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Original poster

Solo “hiking”

190 replies

ApricotDanish83 · 22/10/2025 07:58

Posting here mainly for traffic to be honest.

I’m planning a day out to Dartmoor this weekend to go on a pretty long walk up a couple of the tors. Going by myself because I have nobody to go with but I’m craving being outside 😂

the route is set to be about three and a half hours back, two hours in, and about 12 miles all together. I’m relatively fit but wha do I need to take with me??? I know I’ll need some snacks but that’s about all I can think of

OP posts:
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5
ShelltheOnions · 22/10/2025 18:13

Some great advice on here.

I’d add poles, if you think they’d benefit you.

I used to be a bit anti-pole, and thought they were for pensioners but I do find them useful on some types of terrain, particularly because I’m not in my 20s (or 30s) any longer.

Not essential though, so don’t worry if you don’t have them.

WonderingWanda · 22/10/2025 18:08

ApricotDanish83 · 22/10/2025 17:40

Highly unlikely to be honest. I think some of you must stick solely to your city pavements

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I hepp train Ten Tors groups on Dartmoor and have dropped my own phone in a bog as well as seen multiple people trip and fall in a bog.

ChristmasFluff · 22/10/2025 18:01

Something I always have on me when I walk alone (which is almost all the time) is a whistle. If you get into trouble and the phone lets you down, a whistle can alert people that you need help.

Left · 22/10/2025 17:53

MaxandMeg · 22/10/2025 17:44

This. I live in Scotland and walk alone in the hills nearly every day. If you get into trouble Mountain Rescue will ask you to download What Three Words to make it easy to find you. Better still to put it on your phone before you go.

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Is that still recommended in your area? Here they now say a grid ref is much preferred and only supply W3W if you don’t have a grid ref (Peak District)

Dartmoorcheffy · 22/10/2025 17:52

ApricotDanish83 · 22/10/2025 17:43

What’s your aggression about?

it’s a walk on the Tarka trail. I’m not going up to the middle of the moors and I’ve made that clear. I’m from Devon, I’ve done plenty of walks around the coastal path and I know that it can get a bit rainy.

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Im not being aggressive. The weather in okehampton and the weather up on the moors where you are planning to hike can be two completely different things at the same time.. There is a lot of cloud cover over the weekend. If that is low cloud it can be hazardous on the moors and many people have become disorientated and lost their bearings and needed help. Enjoy your walk but im just saying take care and don't just rely on the forecast.

Original poster
ApricotDanish83 · 22/10/2025 17:51

Left · 22/10/2025 17:49

I love a hike! Please report back with some pics ☺️

As it can be foggy on Dartmoor I’d take a dry bag that can stretch over your rucksack even if rain isn’t forecast.

I really weirdly have one of these from a trip a few years ago 🤣 I never needed it the but at least it’ll come in handy now 😂

OP posts:
Left · 22/10/2025 17:49

I love a hike! Please report back with some pics ☺️

As it can be foggy on Dartmoor I’d take a dry bag that can stretch over your rucksack even if rain isn’t forecast.

MaxandMeg · 22/10/2025 17:44

Lovemycat2023 · 22/10/2025 08:39

Download what3words, it’s what mountain rescue etc can use to find you. And remember to turn back if the weather turns. I think that’s when it tends to go wrong. Enjoy!

This. I live in Scotland and walk alone in the hills nearly every day. If you get into trouble Mountain Rescue will ask you to download What Three Words to make it easy to find you. Better still to put it on your phone before you go.

Original poster
ApricotDanish83 · 22/10/2025 17:43

Dartmoorcheffy · 22/10/2025 17:42

Ok hun, you know best. We have a brilliant dartmoor search and rescue team so you'll be fine.

What’s your aggression about?

it’s a walk on the Tarka trail. I’m not going up to the middle of the moors and I’ve made that clear. I’m from Devon, I’ve done plenty of walks around the coastal path and I know that it can get a bit rainy.

OP posts:
Dartmoorcheffy · 22/10/2025 17:42

Ok hun, you know best. We have a brilliant dartmoor search and rescue team so you'll be fine.

Original poster
ApricotDanish83 · 22/10/2025 17:40

WonderingWanda · 22/10/2025 17:40

Get a hard copy, even if you just print bits off. What if you fall in a bog and your phone stops working.

