Is It Time For A Short Walking Break in the UK or Europe?

Ready for a short break walk in the UK or Europe

Looking for a refreshing escape, but don't have time for a long break?

It’s amazing what a few days away, with fresh air, peaceful landscapes and good food can do. Find the right short break for you, and you’ll return rejuvenated and refreshed, with a spring in your step and a smile on your face.

Inntravel’s short walking breaks are designed so that you can enjoy the best of your destination in a limited timeframe. With varied walking routes that showcase some of the finest scenery in the UK and Europe, comfortable accommodation and hearty meals of locally sourced produce, our holidays offer the perfect balance of relaxation and exploration.

Why book a short break walking holiday with Inntravel?

Inntravel’s short breaks across the UK and Europe combine fantastic scenery, peaceful trails and opportunities to enjoy the culture, history and gastronomy of your destination. With just a few days spare, you could enjoy the lakes and mountains of the Austrian Tyrol, the rolling hills and fascinating history of the Scottish Borders, the hidden beauty of the Channel Islands and plenty more besides.

Our itineraries are designed so that you can take in the natural beauty of your destination in a short space of time. We plan our routes to showcase the best viewpoints and most interesting cultural sites in the locality, so that you don’t miss out – even with a shorter itinerary. High-quality accommodation full of charm and character awaits you each evening, so there’s plenty of opportunity to recharge too.

We also aim to take you beyond the beauty of the landscapes to give you a glimpse into the culture of your destination. This could take the form of enjoying well-loved local cuisine, staying in tastefully converted historic buildings or visiting historical sites – either as part of your walking route or on a separate sightseeing trip.

As we’ve walked every step of ourselves, we’re ideally placed to make sightseeing recommendations or to personalise your itinerary where required. If you have a preference for rail travel over flying, or would like to add an extra night or two to enjoy the scenery, our travel advisors are there to make it happen.

Our favourite short breaks in the UK and Europe

Chatsworth and the Peak District

Enjoy both the wilderness of the Peak District and the elegance of Chatsworth House on this short walking break. With several nights in high-quality accommodation on the Chatsworth Estate itself, your included multi-day entrance ticket gives you plenty of time to enjoy the house and its surrounding parkland, landscaped by the famous Capability Brown.

The walks on this itinerary are gentle, and make use of the scenic Derwent Heritage Trail to explore the moors, valleys and gritstone ‘edges’ of Britain’s first designated National Park. On your wanderings, you’ll pass through villages and landscapes that inspired the Brontës and call in at historic Bakewell to sample their famous desserts.

> Walk This Way

Jersey – An Island Escape

Jersey’s golden coastline is, perhaps, one of our islands’ best kept secrets. As well as uncrowded, peaceful trails, Jersey offers a unique fusion of cultures, excellent local produce and a remarkable history, including a fascinating legacy of German occupation from World War II.

For an island just 9 miles in length, Jersey’s landscapes are surprisingly varied, making it an ideal short break destination. In the north, waves crash against rugged, rocky cliffs where seabirds nest precariously, whilst the southern shores offer magnificent, sweeping beaches. The two are separated by an idyllic agricultural plateau – you’re perfectly positioned to explore all of these contrasting landscapes from your base in St Aubin’s Bay.

> Walk This Way

The Hidden Scottish Borders

The rolling, heather-clad hills, sheep-grazed pastures and idyllic valleys of the Scottish Borders offer an enchanting backdrop to this short walking itinerary. You’ll follow the gentle path of the River Tweed from Peebles to Innerleithen, passing the remains of Iron Age hillforts and 17th-century Peel towers that hint at this landscape’s varied past.

A choice of trails gives you ample opportunity to explore this unique landscape in a short space of time, with space to delve further into its past, should you wish. A visit to  Traquair House – the nation’s oldest continuously inhabited home complete with a working 18th-century brewery – offers a fascinating insight into centuries of history.

> Walk This Way
 

What to expect on Inntravel’s walking holidays

Accommodation

For our short breaks, we opt for peaceful, relaxing accommodation with comfortable rooms and high-quality amenities. The type of accommodation varies with your destination – you could find yourself in a welcoming country inn with a well-regarded restaurant attached, a stylish boutique spa hotel or a cosy B&B with a hearty breakfast.

Where possible, we prioritise locally-owned, owner-run accommodation that benefits local communities. You can expect a genuinely warm welcome, menus of authentic regional dishes made with locally-sourced (and even home-grown) ingredients, and hosts that are always happy to offer a recommendation or two when asked.

