Mountain walking holidays can feel daunting for some people, but we are firm believers that we all have to start somewhere. The main aim of The Natural Adventure was, and still is, to facilitate accessible walking or cycling holidays for people who want to delve a little deeper into nature. So please don’t be put off by big peaks and towering summits. We have created plenty of easy mountain walks with trails where you can be in the presence of greatness, but not have to trek from dawn to dusk, or push yourself up to peaks. It’s all just about being in the mountains. They’re not easy peasy of course, and some may be categorised as easy/moderate. These are mountains after all. If it’s flat or forest walking, rivers or wine routes that you’re after, we have plenty more easy walking holidays in this blog.
Easy mountain hikes in the Sierra Nevada, Spain
One doesn’t really associate the Sierra Nevada with easy mountain walks but, just because your holiday is in the mountains, doesn’t mean you have to climb all of them. This walking holiday in the Sierra Nevada starts and ends in one of Spain’s finest cities, Granada, famous for its Moorish heritage, and most particularly for the Alhambra complex, all with a mountainous backdrop. Walks around the city are both easy and exquisite, and the same can be said for the mountains, with short hikes along ancient trails in the Poqueira Valley, or through the oak forests of the Trevélez Valley, in the shadow of Mulhacén (3,479m), the highest mountain on the Iberian Peninsula.
Málaga mountain walks for beginners, Spain
Málaga is on the doorstep of the Sierra de Tejeda and Almijara mountain range, protected by a natural park of the same name. There are so many trails, in fact, that we have two centre-based holidays there, and it’s our upgraded holiday that is categorised as easier, because there are a lot of flexible options to shorten or just skip a walk if you like. On this holiday, you’re based in the four-star Málaga Hills Boutique & Wellness Eco-Hotel in Cómpeta, so you’ve already got style on the menu, rather than styles to clamber over. Within this holiday, you have options to walk through gorgeous white villages, and a section of the El Saltillo Hike and Silk Route, but with no summits or sticky bits.
Easy mountains to climb in Bulgaria
Bulgaria is summit central, but on this short break in the Rhodope Mountains, you are based in Trigrad, a traditional mountain village at an elevation of 1,240m. Which means that you have the Rhodopes on hand for rambling through limestone gorges, caves and forests. The walking holiday is categorised as easy/moderate, with average hiking distances of 11km and elevation gains of around 500m. Bulgarian beauties along the way include the giant underground waterfall in Devil’s Throat Cave and Orpheus Peak (1,532m). The latter is a steep but short hike with a 7km hike and 500m ascent to the top, where you get superb views of the Rhodopes, Pirin and Rila Mountains, and even the Aegean if the weather is behaving.
Easy mountain trails in winter, Chamonix Valley, France
We have two snowshoeing holidays in the Chamonix Valley, both taking place between December and April. This is when the powder is promising and ready to propel you forward on trails around Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, where you are based throughout. One of the holidays is self-guided and the other privately-guided by a local mountain expert. It’s actually the self-guided one that’s categorised as easy/moderate, as you cover less distance every day, between 5-10km. And also, routes can be catered slightly to your ability. Whichever routes you choose, you’ll have five days of freezing French forays, some of the most terrific snowshoeing routes include Vallorcine Valley, a cable car journey up towards the summit of Mont d’Arbois (1,833m), Plateau du Truc and a balcony trail facing Mont Blanc. With plenty of transfers to help you along the way.
Easy Mourne Mountain walks, Northern Ireland
St Patrick’s Way in Northern Ireland is a 142km long-distance trail that takes in cultural and Christian heritage sites between Armagh and Downpatrick, as well as the natural spectacle of the Mourne Mountains. This pilgrimage walking trail offers some of the best walking in Northern Ireland and includes two days of walking among the Mourne’s range of twelve peaks, on easy walking trails. To have a more immersive walking experience here, you can choose to walk the Mourne Way, which is categorised as easy/moderate. It is most definitely exquisite though, exploring the likes of Slieve Meelbeg, Commedagh and Donard, Happy Valley as well as Castlewellan Forest Park.
Easy mountain walks in the Tatras Mountains, Slovakia
Our first Slovakian adventure that’s easy/moderate in difficulty level is a winter wonder through the High Tatras, on a small group, fully guided tour. This colossal limestone landscape forms a natural border between northern Slovakia and Poland. Staying in one hotel throughout, at the foot of the High Tatras, you have easy access to the heart of Slovakia’s snow zone, where you walk along tranquil forest trails, to Green Lake and some stunning frozen waterfalls. The frozen finale is Bachledka Treetop Walk, on the border of Pieniny and Tatra National Parks. With daily elevation gains ranging from 400-700m on this holiday, nothing is too taxing especially as you have guides to lead the way.
We have one other Slovakian adventure that isn’t too strenuous, as this one is a family-friendly one, and in summer too. Located in the Lower Tatras this time, and based in Poprad throughout, it’s also privately-guided, so that takes a weight off your mind. When it comes to defining easy with this one, that’s tricky. There are no 25km hikes, but there is a via ferrata, some white water rafting and e-biking. Which could stand for easy-biking for sure. It may not push those muscles, but it will get your heart and adrenaline pumping. Especially for families, as this Slovakian tour is suitable for children from eight. Or grown up children too of course.
Mountain walks for first-time hikers in Armenia
Armenia is often described as being on the cusp of Europe and Asia, proffering the most beautiful bridge between two continents and a panoply of cultures. This holiday in Armenia is a drive and hike holiday, with the emphasis on the former rather than the latter. You still get to absorb the colossal presences of the Caucasus Mountains and, as you have a private guide, you can sit back and relish the views. Our Armenian guides facilitate the most fantastic of adventures around the country’s mountains and monasteries, the wonders of Lake Sevan and also crossing borders into neighbouring Georgia. With walking that ranges from a capital city walking tour to a section of Tatev Gorge or, for a harder stretch (an ascent of 627m), and optional of course, to Mount Aragats’ southern peak.
Our mountain walks come in all shapes and sizes, and this blog only scratches the surface of all the great mountain walking holidays that we have on offer. You may also enjoy reading our blogs on How to prepare for a hiking trip, Summit hiking holidays, Hiking safety tips for mountain landscapes and one on tougher mountain walking holidays. Please do not hesitate to contact us for any more information.
Armenia Explorer
Walking in Málaga in Comfort (Centre-based)
Walking Saint Patrick’s Way
Mourne Way
Walking in the Rhodope Mountains Short Break (Centre-based)
Winter Walking in the High Tatras Mountains (Centre-based)
Walking in Sierra Nevada: Alpujarras and Granada
