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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:
faffadoodledo · 15/04/2023 19:15

@CuriousMama we did some of the Cleveland Way - or are you further north than that? It surpassed expectations. Really lovely

SpringMermaid987 · 15/04/2023 19:16

The Lizard sections of SWCP are lovely and there’s a fab youth hostel in Coverack.

25yrs ago in my 20s I did the West Highland Way and the Great Glen Way on my own, plus I’ve done lots of sections of the SWCP as we now live down here. Plus some parts of Abel Tasman in NZ, they have some amazing long distance paths. I’ve enjoyed reading Anna McNuffs adventures and her book running across NZ is inspiring, Pants of Perspective” is great. I was looking at the Cotswolds Way the other day as an option as it’s half way between me and my oldest friend and we meet up for adventures 1-2x a year. Also I ran/ walk around Lundy Island that was a 14m loop and a boat trip.

faffadoodledo · 15/04/2023 19:17

Hey @Lansonmaid we've done the Saints Way. It's a great little long distance route. I take it your user name refers to your town's Cornish pronunciation? If it does, I like
It! I went there for the first time a week or so back to see Mark Steel at the town hall. Beautiful town I thought

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Exercise & fitness Fitness
Lansonmaid · 15/04/2023 19:24

faffadoodledo · 15/04/2023 19:17

Hey @Lansonmaid we've done the Saints Way. It's a great little long distance route. I take it your user name refers to your town's Cornish pronunciation? If it does, I like
It! I went there for the first time a week or so back to see Mark Steel at the town hall. Beautiful town I thought

Lanson does indeed come from the proper Cornish way to pronounce the town name. It's a quiet little place but it's got some quite interesting buildings there.

There is actually a Two Castles walk which goes from Okehampton to Lanson which I'm interested in doing, I am slowly working my way around the SWCP , got from Hartland Point to St Agnes over a series of day walks, also done other small sections in circular coast and country walks.

Original poster
CuriousMama · 15/04/2023 19:40

faffadoodledo · 15/04/2023 19:15

@CuriousMama we did some of the Cleveland Way - or are you further north than that? It surpassed expectations. Really lovely

No I'm near the Cleveland way. I did it too. It's a beautiful walk. So varied.

OP posts:
Buttalapasta · 15/04/2023 19:43

Thanks @legoagain

faffadoodledo · 15/04/2023 19:43

Ooof @Lansonmaid that stretch is very tough.. lots of zooms down to sea level then way up again! Like a footpath rollercoaster!
I like the sound of the two castles
Walk

Original poster
CuriousMama · 18/04/2023 12:23

On the way to st Bees to start walking tomorrow. Weather forecast is good 😊

OP posts:
SpringMermaid987 · 19/04/2023 20:05

Hope you have a fab time @CuriousMama

Original poster
CuriousMama · 19/04/2023 22:35

@SpringMermaid987 thanks it's been brilliant. Beautiful weather ☀️

OP posts:
SpringCherryPie · 19/04/2023 22:53

I love walking. Although I don’t like walking on steep sides of mountains and I don’t want to get bitten and get Lyme disease.

What season and route has no tics and no steep sides? I guess the Downs?

SpringCherryPie · 19/04/2023 22:55

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!!

Sounds amazing!

Original poster
CuriousMama · 21/04/2023 19:20

Has a lovely if arduous walk. Very windy today going down towards honister slate mine. Felt like I'd be blown over!
I'm finished walking now. Into Keswick tomorrow by bus 😀

OP posts:
reallyneedmoresleep · 25/07/2023 09:06

Hello Walkers!!! I just found this thread and wish I'd seen you all a few months ago.
I did the Coast to coast with my 3 teenagers in 2021 - best experience of my life. I walked round the Isle of Wight solo and did the South Downs Way some on my own, some with DH last year.
I did the WHW with a friend in June - was amazing - and am about to walk the Cumbia Way next week.
There's something so satisfying about completing a long walk. Even in the rain, even when my legs are screaminhg, even when I feel I can't take another step.
Questions to revive thi thread: why do you do it and what bra do you recommend? Ordinary bra straps dig in under my rucksack, I want to wear something I can swim in should the urge take me, but I do want the girls strapped up for scrambling over rocks!

