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 😃

Helm Crag today. We got down before the torrential downpour but you can see the black clouds coming in 🌨

Oooh, rifling! Think its due to get super hot again next week. Luckily, there's so many different types of terrain in the New Forest, plenty of ways to keep cool and still see so much beauty!

But talking of the New Forest...

I had a very unexpected day free today so, after over indulging last night, got out to clear the old head! Managed 21.5k across the middle and it was just wonderful... walked through the Reptile Centre, saw some deer at Bolderwood, visited The Queen of the Forest (one of the biggest and oldest Oaks in the National Park!) and met some gorgeous ponies as I looped back round! Proper pooped now but definitely the best use of some extra free time!

Oh, cross post Shelfy... I love that second picture! So atmospheric - is that the actual crag which gives Helms Crag it's name?

Managed to get here earlier and also fit in a quick New Forest hike! I really hope it doesn't get hotter - perfect at the moment.

I'm not surprised you're pooped @SanFranBear - that's some mileage. I only did 6km!

Wainwright called Helm Crag the Lion and the Lamb but I can't quite work out why....

I’m heading up to Cannock chase tomorrow for the week, never been before, looking forward to doing a few walks of the dc will allow me.

I went into the Carneddau mountains yesterday and walked 10 km along the Roman road that runs through the area. The Romans may have built the road, but the route was clearly used long before that, as a main route through the mountains. There were signs of prehistoric activity all over the place, including standing stones and Bronze Age burial chambers, as well as signs of more recent activity.

It amazes me to think that these mountain routes used to be such a hive of activity, as we didn’t see a single walker all day. Probably because getting up there involves a hellishly long climb on a road with a 1:4 incline. My calf muscles were burning! Worth it though 😊

Was that in Rowen🤣. You have to be fit to live there!

@Subbaxeo , yes we did start in Rowen! I live on the other side of the hill, which is just as steep. We all have amazing calf muscles here 😂

Love your mountain road tale, CrimsonAlligator - I can sort of see it in my minds eye! I do love all the history that you stumble across whilst wandering across this beautiful country of ours - not discounting the incredible places some of you post from.. its such a beautiful world!

For example, it really amazes me just how much my area has been shaped by WWII - every which way I turn there is a monument, an informative sign, a cenotaph or just a small memorial to all the troops and celebration of the mammoth effort which was spent supporting the war effort. I come across something practically every hike, whatever direction I go in - it was so all encompassing!

I have been out the last couple of days although, what a difference a day makes: Pic 1 was yesterday, gorgeous sunny walk down the Solent coast whilst Pic 2 was today, drizzley and slightly grey day walking some of the Test and Clarendon Way.

The second walk was just over 23k which is the furthest I've walked... ever, maybe 😄 but was really refreshing and most needed as I won't be out until mid next week now (although have a boozy music festival this weekend which will involve a lot of walking and, hopefully, dancing but it's not quite the same!)

23 km is a lot! @SanFranBear 😯

I find it fascinating to see all that history in the landscape. Years ago, I worked with a landscape archaeologist who taught me how to “read” a landscape and spot signs of prehistoric activity. I’ve never looked at a landscape in the same way again and have become a bit of a bore who’s forever pointing out hut circles and finding ancient way markers 😂

I would love to go for a walk with you, CrimsonAlligator... that's the sort of thing I love and wish I knew more!

If only we didn’t live on opposite sides of the country! @SanFranBear

I went for a 10 km walk along the Menai Strait yesterday. That seems like nothing compared to the distances some of you are doing, but it was very enjoyable and nice to walk on the flat for a change!

I timed the walk to coincide with a high tide and brought my binoculars in the hope of seeing some wading birds. I wasn’t disappointed. There were literally thousands of them gathering on the small strip of muddy beach that had been left by the tide, all patiently waiting for the tide to go out again ☺️

I'm not walking anywhere at the moment. Back is agony.
Loving the posts and living vicariously through you all 🙂

Same!
I've got bad sciatica and on Tuesday night I think I trapped a sciatic nerve. The Internet says walking will help but I think that's once I can walk at all.
No backpacks for a while.

Have you looked up exercises for it on YouTube?

I have.
I was sad to see that most of yoga seems to be out of bounds. And squats.

We’re up in Scotland this week-the scenery is just on a different level to anywhere else in the UK. We did a taster walk when we got here to practise for the longer ones. Noticeable how low the rivers are though, even here.

A few shots of Scafell Pike on Sunday. Beautiful day for it. A lot of scree, sore legs yesterday.

@Subbaxeo l have to disagree as the lake District takes some beating.

@ShelfyMcShelfface I attempted scafell pike a few years back. Only reason we didn't get up is had just had a bereavement (young man) and I was crying walking up. Just couldn't do it. But I'm going to one day soon. I love hills.

Some incredible photography in the last few posts - makes me wish I could escape to further afield but I shall have to bide my time... for now! The one of the mini waterfall on Scafell Peak is a real treat, Shelfy - beautiful!

Sorry to hear you're both in pain at the moment, CuriousMama & SuperLoud... hope everything eases for you soon - pain is just the worst!

I agree on the Scottish front, Subbaxeo, but I'm Scottish so you'll never persuade me otherwise. Interesting what you said about the water levels though.. I walked through the same area on two different hikes, a couple of weeks apart and the river was noticeably so much shallower.. I feel very much for the animals who rely on the streams and rivers although am sure in a few months, we'll have more water than we know what to do with!

Happy trekking those of you taking advantage of these last few weeks of summer - am hoping I'll be back out tomorrow and Thursday...need to plan a route or two!

Scotland has such variety and is such a large area that it's an unfair comparison- but the far north west hills are for me the best place ( when the north coast 500 isn't taking over , the midges are in hiding and the sun is shining and you can sit at a top and see the sea and islands )

Can be trackless , rough and rugged underfoot , lonely , so I guess other people might think differently ( so much the better - I like the lonely bit!)

Sorry useless at taking photos

That looks amazing @midgetastic

I'm half Scottish (dad) and agree it is beautiful. Love the remote lakes though.
I should be going up Scotland to stay with an old friend soon. Get some hiking in too.
Back is ok now thank goodness.