HEADWATER Holidays is offering lovers of the great outdoors a massive range of walking holidays this year.

Whether it be in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America or the Caribbean there are countless wonderful walking holidays on offer.

From woodland rambles along leafy lanes to challenging mountain, gorge and ridge hikes, all Headwater’s walking holidays offer insights into some of the most beautiful and unspoilt corners of the world.

The Austrian Lakes walking tour gives walkers the chance to see unspoilt forest trails, pine clad hills, lush green meadows and postcard-pretty lakeside villages nestled beneath snow-capped peaks.

A spokesman for Headwater Holidays said: “It’s just like stepping out of a scene from The Sound of Music.

“The hotels we’ve selected are pretty special too – all at luxury four star level, with superb wellness centres and unrivalled levels of detail and service and prices range from £898 (tour only) to £1228 (including flights).”

Over in France the Chamonix and Mont Blanc Valley walk is the luxury way to traverse Mont Blanc. The Headwater spokesman said: “From your four star spa hotel in the chic centre of Chamonix, this guided walking week uses the excellent mountain rail, cable cars and gondolas to get walkers to access the mountains with ease.

“Once at altitude, the walks are at a relatively leisurely pace, offering sweeping views of the Massif de Mont Blanc and its surrounding peaks. Prices are from £1499 (tour only) and £1579 (including flights).

Island walking can offer some of the most dramatic walk in the Med.

The spokesman added: “La Palma offers some of the most dramatic walking in the Med.

“Our base for the guided week is the luxury four star Parador just above the capital, Santa Cruz. From here, we'll hike through protected natural reserves, lauresilva forest, crimson volcanic calderas and steep terraces of avocado, almonds and mango. Prices from £1247 (tour only)/ £1449 (including flights).”

A paradise for walkers, the Azores archipelago is one of the most beautiful and diverse in the world. The Headways spokesman added: “On this twin centre guided holiday, the walks explore four very different islands - mountainous Pico, "lunar" Faial, lush Sao Jorge and tropical Sao Miguel - taking in UNESCO vineyards, lava plateaux, sparkling waterfalls and thermal geysers. There's also the opportunity to spot whales and swim with dolphins! Prices from £1149 (tour only)/ £1399 (including flights).

For more information about walking with Headwater Holidays visit www.headwater.com