Walking

[justaweeone]

Hi
I wasn't sure where to put this. Myself and Dh enjoy going for a walk(gentle stroll then having a pub lunch!). However with Covid and the weather changing I really want to explore proper, longer walks. I've looked at a few websites but how do you find decent longer walks not too far from your home, suitable, cheap parking. What clothes do we need if out for longer walks and any other tips please. We are in south norfolk/ Suffolk border so ideally don't want to spend an hour driving to the coast.
Thanks

There's a Norfolk Lowland search and rescue service so they obviously think they need to exist and there will be walkers that have become lost, ill or injured walking in Thetford forest and needing to be rescued.

www.thetfordandbrandontimes.co.uk/news/thetford-forest-safety-warning-1-5434666

OP, as for the parking, you have parking marked by a blue P on OS maps and then you can use Google maps and streetview to see what it is like and if there's a charge. If I want to walk somewhere without paying a lot for parking I try to go early for a better chance of finding a free lay-by space.

If you are in an area with footpaths it's definitely worth buying the OS map in 1:25000 scale and looking for footpaths and bridleways to explore. You can look on the OS layer on Bing maps to have a good look before commiting to buy a map.

@Readandwalk

I cant bear the faff of extra rain gear so carry an umbrella. Much handier. Cut toe nails before a long walk.

Excellent point re toenails. Umbrellas are ok if there's no wind and you're on a wide path but not practical everywhere. Something like a packable berghaus shell jacket is easy to carry.

Errol yes we do

No.point taking waterproofs if it's going to be scorching all day but I do take them anyway if I'm up a mountaineering.ive known it to be lovely on lower ground and raining and foggy up top

It's hardly mountaineering on the Suffolk Norfolk border , max height 136m

I would suggest getting the OS app, it is brilliant. I pay £20 per year, I think it might be £25 now, but well worth it.

We have lots of OS maps but unless we are in a totally new area, we generally use them at home, then the app when out. Make sure you have a portable phone charger with you though to keep phone charged.

The app shows your position using GPS, which still works even when there is no actual phone signal, although it is worth opening up the map app in your location whilst you do have service, to make sure the detailed map has downloaded. We walked on the edge of the Peak District yesterday, no signal for majority of walk but app worked fine.

If you are walking a lot in a given area, you will also find it easier to buy the map and plan routes whilst at home.

As others have said, parking is marked on maps, and the street view part of google maps can show lay-bys, general terrain and the actual location of footpath off a given road.

Thanks for the suggestions and advice everyone! Anymore ones are very welcome.

I would always take a paper map as well as electronic as well as giving resilience against battery failure you also get a bigger view of the whole area which can really help you become better at navigation

Long trousers protect against ticks best

You can always do out and back routes whilst you build skills and confidence . Just make sure you look around lots.many a mistake through too much chatting and not enough looking

It's hardly mountaineering on the Suffolk Norfolk border , max height 136m

Well yes obviously but if going on a long walk then you should be prepared at the very least waterproofs or sun hat or sun cream etc depending on the weather, map and first aid kit and water and food and decent footwear.

Seriously I despair at those thinking of doing long walks with hardly any stuff

You dont have to be up ben nevis to get get lost, have an accident or get pissed wet through or heatstroke through lack of proper planning!

I've seen it happen. Someone I knew got lost in a wood and fell, phone battery died and had to be rescued.

I don't think of having a map water snacks and suitable clothing as having a lot of stuff!

Certainly if you are new to walking and on a budget , then the Suffolk Norfolk area is ideal , you need buy nothing beyond the map , provided you have the brains to suggest that you don't go out in a bad forecast without suitable clothes.

Anyone can twist an ankle and need help walking around a supermarket but we don't see many people insisting on boots and a packed rucksack for that

Phone reception and people are both plentiful in the areas the op mentioned. Hyperthermia more a problem for drunk students

@ghostmous3, how do you define a "long walk" ?

Isn't whether something is a "long walk" dependent on the walker's fitness and the terrain, rather than some specific distance or time? I reckon it's a 'long walk' if we need food and drink during it.

The path finder os Maps Books are fantastic for beginners or if you are somewhere new. Or a local walking book.

