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

[CuriousMama]

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?

Hello! Does anyone have any advice for route for "beginners" (I should add with a dodgy ankle)

It's always been an ambition to do the coast to coast, with full pack - but at 50 with a dodgy ankle I have to acknowledge that I need something shorter.

I've looking at doing "part" of a longer walk but generally they are aimed at people looking to go 10-20 miles a day which I'm not up to at this stage,

I may also have to go B&B or YHA to cut down on equipment.

Any ideas?

Which part of the country are you? Could you do some day or weekend overnight walks to see how the ankle holds up and build up your walking stamina. Plus some strength training like squats, lunges and planks maybe? I’m the same age but my hips hurt if I walk too far now but I do walk the dog daily and I’m trying to re-do couch to 5k again and the basic strength training helps.

@SpringMermaid987 South East - yes that is my plan, but looking for something to aim for say next summer - my DS is going to come too (18)

or is it perfectly feasible for me to be walking 15 odd miles a day? In which case I just do a part of the coast to coast....

Build it up slowly and there’s no reason why you can’t do 10-15m days, but maybe look for a walk where you can mix it up with some shorter recovery days? I can do a single day of that distance but struggle to do it again the next day now as my joints ache more.

I’ve not done it but what about the Cotswold way?

Love long distance walking. I did the Lyke Wake Walk most recently. Wonderful, but hard. Plus, we had to walk an extra 5 miles as we were dropped off at the wrong starting point. It was a March crossing and took about 16hrs.

The South Downs Way is fairly easy. No navigation skills needed as it’s so well marked and there’s not a huge amount of climbing apart from a bit of a challenge over the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head on the last day.

I did the South Downs Way a couple of weeks ago. Stunning scenery and some big hills but (apart from the last section across the Seven Sisters to Beachy Head) there are lots of flat(ish) sections in between. I really really enjoyed it...it was my first long solo walk after chemo across the summer and was the perfect way to do some processing and feel more 'normal' again!

That sounds fab @Atreus I hope your recovery continues to go well. I did lots of long distance walking in my 20s when I felt very “lost” in the world, since having my DD diagnosed as being autistic it’s made me realise I was very much healing myself from ‘burnout’. I walked miles including The West Highland Way, The Great Glen way and the SW coastal path. It’s a fab way to heal the mind and soul.

I meant to come back and say I’d googled this walk after seeing your post — I had no idea there’s an entire culture around the walk, with a (now-defunct?) club, coffin badges and titles for completion of the ‘challenge’ etc.

Well done - I was thinking of this or the North downs way in sections as my start of training walks, then on to somewhere like the dales or lakes for more strenuous walks

I'm planning on walking the South West Coast path this year for sponsorship. I like walking but have a manically busy life so don't get out much, a couple of miles on a Sunday with a friend if I am lucky. This is 630 miles and suggested itineraries plan it between 10-15 miles a day over 52 days. I live by one section so lots of bits can be day trips, some with my family and some without. I hate hills though (walking them that is), and this has many, but I do have the view that if you are trying to raise money it should be challenging.

@timetochangethering I have 3 days left on N Downs (near-ish Maidstone) all done in sections. S Downs was much nicer, also done in daily sections.

But I love being by the sea so having done SWCP, I want to do more coast.

I’m preparing for the Coast to Coast in April and wonder ‘I’ve really gone’an done it this time.’ 😳

Coast to Coast is just brilliant! Enjoy!

@notanothercheesesandwich good luck it’s a lovely path but many many ups and downs some more challenging than others. If you have the time to enjoy it and the weather is kind very doable but geez it’s been relentless rain here recently so very muddy! I actually walk in trail running shoes more now find the nobbley soles better grip.

Just resurrecting this thread as I have just started the North Downs Way and wondered if anyone is doing any long walks this year? Me and my son did the Farnham to Guildford section yesterday and really enjoyed it (although my hips are pretty stiff today!). Will be doing it in 12 walks across the summer as we can't walk every weekend unfortunately. Have lots of other walks I would like to do.

What does everyone wear? We weren't really well enough prepared and wore old trainers and coats which we ended up having to take off when the sun came out so had a heavy backpack to carry all day (again just a crappy cheap one which hasn't done my back any favours!). Need to get walking boots I guess and more practical clothing?

^ This
Though a bag with some basic first aid and water is recommended!

Haven't read the whole thread and I'll probably never do a 'proper' long distance walk, although never say never.

Anyway, I've vowed to do the Nidderdale Way this year, which is very noddy in comparison at 53 miles. I live fairly nearby so my plan is to do it over a few days in circular walks along the way (it's long and thin so this looks achievable). I'll then just go home about half an hour away each night.

I've already done the Leeds Country Way and the Wakefield Way in a similar manner, again not 'proper' long distance walks, but a good way to build up to them, and also more accessible but gives a sense of achievement.

Great thread. My current LDP partner has long covid. Must plan something I can do alone for next year. Not enough leave for another trip this year.
Anyone done Lady Anne's Way or Dales High Way? would have to shorten some days.
Re bras - one of us once walked with walking socks under her rucksack straps, for padding! Yes to a sports bra with flat straps, no hard bits on the shoulders.

@Titsywoo i actually prefer to walk in trail running shoes, they don’t have heavy ankle support but the grip is good plus lightweight and mine are gortex so water resistant as Ive walked the dog all winter in them. I live near a challenging coastal path so they get used a lot. Having a backpack with a panel can help give more air flow to your back, I’ve got a great deuter https://www.deuter.com/uk-en/shop/backpacks/p1402281-hiking-backpack-ac-lite-14-sl similar to this but mine is at least 5yrs old it’s lasted well so far

Has anyone done the Lechweg? I'm looking at booking this as a family holiday (they move your baggage for you from hotel to hotel)....

No not heard of that one so I looked it up as we were thinking of going to Austria next summer around one of the ski towns. The walk sounds good except the 200m suspension bridge over the gorge would really freak me out. I used to be able to do those no problem in my 20s but now in my 50s my fear just kicks in eek! If you go do lets us know how you get on

you can plan these walks through companies that sort out all accommodation and currier your luggage for you every day to your next night stop. Macadventures is one, we have been to several different countries with them

Has anyone done the Great Glen Way? Thinking about doing this next May but concerns are 1) midges 2) as it follows the river& canal, is it a little flat and boring?