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 😃

I did a lovely hike over Farleton Fell, just off J36 on the M6. For those in the area. Much quieter than the lakes at this time of year.

I won't be walking much at the moment. I got another massive blister in the same place as last time I walked long distance. It's pretty sore in one bit. Feels badly bruised? I'm hoping it'll heal asap as missing walking.

Compeed?

Yes used them when the blister was there. This is the aftermath 😞

We always go the other way into the silverdale/arnside area, but should go up there and Hutton roof sometime ... maybe when it's cooler though.

@ErrolTheDragon

We've done so many walks around Silverdale / Arnside now, we fancied a change. Think we may go further next time, towards Ingleton, as it looks like there are some nice walks around there too.

Lots of lovely hiking happening, by the sounds of things! Little too far for me to take advantage of your tips, sadly.

I managed to get out today after a rather 'meh' few days - seem to have lost my mojo a little at the mo. But it was beautiful - a coastal walk to take advantage of the sea breeze as it was very hot today... round to Portchester Castle and up through Paulsgrove. Was rather lovely and I had real property envy over some of the more grand, detached properties near the front.. eye-watering prices I would imagine but very British!

Will try to head out down the New Forest coast tomorrow, traffic permitting (it is punishing, this time of year!) But for now, here's the castle and a nice shot of some sailboats 😃

I’m the poster who was incensed at the lack of boots in Decathlon and ordered walking sandals and boots from mountain warehouse. Sadly forest fires stymied our planned tour in Saxon Switzerland so somehow we ended up in luxury hotels in Bavaria and Lake Garda 😉
Less walking and more eating than planned, we did a couple of five hour walks in Bavaria and lots of swimming and short upward walks to a restaurant by the lake.

More pics. I’ve only worn my walking sandals, got some funny looks from fierce fraus but lovely not to have hot feet!

somehow we ended up in luxury hotels in Bavaria and Lake Garda

Our hearts bleed for you...
It is about the fires though.

...it is sad about the fires, that was meant to be.

Lovely little hike locally to us last weekend. There are many around us they call ‘slow trails’ which are generally 5km or less. Ideal for walks with 2 year old.

This one had nice little yoga wooden platforms, so places to make nature art with rock patterns and some live willow yurts for Ds to play in. Little Hut at the end had lovely plum cake for after

Lovely pics @Etinoxaurus . I’ve never found a pair of walking boots that feels comfortable on my feet, so I wear walking sandals most of the year, unless it gets very close to freezing. Obviously there’s less ankle support, but I’ve not found that to be an issue for me & the kind of walks I do.

Stunning pictures, Etinoxaurus - I particularly like your cows, chewing on the edge of a precipice!

And where you live sounds just wonderful, Caspian - love the idea of little crafting stations (and plum cake!)

I managed a shorter route today, 15k round a local nature reserve and then down lots of little country lanes... wasn't overly picturesque but some of the houses/cottages were so beautiful and peaceful - I really need a little bolthole somewhere deep in the country! Shame DC put a spanner in the works really 😆

Really hot one though and am off camping for the weekend tomorrow so likely not going to be out and about until mid next week... shall console myself with some cider in the sun instead.

Hope the foot is healing well, CuriousMama?

Gorgeous photos everyone.

SanFranBear thanks for asking. It's great not sore at all. I've kept it moisturised and got some arnica cream. Also used a foam cushion under the ball.
Planning our next LDW now 🙈😂

I do so enjoy reading this thread. Lovely photos of Bavaria-we should be going to Austria soon but DH worried about flights and hassle so we’re going to sunny Scotland instead.
Her’s a walk we did last weekend-looking out at Tryfan and Snowdon in the sunshine.

Absolutely beautiful pics everyone. Loving the pics of Tryfan, such a stunning area!

And SanFran that water looks so inviting in this weather!🥵

20+ miles through the Lakes for me this hot sweaty weekend, collecting another 9 Wainwrights as we went - now done over 100 with 112 still to go. Up on the tops was hot but breezy which helped cool me down but REALLY struggled with the heat during an evening hike to pick up Sheffield Pike and Glenridding Dodd on Friday night. Note to self - don’t hike in the extreme heat when you’re going through perimenopause! Pic is of Ullswater from the descent of Arnison Crag yesterday. Loving reading about all your hikes at the moment.

Epic hike there, SweatyChamois! And almost halfway through the Wainwrights which is very impressive!

Can't wait for the weather to break a little - I've actually enjoyed walking in the heat (beats sitting at home, sweltering!) but won't lie about looking forward to a walk where I'm not dripping before I've even started!

Has anyone else got any plans for this week? I think I'll do another coastal effort on Wednesday, down and round the southern New Forest although traffic does put me off this time of year!!

Obviously not in the UK at the moment but an exceptional overnight hike over the weekend! We thought there might be a bit of snow ❄️. Bit more than expected! NZ is set up with a big network of huts with bunks, tables, and often a log burner. Not a long walk this time - just a few miles each way - but slow going!! Big group of us for a birthday so provisions shared, resulting in a warm fire & mulled wine to counterbalance wet feet & sore legs. Bliss.

Should add - if you look carefully you can see the hut by the stream in the valley!

Just wow!

That is some view, LostInTheColonies - absolutely gorgeous! Love that NZ has such a nice network of huts and trails... wish I'd made more use of them when I was there (although was far more interested in the nightlife!!)

Lovely walk out yesterday despite a 20 minute downpour about halfway through - started at Highcliffe Castle and went down the coast to Christchurch and back. Absolutely beautiful (although my car broke down on the drive back and we ended up having to be towed from the side of a dark road... not the best ending!)

Car health dependant, I was heading out again this afternoon as still DC free. If I can't travel, I will head from home but have to walk through a fair bit if city to get to any decent greenery - but its definitely doable!

Here's the view from yesterday, before the heavens opened!

Happily, my car was given an almost clean bill of health (no idea why my fanbelt keeps flying off!) and was told to drive it a bit to see if they can get to the bottom of it.. so headed out to the South Downs.

My route took me on some of the Monarch Way, a bit of the Itchen Navigation (see my pic) and then a small bit of the South Downs Way to end.. was a lovely afternoon - not too hot but also not the rain of yesterday!

Managed just under 18k and it felt (almost) comfortable which makes me realise just how much my stamina and fitness has improved. My friend mentioned the Three Peaks yesterday and I am definitely not ready for those but am finding up to about 20k enjoyable which is madness from where I started.

Hope you're all enjoying the ever so slightly cooler weather - I'll be sad to see the back of the summer holidays, that's for sure!

Great thread! I love hiking and am in the New Forest next week so can't wait to get started!