Hardly a week goes by without someone asking us: “What should I pack for my Involved Holiday?” We love the question – because it means you’re already excited – and we’ve answered it so many times we thought it was high time we wrote it all down in one place. Whether you’re heading to the Italian lakes, the Algarve coast, or the Scottish Highlands, this guide has you covered.
So, What Exactly Is a Holiday with Walks?
A holiday with walks is not a hiking expedition, a mountain challenge, or a boot-camp in the hills. It’s a proper holiday – with beautiful accommodation, great food, and time to simply enjoy where you are – with the added pleasure of some genuinely lovely guided walks woven into your days.
That’s what sets it apart from the harder-core walking holidays you might have come across. Those trips tend to be structured around distance and elevation, often covering big miles in all weathers. Our holidays are designed around the experience of a place. The walk is the best possible way to discover it – along coastal paths, across vineyard terraces – at a pace that lets you stop, look, and actually take it all in.
And compared to a standard package holiday? Instead of seeing a resort from a sun lounger, you find yourself in a mountain village that doesn’t appear in any guidebook, where most visitors never reach. You come home having genuinely experienced your destination, not just visited it.
Footwear
Footwear is the single most important item in your bag. Whether you opt for walking boots or a sturdy pair of trainers, comfort and reliability matter far more than brand or price. Blisters on day one can overshadow the rest of the trip, so wear in anything new well before you travel.
Clothing
Cotton feels comfortable at home but holds sweat and takes forever to dry when you’re on the move. A lightweight moisture-wicking base layer – even just a couple of t-shirts in a technical fabric – keeps you comfortable on warmer days and dries quickly overnight. They’re lighter and less bulky than you’d expect, leaving more room in your case for everything else.
Jacket
Even on warm-destination trips, mornings and evenings can be cool, and altitude has a habit of catching people out. A packable fleece takes up very little space and earns its place every time the temperature dips after sunset or a breeze picks up on a hilltop.
Waterproofs
This doesn’t need to be heavy-duty mountaineering gear – a light, packable waterproof that rolls into its own pocket is ideal. Even in sunny destinations a short shower can appear without warning, and having one folded at the bottom of your daypack means you’re never caught out. It doubles as a windbreaker on exposed ridges and coastal paths.
Backpack
You’ll want something to carry water, a snack, your jacket, a camera, and anything else you pick up along the way. A 20-25 litre daypack sits comfortably without being cumbersome, and padded shoulder straps make a real difference on longer mornings. Look for one with a chest clip for stability on uneven ground. If you have booked a holiday for either a September or October departure, we are giving the first 50 customers the perfect backpack, our Involved Holidays backpack.
Water Bottle
Staying hydrated is the easiest thing to forget and one of the most important things to get right. Bring a bottle you can refill throughout the day – insulated versions keep water cool for hours, which is a real treat on a warm afternoon.
Sun Protection
Walking means spending long stretches of time outdoors, often at altitude or along reflective coastlines where UV levels are higher than you’d expect. A wide-brimmed hat, a good SPF, and a pair of polarised sunglasses are non-negotiables.
Relaxed Evening Clothes
Our holidays are sociable, and evenings tend to be relaxed – a good dinner, a glass of local wine, interesting conversation. A couple of smart-casual items mean you can transition easily from the walk to the table without much fuss. Think easy layers rather than anything that needs ironing.
Walking Poles
We recommend bringing any walking equipment you would normally use and feel comfortable with. If you regularly walk with walking poles, please feel free to bring them along, as they can provide extra support and stability on certain trails.Be sure to pack them in your checked luggage if you do bring them along.
If you walk a little in your everyday life – a regular stroll, the odd weekend ramble, a dog that needs walking – you’ll be absolutely fine on the vast majority of our holidays. We’re not about pushing limits or ticking off summits. We’re about enjoying the journey.
That said, there is one practical benchmark worth mentioning: you should be able to climb over a country stile comfortably. It sounds modest, and it is – but it’s a good real-world indicator that your legs and balance are ready for the kind of gentle, varied paths we typically walk. Beyond that, take your time looking at the distance and terrain for each specific trip, and don’t be afraid to start with one of our gentler options and work up from there.
Our walks are relaxed, and your guide will always keep the group together. There’s no race, no pressure, and no one left behind.
Getting your packing right isn’t about having the most technical kit or the heaviest boot. It’s about knowing your destination, understanding the terrain, and choosing items you actually trust. A well-packed bag means you arrive relaxed and ready – with everything you need to make the most of the walks, the views, the food, and the people you’ll meet along the way.
Take a look through our holidays, read the walk descriptions carefully, and pack with purpose. And if you’ve already been on an Involved Holiday and have packing wisdom of your own to share, we’d love to hear it – leave us a review and we’ll send you a complimentary Involved Holidays luggage strap as a thank-you. Because the best packing tips come from people who’ve actually done it.
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