Come chat hiking with me!

[SanFranBear]

I've noticed whenever hiking comes up as a general chat subject, loads of people jump in to say how much they love it. I thought there might be a general thread somewhere on this as I'd love to chat with people who walk regularly but couldn't find one.

Would anyone like to join me? I live down on the South Coast so am lucky that there are some gorgeous places for me to walk - the New Forest, South Downs and further up the coast in both directions. I normally manage a couple of decent walks a week, depending on DC's care pattern, as well as trying to get out for the occasional hour or so on other days. I mainly walk alone but do have a friend who joins me on occasion.

I'm quite a novice as only really started walking in February of this year and the furthest I've walked is just over 20k, but I'm finding it so liberating - I feel like a different woman after a walk, my mind is free and my body feels tired but satisfied, if that makes sense?

Would just be nice to have a friendly chat with like-minded bods. And perhaps share some photos - helps the weather is beautiful at the moment but I'm struck every time I'm out, just how beautiful our country is - even when I'm wandering in the inner city. Here's a couple of pictures from my Friday walk - a stunning church in a village in the middle of nowhere and some great graffiti on the side of a motorway underpass 😃

Ooooh, LonelyCrab - feel like I might bump into you if you're stopping for any longer!

I was also out in the Forest today although much further west, walked just over 14.5k round by Burley and Boldrewood. We also got to see some deer, little fallow ones with their lovely spots - gorgeous! It's coming up to their cull though (if it still goes ahead) so felt a little bittersweet, seeing them bounce through the woods.

A friend brought her dog with us which made it a really special walk - there's something about taking a dog which seems to give such purpose to your wanderings...

I'll be out tomorrow but not sure of destination yet as I'll be working until mid afternoon and then have a Teams interview to support some research mu DD has been part of. But must take advantage of some DC free time! I'll be the one wearing the pink carnation, Lonelycrab 😉

I did the Cumbria way finished on Sunday. Hard going at times and was glad to see the end.
On Sunday night we met a lovely couple from Boston who were doing it with her teen sons. She wasn't very fit or used to long walks. I asked why they chose this one and she said it's because it's a nice easy walk 😮 I think my face said it all. I've done the coast to coast walk ,Cleveland way ,dales way twice. I'd have recommended the Dales way for a first timer. They were doing it over 6 days too. Just hope she's ok?

Another couple

Their sons*

Well done on completing the Cumbria Way, CuriousMama... was it hard going or did you find it quite easy after your previous jaunts? Those pictures are lush and the sunset in particular is absolutely beautiful - what absolutely amazing scenery. Did you have a favourite spot/area?

I headed out again this afternoon to the northern part of the New Forest, so by Fritham and over to Frogham.. about 18k in total. It was surprisingly lovely and enjoyed being on my own with my podcasts! A mix of forest and open moors, including some lovely ponies 🐎

I enjoyed the langdales and going over Stake pass. Plus coming away from Skiddaw house and seeing the views open up was amazing. It was very tough walking in the heat on Tuesday. We got up at 4.30 am and started walking at 5.15 that day to beat as much sun as possible. Got very wet one day but stayed in a lush pub had amazing food so that was good.
The sunrise was taken from Skiddaw house. It's the most remote high up hostel in Britain. I'd definitely recommend staying there. Totally off grid.

Ooops, sunrise 😄 Gorgeous whichever way the sun was going! Sounds like a lovely few days although the weather made it a little challenging... well done though, another one to tick off!

I still haven't made it on one multi-day trek yet but I'm still relatively new to this and once DC have grown a bit more, I'd like to think I'll be all over it!

Curiousmama great pics! Sounds like a really hardcore trek you’ve done, fair play to you👍

Sanfran I love that part of the forest, a little bit less trodden than places like Brockenhurst I reckon.

I'd recommend the Dales way as a starter multi day walk. You can b&b or pub stay or camp. The Cleveland way is a fantastic walk. So varied with moors and sea. I loved the coast to coast walk but I'd have at least one rest day if I do it again.

Oh no 😢
First walk with new Merrill siren 3 walking shoes
My back is too jolted as not enough cushioning under heel.
I cannot wear these again as they are
Would an insole help?
They were not cheap! 😢

Oh no, withiceplease - how disappointing. Are you able to go back to where you got them and ask for advice?

I do have insoles in my shoes and they have helped massively - mine were specific to support Plantar Facilis as I suffer without support but you might just need standard ones (although mine do have extra heel support)

@withiceplease definitely go back to the store for advice.

I can go back to Cotswolds Outdoor and ask about getting proper insoles fitted then.
I'm just worried it's going to be throwing good money after bad though. It's made me really miserable. It was only 9k and a perfect day for walking
I'll ask them. I'll be near there later today

@withiceplease if they aren't fit for purpose they might exchange them? I think Go outdoors are pretty good for that.

Hope you got your shoes sorted, withiceplease?

I was out and about today - original plan was round a vineyard with a friend (not drinking, there is actually a route through the area!) but she wasn't feeling up to it so I took myself off to the hills around Winchester. I touched on the South Downs Way again - not sure you can avoid it if you head that way - but also hit a small footpath which hadn't seen much traffic so the nettles were pretty overgrown. I chose shorts today so my legs are all tingly despite me getting home and in the bath about 2 hours ago!

A small part of my route took me to Wolvesey Castle, the old home of the Bishop of Winchester which stood for about 500 years... impressive place to be honest. You can see the current home of the Bishop behind the ruined palace's walls.

I also went past an active monastery which I didn't think was still a thing. Apparently there's 25 brothers who reside there and provide alms and a place for worship... who knew! The architecture round the city is quite something!

@CuriousMama

Your photos of the Cumbria Way are inspiring. I've done bits of it but not the whole thing. Did you camp or stay in hotels / hostels?

We stayed in hostels pubs and b&bs. Carried our gear.
Have you done any long distance walks?

@CuriousMama

No but I'd quite like to try one. I was wondering how to organise a multi day walk.

The Dales way is a good one. If you're in Facebook all the main walks have their own group. Cleveland way chat UK is a good one. The Dales way has one as does the coast to coast. You get great tips on them.

Thanks @CuriousMama

I will take a look

If you're keen then the Wainwright's coast to coast walk is an amazing experience. It was first one I did.

I've done st cuthberts - it's 4/5 days so not too long , not too hilly and absolutely beautiful

you can get luggage transfer and stay b&b
Or cheaper campsite / hostel
Or carry all your stuff - camping stuff is heavy though

The only thing is to work out tide times so you can walk across to holy island in your bare feet at the end

That's next on my list. I've wanted to do it for years.

Ooh, the St Cuthberts sounds wonderful.. we were only talking Holy Island a couple of pages back!

I got out again today and managed the vineyard trip - lovely afternoon for it and some really different scenery. There was also a folk festival taking place at one of the villages and our public footpath took is right through both campsites - felt very surreal. Just a lovely, strange walk... made me a little thirsty too 😄

@SanFranBear you go on some very interesting walks.