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Original poster

Do you do long distance walking? Coast to coast etc...

164 replies

CuriousMama · 03/04/2023 22:47

I do. Dh got me into it and I love it. Well, except when I don't. Then I swear I'll never do another one. Feet are screaming. Legs feel like they won't walk another few yards.

But the scenery is amazing. I've only ever done them in England. I'd like to do the West Highland Way one day. I've met lots of lovely interesting people.

Anyone else do LDWs? Which ones have you done and where next?

OP posts:
Rollerbird · 04/04/2023 09:33

I would love to do one. I did the sandstone trail with dh a couple of years ago over 3 days. We took 2 cars and parked one at the end then drove back to the start each day. Is this possible with the dales way?

Buttalapasta · 04/04/2023 09:37

Zwicky · 04/04/2023 00:53

I love to walk from church to church in the countryside! Like a pilgrimage.

I read a book where someone walked between Salisbury and Winchester catherdrals. I’d like to see both and have never been anywhere near so I thought that would be a lovely thing to do. I have done precisely nothing about it.

I’d like to walk along hadrians wall and the Pennine way and the WHW. Hopefully one day.

Do you remember the name of the book? I've done lots of walks round there.

I haven't done any proper long walks though. I have been planning a 6 day walk between Bologna and Florence but can never find the right time/companion. Ds18 beat me to it as he went a couple of years ago with friends but he didn't want me tagging along!!

helpfulperson · 04/04/2023 09:50

The borders abbey way goes between ruined abbey's and is reasonable distances with each night in a small town.

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Exercise & fitness Fitness
Netcam · 04/04/2023 10:36

We like walking and for many years have planned our summer holidays around walks. But we've never done a big, long multi-day walk. We were supposed to do part of the Camino Portuguese from Lisbon to Santiago in Summer 2020 and had planned the whole route and booked hotels all along the route. But we cancelled due to Covid.

Our holidays generally consist of a walk each day, perhaps about 4 to 5 hours, we bring a packed lunch, either a circular route or there and back. DH is much fitter than me but we manage and it's about enough for me, but he still feels like he's had a good day out.

Last year we got a tiny touring caravan and that was our base. We did parts of the Norfolk coastal route and various National Trust routes in the Lake District.

We were supposed to be going to the Cotswolds next week to do parts of the Cotswolds way as day walks. But now everyone in the house apart from me seems to have Covid, so not sure if we're going after all.

We've been to some amazing places over the years though. We did bits of the Camino Frances as day walks. We've done the hike to Preikestolen in Norway.

I think our highlights were the hiking routes of both Huangshan and Sanqingshan in China, the scenery was incredible. I'm glad we had a few days between the two, because I could barely walk the next day walking all those steps carved into the mountains. If we ever find anywhere as stunning as those places again I will be amazed.

Atreus · 04/04/2023 10:44

I've always loved walking since I lived in Leeds as a student and walked in the Dales. Last year I fulfilled a long held dream and took 6 weeks out of my normal life (last child had just gone to Uni) and walked 1000km across Spain on the Camino Frances from the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela and then onto the Atlantic at Finisterre/Muxia. Just the best experience ever, walking from village to village, staying in the pilgrim hostels (with a night in a hotel every now and then!), meeting people from all over the world walking the same route. I honestly can't recommend it enough!!

Pinkplasticbathcup · 04/04/2023 10:48

This is an amazing thread 🥰

I’ve just started yesterday combing marketplace for one of those toddler backpacks so we can start walking with DS as I’d love to do it.

Can anyone recommend any suitable starter walks - one dayer circular ones or two dayers with a pub or something to stay in in the middle? Either a couple of hours drive from London or somewhere where we can stay for a week and do a couple of different walks plus some other bits to do?

crochetmonkey74 · 04/04/2023 10:58

I'm really interested in this although I am overweight and currently unfit. I love the idea of just having my own 2 feet. Maybe I dhould trial some long half day walks and see how I get on

Original poster
CuriousMama · 04/04/2023 11:07

MercianQueen · 04/04/2023 00:13

Yes, did C2C a few years ago and planning to do it again. The very best adventure I've had 😍

It really is. I met people from all over. Lots of Australians 🐨

OP posts:
Original poster
CuriousMama · 04/04/2023 11:08

crochetmonkey74 · 04/04/2023 10:58

I'm really interested in this although I am overweight and currently unfit. I love the idea of just having my own 2 feet. Maybe I dhould trial some long half day walks and see how I get on

Definitely do that. Once you work up to longer days you'll be ready. Excited for you 🙂

OP posts:
Original poster
CuriousMama · 04/04/2023 11:11

Pinkplasticbathcup · 04/04/2023 10:48

This is an amazing thread 🥰

I’ve just started yesterday combing marketplace for one of those toddler backpacks so we can start walking with DS as I’d love to do it.

Can anyone recommend any suitable starter walks - one dayer circular ones or two dayers with a pub or something to stay in in the middle? Either a couple of hours drive from London or somewhere where we can stay for a week and do a couple of different walks plus some other bits to do?

I can't help with that area but there's the south west coastal path... You could do some of it perhaps? Maybe there's a bus back to where you start? Depending on which bit you pick. Hopefully someone will be along to help 🙂

OP posts:
Original poster
CuriousMama · 04/04/2023 11:12

Netcam · 04/04/2023 10:36

We like walking and for many years have planned our summer holidays around walks. But we've never done a big, long multi-day walk. We were supposed to do part of the Camino Portuguese from Lisbon to Santiago in Summer 2020 and had planned the whole route and booked hotels all along the route. But we cancelled due to Covid.