I think you don’t need anything special other than comfy shoes and not jeans and a waterproof (unless Hugh summer in which case hat and sunscreen)for a 15 mile walk either unless you are hillwalking or mountain walking.

In the mountains or serious hills then yes yo7 need supplies, a map and layers.

I can easily do a 15 mile walk where I am with walking trainers and some water.

Fifteen miles is about normal for what I would comfortably do, terrain depending, but one of the oddities of people is that they have wildly varying ideas of even what a ‘walk’ is. I’ve gone out for a ‘walk’ with two old friends and one parked the car in a lay-by and was still getting into her boots and waterproof when the other strolled back from a gateway at the end of a nearby lane and got back into the car, pleased with her nice ‘walk’ and under the impression we were now going on to lunch.

Me too re supplies for a 15 mile walk, @GolightlyMrsGolightly. I don’t need more than that.

I think you don’t need anything special other than comfy shoes and not jeans and a waterproof (unless Hugh summer in which case hat and sunscreen)for a 15 mile walk either unless you are hillwalking or mountain walking

Say it's 3 miles per hour.
That's a 5 hour walk.
That definitely calls for at least a snack and a thermos.

Plus a look out for the weather so having waterproofs etc if need be.

15 miles would take me 5 hrs (to walk). I suspect OP isn't planning 5 hrs yet.

Use Bing Maps on your laptop to look up some good routes locally first. It has an OS Maps view. Then you can work out which paper map to buy. Or indeed if any of your local walks can be looped together to make something a bit longer. If they are major footpaths near residential areas they are likely to be well signposted and we'll trodden, plus because you are near home you are unlikely to get too lost for long!

We've enjoyed walking from our house much more this year doing this.

For a beginner, perhaps start with 5 miles, see how you feel after that and go from there?

I’ve gone out for a ‘walk’ with two old friends and one parked the car in a lay-by and was still getting into her boots and waterproof when the other strolled back from a gateway at the end of a nearby lane and got back into the car, pleased with her nice ‘walk’ and under the impression we were now going on to lunch.

I think I was on that walk, or something uncannily similar.

I agree, OP, just walk from your house, unless you're right in the middle of a city or big town, or the countryside around you is not good walking terrain (too many A roads to cross etc). I used to walk out my front door with an OS map and just walk -- there are generally field paths linking villages cross-country, and when you have a map to give you a general sense of the lie of the land, you can just link them together to make a walk of the right length for any one day/time.

There are short walks described if you search for walking in diss for example , sometimes it's possible to link them up to make something longer also

I remember one of my first geography classes was working with OS maps. We had to work out the contours and draw the side of a hill.

I love OS maps, looking at symbols, planning walks etc. It's a shame DS isn't as keen.

Unless you live in a big city the OS explorer map that covers where you live will have enough footpaths and countryside to keep you entertained for a good while. If you're not confident with route planning I will happily be the 50th person to recommend the OS map app. £25 for the year or £20 for a yearly subscription. Just search for an area you want to walk in and loads of preplanned routes will pop up, filter by length/difficulty etc and you're away.

Buy the paper map too as a backup, don't rely on just the app. It takes a bit of time to get used to map reading, but once you've got the hang of it you'll be fine. The laminated 'active' ones are great for drawing routes on as they just wipe off afterwards.

I love my little foldable mat to sit on. About £4 to buy online.
Compeed plasters are amazing if you get a blister .. which shouldn't happen once your boots are worn in, but good to carry a couple.
I would always have a snack with me if only a couple of energy bars.
When I started walking abroad I went with a group at first and was introduced to lots of new walks which I then felt confident to do on my own.
Don't wander too far into the wilderness at first OP; stick to well trodden paths and practise your map skills on these at first.
Walking is great

Get properly fitted for comfortable rucksack that doesn't rub and comfortable, lightweight hiking footwear in a decent outdoors shop. A proper waterproof coat that is breathable, lightweight and taped seams is worth investing in. All other gear you can pick up from decathlon, millets, trespass. Various fleece thicknesses, lightweight trousers or leggings. Waterproof overtrousers, Merino base layers to keep you warm but wick away moisture are useful to have. Layers are key as we move into autumn and the weather is changeable.
Download the what three words app in case you get lost or have an accident. Know who to call in an emergency.
Have fun.