Walking Ratings for Off the Beaten Path Tours
LOIRE VALLEY TOUR BROCHURE (Adobe pdf) • PROVENCE TOUR BROCHURE (Adobe pdf) • BORDEAUX TOUR BROCHURE (Adobe pdf)
Always enjoyable walking on Off the Beaten Path Tours
Whether you join our Best Adventures in Provence Tour which includes two (3) optional walks (All are designed for interested guests, non-walker options available daily), our Loire Valley Castles and Culinary Tour which includes daily leisure walking at the castles and in historic villages, our Champagne Tasting Tour which includes daily leisure walking, our Dordgne Luxury, Gourmet Walking Tour which includes two optional walks or you join our Bordeaux Wine Tasting and Culinary Walking Tour which includes daily walks amidst the vineyards throughout the trip, you can expect to know in advance the level of difficulty of the walk or walks scheduled during your tour.
Please note: Alternative activity options are available to our non-walking guests on our Provence, Dordogne and Bordeaux tours.
Our Loire Valley and Champagne Tours are not categorized below, because they only include daily leisure walking at the castles and in local villages; considered suitable for active travelers.
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 and Champagne Tours include casual or leisure walking daily at and in the castles and quaint villages we visit during the tour. The extensive daily walking on our Loire Valley Tours is suitable for active travelers. Travelers need to be prepared to walk short distances from the van to the castles and back, as drop-off and pick-up at castle entries is not available. There is no elevator access inside the Loire Valley castles for travelers. Travelers need to be able to climb steps to visit different floors of the castles. We stand while we listen to commentary during tours of the castles, monuments and cellars during OTBP Loire Valley and Champagne tours. There are not always places to sit inside or outside the Loire Valley castles or Champagne cellars. And there are steps in the castles (no elevators), so persons with severe knee or back impairments/problems may not be suitable for or may not feel comfortable joining either tour. Travelers must be able to walk 165 steps down into the Champagne caves and back up to exit them at least twice a day.
Level 1: Easy Distances are 5-8 km (3-5 miles) per day, which translates into 1.5-3 or 3.5 hours of comfortable walking. Walks are mostly on dirt paths and gravel roads, with mostly uniform walking surfaces. Sturdy walking shoes are advisable. Walking Poles are optional and not necessary for this level of walking; however, experienced walkers may wish to bring their pole(s) along. Our Bordeaux, Provence and Dordogne Tours fall into this category. Some challenges along the walking trail should be expected.
Level 2: Moderate Longer distances of 6-14 km (3.5-9 miles) on dirt paths, or much steeper grades than Level 1. May include cobblestone paths and steps or narrow paths along terraced hillsides. Walks at this level are much more aerobic in nature. Sturdy walking shoes or lightweight boots are required. Walking poles are recommended, but not required. Our optional Calanques Walk in Provence is a challenging, scenic 3 hour coastal walk designed for the active traveler, and falls into this category because of the uneven cobblestone paths, moderate steep hills during the walk and the aerobic nature of the walk. Our optional Provence "village to village" walk also falls into this category because of the distance of the walk (12 km). Our "village to village" walk is primarily along country trails through vineyards and olive orchards.
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 required and walking poles are also required. None of our scheduled 2010 or 2011 Tours fall into this category.