Always enjoyable walking on Off the Beaten Path Tours
Whether you join our Best Adventures in Provence Tour which includes 1 walk (optional: designed for all interested guests) during the 6-day tour, our Loire Valley Tour which includes daily leisure walking at the castles and in historic villages, or you join our Bordeaux Wine Tasting, Culinary Walking Tour which includes a walk each day, you can expect to know in advance the level of difficulty of the walk or walks scheduled during your tour.
Our Loire Valley Tours are not categorized below, because they only include daily leisure walking at the castles and in local villages; considered suitable for the general population.
France is not completely flat, so expect to be going up and down some small hills, and enjoying beautiful scenery! The walks scheduled on our France tours are less challenging than those one might experience in other European countries, as the terrain along our routes in France are less hilly. But one should expect to experience some slightly hilly conditions. The walks on our tours generally range from level 1 on tours where the terrain is less challenging to level 2 or 3 where the terrain can be very hilly or the walk is a longer distance.
Not Rated: As mentioned above our Loire Valley Tours ONLY include casual or leisure walking daily at and in the castles and quaint villages we visit during the tour. Walking on our Loire Valley Tours is easy and suitable for anyone except persons with moderate to severe knee or back problems. Because we do stand while we listen to commentary during tours of the castles, there are not always places to sit inside or outside the castles. And there are steps in the castles (no elevators), so persons with severe knee or back impairments/problems may not be suitable for or comfortable joining this tour.
Level 1: Easy Distances are 5-8 km (3-5 miles) per day, which translates into 1.5-2.5 hours of comfortable walking. Walks are mostly on dirt paths and gravel roads, with uniform walking surfaces. Sturdy walking shoes are advisable. Walking Poles are optional and not necesary for this level of walking; however, experienced walkers may wish to bring their pole(s) along. Our Bordeaux Walking Tour falls into this category.
Level 2: Moderate Longer distances of 6-10 km (3.5-6 miles) on dirt paths, or steeper grades than Level 1. May include some cobblestone paths and steps or narrow paths along terraced hillsides. Sturdy walking shoes or lightweight boots and walking poles are recommended. Our optional Calanques Walk in Provence is a comfortable and scenic 3 hour coastal walk, and falls into this category, because of the cobblestone paths and some steep hills during the walk.
Level 3: Fitness Overall distances as in Level 2, but with longer uphills and downhills. Walks are at a higher altitude, from 1200-2400 meters or 3500-8000 feet, following trails and forest service roads. Paths are well-marked but may include short sections that are narrow or exposed. Lightweight boots are best and walking poles are highly recommended. None of our scheduled 2009 or 2010 Tours fall into this category.