Springtime Family Walking Holidays

Walking trips that’ll tick the box for the whole family‎ this spring with On Foot Holidays

Temperatures are warming up and rainfall levels have dropped, so why not distract the kids from their smartphones and set off on a walking adventure this spring?

Walking specialist, On Foot Holidays, suggests one of its top three self-guided springtime rambles for the whole family. All are perfect in spring, with the option of triple/family rooms, and the walks themselves are not overly challenging (rated easy or easy/medium):

Castles, rock labyrinths and fairytales – Czech Republic

This is On Foot Holidays’ most family-friendly route, with castles and curious rock towns to interest the youngsters. Walkers will test their shimmying skills – up ladders and through narrow rock passageways – and enjoy a two-night stay at château Hruba Skala. There’s also time to visit two other historic castles – Kost, a well-preserved 14^th century fortress complete with torture chamber, and Trosky, with its distinctive twin towers sitting atop volcanic peaks. The region is known for its Moravian wines, local herbal liqueur and beer – perfect for parental relaxation at the end of a day’s walking, while the children sleep well after fresh air and exercise.

Available April-October, the Bohemia walk costs from £485 pp for adults and from £215 pp for children (16s and under, when sharing a room with adults), including six nights’ B&B. Graded easy-medium.

Hiking for adventurous kids – Slovenia

Spring, with its profusion of wild flowers, is an ideal time for families to explore the gentle Slovenian countryside. This trip is perfect for families keen to explore the region’s caves and exciting landscape, with the option of hiring bikes for sections of the walk. Begin in Slovenia’s pretty capital, Ljubljana, head west into the Karst, an area of woodland hills, meadows, vineyards and traditional villages, and end in the vibrant Italian seaport of Trieste.

Available April-October (excluding July & August), the Slovenia walk costs from £655 pp for adults and from £360 pp for children (16s and under, when sharing a room with adults), including six nights’ B&B, two evening meals and four picnics. Graded easy-medium.

Follow a dastardly trail in Devon – UK

Whilst meandering through some of the county’s most bucolic countryside – from Dunsford, on the edge of Dartmoor, to the coast at Dartmouth – there is a distinctively devilish side to some of the locations on this walk, which older kids will find fascinating. The route stops at Widecome-in-the-Moor, haunted by four parishioners killed in 1639 by a ball of lightning, as well as the ruins of Buckfastleigh Church, which was the inspiration for Conan Doyle’s novel, Hound of the Baskervilles. The walk takes in pretty waterside Dittisham too, from where you can summon a boatman to take you across to Greenways, Agatha Christie’s summer home.

Available all year round, the Devon walk costs from £745 pp for adults and from £435 pp for children (16s and under, when sharing a room with adults), including seven nights’ B&B and two packed lunches. Graded medium.

Luggage is transferred ahead of walkers to the next night’s stop. Local back-up assistance is available when required. All route information is provided for every trip. Flights/travel to destinations excluded.

For further information, for expert advice from someone who’s walked the route, and to book, call On Foot Holidays on 01722 322 652 (www.onfootholidays.co.uk).