Winter Walking with Foot Trails

As featured in The Los Angeles Times, Discover Britain Magazine, The Independent, Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, The Australian, National Geographic Traveller, Lonely Planet Magazine, The Huffington Post and many more!

Winter, bejewelled and decked in frost, sun pierced misty mornings and cosy log fires in country inns. The perfect time of year to come crunching across the countryside, marvelling at nature’s silent beauty, breathe the crisp fresh air.

After Christmas our bodies often long to get outdoors. Enjoy fresh air and gentle exercise. Walking is said by many to be the best all round exercise, strengthening and toning muscles, helping the heart to stay healthy and the mind and soul happy.

Our specially selected independent (self guided) winter walking trips are available until 01 March 2016, with a two night minimum stay but a choice of two or three nights. At this time of year we recommend staying in one place and you can enjoy different and diverse walks each day.

NEW – Complimentary Seasonal Guide

For more advice on the best time of the year to walk in England, request your copy of our new, complimentary Seasonal Guide to Walking in England. Just email enquire@foottrails.co.uk or call David Howell on +44 (0) 1747 820 626

Pick one of our fabulous Winter Warmer independent walking breaks below or read on for top Winter walking tips, our gallery of winter inspiration and our most favourite things about winter walking.

Pick one of our fabulous Winter Warmer independent walking breaks

• Somerset Knights Quest

  Staying in one place, Somerset

  Luxurious and peaceful walking. Discover south Somerset, land of the summer people, an area steeped in myth and legend. You'll enjoy stunning castles, beautiful stone villages and hill forts with legends of King Arthur. Read more
• Knights Medieval Castle

  Staying in one place, Wiltshire

  A walking holiday where you can escape the trappings of the modern world. Idyllic rural countryside and stunning varied walks filled with adventure and discovery. As the name suggests you'll find a strong medieval feel with a stunning castle and knights tales on route. Read more

All trips include accommodation en-suite, country breakfast to start the day, two or three days or independent walking tailored to suit you and the winter season, tailor and hand made Walk and Explore box with your own local maps with your routes annotated, innovative trail cards with clear word directions step by step and local histories and stories, nature guide, travel sweets and more!

Call +44 (0) 1747 820 626 or email enquire@foottrails.co.uk to chat over your plans and book a Winter Warmer break or to request a mini brochure for your winter trip.

Gallery of inspiration…

Top Winter walking tips…

1) Dress in multiple thin layers when walking in winter. These trap warm air near your skin. You can more easily adjust a thin layer or two to be warmer or cooler. You will for example be warmer when you stop at your country pub for lunch and cooler if you stop to take photographs outside depending on the weather.

2) Always take a mobile phone with you and know the contact numbers for an emergency.

3) Take plenty of water. It is a misconception to think you need to drink less in winter. You will be exerting yourself and exercising so take plenty of water with you. A flask of hot tea or coffee can also be enjoyable in addition on a really cold winters day.

4) Waterproof walking boots are essential in winter. Not only will these protect your ankles and give you support, and also grip if you encounter mud or wetter sections but they will ensure your feet stay comfortable and dry. Comfortable feet are vital for enjoyment!

5) Don’t forget your camera. Winter often provides multiple opportunities for taking great photographs in different weather conditions. Light mist or frost two examples.

Our favourite things about walking in winter…

By Founder Alison Howell

1) The sheer sense of achievement.

2) The beauty of seeing a still winters day, skeleton trees and their silhouettes at dusk.

3) The comforting sound of silence.

4) The sounds of hissing and cracking of a real log fire, especially when you’ve been out walking all day and are sat in front of it.

5) The first sips of either a cup of tea or pint after a long winter’s walk (we can hear that happy sigh…)

6) The rosy glow you gain on your cheeks!

7) Knowing you are enjoying yourself and also doing something fantastic for your health and well being.

8) The sense of discovery. Winter always reveals some unexpected beauty. Perhaps a fox out hunting, vibrant red berries in the hedgerows, the sight of your first Snowdrop.