John Keogh recently took some time out of his busy schedule to tell us a little about himself and his passion for walking. With decades in the industry as an expert walking guide, John knows a thing or two about hiking holidays!

Q: Where is your favourite place to walk and why?

John: My favourite place to walk in Spain is El Torcal de Antequera. It’s a small Natural Park in Malaga Province with the most unusual and beautiful limestone landscapes. It’s always a pleasure to take a group up to this area for a day’s hiking.

Q: How long have you been a walking guide?

John: I have been a registered walking guide in Spain for 11 years, but an unofficial guide in Ireland for 20 years before that.

Q: What food would you recommend to take on a walk?

John: I recommend fruits, snacks and drinks. I love the big sandwiches or flasks of tea, but the fruit and sweet things keep me going all the time.

Q: How far do you normally walk in a week?

John: I usually cover about 100 km a week with about 1000 metres of ascent each week.

Q: Do you use any specialist equipment?

John: No. Good boots, good rucksack. I don’t use sticks because I kept leaving them behind at lunch breaks.

Q: How fit do you need to be to go on our walking holiday?

John: A reasonable level of mobility is required. Fitness is subjective. We don’t race, stop for photos, chats, vistas, eating and drinking are all important parts of the walking experience. It’s a fine line between enjoyment and endurance and that line is in different places for different people. The key is to watch your group and endeavour to make sure that no one is suffering (too much).

A: Do you walk in all weathers?

John: No. I usually stop hiking in July and August. It’s too hot.

Q: What to wear on a walking holiday?

John: In Andalucia, shorts and t-shirts, but bring a layer in the winter.

Q: What one item should you always pack for a walking holiday? (Not walking boots)

John: A raincoat. Old habits die hard.

Q: Where was the last place you went on holiday?

John: The Black Forest in Germany. One of my favourite destinations.