Walking Ratings for Off the Beaten Path Tours

Always enjoyable walking on Off the Beaten Path Tours

Nomatter which of our active, small group tours you join, you can expect to know, in advance, the level of difficulty of the walks scheduled during each tour. We also provide flexible options daily for non-walkers.

Every Off the Beaten Path tour vacation is designed to meet a wide variety of guest fitness levels. Each walk is categorized using the system below.

1. Easy: Relatively flat terrain. Well-kept paths. Fine for even occasional walkers.
   
         • Average walk distance: 2-5 miles
         • Average walking time: Up to 3 hours
   
   
2. Easy to Moderate: Ideal for those who walk for a morning or afternoon on a regular basis. Footing may be a variety of surfaces. No extended ascents or descents.
   
         • Average walk distance: 4–6 miles
         • Average walking time: Up to 4 hours
   
   
3. Moderate: Suitable for experienced walkers who are comfortable with ascents and descents (but no scrambling!). Uneven terrain possible. Elevation gains of up to 800 feet.
   
         • Average daily distance: 5-8 miles
         • Average walking time: up to 4-5 hours
   

Provence Tour Walks are rated as follows:

• Walk No.1 - For Walkers: The Guided walk "Alpilles Winery Vineyard to Village" Walk is rated easy to moderate (optional: designed for interested guests). Sturdy walking shoes recommended. Walking on vineyard and country trails. Ideal for those who walk for a morning or afternoon on a regular basis. Walk distance is 4.5 miles - approximately 1.5-2 hrs. of walking depending on photo-op stops. For non-walkers: shuttle by comfortable minivan to/from the winery or enjoy leisure time in St. Remy to visit museums, shop or simply pursue independent interests. Borrow a bike.
• Walk No.2 - For Walkers: The Guided "Les Baux de Provence Village to Village" Walk is rated moderate (optional: designed for interested guests). Sturdy walking shoes recommended. Walking on vineyard and country trails with occasional ascents and uneven terrain. The trail offers spectacular views of Les Baux Valley and the castle, and on a clear day, one can see all the way to the Mont Ventoux - The walk is rated moderate-Ideal for those who walk more seriously on a regular basis. Walk distance is 5 miles - approximately 2 hrs. of walking depending on photo-op stops. For non-walkers: shuttle by comfortable minivan to Les Baux de Provence village for a guided tour and leisure time to discover the village. Shopping, wine tasting, art galleries and cafés and restaurants are available in the village.
• Walk No.3 - For Walkers: The Guided walk - "Luberon Village to Village" walk in the Luberon region of Provence is rated easy to moderate (optional: designed for interested guests). Walking on vineyard and country trails through picturesque lansdcapes and French country architecture, lavender and sunflower fields with a variety of beautiful villages in the background. Ideal for those who walk for a morning or afternoon on a regular basis. Walk distance is 6 miles - approximately 2-2.5 hrs. depending on photo-op stops. For non-walkers: shuttle by comfortable minivan to each village for guided tours and leisure time to discover these beautiful villages in the Luberon. Shopping, wine tasting, art galleries and cafés and restaurants are available in each village.
• NON-WALKERS are shuttled to/from all activities, excursions, meals and visits. For non-walkers - there is no walking rating, as travelers not participating in the scheduled walks will only be exposed to daily leisure walking in villages and towns.

Bordeaux Tour Walks are rated as follows:

• Walk No.1 - For Walkers: The Saint Emilion walk is rated easy to moderate. Ideal for those who walk for a morning or afternoon on a regular basis. Walking on vineyard and country trails. Walk distance is 4.5 miles - approximately 2.5 hrs. of walking. Winery tours and tastings range in duration from 1-1.5 hours each.
• Walk No.2 - For Walkers: The Sauternes walk is rated easy to moderate. Ideal for those who walk for a morning or afternoon on a regular basis. Walking on vineyard and country trails. Walk distance is 5 miles - approximately 3 hrs. of walking. Winery tours and tastings range in duration from 1-1.5 hours each.
• Walk No.3 - For Walkers: The Graves walk is rated easy to moderate. Ideal for those who walk for a morning or afternoon on a regular basis. Walking on vineyard and country trails. Walk distance is 5 miles - approximately 3 hrs. of walking. Winery tours and tastings range in duration from 1-1.5 hours each.
• Bordeaux wine country is relatively flat with some small rolling hills in the Saint Emilion and Sauternes areas.
• NON-WALKERS are shuttled to/from all activities, excursions, meals and visits. For non-walkers - there is no walking rating, as travelers not participating in the scheduled walks will only be exposed to daily leisure walking in villages and towns.

Loire Valley Tour Walking is rated as follows:

• This tour involves daily leisure walking which is suitable for all travelers.
• The Loire Valley is relatively flat.

Champagne Tour Walking is rated as follows:

• This tour involves daily leisure walking which is suitable for most travelers. Travelers with severe back or knee problems may be uncomfortable on this tour. Travelers need to be comfortable climbing up and down a significant number of steps to tour the cellars of each producer.

Dordogne Tour Walks are rated as follows:

• Walk No.1 - For Walkers: The "chateau (castle) walk" is rated moderate. Walking on gravel and country trails. Suitable for experienced walkers who are comfortable with ascents and descents (but no scrambling!). Walk distance is 5.5 miles.
• Walk No.2 - For Walkers: The "gorges d'enfer" walk is rated moderate. Walking on gravel and country trails. Suitable for experienced walkers who are comfortable with ascents and descents (but no scrambling!). Walk distance is 6.5 miles.

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