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?

Really?

Single in my forties wishing to join a walking holiday ? I’d say it’s right up my street!

The ageism on this thread is ridiculous.

Absolutely. Why are you so ageist? I have friends from all decades.

it is totally natural to want to do activities within your own age group,
whatever your age.
more likely to have things in common

I don’t blame the OP for not wanting to spend her holiday with a group of older people. It’s not about the individuals but the group dynamic. I’m interested in some of the companies mentioned but I know I’d be too old for some company. And that’s fine.

I’ve been with them 3 times and each time the room sharing has been fine! Barely even in the rooms they keep you so busy. They do often allow you the option of paying for to have a room to yourself though if it matters a lot to you.

Would there have been screams of ageism if the Op had enquired about adult only walking holidays? Screams of sexism If the OP had enquired about women only walking holidays?

I think. Not.

@Ketchupbroc what is the matter with you??

Please don’t do this. A fit friend, experienced and sensible hiker, walked the Camino alone. They were caught in a rainstorm, missed their way and unfortunately died of hypothermia.

Even with mobile phones, walking alone in unfrequented regions can be quite baffling. We had to rescue several people who were walking the pilgrim way in our part of France, who were tired or disoriented. The phone signal was too weak to locate them, or for them to summon help.

I’m not sure age necessarily means ‘things in common’. I have more in common with the people from other decades I meet at my hobbies than I’m likely to with some random who happened to be born in the same decade as me. That said, on group holidays it doesn’t seem to matter after the first evening as you have the holiday to talk about.

Obviously I'm very sorry this happened to your friend but there are simple, inexpensive bits of kit that help with this. I carry a personal locator beacon which will send an SOS via satellite to the local rescue services.

There is no reason not to do this type of hiking, you just need to understand the risks and plan accordingly.

I'm not the only one who saw that as unpleasant it seems.

I see OP may not come back, but just in case. When I was single in my 30s I did a few holidays with this company www.spice-escapes.co.uk/. Admittedly there weren't many men on the trips, but the age group was on the youthful side mostly 30-40s.

This one seems to attract a younger age range https://www.meetup.com/backabush/ It was a Ramble Worldwide leader who mentioned them to me. They also have a Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/backabush.hiking.meetups

There is also https://www.largeoutdoors.com/ - which attracts a wide age range.

If you sign up for some of the more strenuous walking holidays they are more likely to attract a younger crowd. Especially if there is a bit of wild or basic camping.

I went on an Exodus holiday a couple of years ago and the age range was mid thirties to early sixties. On an Explore holiday the range was mid twenties to early sixties. Everyone got on.

I think it depends on the difficulty level and the company you use.

I've done a couple with Explore and Exodus, who advertise "adventures" rather than walking holidays. The age range is mixed and theure too expensive to attract very young people (I think), but in my 50s there have been people older (and fitter) and younger than me in all the groups.

When I did the Tour don't Blanc, there were ten men in their early 20s, 3 women on their 60s and the rest were 40s/50s.

Similarly snow shoeing in the Alps, 2 couples in their 60s, one man in his 70s, two women my age and two couples much younger.

Ramblers Holidays in Uk, was a much older group.

I've also done long distance walks solo and you do get chatting to other walkers on the trail or in the pub, in a way you don't when you travel with friends.

I've been with HF twice and had a fabulous time but at 49 I was the youngest by 12 years last time. They certainly tend to have an older clientele.

I have been on several walking holidays since being a teenager. Even as a teenager, we had fit people join us in their 40s & 60s.Age has never been an issue.

You can pay some companies to take your bigger bag/rucksack/luggage ahead of you to each accommodation if you are staying in B&Bs, youth hostels or travel light & camp.

I recommend
West Highland Way
Pennine Way
Lots of walks in Lake District, Peak District, Scotland.
All over UK

Also look at places like Madeira

High mountain routes in summer in Austria, Switzerland

Look at Mountain Association Bothies

I've been with a national mountaineering society. They do more extreme holidays hiking hut to hut our full on mountaineering, but that means the groups skew young and male. If you just want a gentle amble, it will probably be old people because young people just organise that sort of holiday themselves. You could easily go yourself if you're doing low grade routes and make friends in the huts or hostels.

I've been on several much better adventures one and can really recommend them. Always been a good mix of ages and genders

I’ve done a trip with much better adventures and I was the oldest by a country mile at 51. I loved it and have booked another 2