We have a variety of self-guided walking and cycling holidays, with routes to suit all levels of fitness. Our grading system is designed to give you an idea of how strenuous each tour is and to help you choose the holiday that is right for you. Naturally, the grading of individual holidays is subjective and within each holiday you will occasionally find some days slightly more challenging or easier than others. Also, because all of our tours are self-guided, you can go at exactly the pace that suits you. the grade descriptions below are intended as a general guideline so please read the tour itinerary carefully to make sure that you are choosing the right tour for you. If in doubt, please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you might have.
Hiking difficulty grades
From gentle coastal strolls to strenuous mountain hikes. In general, Grade 1 holidays involve short distances on easy paths while, grade 5 holidays involve longer days with plenty of ascents and descents each day.
- Easy
generally short walking days on well-kept paths with few ascents/descents, but perhaps the occasional longer day - Easy to Moderate
slightly longer walking days with some ascents/descents, on well-kept, sometimes stony paths - Moderate
moderate walking on varied terrain, with some long days and regular ascents/descents. Some days will be more challenging than others - Moderate to Challenging
longer days, including some strenuous walking on more rugged terrain with significant ascents/descents on most days - Challenging
very strenuous walks, featuring long days with significant ascents/descents on challenging terrain. A good level of fitness and experience is required
Cycling difficulty grades
- Easy
cycling on mostly flat cycle paths. Little to no cycling experience required. Daily distances of 20 – 40 km. Bikes with up to 3 gears will be fine. - Easy to Moderate
cycling in flat to hilly landscapes, with occasional short climbs. Fine for people with some cycling experience but not necessarily frequent cyclists. Daily distances of 30 – 50 km. Bikes with up to 7 gears will be fine. - Moderate
cycling in hilly areas, with some steep or extended climbs. Suitable for fit and frequent cyclists. Daily distances 35 – 65 km. Bikes with at least 21 gears recommended. - Moderate to Challenging
more demanding cycling routes with some steep and extended climbs. Experience of cycling in hilly terrain is essential. Daily distances of 40-80 km. Bikes with minimum 21 gears required. - Challenging
very strenuous cycling in mountainous landscapes with longer and steeper climbs. Suitable for experienced cyclists who are in excellent physical condition. Daily distances 50 – 100 km.
