Do you do anything to keep yourself safe whilst walking alone in isolated areas?

[Halfcharged]

There’s some beautiful walks around here but some are very isolated, mainly woodland. We’ve been going as a family at the weekends but I’d love to take pup alone on my days off during the week. It’s never crossed my mind that this could be dangerous but my lovely mum seems very worried about me if I’m walking alone.

Has this ever concerned you? Do you avoid certain walks? Carry any kind of self defence devise (I don’t know what-my mum suggested pepper spray 🙄).

I do always let DH know where I’m off too and I have my phone on me.

[YouStupidBoy]

I live rurally and walk or run my dog or run alone sometimes overnight, at about 0400 - 0430 before work everyday and sometimes during the day. I rarely see another soul and don't ever give my safety a second thought (it's one of the things about me that gets DH annoyed).

I feel safe and peaceful in the countryside and the rustlings etc of animals even in woodland don't bother me. Dense fog is the only time I can feel a little spooked now and again.

I always think that the chances of someone waiting in the areas I run and walk in on the off chance a lone female happens along are tiny. I wouldn't be out in more populated areas at some of the times I am out, I'd feel far less comfortable.

[Cheeseontoast4]

Maybe try and walk straight after school run timings - most areas have a few other dog walkers at those times -

[Girliefriendlikespuppies]

I hate walking my dog in the dark so winter is a complete pita. This is in a housing estate! I feel safer out in the countryside tbh.

[MirenaManiac]

I am more cautious when walking on waste ground near heavily populated areas because one rule you can rely on is, where you get a large population of humans, a certain % will be dodgy. But I walk in remote places, lonely tracks, dark woods in the evening etc without a care. Never once felt intimidated - it would be extremely rare for a woman to come to harm this way. I'm in my late 40s now, been doing this all my life. I live in London so I'm not naive about safety. I don't think stranger danger is much of an issue on country walks in the UK. Statistically I think I'm much more likely to come to harm in the car journey to get out to the remote countryside.

[Grandmi]

Unfortunately I never walk in isolated places with my doggie. I have a fear of being somewhere on my own and a weirdo being there!! Am not sure why ...my family think I am a drama lama!!