Food and Drink

Enjoying the local cuisine is a fantastic part of any holiday – and on shorter breaks, every meal counts!

For itineraries where meals are included, we carefully select each restaurant based on its reputation for fantastic food, with menus that showcase regional specialties and locally sourced ingredients. Often, these restaurants are attached to your hotel, as this is a key criteria for our choice of accommodation.

Where meals aren’t included, we use our local knowledge to recommend quality options, whether you’re looking for a spot for dinner, a local market or deli to pick up picnic ingredients or simply a quick coffee stop whilst you’re out walking.

Support

On a short walking break you want to spend every second enjoying your destination, rather than extensively researching walking routes or carrying out other holiday admin.

At Inntravel, we take care of all the pre-trip planning and logistics for you, so you can dedicate your entire holiday to relaxing and exploring. Ahead of your departure, we’ll take care of all transport and accommodation booking and send you detailed walking and sightseeing notes, so you don’t miss anything.



 

How to prepare for an Inntravel walking holiday

What Should I Pack?

Here’s our recommended packing list for a walking holiday.

Remember to adjust this list based on the weather conditions you expect on holiday, and the difficulty of your walking route.

Shoes: 1 pair walking boots and 1 pair evening shoes
Tops: 3 base layers, 2 mid layers, 1 sweater (that also works for evening), 2 evening shirts/tops
Trousers: 2 walking pairs and 1 or 2 evening pairs
Outer layers: 1 jacket and 1 set of waterproofs
Accessories: hat, gloves, scarf or neck gaiter, sunglasses, rucksack, walking poles

Need more detail on the type of clothes to pack? Check out our comprehensive guide to packing for a walking holiday.  

How Fit Do I Need to Be?

Our range of short walking breaks contains itineraries suitable for first-time walkers, experienced hikers and everyone in-between. Our short breaks in Europe offer more challenging mountain routes through the Italian Apennines, gentle strolls in the Austrian Lake District, moderate routes through the UK’s most breathtaking scenery and much more.

To help you assess which holiday is right for your current level of fitness, we categorise all our walking holidays using a 1-3 grading scale. This allows you to get an idea of what each of our itineraries is like – you can find this information on each itinerary’s webpage.

Check our walking grades and what they mean.

It’s a great idea to get some movement in before your walking holiday to reduce fatigue and injury risk, but if you choose an itinerary that suits your level of fitness there shouldn’t be any need to follow a formal training programme – especially for our shorter itineraries.

 

Short Break Holidays - Frequently Asked Questions

Does Inntravel offer short break walking holidays?
Yes – we offer a range of three to five night itineraries across the UK and Europe. These holidays are designed to showcase the scenery, culture and cuisine of your destination as you explore on your own two feet, making them ideal for those looking for an adventurous short break with plenty of fresh air.

What kind of destinations are available for short break walking holidays with Inntravel?
Our itineraries cover some of the most scenic parts of the UK and Europe. On the continent, you could spend a few days enjoying the natural beauty of the Austrian Lake District, the Aracena Sierra in Spain or the rolling vineyards of Tuscany. Closer to home, the historic Scottish Borders, Jersey’s golden coastline and the wild moors of the Peak District provide stunning backdrops for a short walking break.

What can I expect from a short break walking holiday with Inntravel?
You can expect a carefully curated mix of scenic walking routes and cultural experiences, with plenty of time to relax. You'll enjoy breathtaking views, cosy accommodation, and many opportunities to indulge in the local cuisine.

What type of accommodations are provided on short break walking holidays?
Accommodation on Inntravel’s short break walking holidays ranges from traditional British bed and breakfasts to stylish boutique hotels and family-run chalets. All our accommodation is chosen specifically for its comfort, charm and connection to local communities, for an authentic and memorable stay.

How physically demanding are Inntravel’s short break walking holidays?
Our range of holidays offers something for everyone, from first-time walkers to those more experienced. Each itinerary is flexible, so you can choose the balance of walking and relaxation that feels right for you. Use our walking grades to determine the level of experience a particular route requires and choose an itinerary that suits your fitness level.

What support does Inntravel provide for short break walking holidays?
Inntravel provides comprehensive support, including luggage transfers, detailed route guides, and 24/7 customer service. Our experienced and friendly team ensures you have everything you need for an enjoyable break, and are always happy to answer any questions you may have.