The best scenic walking holidays this spring

Simon Calder’s Travel Week [SUBSCRIBE]( [SUBSCRIBE: £1 FOR 3 MONTHS]( May 07, 2023 [View in browser](   SIMON CALDER’S TRAVEL WEEK [The Independent]( [The Independent]( Views, fresh air and the great outdoors: spring is all about getting your hike on. [These boots were made for walking: The Lizard Peninsula Coast, Cornwall]( The start of May has seen the sun finally make an appearance, and there's no better way to appreciate the weather gear shift than by hitting the dusty trail. Whether you're looking to explore one of these [iconic bucket-list walks in the UK](, or take on a specific challenge like the Tour du Mont Blanc ([read our full guide here](), we've got [all the info you need to plan your next hiking holiday or daytrip](. If views are more your thing, check out these [beautiful beaches you’d never guess were in the UK](. deck Many scenic bus rides in England are capped at just £2 until the end of June. One Dorset favourite: the X53 linking Lyme Regis with Weymouth via Bridport, paralleling the South West Coast Path. Up to five buses daily each way. [BEST DORSET HOTELS]( [I'm an image]( Spanish steps Girona is the ideal destination for hikes In the Spanish Pyrenees. [Jet2](begins a new link to the Catalan city from Glasgow later this month. Low-cost buses run into the mountains – and to the northern Costa Brava, which is also excellent walking territory. [HIKING THE PYRENEES](   Question of the week   Question of the week           What are your recommended hikes in the Balkans?         The magnificent Rila mountains, south of the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, comprise the highest range in the Balkans. They offer challenging treks through highland terrain dotted with lakes, and with mountain shelters for multi-day treks. Low local costs make hiring an expert guide affordable; that is what I did for a three-day trek that reached a spectacular conclusion at the Rila Monastery. This 10th-century complex with superb frescoes is Bulgaria’s holiest shrine. Public transport between Sofia and the mountains is reliable and affordable. The Via Transilvanica, a long-distance trail from northern to southern Romania, opened last October. I have not had a chance to experience the 1,400km route yet, but the Terra Saxonum stretch – though the Saxon parts of Transylvania – looks tempting. For day hikes, consider the southwestern Balkans – in particular the mountainous area around Lake Ohrid, shared between Albania and North Macedonia. Starting this month, air links begin from Gatwick and Manchester to the Unesco-listed town of Ohrid in North Macedonia. It provides an excellent base for exploring the region. [Cross the Balkans en route from London to Istanbul]( [Save up to £100 on a Morocco trip in May]( See the best of Morocco’s south, from Marrakech to the Sahara desert, on Intrepid's ten-day tour [Get an extra £200 off TUI holidays]( The discount code can be applied to trips with departures from 1 May 2023 to 31 October 2023 [Two-night Hampshire stay from £355]( This short break in a village on the edge of the New Forest includes £75pp for dinner each night £99 £20 for 1 year ✓ Full access to Premium news analysis ✓ Advert-free reading across web and app ✓ The Independent Daily Edition newspaper ✓ Puzzles, virtual event tickets and more [SUBSCRIBE NOW]( Travel guide Escape to the Lake District Everything you need to know to plan and book the perfect break to this national park, from top hotels to the best walks. [GET INSPIRED]( UK breaks Wild swimming stays From glamping at a private lake to a cottage stay by a cooling river, here's where to combine a dip with a night away. [READ MORE]( One moment you’re driving through a twisty-laned, whitewashed village, the next you’re gasping at the wide expanse of a mirror-calm lake Helen Pickles Lake District expert Hotels Get your glamp on Camping doesn’t have to mean roughing it; check out these breaks, from countryside cabins to yurts on the coast. [BOOK NOW]( Walking holiday Hike the Hebridean Way This 156-mile walking route connecting the islands of the Outer Hebrides is perfect for discovering on foot. [SEE OUR GUIDE]( The best hotels in County Durham: Where to stay for long walks and rambles This six-day tour visits the beaches, gardens and wildlife of the Scilly Isles Adventure in Iceland: How to see the best of the island in a long weekend – from exploring the coastline to hiking mountains   These ten men's walking boots will keep your feet comfy and blister-free on long hikes and pub walks [SHOP NOW]( The eight best walking poles for everyone from hardcore hikers to countryside ramblers [SHOP NOW](   OTHER NEWSLETTERS YOU MIGHT LIKE [Climate News]( Climate News Every Friday, 12pm (UK time) Written by Louise Boyle [Join now]( [IndyEats]( IndyEats Every Saturday, 7am (UK time) Written by Hannah Twiggs [Join now]( [Climate News] Climate News Every Friday, 12pm (UK time) Written by Louise Boyle [Join now]( [IndyEats] IndyEats Every Saturday, 7am (UK time) Written by Hannah Twiggs [Join now](   The Independent proudly partners with [Refuge]( and the [National Domestic Abuse Helpline](: 0808 2000 247 If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. 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