What It's Really Like to Join Your First Walking Holiday

If you've never been on a walking holiday before, it's perfectly normal to wonder what it's really like.

Will the walks be too difficult? Will everyone else be more experienced? Will you be able to keep up? And what happens when you've never met anyone else in the group?

These are questions I hear regularly from people thinking about booking their first holiday.

To help answer them, I asked three first-time walkers to share their experiences after joining one of our three-day Beyond the Caminito Walking Holidays in Andalucía.

Over the course of a long weekend, Susie, Nicky and Sarah explored the remarkable limestone landscape of El Torcal, quiet reservoir trails and the hidden Hoz de Marín gorge near Archidona. Along the way they discovered that a walking holiday is about far more than simply covering the miles.

Their words tell the story far better than I can. If you're wondering whether a walking holiday might be right for you, their experience offers an honest insight into what it's really like.

Before the Holiday

For many people, booking their first walking holiday is simply about trying something completely new.

Some wonder about whether they'll be fit enough. Others wonder if they'll be the slowest in the group, or whether everyone else will be more experienced. Solo travellers often ask if they'll feel comfortable joining people they've never met before.

They're perfectly natural concerns when you're about to try something completely new.

A three-day walking weekend is an ideal introduction to this type of holiday. It gives people the chance to experience a variety of walks, discover a different part of Andalucía and enjoy a few days away, without committing to a full week's holiday.

That was certainly true for Susie, Nicky and Sarah. Like many first-time walkers, they arrived with a mixture of excitement and uncertainty, unsure what to expect from the weekend ahead.

Three days later, they left with a very different perspective on what a walking holiday could be.

El Torcal: Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone

Every walking holiday has to begin somewhere, and for this weekend there could hardly be a more memorable place than El Torcal.

It's one of Andalucía's most remarkable landscapes. Millions of years of erosion have created an extraordinary collection of limestone towers, arches and rock formations unlike anywhere else in Spain. Although the paths are well established, the uneven limestone encourages you to slow down and watch where you place your feet. It's the perfect setting to take your time, enjoy the scenery and appreciate this remarkable landscape.

For anyone joining their first walking holiday, it's also a chance to discover that keeping up with everyone else simply doesn't matter. Everyone walks at a pace that feels comfortable, with plenty of opportunities to stop, admire the views, take photographs or simply catch your breath.

For Susie, the day began with a little uncertainty.

"It felt a bit intrepid."

The landscape was unlike anything she'd walked before.

"There's no way I could have done that myself. Phil's really making it accessible."

One of the advantages of walking with someone who knows the area well is that you can simply enjoy the day. I choose the route, set a comfortable pace and help bring the landscape to life, allowing you to discover places you might never have considered exploring on your own.

There were natural concerns too.

"I was anxious about my mobility and worried about slowing people down. I found my own way down at my own pace. I stopped worrying because I didn't need to."

That feeling is something many first-time walkers experience. The important thing is that there is no pressure to rush. Everyone walks at their own pace and, before long, you stop thinking about the walking itself and simply start enjoying the day.

By the end of the walk, there was a real sense of achievement.

"Unhurried is a great description. Phil calls it mindful walking, which really captures it, because in El Torcal you have to think about where you put your feet. I'm proud of myself after today."

"We're all a bit creaky one way or another, and it's a huge confidence boost."

The day finished in Antequera, where tapas, a wander through the historic streets and plenty of conversation rounded off a memorable start to the weekend.

Discovering Hidden Andalucía

The second day took us to a very different part of Andalucía. Instead of the limestone landscape of El Torcal, we spent the day exploring quiet trails around the reservoirs near Ardales.

I chose these walks because they show just how varied Andalucía can be. Although they're only a short drive apart, each has its own character and feels completely different.

For Susie, Nicky and Sarah, it was also a chance to experience a side of Andalucía that many visitors never see.

"Off the beaten track."

That simple comment summed up the day perfectly. There were no crowds, no busy viewpoints and very few other walkers.

"We only saw the odd person. We were away from the crowds. Phil's local knowledge brings everything to life."

One of the unexpected highlights was watching griffon vultures soaring above the surrounding hills.

"The griffon vultures were an absolute highlight for me today."

