Where and with whom should I book a walking tour in Devon or Cornwall this April.

Hello Jaz,

I have been eyeing hfholidays. They have both self-guided and guided options of varying length. I have not been yet, but they have a lot of good reviews on this forum. The UK is definitely a great place to walk!

I’ve heard very good things myself about HF Holidays and I like the detail they offer on each day’s choice of walks. Here’s what they offer in Cornwall, for example - both guided and self-guided: https://www.hfholidays.co.uk/holidays-and-tours#/holidays?FL.Location=Cornwall&sort=ordering%7CASC&page=1

I have done self-guided walking tours several times in the UK (but not in Devon or Cornwall). I have used Contours (https://www.contours.co.uk) and been very happy with the service and price. They book lodging, luggage transport, and, if necessary, cab service on any hiking days (sometimes you end the walk for the day away from the lodging; if so, they have arranged for your transport to lodging and back the next day). Also, you receive detailed hiking directions. I will use them again if I am fortunate to book another walking holiday.

Hi Jane -

Try Encounter Walking Holidays. They specialise in that part of the world and we used them a few years back when we walked across Devon on the Two Moors Way. I read they’ve been sold to new owners in the recent past, but the up to date reviews I read on their website were pretty complimentary. Couldn’t fault them when I used the original owners - most helpful, especially as we wanted a slowish pace and wanted to do the walk ‘backwards’ as it were. The baggage van guy who we spoke to one morning said we’d made his life ‘interesting’!

Have a great trip!

Ian

Thanks very much everyone,

Now another question.

Where do you recommend I walk? North or South Cornwall or Devon?

Thanks again,
Jaz

Hi Jane -

It’s all pretty damn good, but Devon might be easiest as it has slightly more transport options imho. Even if you weren’t to book through them, the Encounter website has a map and details of the many options in the area which might give you some indication of where you’d like to walk - what ‘floats your boat’, so to speak. They’ll do, as you’ll see from the reviews, portions of some paths if that was what you chose, making a bespoke holiday just for you. That said other options and opinions are available.

Ian

It’s all good, but South Devon (maybe the South Hams area) would give you good access to coastal walking and Dartmoor.

I don’t have any info on walking companies, but I have been trying to figure out where to hike in Cornwall and Devon (planning a trip late March-early April). The SouthWest Coast Path website is very helpful. For one tip, it said “ Rainfall charts for South West England can be misleading. If you look carefully, you will often see that the very edge of the land is consistently drier. Moist air blowing in from the sea passes over the Coast Path before it condenses on the higher ground behind and falls as rain a little further inland.” It has detailed info on lots of circular day walks, as well as on longer routes.
As a general rule, I understand the walking on the southern coast (Lizard Peninsula and further east) is somewhat less strenuous than the northern coast, because the cliffs tend not to be as high—along the northern section you’re likely to be climbing up a cliff, across and then down to a cove or stream, then back up again. But then again, that might make for even more stunning scenery!
(https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk)

I don’t know about companies who do whole tours, but I can certainly personally recommend Dartmoor’s Daughter who do bespoke guided walks on Dartmoor.

Jane, I loved walking in Devon and agree that it might be a bit easier than Cornwall. I especially loved Dartmoor National Park, which was absolutely a wonderful place. You can find a wealth of information about walks (including accessible routes) on their website. https://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/enjoy-dartmoor/outdoor-activities/walking