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Highly unlikely to be honest. I think some of you must stick solely to your city pavements

OP posts:
WonderingWanda · 22/10/2025 17:40

ApricotDanish83 · 22/10/2025 09:03

I’ve downloaded the OS maps app :)

Get a hard copy, even if you just print bits off. What if you fall in a bog and your phone stops working.

Original poster
ApricotDanish83 · 22/10/2025 17:34

Dartmoorcheffy · 22/10/2025 17:34

I live in okehampton. Its already very wet here. The rivers are high and the ground is boggy. I was up on the moors with the dogs today. Just be prepared.

Yes and it is Wednesday today.

not Saturday.

OP posts:
Dartmoorcheffy · 22/10/2025 17:34

I live in okehampton. Its already very wet here. The rivers are high and the ground is boggy. I was up on the moors with the dogs today. Just be prepared.

Solo “hiking”
Solo “hiking”
Original poster
ApricotDanish83 · 22/10/2025 17:31

MrsSkylerWhite · 22/10/2025 17:21

This.

Can you borrow a dog for the day?

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I wish. Sadly I’m getting the train so not really a possibility. Plus I don’t know anyone with a dog to borrow 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
ApricotDanish83 · 22/10/2025 17:31

Dartmoorcheffy · 22/10/2025 17:19

I would double check the weather if I were you. Theres a storm forecast this weekend in Devon.

No, there isn’t! It’s rainy tonight, tomorrow and Friday but Okehampton is sunny with occasional showers on Saturday 😂

OP posts:
MrsSkylerWhite · 22/10/2025 17:21

TheGoddessAthena · 22/10/2025 08:17

You need to tell someone your route and when you expect to be back. First rule of hillwalking solo.

This.

Can you borrow a dog for the day?

Dartmoorcheffy · 22/10/2025 17:19

I would double check the weather if I were you. Theres a storm forecast this weekend in Devon.

StewkeyBlue · 22/10/2025 15:06

Main thing: enjoy yourself, spend your time on the walk enjoying the views, the fresh air, the rhythm of your step.

Mist important thing: come back and tell us about it!

(for myself I would only take 1l water plus lucozade… but if it gets heavy you can always pour it away)

jacksonlambsregulardisorder · 22/10/2025 14:00

Have an awesome time OP, I love hiking and do it in a small group but I feel I need to get out on my own a bit. I love hiking for the nature, views etc, but miss too much of that at the moment because I'm nattering to pals!

You sound sensible and prepared - hope it's just the first of some fab adventures for you.

Original poster
ApricotDanish83 · 22/10/2025 13:36

washingmachinewoes · 22/10/2025 13:35

@ApricotDanish83 they had the knockoff version in our Aldi at the weekend!

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I’m closer to an M&S at work than anything else so I’m thinking I’ll grab myself a nice picnic to make a proper day of it 😁

OP posts:
washingmachinewoes · 22/10/2025 13:35

ApricotDanish83 · 22/10/2025 10:21

Oooh now I’m thinking I might take a couple bags full of the M&S mix that’s gone viral as some nice snacks along the way 😂

@ApricotDanish83 they had the knockoff version in our Aldi at the weekend!

Dartmoorcheffy · 22/10/2025 13:25

The low cloud can come down very quickly over the moors and its like a thick fog. You are doing a well known route though and there's likely to be plenty of others around too on a Saturday as its a very easily accessible part of the Moor.

Theres a brilliant cafe as you get off the train too at the youth hostel which is literally next to the station.

Original poster
ApricotDanish83 · 22/10/2025 13:14

childofthe607080s · 22/10/2025 13:10

Avoid stream water most of south uk - bad bad bugs
ans always filter elsewhere or boil

although it’s winter so a litre should be fine for the short day

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I remember that thread, I wont be drinking any stream water!! I’ll take 2 litres with me plus a lucozade or two and I’m sure that’ll be fine

OP posts:
childofthe607080s · 22/10/2025 13:10

coxesorangepippin · 22/10/2025 12:39

Plenty of water

A woman on here started a thread a few weeks back, she'd drunk stream water and felt terrible

Avoid stream water most of south uk - bad bad bugs
ans always filter elsewhere or boil

although it’s winter so a litre should be fine for the short day

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