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Founded in 1913, HF Holidays is Britain’s longest-running co-operative tour operator. Drawing on over 111 years of experience in organising walking and activity holidays worldwide, have identified the top walking holiday travel trends set to shape 2025.
From group adventures that connect like-minded people through shared experiences to multi-generational family holidays that bridge the generation gap, these trends reflect the evolving ways travellers are embracing the outdoors and rediscovering the joy of walking.
1. Collective adventures
“Collective adventures are about encouraging human connections and HF Holidays is renowned for bringing together like-minded people who share a passion for the great outdoors. With 54% of our guests choosing to travel solo, we are the trusted provider for holidays that offer people the opportunity to create new and long-lasting friendships through shared experiences.” says Kath Morris, Overseas Product Manager at HF Holidays.
HF Holidays curate trips that not only allow their guests to explore new places, but meet new people, too. And their new Adventures in Albania & Lake Ohrid itinerary is no exception. Whether travelling solo or with someone else, guests will join a group of like-minded people and be guided by an expert leader through the diverse landscapes of this under-the-radar destination. Walking and talking go hand in hand and solo travellers soon find that the shared experience of the journey often leads to lasting friendships.
Highlights guests will enjoy together include walking part of the ancient Roman Via Egnatia route and exploring Galičica National Park for views over Lake Ohrid – one of Europe’s deepest inland bodies of water. They can also look forward to a guided tour of Albania’s capital, Tirana, and a traditional Albanian cooking demonstration during their stay in Voskopoje.
2. Multi-generational travel
“Our customers have a renowned love for walking and the great outdoors, and their passion is being passed down through generations. We are increasingly receiving customer testimonials on how enjoying an annual HF Holiday together has become a tradition amongst families, some dating as far back as the 1930s. We’re keen to help young people foster a lifelong connection with the countryside from an early age and our family walking adventures encourage kids to swap screen-time for spending quality time with their parents, grandparents, and siblings out in nature. Best of all, children under 11 go free.” says Wendy Turner, Senior UK Product Manager at HF Holidays.
Whitby, the historic harbourside town famed for its Dracula connections, beautiful beaches, and iconic fish and chips, offers an ideal family getaway. Families can spend time together hunting for fossils on West Cliff Beach, wandering the ghostly ruins of Whitby Abbey, or reaching the summit of Roseberry Topping for sweeping views over the Yorkshire Coast. They can also ride the Hogwarts Express-style steam train through the countryside with a stop at Goathland — the station that starred as Hogsmeade Station in the Harry Potter films — and enjoy a guided coastal walk to the smuggling village of Robin Hood’s Bay for tales of piracy and adventure. And when it’s time to unwind, families will enjoy a full board stay at Larpool Hall, HF Holidays’ characterful country house on the North York Moors.
3. Holidays with meaning
“Holidays with meaning continue to rise in popularity as travellers seek deeper connections with the local culture and communities in the places they travel to. At HF Holidays, we believe travel should be a force for good and we work closely with our overseas partners to provide guests with unique experiences that promote economic prosperity for local people whilst creating memorable moments for guests that resonate long after the journey ends. As a B Corp Certified business, we’re committed to ethical, sustainable practices that make every journey meaningful,” says Rob Carroll, Product General Manager at HF Holidays.
HF Holidays’ new Tea Trails & Backwaters of Kerala holiday, offers more than just an exciting travel adventure. Guests visit the village of Poothotta, where a local guide introduces them to traditional crafts like coir making, followed by a home-cooked meal with a local family. As part of the Community-Based Responsible Tourism project, the activities in the experience are hosted and owned by local people, ensuring they benefit directly from tourism. Other highlights include spending time in the historic trading port of Kochi, and scenic treks around tea, cardamom, and coffee plantations in Munnar in the Western Ghats. Travellers will also spend a night aboard a traditional Keralan houseboat, cruising the backwaters of Alleppey, before hiking through Periyar National Park, spotting Indian elephants, wild boar, and buffalo with an expert guide.
4. Seasonality and over-tourism: Shoulder Season as peak
“Many of HF Holidays’ customers are not restricted to school holidays for travel, and the luxury of choice means that most have been picking holiday dates outside of peak summer to steer away from the tourist crowds. This ongoing demand has led to product development geared towards offering guests more enriching experiences in the destinations visited. New for 2025, our Discover More tours offer intimate, small-group experiences exploring the UK’s lesser-known attractions. With departures in April and October, guests can visit popular places with fewer crowds and enjoy experiences not usually possible as part of a larger party.” says Wendy Turner, Senior UK Product Manager at HF Holidays.
Uncover the best-kept secrets of Sussex and the South Downs on a seven-night South Downs Discover More Tour. With guaranteed small group sizes, travellers will taste award-winning wines at the Wiston Estate, walk through the wildlife haven of Pulborough Brooks, and uncover Roman history at Bignor Villa with a specialist guide. There’ll also be a trip to historic Hever Castle, a chance to watch traditional crafts in action at Amberley Museum, plus a scenic ride on the Bluebell Railway.
5. Astro-Tourism
“Astro-tourism continues to surge in popularity as consumers continue to seek experiences that provide a sense of mental clarity and inner relaxation away from our screen-led daily lives. The UK has been looking to protect and improve dark skies in the British Isles and the best place to witness them are in deeply rural areas where HF Holidays’ country houses enjoy privileged access. 2025 is expected to be a great year to see the Northern Lights due to a peak in the sun’s 11-year solar activity cycle,” says Mary Bragg, UK Product Manager at HF Holidays.
There are four Dark Sky Discovery Sites in the Shropshire Hills, all conveniently situated over the Long Mynd Valley which sits on the doorstep of HF Holidays’ country house, Longmynd Hotel. Each site has the darkest Milky Way Class rating, meaning the skies are dark enough to see the Milky Way with the naked eye. Guests can spend the day exploring the charming village of Church Stretton with its quaint bookshops, country pubs, and churches, or visiting nearby Ludlow to discover a market town famed for its remarkably well-preserved castle. Once the sun sets, keen stargazers can witness the beauty of the night sky thanks to Longmynd Hotel’s wonderfully remote location.
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