote, breezy headland.
But the highlight is the Holy Island of Lindisfarne and its famous tidal causeway.
How: Headwater (headwater.com; 01606 369 121) has an eight-night Walking the Northumberland Coastal Path holiday from £795pp, including B&B accommodation, luggage transfers between hotels and route directions and maps.