Summer Guide 2013: Treks

The hills and valleys of Priorat in Spain (Alamy)

Get in the saddle of a heavy horse at the only riding establishment in the UK specialising in these magnificent beasts. Cumbrian Heavy Horses (01229 777764; cumbrianheavyhorses.com), near Millom, is offering a new three-day ride around the central Lake District on its Clydesdale, Shire and Ardennes breeds this summer. The trek passes through the

Grizedale Forest, Claife Heights and Langdales, and along the shores of Windermere, with accommodation at Holmeshead Farm near Ambleside. From £795pp, all-inclusive.

Step out in Southern Catalonia, Spain, on a week's self-guided walk through the hills and valleys of Priorat, pictured. The route from Montblanc to La Vilella Baixa calls at two ancient abbeys, the Cistercian monastery of Poblet and Carthusian Escaladei. It passes through various towns and villages including Rojals, Prades, Cornudella and Poboleda, and takes in rock pools, ice houses and Neolithic art. The final day is spent walking through the region's vineyards. The going is medium to hard, so you'll be pleased to know there are plenty of streams and pools in which to cool off as you go. Price is £650pp, based on two sharing, through On Foot Holidays (01722 322652; onfootholidays.co.uk), including B&B, four dinners, luggage transfers between hotels, and route notes. International travel is extra.

The Arctic island of Spitsbergen is the location for a week’s adventure under the midnight sun. Your base will be the Svea glacier, in the west, from where daily guided walks take you to see glaciers and fjords, beaches and mountains of this remote place. From £1,555 per person, based on two sharing, with Discover the World (01737 214291; discover-the-world.co.uk), including one night in Tromso, two nights in Longyearbyen, and four nights’ camping, equipment and the services of a guide. International travel costs extra.

“If you’re driving to Europe this summer, anyone with a petrol engine would be better off to fill up on this side of the Channel, whereas diesel drivers can wait and happily go to any forecourt in Europe, safe in the knowledge they will almost certainly be saving money.”

INSIDER TIP

David Bizley, RAC technical director (rac.co.uk)

“If you’re driving to Europe this summer, anyone with a petrol engine would be better off to fill up on this side of the Channel, whereas diesel drivers can wait and happily go to any forecourt in Europe, safe in the knowledge they will almost certainly be saving money.”