To think singles walking holidays are full of older people?

[Mumsday]

I’m early 40s, single and would like to do a walking holiday abroad where I’ll meet people my own age (male and female).

Am I wrong to think this type of holiday usually attracts much older people? I’m sure id meet lovely people but I don’t really want to spend the week with people in their 60s and 70s.

Solo holidays for younger people are often ‘adventure’ holidays (ie. bungee jumping/rafting etc) and I don’t really fancy that.

Has anyone successfully gone on a singles holiday for people my age? If so, what travel company?

my dm used to go on HF holidays,
she is nearly 90 and hasnt been for a while

Are these companies specifically walking or activity holidays? What about tours that are mainly sightseeing but in younger groups? The OP is right, the market seems to cater either for older groups (coach tours, yay!) or shagathons.

what about Meet ups
they stipulate age. or at least ability.

Good lord you've had sone twatty responses, OP!

For those hard of comprehension:

The OP would like to go on walks with other people. She'd prefer not to go with a women-only group and is happy for there to be people of any age, but would like there to be at least some people roughly her own age.

Did a few holidays with Exodus, Explore & G Adventures when aged 32-42 roughly : they were fun but I think an expensive way to travel for what you get

Mix of ages on all: definitely call the company and see who else is booked on as its luck of the draw (they were happy to tell me rough ages, gender & if booking alone/couple/group) - because just you and eg someone else’s hen party might not be ideal!

The more active holidays got a younger crowd (30s/40s) especially ‘ multi sport’ - like hiking, mountain biking, kayaking etc on different days, and these are all pretty accessible fitness level wise. Walking & cycling can skew older. I think the trips I went on were for 30-50 age range if I recall though

FWIW: you say you weren’t looking for dates, in my case dateable men on these holidays would have been a bonus as i was (& various friends were ) single in 30s/early 40s, all eventually met partners online/through friends. There were some singles/recent divorcees etc on all the trips and people who would have been happy to meet someone to date!

I did make good friends through some of these trips (eg visiting them once we were home etc) but didn’t find anyone to date

Try HF Holidays. I know three people who have met their partners through this company, all different ages.

Thank you!

I just checked our Much Better Adventures and they look great. It specifically says age is 30s-50s so that’s perfect.

It is twin rooms though 😬 Has anyone done one of these holidays and shared a room with a stranger?

It puts me off a bit as I am a horrifically light sleeper.

I’ve done a few explore holidays and always had a very mixed crowd. Vast majority were 25-50.
I get the impression exodus might be slightly older
also done one intrepid trip and that was a younger vibe, mostly 20s.

You should be able to just pay extra for your own room

but yes I’ve shared with a stranger and it has been mostly fine.

Would you really want to travel with a group that was all aged late 20s except you? I wouldn't!

Jeez, what’s your problem? OP said she didn’t want to go on holiday with ONLY women (as in, she doesn’t want to EXCLUDE men) and she didn’t say there’s “anything wrong” with people in their 60s/70s, she clearly just doesn’t want to be the only non-OAP there! There’s nothing odd about enjoying male company or wanting to spend time with people you have stuff in common with. Stop making it weird.

You can probably pay a bit more to have your own room.

yes i believe there is a single room supplement which used to annoy my dm

Its very difficult.

I think these sorts of group holidays simply don't appeal to a lot of men. I think most men seek female company primarily driven by wanting a (sexual) partner, and don't really seek to socialise purely for chat/company.

Its why you get men on dating apps because its clear the intention is to seek a partner. Less so on a walking holiday, lots of women on a group walking holiday really do not want to spend a week with a bloke who was there in the hope of hooking up.

So you just get largely female groups of single women who want a holiday with company.

she hasnt been since covid

I’ve done Much Better Adventures. For the one I did, it was £75 extra for a single room. It would obviously vary depending on location, but it didn’t feel like a rip off.

I've done many walking holidays with Exodus and The Natural Adventure (my current favourite) and there's always been an age range from 20s up, indeed my last few trips have skewed young, but I go for strenuous walking holidays. The only one I've gone on which markedly skewed older was my Annapurna circuit trip, but I think that was mostly because it's a three week trip and it's much easier for retired people to take off for something like that.

I’ve never been on a package holiday sort of thing, but I did walk part of the Camino de Santiago at 42 (I’m not ‘single’ but I did it on my own) and there were loads of people my age or younger. You absolutely would meet people to walk with and chat with. I suspect there are plenty of group holidays that do the Camino that would be aimed at younger people. You just need to find the right one.

Why? It costs more to have one in a room than two, obviously. Why wouldn't you pay that cost?

Oh that’s fine. I thought it would be loads.

Did you sort out your own route/accommodation etc? Or do it through a company?

Hi @Mumsday, totally valid query and sorry to read that you've had some unnecessarily unpleasant replies. I have been on a few group holidays, both on my own and with family, mostly with Exodus but also with Much Better Adventures and a few hobby specific (not walking) groups.

1. Much Better Adventures was definitely a younger crowd - 20s-40s. Their marketing is very much aimed at making the most of the weekend and they always mention how many days of annual leave you need so that might help.
2. Exodus do great holidays but definitely a lot of 60-70+, which isn't necessarily a problem but I agree mixed age groups are more enjoyable. I once did a trip with mostly 60-70 who had paid off mortgages etc and had a much bigger disposable income so would choose expensive meals and drinks whilst the few of us in our 20s/30s/40s chose cheaper options so it got a bit awkward when the majority wanted to split the bill equally at dinner all week! For Exodus trips, I would strongly recommend the non-European destinations as much better value for money and you're more likely to have a mix of ages and backgrounds. The Vietnam cycling trip and Peru explorer are excellent.
3. The Exodus walking holiday groups I have bumped into on other Exodus trips (e.g. same hotel) have definitely had an older age group than other types of activity.
4. Definitely worth paying the single room supplement if you're a light sleeper! You won't be the only one!
5. Group holidays can be great, but can be hard work. Another option is renting an airbnb/similar and finding activites/day trips whilst there. Strongly recommend this https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/AttractionProductReview-g189180-d23696629-AroucaSuspensionBridgeandPaivaWalkwayDayTourfromPorto-PortoPortoDistric.html Also worth trying local walking groups like the ramblers' association at home to meet other walkers to go away with. Good luck and hope you get a decent holiday!

https://www.golondonhiking.co.uk/

i am not the annoyed one so i cannot respond