Walking alone in forests?

[Vemjs]

I was just wondering if most women are happy to walk through a Forest / big fields / nature reserves on their own for a dog walk? Or do you view this as dangerous?

Sorry it's probably not under right topic!

Yes absolutely and I’ll also acknowledge men if I pass them say morning etc. Always wondered why some women scared. Conditioning I think.

I do without a dog but not often and I stick to the main paths. When I'm with other people I go into the twisty tiny overgrown paths more often.

@TheYearOfSmallThings

Giant cannibal rats live in Epping forest 😉

This is alarming news! I will definitely be tucking my trousers into my socks now.

If they're cannibal rats, then surely it's other rats that they're eating?

statistically we're in a very safe country as far as "stranger danger" to women goes.

Compared to where? I suppose it depends where in the country you are too. Thats certainly not my experience, on the edges of a major city, and the thought occurs that ‘statistics’ only show up the very few reports. I didn’t report any of the times I got followed or flashed at as a teen, as I would have been the one who got locked up. Sadly ime the only predator or dangerous animal I need to fear in this world is an adult human male. Riotlady,

Many years ago I was accosted by a naked, masturbating man while walking in our country park. Fortunately, my dog chased him off. I reported the incident to the police, who asked which hand he was holding it in? It put me off walking on my own for a while but not for long, although I now avoid the quieter parts.
It’s a sad situation that women have to take precautions against attack by men and it is only a very small percentage of men who are a danger to us, but it has always been that way and with society as it is today, we sadly have to continue to be careful.

My parents' friends, keen forest walkers and mushroom pickers, found a dead body in the forest once, so that story put me off exploring the wilderness by myself for life. It's not as uncommon as it might seem.

I live opposite a common and several men have been spotted masturbating in the bushes when lone women walk past, has put me off going by myself

I do all those, no worries at all.

I walk in local wood/fields alone a lot. Usually in daylight but I would do it at night too. I’m in a village though so likely hood of someone else being in a field at night is small. I’d be more weary about a quiet park in the middle of a city at night etc.

I walk in Epping Forest alone (well with the dog!) DH and DC don't want to come with me and I am more likely to see the deer without them.

I do tend to stick to the areas I know really well and the Forest has got a lot busier over lockdown.

I read far too many horror stories/sky crime to do it - if I do I phone someone and flap along quickly which is hardly enjoyable

I have been doing this with no issues for years. Only during the day and there are normally a couple of people around but sometimes not.

The other day there was a man (with his dog) just standing on a path. Not too strange I thought but something prickled my senses and I was nervy as I made my way through the woods (with my soppy lab). Towards the end of my route he just appeared again. Standing with his dog and smiling at me. Not necessarily anything untoward and most likely a coincidence I bumped in to him again. I was relieved to be close to a path that was more open and picked up my pace whilst looking behind me. So all was fine but I don’t know why I felt nervy.

I did once get scared when I was walking with my daughter when a man was behind us. Nothing remotely scary about him I just suddenly though of Lyn and Megan Russel and freaked myself out.

If they're cannibal rats, then surely it's other rats that they're eating?

Excellent point! Phew, I can untuck my trousers.

I did with dog for his first 7 years - then I had my son and suddenly became risk averse. Don't know why I thought it was OK to risk my safety before motherhood

I do, all the time. Not in the dark, but that's more because I worry about tripping over stuff or stepping in something I can't see. I'm far more worried about walking alone through town than I am about walking alone in forests/fields/nature reserves. I don't often have a dog with me, I'm usually completely alone. I love solo walking, and am secretly relieved when dh and dd don't want to come.

I have also never forgotten the Russell family.

I do, although a woman approached me last year at the entrance to the local woods saying there was a bloke flashing himself at her, he'd been following her and she'd called the police. There was quite a few other walkers around so I went anyway but just kept alert incase of any weird men. There was no mention of it on the police fb page or the local gossip page so I did wonder whether it was true.

Sometimes do it but generally don't feel that safe.

Yes, pretty much every day. I can walk into woodland 5 mins away or drive for 5 and be in the forest. I love it.
The less I see people the more I enjoy it. If I'm power walking for exercise I stick to the fire tracks. If I'm doing a long dog led walk we go along the deer, boar or mountain bike tracks.
At this time of year I'm happy to be out until dusk. I the winter I still go out just not as late as even though the dog has a light up collar on I can't see any animals he might potentially chase. If I see them first I can stop the chase.
I used to walk all over London at all times of day and night. I had more hassle on the tube than I've ever encountered here.

I walk a lot, with dog and without. Wouldnt bother me.

Nope! If there were a weirdo you would have zero chance of getting away and if I were a weirdo I'd wait in a woods for a lone woman . Not worth the risk !

I do, daily. With or without dogs.
It’s my happy place, I love a forest or woodland!

I think area absolutely plays a part in this. I would never walk in any forest or parks even during the day alone. My husband goes to the car if it’s getting dark right outside the door because the things that go on in a big city like ours is unbelievable. In the last 12 months a poor women was raped in broad daylight walking along a canal next to our home. It’s over looked for businesses and houses. It’s just too risky and that is really sad because I would love to relax and go for a walk in the forest, it would be so nice but just can’t do it.

An actual forest or just a very leafy area?