What’s trending in walking for 2025?

Founded in 1913, HF Holidays is Britain’s longest-running co-operative tour operator. Drawing on over 111 years of expertise in organising walking and exercise holidays worldwide, have recognized the highest walking vacation journey tendencies set to form 2025.

From group adventures that join like-minded folks by way of shared experiences to multi-generational household holidays that bridge the technology hole, these tendencies mirror the evolving methods travellers are embracing the outside and rediscovering the enjoyment of walking.

1. Collective adventures

“Collective adventures are about encouraging human connections and HF Holidays is renowned for bringing together like-minded people who share a passion for the great outdoors. With 54% of our guests choosing to travel solo, we are the trusted provider for holidays that offer people the opportunity to create new and long-lasting friendships through shared experiences.” says Kath Morris, Overseas Product Manager at HF Holidays.

HF Holidays curate journeys that not solely permit their company to discover new locations, however meet new folks, too. And their new Adventures in Albania & Lake Ohrid itinerary is not any exception. Whether travelling solo or with another person, company will be a part of a gaggle of like-minded folks and be guided by an skilled chief by way of the varied landscapes of this under-the-radar vacation spot. Walking and speaking go hand in hand and solo travellers quickly discover that the shared expertise of the journey usually results in lasting friendships.

Highlights company will take pleasure in collectively embody walking a part of the traditional Roman Via Egnatia route and exploring Galičica National Park for views over Lake Ohrid – considered one of Europe’s deepest inland our bodies of water. They can even look ahead to a guided tour of Albania’s capital, Tirana, and a standard Albanian cooking demonstration throughout their keep in Voskopoje.

2. Multi-generational journey

“Our customers have a renowned love for walking and the great outdoors, and their passion is being passed down through generations. We are increasingly receiving customer testimonials on how enjoying an annual HF Holiday together has become a tradition amongst families, some dating as far back as the 1930s. We’re keen to help young people foster a lifelong connection with the countryside from an early age and our family walking adventures encourage kids to swap screen-time for spending quality time with their parents, grandparents, and siblings out in nature. Best of all, children under 11 go free.” says Wendy Turner, Senior UK Product Manager at HF Holidays.

Whitby, the historic harbourside city famed for its Dracula connections, stunning seashores, and iconic fish and chips, presents a super household getaway. Families can spend time collectively searching for fossils on West Cliff Beach, wandering the ghostly ruins of Whitby Abbey, or reaching the summit of Roseberry Topping for sweeping views over the Yorkshire Coast. They can even experience the Hogwarts Express-style steam practice by way of the countryside with a cease at Goathland — the station that starred as Hogsmeade Station in the Harry Potter movies — and revel in a guided coastal stroll to the smuggling village of Robin Hood’s Bay for tales of piracy and journey. And when it’s time to unwind, households will take pleasure in a full board keep at Larpool Hall, HF Holidays’ characterful nation home on the North York Moors.

 3. Holidays with that means

“Holidays with meaning continue to rise in popularity as travellers seek deeper connections with the local culture and communities in the places they travel to. At HF Holidays, we believe travel should be a force for good and we work closely with our overseas partners to provide guests with unique experiences that promote economic prosperity for local people whilst creating memorable moments for guests that resonate long after the journey ends. As a B Corp Certified business, we’re committed to ethical, sustainable practices that make every journey meaningful,” says Rob Carroll, Product General Manager at HF Holidays.

HF Holidays’ new Tea Trails & Backwaters of Kerala vacation, presents extra than simply an thrilling journey journey. Guests go to the village of Poothotta, the place a neighborhood information introduces them to conventional crafts like coir making, adopted by a home-cooked meal with a neighborhood household. As a part of the Community-Based Responsible Tourism challenge, the actions in the expertise are hosted and owned by native folks, guaranteeing they profit instantly from tourism. Other highlights embody spending time in the historic buying and selling port of Kochi, and scenic treks round tea, cardamom, and low plantations in Munnar in the Western Ghats. Travellers can even spend an evening aboard a standard Keralan houseboat, cruising the backwaters of Alleppey, earlier than mountaineering by way of Periyar National Park, recognizing Indian elephants, wild boar, and buffalo with an skilled information.

4. Seasonality and over-tourism: Shoulder Season as peak

“Many of HF Holidays’ customers are not restricted to school holidays for travel, and the luxury of choice means that most have been picking holiday dates outside of peak summer to steer away from the tourist crowds. This ongoing demand has led to product development geared towards offering guests more enriching experiences in the destinations visited. New for 2025, our Discover More tours offer intimate, small-group experiences exploring the UK’s lesser-known attractions. With departures in April and October, guests can visit popular places with fewer crowds and enjoy experiences not usually possible as part of a larger party.” says Wendy Turner, Senior UK Product Manager at HF Holidays.

Uncover the best-kept secrets and techniques of Sussex and the South Downs on a seven-night South Downs Discover More Tour. With assured small group sizes, travellers will style award-winning wines on the Wiston Estate, stroll by way of the wildlife haven of Pulborough Brooks, and uncover Roman historical past at Bignor Villa with a specialist information. There’ll even be a visit to historic Hever Castle, an opportunity to look at conventional crafts in motion at Amberley Museum, plus a scenic experience on the Bluebell Railway.

5. Astro-Tourism

“Astro-tourism continues to surge in popularity as consumers continue to seek experiences that provide a sense of mental clarity and inner relaxation away from our screen-led daily lives. The UK has been looking to protect and improve dark skies in the British Isles and the best place to witness them are in deeply rural areas where HF Holidays’ country houses enjoy privileged access. 2025 is expected to be a great year to see the Northern Lights due to a peak in the sun’s 11-year solar activity cycle,” says Mary Bragg, UK Product Manager at HF Holidays.

There are 4 Dark Sky Discovery Sites in the Shropshire Hills, all conveniently located over the Long Mynd Valley which sits on the doorstep of HF Holidays’ nation home, Longmynd Hotel. Each website has the darkest Milky Way Class ranking, that means the skies are darkish sufficient to see the Milky Way with the bare eye. Guests can spend the day exploring the charming village of Church Stretton with its quaint bookshops, nation pubs, and church buildings, or visiting close by Ludlow to find a market city famed for its remarkably well-preserved fortress. Once the solar units, eager stargazers can witness the fantastic thing about the evening sky due to Longmynd Hotel’s splendidly distant location.