Reaching new heights

Walkers beware - don’t be lulled into a false sense of relaxation by the name Ramblers Worldwide. You may have a perception that this is a travel company which only offers leisurely strolls across gently undulating countryside but, nothing could be further from the truth.

Whilst Britain’s longest established walking holidays company does have a great choice of easy walking holidays to many of the world’s most beautiful destinations, it also caters for the most energetic and adventurous walker as well.

Michael Hatch of Ramblers Worldwide Holidays (who has stretched many a sinew in pursuit of dizzy new heights) can testify to this!

“Some of these rocky adventures are based in hotels, but to get a real flavour of the mountains there is no better way than a ‘hutting’ holiday”, says Hatch. “The Alps are covered in mountain huts, most at an altitude of 2000m and accessible only on foot. They are characterful and cosy, supply plenty of good food and always have an ample supply of beer!”

Ramblers Worldwide Holidays offers five fortnight ‘hutting’ itineraries in the Alps and one in Norway, with small groups of up to 12 people. Each, under the watchful eye of an experienced tour leader. (Interestingly enough, many clients and leaders are women).

The Tour du Mont Blanc is the company’s most popular circuit and a good one to choose for beginners.

Hatch’s favourite is the Haute Route between Chamonix and Zermatt, “which has plenty of thrills, including the famous 25m vertical ladder which crosses over to Pas de Chevres.”

“Our Monte Rosa Circuit”, continues Hatch, “crosses the Teodulo Glacier at 3000m and if you venture into Austria’s Oetztal Valley you can trek to where ice man lay frozen for 5,500 years. A truly chilling experience!”

None of these hutting holidays require any technical skill but walkers do need stamina, a sense of adventure and a head for heights.

Tour of Monte Rosa £959 – two weeks departing 8 August 2008 – includes flights, transfers, accommodation in mountain huts and simple alpine village hotels, all meals and the services of a tour leader.

For bookings and further information about these hutting holidays and other Ramblers Worldwide Holidays visit Ramblersholidays.co.uk.