Original poster
CuriousMama · 25/07/2023 09:28

reallyneedmoresleep · 25/07/2023 09:06

Hello Walkers!!! I just found this thread and wish I'd seen you all a few months ago.
I did the Coast to coast with my 3 teenagers in 2021 - best experience of my life. I walked round the Isle of Wight solo and did the South Downs Way some on my own, some with DH last year.
I did the WHW with a friend in June - was amazing - and am about to walk the Cumbia Way next week.
There's something so satisfying about completing a long walk. Even in the rain, even when my legs are screaminhg, even when I feel I can't take another step.
Questions to revive thi thread: why do you do it and what bra do you recommend? Ordinary bra straps dig in under my rucksack, I want to wear something I can swim in should the urge take me, but I do want the girls strapped up for scrambling over rocks!

I did the Cumbria way last year. We started walking on the hottest day. Not a good idea.
As for bras I take unwired. Maybe go to a bra specialist?

OP posts:
Faceplantagain · 25/07/2023 09:35

For those of you who are looking for town to town routes - have you found the Slow Ways website? It basically takes reports from people and maps routes from town to town, with the ambition of getting the whole country covered. Well worth a look!

reallyneedmoresleep · 25/07/2023 14:19

CuriousMama · 25/07/2023 09:28

I did the Cumbria way last year. We started walking on the hottest day. Not a good idea.
As for bras I take unwired. Maybe go to a bra specialist?

Show quote history

Any top tips for the Cumbia Way? The weather is not looking lovely

SpringMermaid987 · 25/07/2023 15:09

I just spotted they have developed a new path linking up several routes to make the Tamar C2C through Cornwalls Tamar Valley to offer something different to the coastal path.

As for bras a good sports bra would be fine and often have flatter straps.

sheepdreams · 26/07/2023 07:10

I normally walk about 4-5 miles a day but would love to do some longer walks. The ones you have mentioned sound amazing. A genuine question what do you do about loos, concerned about my weak bladder!

reallyneedmoresleep · 26/07/2023 07:36

sheepdreams · 26/07/2023 07:10

I normally walk about 4-5 miles a day but would love to do some longer walks. The ones you have mentioned sound amazing. A genuine question what do you do about loos, concerned about my weak bladder!

You perfect the art of going for a wild wee

GroutScrubberExtraordinaire · 26/07/2023 07:42

I would love to BUT I would want to take the dog and my current pooch is not so confident and can be a bit reactive when stressed - meaning it's not really fair to take him.

Maybe when the next dog comes along Grin

reallyneedmoresleep · 04/08/2023 10:34

Just finished the Cumbria Way. It was hard! Beautiful, but awful weather and averaging 16 miles a day on tricky terrain was quite a challenge. If I were to do it again, I’d maybe do it over 6 days

reallyneedmoresleep · 04/08/2023 10:35

Just finished the Cumbria Way. It was hard! Beautiful, but awful weather and averaging 16 miles a day on tricky terrain was quite a challenge. If I were to do it again, I’d maybe do it over 6 days

Itisyourturntowashthebath · 04/08/2023 10:44

Isle of Man costal path
The Raad ny Foillan, Manx Gaelic for ‘The Way of the Gull’, is the Isle of Man’s premier long distance footpath. At almost 160 km / 100 miles in length it provides the perfect opportunity to walk around a complete Nation!
https://www.visitisleofman.com/see-and-do/active-and-adventure/walking-and-hiking/self-guided-walks/raad-ny-foillan-coastal-path

There are some interesting climbs and cliff edge paths.

Raad ny Foillan Coastal Path - Visit Isle of Man

The Raad ny Foillan, Manx Gaelic for ‘The Way of the Gull’, is the Isle of Man’s premier long distance footpath. At almost 160 km / 100 miles in length it provides the perfect…

https://www.visitisleofman.com/see-and-do/active-and-adventure/walking-and-hiking/self-guided-walks/raad-ny-foillan-coastal-path

SpringMermaid987 · 04/08/2023 15:31

Well done @reallyneedmoresleep great achievement. I’m bookmarking some of these hoping that in a few years time once youngest is 16 we can go do some without them