Our holidays generally consist of a walk each day, perhaps about 4 to 5 hours, we bring a packed lunch, either a circular route or there and back. DH is much fitter than me but we manage and it's about enough for me, but he still feels like he's had a good day out.

Last year we got a tiny touring caravan and that was our base. We did parts of the Norfolk coastal route and various National Trust routes in the Lake District.

We were supposed to be going to the Cotswolds next week to do parts of the Cotswolds way as day walks. But now everyone in the house apart from me seems to have Covid, so not sure if we're going after all.

We've been to some amazing places over the years though. We did bits of the Camino Frances as day walks. We've done the hike to Preikestolen in Norway.

I think our highlights were the hiking routes of both Huangshan and Sanqingshan in China, the scenery was incredible. I'm glad we had a few days between the two, because I could barely walk the next day walking all those steps carved into the mountains. If we ever find anywhere as stunning as those places again I will be amazed.

Wow that's so exciting. You must have seen some amazing sites.

OP posts:
Original poster
CuriousMama · 04/04/2023 11:14

Rollerbird · 04/04/2023 09:33

I would love to do one. I did the sandstone trail with dh a couple of years ago over 3 days. We took 2 cars and parked one at the end then drove back to the start each day. Is this possible with the dales way?

I'm sure there's a way with public transport? A friend always dropped us at Ilkley and picked us up from Ambleside where we like to stay.

OP posts:
Original poster
CuriousMama · 04/04/2023 11:16

Tighginn · 04/04/2023 00:46

Love haze outdoors, Liam Brown, too!

Haven't heard of Liam? Gone Hiking is good. He loves a good pub 🤣

OP posts:
Original poster
CuriousMama · 04/04/2023 11:18

Tighginn · 04/04/2023 00:59

The kintyre way is worth looking into, walkhighlands is a great site for any Scottish routes.

Never heard of it I'll have a look thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
CuriousMama · 04/04/2023 11:19

mackthepony · 04/04/2023 01:13

Not sure if it's allowed as it's American 😉 but the Appalachian trail is one I would love to do.

Because of Bill Bryson's book of course

Oh really? That's some commitment. I'd be terrified 🐻

OP posts:
Original poster
CuriousMama · 04/04/2023 11:23

PurBal · 04/04/2023 06:36

Basically I’m just jealous reading this thread.

Won't be long before they can walk further. We saw a lovely family on the Cumbria way. They so lots of LDWs. Think they home Ed? Very bohemian chilled family. Delightful dcs. I wish I'd done this with dss but exdh wasn't into camping etc. He's a nice man but dh now has much more in common.
I digress. You'll have some amazing adventures soon.

OP posts:
Cornishclio · 04/04/2023 11:30

I am doing the South West Coast path but on day trips or weekends or two to three days at a time for logistical reasons. I mostly walk alone and love it.

SorenLorensonsInvisibleFriend · 04/04/2023 11:33

Thank you for this thread, it's been a lovely, inspiring delight to me. I have a secret desire to do the Camino but also have ME/CFS, which is a bit of a challenge! I live along the South Downs Way, so have stretched myself to 18km as a walk around my local coast and inland. Any tips for a newbie would be so happily received!

YogaLite · 04/04/2023 11:40

@CuriousMama , try South Downs Way sections eg Harting Down, Devils Dyke and west of Eastbourne are particularly beautiful and do-able as a day out. Winchester hill too (it's not in Winchester).

Iwantacampervan · 04/04/2023 12:29

I live near to the South Downs Way so have walked a lot of it in sections. Many years ago I walked part of the SW Coast path staying in Youth Hostels (I'm not sure that they all exist any more). On my wish list are The Dales Way, The Cumbria Way, Thames Path and the Capital Ring, the longer ones in small chunks rather than in one go. I just need time and an incentive as family & friends won't be with me.

YogaLite · 04/04/2023 13:28

Some of the youth hostels still exist near SWCP, some locations are just amazing!

Original poster
CuriousMama · 04/04/2023 19:28

We use the yha a lot but it's getting quite expensive. I'm some places we've got b&b cheaper. I like independent hostels too. Kettlewell is a favourite.

OP posts:
Original poster
CuriousMama · 04/04/2023 19:30

Dh and I are walking up to skiddaw house soon staying a night then walking back down. We'll continue our holiday in Keswick and coniston. We've stayed at skiddaw when we did the Cumbria way. It's totally off grid.

OP posts:
QuintanaRoo · 04/04/2023 19:43

CuriousMama · 04/04/2023 19:30

Dh and I are walking up to skiddaw house soon staying a night then walking back down. We'll continue our holiday in Keswick and coniston. We've stayed at skiddaw when we did the Cumbria way. It's totally off grid.

I’ve cycled up to skiddaw house and back, fab route. Isn’t it up for sale/been sold?

you must walk to Black Sail hostel and stay the night there as well if you haven’t done that before, spectacular.

Original poster
CuriousMama · 04/04/2023 20:01

QuintanaRoo · 04/04/2023 19:43

I’ve cycled up to skiddaw house and back, fab route. Isn’t it up for sale/been sold?

you must walk to Black Sail hostel and stay the night there as well if you haven’t done that before, spectacular.

Show quote history

I know it's been up for sale but will stay a hostel for a while regardless. It was featured on TV recently.

I passed Black sail walking the C2C
Went in for cuppas etc.

OP posts: