How walking holidays became accessible to all
There was a time when long-distance walking trips were associated only with the most experienced hikers – those who are extremely fit and willing to wild camp in the mountains. However, today, walking holidays are one of the fastest-growing sectors in travel, enjoyed by people of every age, fitness level, lifestyle and background. This transformation didn’t happen by accident, but rather a number of small changes in our society.
The European patchwork of right to roam
Access to nature across Europe is protected by a spectrum of laws, many of which were passed in the late 1900s. For example, the Nordic nations have set the global gold standard with the concept of Allemansrätten (Sweden), Allemannsretten (Norway) and Jokamiehenoikeus (Finland). These “Everyman’s Rights” state that everyone has an intrinsic freedom to roam, forage and wild camp on public (and even some private) land, as long as nature is respected.
In Central Europe, access is similarly protected, although often more regulated. Even though wild camping is generally restricted, Austria’s Wegefreiheit and Germany’s Betretungsrecht legally guarantee the public’s right to enter forests and mountains, preventing landowners from fencing off vast wilderness.
Removing the weight of logistics
While legal access opened the land, the logistical challenges of multi-day hiking, such as carrying heavy packs and finding safe places to sleep, remained a significant barrier for many. But, these struggles are also coming to an end thanks to the rise of specialist walking holiday agencies across the world.
One of the leading agencies in Europe, Orbis Ways, is a great example of this, providing personalised services to people from all walks of life. As a knowledgeable, specialised agent, they handle all of the logistics, from creating tailored itineraries based on individual preferences to pre-booking accommodation and luggage transfers for each stop. They also have a 24/7 telephone line that walkers can call in case of any emergencies, providing that extra peace of mind.
By removing many of the physical and mental burdens of the walking holidays, these specialist agencies make long-distance trekking much more accessible not just to families with kids and busy professionals, but also those with ADHD and similar disorders that hinder their ability to focus.
Opening the path to all abilities
True accessibility, however, is about having options for those with physical impairments and disabilities, unable to walk the popular trails that almost always feature challenging sections and uneven ground. To solve this, many countries have also been engineering accessible trails directly into the landscapes over the last few decades.
In Spain, for instance, the Vías Verdes (Greenways) program has repurposed over 3000 kilometers of abandoned railway lines into highly accessible corridors for visitors. With primarily flat asphalt and minimal inclines, these nature trails can be enjoyed by wheelchair users, without compromise on breathtaking viewpoints.
Meanwhile, Austria’s Tyrol region introduced the “Rolli-Wanderung” (wheelchair hiking) concept, supported by cable cars and other infrastructure that accommodates mobility devices. These can transport wheelchair users to panoramic summits, connecting them to high-alpine trails specifically graded for stability.
An experience that everyone deserves
Long-distance walkers are often talking about the amazing rewards of this kind of trip, helping them get out of their usual routines and reconnect with the natural world. It’s, therefore, so important that we make these types of trips increasingly accessible to everyone, not just the young, fit individuals.
