Page 7 | Solo “hiking”

ApricotDanish83 · 2025-10-22T06:58:17+00:00

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

MojoMoon · 22/10/2025 09:04

Water

Blister plasters.

A good torch (check it is charged) - this is to attract attention as well as help you see in front of you so should be powerful one.

Emergency whistle (they cost about 3 quid)

Bit of waterproof insulated foam to sit on to enjoy your lunch but also important if you did get injured, the ground is really cold and you could be waiting a while for assistance. Being able to get your bum off the ground and onto an insulated mat makes a huge difference to staying warm. They are really light and don't take up much room.
Like this https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/therm-a-rest-z-seat-D3134020.html?colour=5522&utm_source=google&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19716304771&gclid=CjwKCAjwgeLHBhBuEiwAL5gNEVr1E2ZAgFwAbFUbDPlVWsxQBrxL1AJa1D5Ya43QcZRE54g4vN9mVxoCUasQAvD_BwE

Z Seat

Order Therm-a-Rest Z Seat today from Cotswold Outdoor ✓ Expert Advice

https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/therm-a-rest-z-seat-D3134020.html?colour=5522&gad_campaignid=19716304771&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwgeLHBhBuEiwAL5gNEVr1E2ZAgFwAbFUbDPlVWsxQBrxL1AJa1D5Ya43QcZRE54g4vN9mVxoCUasQAvD_BwE

Original poster

ApricotDanish83 · 22/10/2025 09:03

I’ve downloaded the OS maps app :)

OP posts:

childofthe607080s · 22/10/2025 09:02

os maps are the most reliable in the UK

other maps have glitches that have led to people needing rescues

ParmaVioletTea · 22/10/2025 09:00

But otherwise, sounds great. I walk alone up hills & mountains - Dartmoor always feels a bit flat to me ...

Original poster

ApricotDanish83 · 22/10/2025 08:59

FcukBreastCancer · 22/10/2025 08:58

Well it's your choice op. But try and factor in possible short cuts just in case you get bored, tired, sore, rained on etc.

Hope it goes well.

From looking at maps it seems like I can just walk pretty much straight from any of the tors back to the town and if needs be there’s an army camp which is about halfway where I could always call a taxi!

OP posts:

ParmaVioletTea · 22/10/2025 08:58

You really need to carry a proper Ordnance Survey map. And cold weather gear.

FcukBreastCancer · 22/10/2025 08:58

Well it's your choice op. But try and factor in possible short cuts just in case you get bored, tired, sore, rained on etc.

Hope it goes well.

GOODCAT · 22/10/2025 08:56

Very jealous, enjoy! My one necessity would be a coffee flask.

Original poster

ApricotDanish83 · 22/10/2025 08:53

These are the routes as per Komoot, I’m quite comfortable with being able to walk that far to be honest, it’s a little push compared to what I usually do but I feel confident. It’s so much shorter on the way back because it misses out a couple of tors!

OP posts:

FcukBreastCancer · 22/10/2025 08:50

I think senu is possibly right. 12 miles would be very long on your own and days are quite short. I'd probably max at 8 personally.

Original poster

ApricotDanish83 · 22/10/2025 08:49

senua · 22/10/2025 08:49

If you are asking for advice then you must be a novice. I think 12 miles is too long for a novice walk; I'd start with a shorter walk and build up to the 12 mile one.

I don’t think I’m necessarily a novice, I walk an and I’ve done a lot of 8-10 mile walks in my local area! I just know that Dartmoor is obviously different to my local area

OP posts:

senua · 22/10/2025 08:49

If you are asking for advice then you must be a novice. I think 12 miles is too long for a novice walk; I'd start with a shorter walk and build up to the 12 mile one.

Trivium4all · 22/10/2025 08:46

Paper map in map case, just in case. Second plasters/blister plasters: been caught out before, and it's not fun.

MrMucker · 22/10/2025 08:45

Agree with what3words.
Your worry is not that you will get lost or hurt, your worry is that no one can find you if that happens.
What3words provides your location to others, to an accuracy of just 10 feet. Anywhere on the planet!

Original poster

ApricotDanish83 · 22/10/2025 08:44

surfingdreams · 22/10/2025 08:38

I do a lot of solo hiking and think your plan sounds great! Lots of good advice from everyone on what to take / telling someone your plan & return time. Make sure you download the map if you can on Komoot - it then won’t matter if you lose signal / have phone on airplane, it’ll still show your GPS location on the loaded map.
Have a good one!

Yeah it let me download all the west Devon maps I wanted for some reason! It’s also got a lot of more local walks for me so it looks like a good little app!

OP posts:

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!

surfingdreams · 22/10/2025 08:38

I do a lot of solo hiking and think your plan sounds great! Lots of good advice from everyone on what to take / telling someone your plan & return time. Make sure you download the map if you can on Komoot - it then won’t matter if you lose signal / have phone on airplane, it’ll still show your GPS location on the loaded map.
Have a good one!

FcukBreastCancer · 22/10/2025 08:37

I hike alone and always have os map on app. Its brilliant. Plus spare battery
If I dont know the route I take paper map.
Coat, hat and gloves
Food and drink
Blister plasters
Tissues
Lip balm

MagpiePi · 22/10/2025 08:35

I use the free version of the All Trails app which gives you a live location, if you have a signal.
I'd also take a bag of mint humbugs and plenty of tissues as the cold makes my nose run.

Original poster

ApricotDanish83 · 22/10/2025 08:34

aLogLady · 22/10/2025 08:31

aw i love walking alone, enjoy! good snacks and some perfect sandwiches, plenty of water, waterproofs, phone and power bank, compass but your map is on your phone even offline so probs ok without OS map (maybe thats bad advice!)

I’m really looking forward to it! I’ve not been up to Dartmoor for a while now but last time I was up there the signal was actually okay, apart from really deep on the moors. Because I’m sticking to the edge I’m hopeful it should be okay!

OP posts:

aLogLady · 22/10/2025 08:31

aw i love walking alone, enjoy! good snacks and some perfect sandwiches, plenty of water, waterproofs, phone and power bank, compass but your map is on your phone even offline so probs ok without OS map (maybe thats bad advice!)

Original poster

ApricotDanish83 · 22/10/2025 08:29

PersonIrresponsible · 22/10/2025 08:28

Rather than take lots of water, invest in a water filter, like a Sawyer.

You can carry a lot less and just replenish at streams and puddles.

If this was going to be a more common occurrence for me I definitely would but at the moment I don’t think it is!

OP posts:

Bobiverse · 22/10/2025 08:29

Goodadvice1980 · 22/10/2025 08:24

Was going to suggest life360 or something similar and telling someone where you are and if you haven’t sent a text at the end by X time they’ll call you.

Great having to think of personal safety 😩 no wonder we always choose the bear 🐻

Have a lovely hike!

🙄
Telling someone your walking route is in case you get injured or fall, not in case you walk past a man. This place sometimes.

childofthe607080s · 22/10/2025 08:29

This time of year I would take a flask as well as the obvious waterproofs and an extra layer in case you get stuck

I would make sure I had a recent map and the get os maps and os locate on my phone so that I can always tell where I am

i wiuld have someone to call when I got back - someone who knew where I planned to go and when to call for help - 12 miles so call for help after say 7 or 8 hrs

check the weather and don’t bother if it’s crap - do something much shorter

PersonIrresponsible · 22/10/2025 08:28

Rather than take lots of water, invest in a water filter, like a Sawyer.

You can carry a lot less and just replenish at streams and puddles.