Long Distance walk for newly retired solo travealler

[BigDahliaFan]

It looks like I'm going to retire before my husband and I would like to do a long distance walk. I might have company for a the odd weekend if it was in UK/Europe but mostly me on my own.

I wouldn't have the confidence to wild camp I don't think....But am thinking of camping and hostels/hotels.

So far thought of

Cornish Coast Path (busy?)
West Highland Way (midges - ugh)
Camino de Santiago
Japan Shikoku Temples

Any experiences or thoughts?

I give you the Welsh Coastal Path, the Thames Path, the Ridgeway or Offa's Dyke.

I met someone a few years ago who had walked up the west coast of France over a couple of months in the summer - can't remember where from or to, but she had an amazing tan and a great time! I guess the French coast paths are all pretty non-remote as the French love their seasides as well as their food, so I would expect plenty of refreshment opportunities en route?

If you're on Facebook, there is a group called Long Distance Hiking in Europe which has lots of inspiration and information, though there are a lot of options to choose from.

Just read David Nicholls book You are Here which is a story set around walking Wainwright's coast to coast path. I would recommend the book generally whether or not you do that route.

There's a beautiful ~160 mile trail in southern France called the Cathar Way (Le Sentier Cathare) which is quite hilly at points but passes by lots of medieval castles and has stunning views of the pyrenees. It's well set up to have walkers sleeping in a hostel, B&B, hotel or sometimes campsites as you stop as various points.

I was going to say Wales Coastal Parh. Gorgeous and lots of little
Places to stay.

I think you'd be better starting with the Uk as if there's a problem you speak the language. I wouldn't do the GR20 in corsica on your own.

Another vote for the WHW. The scenery is beautiful and the camaraderie with the walkers you meet is lovely.

Look at companies like Macs Adventures and Inntravel for walking holiday options with comfortable accommodation, luggage transfers etc

And we did the WHW in late September and there were no midges. Though we had repellent at face nets prepared!

I did a camino last year. I'm not retired but did go alone. I thought it was wonderful. It's a lovely welcoming community spirit and all the camino routes are well serviced and safe. I did the Camino de Finisterre, which is short, can be done in 3-5 days, but also made longer if you want to loop around to Muxia or back to Santiago. I did a mix of guesthouses and albergues (hostels), so some staying with other people and some staying on my own. Food is lovely, lots of lovely drinks (I don't drink alcohol, so lots of AF options too if that's your thing), great weather, ended at the sea in Finisterre and went for a sea swim. It's also very affordable.

Why not?

My friend is doing the Camino Santiago walk. It's been absolutely incredible. Xx

I didn't mean to kiss you then!

https://www.exodus.co.uk/activities/walking-holidays. I recommend this company albeit my trip with them is 10 yrs ago now. Lots of inspiration and detailed itinerary's on their website .

There's the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland too. It's primarily known as a road trip but there are lots of operators doing holidays focussed on sections of it. So google Walk the wild Atlantic way and you'll be spoiled for choice. If you drive it's potentially a low cost way to get there and have a bit of freedom too.
https://www.thewildatlanticway.com

The Dales Way is a good " beginner's route" It is generally low level, very picturesque and easy to follow. There is accommodation on the way, although I've always done it camping!

The Cleveland Way is fantastic and not to long for a first attempt; North York Moors and the Yorkshire Coast taking in Saltburn, Staithes, Sandsend, Whitby, Robin Hoods Bay, Scarborough and Filey.....

I haven't done it, but quite fancy the Isle of Wight coastal path, as a bit of a stepping stone into longer distance walking. Something appealing about starting and finishing in the same place 🙂

I love camping, and I love walking, but on a long distance walk I would rather not carry all the extra camping gear, and when camping I would rather have more luxuries than I can carry. For more than one or two nights, anyway.

I have been looking at this blog by women on the Welsh coastal path. They stayed in B&Bs
https://www.2womenwalking.com/

I fancy the Camino but 18 miles over hills is too much for me in a day, I think.

I'd think about some day hikes to get yourself walking fit before attempting a long distance route.

I did Hadrian's Wall a few years ago. We stayed at B&B's along the way and had our luggage transported from one accomodation to another by "sherpa"; a chap in a van who picks your bags up and moves them on to the next B&B. I travel fairly light but would not have wanted to carry everything I needed for the week.

DH has done the Porto to Santiago camino route - staying in a mix of guest houses, hotels and pousadas / paradores and using a luggage service. He walked it in two sections (Porto to Valença and then Valença to Santiago) and it took 6 days each time.

We’re planning to do the Muxia loop - there’s a paradore in the coast there that I have my eye on.

There’s also a route from Winchester to Mont St Michel that looks interesting - you can do the first section from Winchester to Portsmouth in 3 days.

Link: https://www.britishpilgrimage.org/portfolio/pilgrims-trail

I was going to recommend the British Pilgrimage Trust website, too- it looks intriguing. I particularly like the Sanctuary concept, where churches and village halls allow you to sleep there for a minimal amount. Sadly, there's not a very comprehensive network yet, but perhaps it'll catch on.

I'd point out that travelling alone you have considerations people are forgetting here, done amazing less travelled routes but I'd stick to one with a lot of footfall for safety and knowing that if there's a problem there's others passing that can help. The Spanish authorities are well versed in helping twisted ankles etc on the Camino and the auberge system is second to none meaning daily travel is flexible. No other route comes close. There's a route that officially starts in Portsmouth, I'm hoping to get a ride on a yacht and walk the remainder when I retire

If through the summer, what about the Ridgeway path? It goes from Avebury to Ivinghoe Beacon in Bucks. Mostly traffic free.

I walked it with DS while I was on maternity leave. It was all corn fields and hill sides. Kestrels and buzzards. Stunningly beautiful scenery. Incredible peace.

DS spent his first summer watching combine harvesters from a sling. Being fed on a blanket on the grass. It was a fabulous summer 😊

This UK group encourages Camino endeavours:

https://www.csj.org.uk/