They're often the moments people remember long after the holiday has finished. Not the miles they've walked, but the wildlife they've seen, the landscapes they've explored and the unexpected places they've discovered along the way.

The day also reinforced something that had become clear since arriving in Andalucía. A walking holiday isn't simply about reaching the end of the route. It's about slowing down, taking notice of the landscape and discovering places you would probably never have found on your own.

When I asked what advice they'd give to someone thinking about booking their first walking holiday, they didn't hesitate.

"You would enjoy it. Relaxation, lots of laughs, lots of food, and opportunities to see places and things you wouldn't otherwise see."

Another piece of advice stood out too.

"Push yourself to do something you might not do by yourself. Then, feel proud of achieving something new."

Finding Their Feet

Our final walk took us to the Hoz de Marín, a beautiful gorge near the historic town of Archidona. Like the previous two days, it offered something completely different. The route descended into the gorge on loose, uneven paths before following the valley floor, where the towering canyon walls reveal the power of erosion over thousands of years.

By now, everyone had settled into the rhythm of the weekend. The worries that often come with a first walking holiday had been replaced by growing confidence and a willingness to try something new.

For Nicky, one of the biggest differences was learning how to use walking poles.

"I felt much more confident using a walking pole on those downhill sections. I'd never used one before."

It's often the small things that make the biggest difference. For Nicky, learning how to use walking poles transformed the downhill sections, making them feel easier, more comfortable and far less intimidating.

The encouragement of the group made a real difference.

"You're not here doing it on your own. The guides [Phil and Sue] really make a difference."

As well as discovering new places, many people leave with far more confidence than they arrived with.

For Sarah, another part of the weekend stood out.

"The length of the holiday is absolutely ideal. There have been lots of laughs, and that's been really important."

Susie had been travelling on her own and was equally positive about the social side of the weekend.

"Solo walking posts on LinkedIn really attracted me to the company. I thought it would be a great opportunity to meet like-minded people."

There were practical lessons too.

"I've learned a lot over these past three days. One of the things I'd do differently is get a rucksack that sits on my hips."

By the end of the weekend, it was much more than completing three enjoyable walks. Each of them had taken away something slightly different, whether it was greater confidence, new skills, or simply the reassurance that a walking holiday was something they really could enjoy.

Reflections on the Weekend

Looking back over the weekend, it was clear that Susie, Nicky and Sarah had each taken something slightly different away from the experience.

The weekend also reinforced something I've seen many times over the years. People often arrive wondering whether they'll manage the walks. By the time they leave, they're talking about the places they've discovered, the wildlife they've seen and the friendships they've made.

For Susie, Nicky and Sarah, there were plenty of memorable moments, from the extraordinary limestone landscape of El Torcal to quiet reservoir trails, soaring griffon vultures, the dramatic Hoz de Marín gorge, and evenings spent enjoying good food together.

Perhaps the best summary came from one simple comment made at the end of the holiday.

"It's really relaxing. You don't have to worry about anything. It's 100% hassle-free."

When someone is considering their first walking holiday, that's probably one of the most reassuring things they can hear.

Would You Enjoy This Kind of Holiday?

Perhaps you've been thinking about joining a walking holiday for a while but haven't quite taken the plunge.

The experiences of Susie, Nicky and Sarah show that you don't need to be an experienced walker to enjoy a guided walking holiday. What matters far more is a willingness to get outdoors, take things at a comfortable pace and enjoy discovering new places.

You won't be expected to rush, compete with anyone or prove yourself. We walk at a comfortable pace, stopping regularly to enjoy the views, talk about the landscape and local history, and enjoy the cafés and tapas that are such an important part of life in Andalucía.

For many people, the biggest surprise is just how normal it all feels once the walking begins.

Susie, Nicky and Sarah each came away with something different. Nicky discovered the confidence that came from using walking poles for the first time. Susie enjoyed meeting like-minded people and sharing the experience with others, while Sarah realised that a three-day walking weekend was the ideal introduction to this type of holiday. Together, they discovered that a walking holiday isn't about how many miles you cover, but about the places you visit, the people you share them with, and the enjoyment of walking without feeling under pressure.

If you've recognised a little of yourself in Susie, Nicky or Sarah, perhaps it's time to stop wondering what a walking holiday is like and come and experience one for yourself.