The best family walking holidays in the UK and Europe

What do your kids want to do on holiday? If they’re anything like mine, their idea of a good time will be far more about romping around in the fresh air than it will be laying outstretched on a sun lounger. They need to chase after butterflies, blow off some steam and generally have an adventure, and you probably need to unwind, breathe more deeply and find time to relax.

All this is possible on a family walking holiday. Plus there’s something about putting one foot in front of the other that prompts conversation. This might be your chance to get nosy about what goes on at school, or with their friends, or on that screen they’re always clutching.

Fear not, though, we’re not talking gut-busting ascents and rocky scrambles here. This is more about the “family” than it is the “walking”, and the key to enjoyment is tailoring it to your age group – and not biting off more than you can chew.

To help you find a walk that’s right for your family, we’ve rounded up the best options around the UK and Europe. Some work for tots – even buggies – while others have minimum age limits; all will get you out on an adventure together.

The New Forest, England

First family walking holiday? Take to the buggy-friendly woodland trails of the New Forest, which wend between ancient trees and across heathland, passing grazing native ponies and superb pubs. There are dozens of waymarked routes throughout this National Park; one of the best is the children’s sensory trail at the Reptile Centre, a 1.1-mile route that encourages little ones to touch, smell and listen to the forest. They’ll wrap their arms around fir trees, balance on logs and search for minibeasts, dragonflies and frogs.

• Walking start/end point: New Forest Reptile Centre
• Walking time: Under one hour
• How to do it: New Park Manor (020 8076 5555; luxuryfamilyhotels.co.uk) has rooms sleeping three from £200 B&B.
• You can find a route map here

Mount Teide, Tenerife, Spain

What could be more enticing to an adventurous child than the promise of standing atop a smouldering volcano? For kids aged six and over, the 3,718-metre-high summit of Mount Teide at the centre of Tenerife is a steep but straightforward 1.2km return hike up from La Rambleta, the trail leading past volcanic rocks warm to the touch and fumaroles puffing gases into the air. Kids too young to handle the altitude? Take the Roques de Garcia 3.5km route instead, to see twisted lava shapes on Teide’s lower slopes.

• Walking start/end point: La Rambleta cable car station
• Walking time: One to two hours
• How to do it: Parador de las Cañadas del Teide (0034 91 374 2500; paradores.es) has rooms sleeping up to three from £110 per night B&B
• You can find a route map here. Plan the perfect holiday in Tenerife with our guide.