Walking Breaks & Holidays
With a range of luxurious hotels and self-catering accommodation in some of Britain’s most revered countryside, we’re perfectly placed to provide walking breaks in the UK.
Whether you want to scale summits, enjoy long-distance trails or varied hikes surrounded by beautiful landscapes and picturesque coastlines, there are a range of options for walking holidays with Macdonald Hotels & Resorts.
With comfortable rooms and great food, and in many cases stunning views, our hotels and self-catering properties are perfect for relaxing after a day on your feet. So, book your break online, pack your rucksack and get ready to hit the trails.
Walking Holidays in Scotland
The Cairngorms
With dome-like mountains and vast elevated plateaus affording visitors a great feeling of space and scale, The Cairngorms are home to some of the best walks in Scotland. Basing yourself at our accommodation in Aviemore makes it easy to reach the start of common routes up the monstrous Ben Macdui and Braeriach, even if these Munros demand a good level of fitness. There are also lots of well-pathed walks through ancient pine forests and round scenic lochs near Aviemore that offer outstanding views.
The Scottish Borders
Head to Cardrona Hotel and immerse yourself in the beauty of The Scottish Borders. With the River Tweed flowing through the grounds and Glentress Forest one side of the hotel and Cardrona forest to the other, there’s an abundance of great walks right on the doorstep. Equally, if you’re undertaking The Southern Upland Way, our hotel is ideally located for a restful night’s sleep while on your journey.
The Trossachs
Sitting above Loch Ard, Forest Hills offers walkers an excellent base in The Trossachs. Whether you reach the pointed peak of Ben A’an, summit Ben Lomond or savour the majestic sights from The Great Trossachs Path, there’s no shortage of great walks in the area. Relax after adventure filled days by treating yourself to a restorative treatment at our spa in Aberfoyle or enjoying the panoramic views from our restaurant.
Walking Breaks in England
The Chilterns
The Compleat Angler, our beautiful riverside hotel in Marlow, is a great base for exploring The Chiltern Hills. Staying with us places you close to section 3 of The Chiltern Way which gives varied walking through this Area of Natural Beauty and some of the most scenic countryside in England. Other great Chilterns’ walks close to the hotel include the Medmenham and Hambledon Circular and the Marlow Cicular.
The Cotswolds
The rolling Cotswold Hills that surround the picturesque towns in this idyllic region offer a huge variety of scenic walks. From admiring the views after climbing Cleeve Hill to circular routes through meadows and some of the most picture-perfect villages in the country, The Cotswolds are a rambler’s paradise. Stay at The Bear Hotel in Woodstock, with its ivy clad frontage and timber-beamed charm, to explore the quintessentially English countryside that surrounds it.
Forest of Bowland
The fells, valleys and expansive moorlands of The Forest of Bowland, a designated Area of Natural Beauty, provide the interesting terrain for some of Lancashire’s best walks. These include the ascent of Pendle Hill (which gives great views over Lancashire and over to the Yorkshire Dales) as well as lots of gentle lower-level walks through the picturesque countryside which is perforated by pretty villages. Staying at our Tickled Trout Hotel gives easy access to The Forest Of Bowland and walks around Preston.
The Lake District
Whether you march through the clouds on the dramatic Striding Edge to reach the top of Helvellyn or head up Catbells to admire a sunset, you’ll soon see why The Lake District mountains and fells are regarded as some of the best hill walks in England. Our two lake side hotels, Leeming House overlooking Ullswater and Old England on the banks of Lake Windermere, offer great access to some of the region’s most famous trails and combine stunning views with great hospitality, making them perfect for a walking break in the Lake District.
The New Forest
With striking coastlines, intriguing woodlands, and extensive heathlands, The New Forest is full of trails that are suitable for family walks right up to long-distance yomps. With The Solent Way, a 60- mile path along The South Coast, passing Elmers Court Hotel & Resort, we’re ideally placed for a walking break in Hampshire. With indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a choice of restaurants, and a serene spa, Elmers Court is a great base for a relaxed walking holiday in The New Forest.
Welsh Walking Holidays
Eryri (Snowdonia)
Plas Talgarth self-catering resort is located at the southern tip of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park. It’s proximity to rugged coastlines and beautiful beaches, as well as making the mountainous region of the National Park accessible, mean it's a great place to stay if you’re looking for a walking holiday in Wales. Whether you opt to summit Snowdon, stroll along coastal paths, or both, you can be sure that the peaceful setting, stunning views and on-site leisure facilities will make it an escape to remember.
