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 About the website Newsletter Archives Press Clippings Client Log-in Passport information (from U.S. State Dept) Trip Evaluation (Hiking) Trip Evaluation (Heritage) |
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5 Hiking in the Marcadau Valley, French Pyrenees. |
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Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.
Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds
will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while
cares will drop off like autumn leaves. |
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| Walking Softly Adventures specializes in hiking trips in the mountains. On a Walking Softly Hiking Trip you... | ||
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Spend your days
hiking in the mountains on hiking trips designed by hikers for
hikers. When developing our trips we emphasize
the quality of the hiking experience over other factors such as the selection of specific overnight accommodations. This allows us to create itineraries that immerse you in the best hiking experiences
the mountains have to offer. |
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Exercise! Stretch your legs,
breathe fresh air, and fall under the spell of the mountains. There’s nothing quite like the workout you’ll get on a mountain trail!
Enjoy the outdoors, rejuvenate your body and soul, and return home feeling fit and refreshed! |
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--ROYCE, BARBARA, AND BRANDON ALSOP |
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Get to the heart of the
mountains. Your Walking Softly adventure gets you right to the heart
of the best mountain hiking areas. We seek out established trails in national parks, nature reserves and protected areas and strive to avoid routes involving roads. Hikes begin right at the front door of your hotel or a short shuttle ride
away. Bring your comfortable hiking boots, a daypack for personal
provisions and trekking poles, if you use them. No other specialized equipment or climbing skills are required.
See also Equipment and Preparedness
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As we look back on our two trips with Walking Softly Adventures, we really appreciate the thought and the work you have put into designing the trips, scouting and selecting the hikes, choosing the hotels and restaurants and (with great good humor) shepherding your guests as the adventure unfolds—and giving them as much rope as they choose to run. --DOUG AND DENISE WHITE |
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Enjoy comfortable overnight
accommodations in great hiking locations. We select hotels and inns that are
well-positioned to support hiking activities and are in addition comfortable, clean, and
safe (offering private bathroom facilities and nourishing, multi-course
meals). The hotels and inns we use range from four-star hotels with pools
and saunas to simple inns depending on the specific destination. Unpack and settle in!
On a Walking
Softly trip, multiple-night stays are typical. |
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Meals feature local cuisine varying from gourmet preparations to rustic mountain dishes. In any case, your overnight accommodations are selected because they provide comfort and convenience in a great location for hiking. | |
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Choose your hike. Select from
two guided hiking options per day—a moderate option accessible to
most physically fit individuals, and a more difficult option designed for
hikers who seek a full, physically challenging day on the trail. Select
your hike based on your desire for route, distance, time and level of physical exertion. The hiking choices allow you to
tailor your trail experience
day-by-day. At least two guides accompany each Walking Softly hiking trip to make the options possible.
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Moderate
options typically involve seventeen hundred to two thousand feet of vertical
elevation gain involving four to five hours on the trail. The more difficult options can
involve three to four thousand feet of vertical elevation gain and as many as seven to ten hours on the trail.
See also Fitness Requirements. |
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Having daily hiking options made it easy for us to choose a hike that was consistent with our abilities. We were encouraged to maintain our own personal style of hiking... We realize that, had we been left to attempt this trip on our own, we might have been able to do 10% of what we accomplished with relaxing ease while in the care of Walking Softly. --PEGGY AND JIM HILTON |
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Travel with a small group of fellow hikers bound by a common love of the trail. More than two-thirds of our travelers are either Walking Softly alumni or those who join us as the result of a personal recommendation.
Even though Walking Softly trips are group travel experiences, we'll do
our best to cater to the individual
hiking styles and pacing preferences of each trip participant within the
natural limitations imposed by group travel. On Walking Softly trips, trip leaders work together with trip participants to create successful hiking experiences for all. |
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You certainly provide the best of times to your clients…You made the whole trip an ‘individualized’ experience for me. --SHIRLEY BUXTON |
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Gain
insights into the culture and natural history of the regions in which you’re traveling. The physical rewards of a hiking trip are just part of your experience. We’ll fuel your mind by introducing you to the stories behind the landscapes, national parks, reserves, and World Heritage Sites that you’ll visit.
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Having been on several Walking Softly trips, I have come to expect thorough organization, excellent leadership, and fun and interesting traveling companions. Walking Softly always delivers. --LAURA REES |
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Support local communities. When possible, your lodging, meals, and transportation are provided by small locally-owned and operated businesses. In this way you provide direct support to the communities that you enjoy during your journey. Your trip is designed to respect both the natural and cultural environment of the places you visit. |
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The skill, warmth and caring that Amy and John put into the trip gives great pleasure. Their courtesy in introducing the innkeepers attests to their positive relationship with staff as well as guests. --SALLY SAMPLE |
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100% Walking Softly!
Unlike some tour companies, Walking Softly Adventures is not a "storefront" offering trips developed and led by other companies on which we put our brand. The owners of Walking Softly Adventures and our carefully selected team of guides personally develop and lead all the trips
you'll find on this website. We’ve hiked all the trails and scouted out the gems. You’ll benefit from that knowledge and expertise. And as you’re deciding which trip is best for you, call us! Your trip leader will be happy to personally answer any questions you might have. |
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This trip exceeded my expectations because of the personalized "hands on" attitude of the guides and because of the various options available for hiking each day. These two features make your hiking excursions an exceptional experience. --LOUISE SILL A truly unforgettable experience! Your attention to detail and careful consideration of the hikers’ needs and desires was very impressive, not to mention the enthusiasm generated by leaders who have a real affinity for the mountains. --VALERIE REED It was great having a choice of hikes each day. The group exhibited a variety of hiking abilities, and I could choose a hike I could manage. --PAT BUNVILLE Each walking venue was different, the scenery exceptional and the overall experience beyond our wildest dreams. --JERRY AND VI HERKES You more than satisfied my 'mature woman' needs—your attention to details, consistent good humor, wealth of local and historical knowledge left me free to wallow in gorgeous scenery. And I liked the 'spacing' of the schedule—always time for individual pursuits after hiking. --SALLY SHORR |
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© Walking
Softly Adventures, Inc., PO Box 86250, Portland, OR 97286 |
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