10 best walking holidays by the sea

Wonderful walking

When the walking’s this good, why not make a week of it? Take your pick from our selection of shoreline short breaks and lengthier coastal hikes

By Stuart Kirby

For a slow tour

The South Downs coast

This relaxing four-night holiday of easy walking is based at The Cooden Beach Hotel on the south coast, just west of Bexhill-on-Sea. Walks take in Britain’s highest chalk sea cliffs at Beachy Head and the medieval Cinque Port towns of Rye and Hastings. Where paths do stray from the coast, they do so only to include the rolling landscapes of the Weald and South Downs. Shorter breaks are also available. From £393 per person (no single supplement), including accommodation, dinner, breakfast, picnic lunches and transport (01707 386800, www.countrywidewalking.com).

For a fortnight\'s break

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path

This itinerary covers the 186 miles of the National Trail from Amroth to St Dogmaels – walking between 10 and 17 miles daily means a good level of fitness is required. The path officially opened in 1970 – expect to see sandy beaches, breathtaking cliffs, coastal villages and pretty coves. The 14-night holiday operates year round. From £865 per person, including accommodation, breakfast, luggage transfers and a walker’s pack with trail guide and OS maps (0800 970 7585, www.celtrail.com).

For a gentle stroll

The Norfolk Coast Path

The big skies of the North Norfolk coast will take your breath away, but the walking won’t, as it’s all on flat paths. This week-long trip will take you past beautiful beaches and villages, and Holkham National Nature Reserve. Expect around 10 miles of walking per day. From £545 per person, including accommodation, transport on walking days, luggage transfers, getting to and from King’s Lynn station and a guide (020 8905 9558, www.hfholidays.co.uk).

For a bit of drama

Northumberland\'s Coasts & Castles Short Break

For a quick fix, this shoreline is sure to impress. A three-night break takes in 29 miles between Bamburgh and Amble, passing pristine beaches and imposing castles at Dunstanburgh, Bamburgh (left) and Warkworth. From £195 per person, including accommodation, breakfast, maps and luggage transfers (01768 480451, www.contours.co.uk).

For island fans

Isle of Wight Coastal Path

Step By Step Walking Holidays offers the chance to do a lap of the Isle of Wight on its seven-night coastal walking holiday package – expect to do 10 to 14 miles a day. A highlight is on day four when the route passes Alum Bay and The Needles and crosses Tennyson Down towards Freshwater Bay. From £410 per person (no single supplement), including accommodation at the Hambledon Hotel in Shanklin, all meals, transfers when walking and a guide (01983 862403, www.step-by-step.co.uk).

For a cross-country hike

Coast to Coast, from St Bees

At 190 miles, this rewarding hike takes in the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors. It starts from St Bees on the Cumbrian coast and concludes with a dipping of the boots in the North Sea at Robin Hood’s Bay. From £1,365 per person, including 15 nights’ accommodation, transport on walking days, luggage transfers, getting to and from Carlisle/Lancaster and Scarborough stations, and a guide (020 8905 9558, www.hfholidays.co.uk).

For a taste of Cornwall

 

The Hideaway Route

Harefield Cottage B&B in Upton, south of Bude, organises many walking holidays, including its popular short breaks on the South West Coast Path. These include two days of walking through a number of Devon and Cornish villages and along Heritage Coastal footpath. Hikers should expect to do up to about 10 miles per day. From £150 per person, including three nights’ accommodation, all meals, transport and a guide (01288 352350, www.coast-countryside.co.uk).

For remote beauty

Islay, Jura and Colonsay

This eight-day holiday is based on Islay but includes neighbouring Colonsay and Jura. A highlight is climbing or just passing the 364-metre summit of Sgarbh Breac on Islay and visiting Loch Gruinart. Expect to walk around ten miles a day.  From £715 per person, including accommodation, transport plus transfers to and from Glasgow, ferries and a guide (01369 860272, www.aboutargyll.co.uk).

For great beaches and grey seals

The Fife Coastal Path

Created in 2002, the 83-mile Fife Coastal Path (left) links North Queensferry on the northern shore of the Firth of Forth and Dundee. The route is lined with attractive villages, churches, castles and beaches such as Aberdour, Kingsbarns and St Andrews’ West Sands, not to mention a golf course or two. The Fife coast is also rich in wildlife, including grey seals, puffins and gannets. This holiday is for six nights but can be extended. From £320 per person, including B&B accommodation, guidebook and luggage transfers between hotels (01768 480451, www.contours.co.uk).

For history buffs

The Bailiwick of Guernsey Itinerary, Guernsey

This week-long amble starts just outside St Peter Port and explores the southern coast (left), covering protected areas and historic tombs, plus a trip to the island of Sark. From £614 per person (no single supplement), including flights, transfers from airport to hotel, accommodation on a dinner, B&B basis and picnic lunches (01707 386800, www.countrywidewalking.com).

Photos: AonB Coast; Ad Kay; Countryside Agency/Andy Tryner; David Fiddes; IoW Tourism; Pembrokeshire Coast National Park; www.Scottishviewpoint.com