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 😃

Managed to get out the last couple of days, once into the New Forest and yesterday, took advantage of being out at my office and went for a walk round there.

I'm so sad that the summer seems to be over - not just because DC will be back at school on Monday (although that sucks for them!) but its really noticeable how much cooler it is out there and how much earlier it gets dark... was back to my car about 8,15pm last night and it was definitely past dusk 🙁

Out for one final 'hoorah' this afternoon and got a nice 20k route planned... its drizzling at the moment though.

I took today off in lieu of the bank holiday - it makes no difference to my colleagues in the US but a huge difference to the traffic on the roads and numbers of people when you get wherever. We got to the ingleton waterfall trail pretty much for opening. It's not really a 'hike' given its a very defined route and only about 8km - but a lot of up and down and glorious scenery of course, on a perfect day.

Oh it is lovely though!

That sounds beautiful, Errol - given its name, presume there's a waterfall somewhere on the route? Love a waterfall although am guessing most here are not as glorious as they can be given the dryness of our summer.

I managed my 20k yesterday which was basically just a lovely, long walk through the quintessential English countryside... lots of fields, sheep, hedgerows, a couple of strolls through villages that have been there for aons, fords (which were bone dry 😕), butterflies and some fellow hikers and cyclists - and dogs - taking advantage of a lovely afternoon.

I'll still be persevering with my Wednesday walks for the foreseeable but due to work commitments and the nights starting to draw in, I think that might be my last mammoth trek for some time!

Ah well - it has been a truly wonderful summer of hiking for me. I've never spent so much time in my local area or the New Forest... and it's not quite over yet 😀

This is a lovely walk and needs little planning because it's all marked paths.

Haven't been for a few years @ErrolTheDragon I've heard rumours that you have to pay to get in now. Is this true?

presume there's a waterfall somewhere on the route?

Lots of them! You walk up one valley which has a several including a big one (Thornton Force), then across to another valley and go down that with half a dozen or so more.

It's private land, for all the time we've been going there was a quite hefty parking charge but now its £8 per person. But they do have to maintain paths (lots of steps) and bridges, and I believe the profit helps fund Ingleton's open air swimming pool.

Lots of them! You walk up one valley which has a several including a big one (Thornton Force), then across to another valley and go down that with half a dozen or so more.

Well, that sounds absolutely gorgeous and almost magical! Thornton Force - what a name 💪

Late one from me tonight but that's because it's been a bit of a long day. I changed jobs at the beginning of the year and whilst I WFH pretty much all the time, my main office is in Bristol and I need to visit every now and then.

Went over today and then took myself on a lovely walk down the Frome and surrounding area. I had one dicey moment where I went sliding down a steep, muddy hill but it was all my own fault. It was so nice to be somewhere so different as well and I have to say, the street art is fantastic! I took so many pictures of graffiti and attached is my absolute favourite (although there was one on the side of someone's house which was obviously a very personal work - it was of a drummer with a beautiful quote and the garden had drums for plant pots!)

Managed just over 18k which has proper pooped me out so will be off to hit the hay whilst listening to the rain come down... where did summer go 😔?

Sneaked out for a quick walk to the north of my city today as there's a lovely wooded area near the Sports Centre which I didn't even know existed until recently (despite that area being called Lordswood... not sure what I thought it was named after!)

Weather has very much cooled but walked at pace and saw lots of lovely dogs who must be enjoying finally being able to enjoy the early afternoon out and about!

out yesterday for the first time in a couple of weeks ( bar occasional walk to the local river of an evening ) - was exhausted even though it was a gentle one and the weather lovely and mild

With picture

Had a lovely walk from Lulworth Cove to Corfe Castle in Dorset this weekend. Roughly about 10 miles, stunning views across the channel and inland, neolitich settlements, medieval castles and a huge Cornish pasty and a cider at the end.

I had no idea there was a wood in Lordswood either!

@DillonPanthersTexas That sounds like the most perfect day! I am back home in Italy and it is still hot. Too hotvfor a good hike tbh. Missing the New Forest. 😪

@rifling

Purbeck is beautiful ( as is the icecream)

Not sure if people use GPS systems here but if anyone wants ,gpx tracks I can email them.

Ooh Midgetastic - that's a beautiful view!

That's a lovely part of the word, Dillon - I've spent quite a lot of time in a tent around that area! Thanks for the offer of the gpx tracks but, showing my ignorance, what is that?

And glad it's not just me, rifling - it's really pretty up there as well... I expect I'll be up there a fair bit now so will see how it changes...

I was out yesterday for an 18k hike round round Farnborough way... its quite a military area and perhaps because of the period of mourning, lots of the common MoD land was unaccessible. My route got a bit messed up and I actually saw a platoon (is that what you call them?) out on manoeuvres which was unexpected and quite disconcerting - they just appeared out of nowhere in the woods. But I got round and saw some lovely scenery...

My favourite 'spot' of the day was the beautiful Swan and her (his?) four babies. They seemed so big but apparently cygnets either disappear in early autumn or will stay with their parents through to the next Spring. Given their size, I think this little group may not be together much longer 😢

Another couple of lovely walks out over the last couple of days, trying to embrace this late summer sun. I'm not too sure how I'm going to be able to keep up with the walking once the nights draw in? Do you guys wear headtorches or just accept that you have to wait through to Spring?

Yesterday, I was out in the evening so I had just a short 10k which went up by the airport and back down the river.. was lovely and the lake at Lakeside Park was looking especially reflective.

Today I went further afield to get in a decent 15k before my DC come home and spent some time in the Test Valley. It was just lovely countryside with a couple of meaty hills and rivers to cross. I did wonder what on earth this rather strange hut and little net things were - any ideas?

I only do longer walks weekends and holidays anyway, of a winter evening I'd just go round town , try to pop out in my lunch break

@SanFranBear Is that near Kimbridge by any chance? It might be something to do with the trout farming?

Not a million miles away... and there were quite a few people fishing - you can see one in the back of my photo, actually! I would never have guessed that - off for a Google 😆

And yes, Midgetastic - that might be the answer but I just know I'll miss it.. although I took quite the spill today and landed on my right knee. I walked it out fine on my walk but it's quite sore this evening! May have to get the ice out😞

Went out for a trek after watching the funeral today - was nice to be out in the fresh air, the roads were quiet and it just felt good. Lovely one, up Shawford Down and around.

I start a new job tomorrow and have other commitments this week so not sure when I'll be out again... but I will be!

I'm currently 3/4 the way along the Coleridge Way in Somerset/Devon. Been walking it with a dear friend. Every year we go for a long walk together. Today and yesterday was 18 miles apiece. Legs a little sore but an easier 14 miles tomorrow to our destination in Lynmouth

Today and yesterday was 18 miles apiece.

Wowsers - that sounds exhausting, even the 'easier' 14 miles today! It's good the weather has held for you... are you camping? Or have you got some nice pitstops along the way for nice hot baths and showers. Sorry for all the questions - I love the idea of a long, multi-day walk but have yet been lucky enough to have the time...

I'm very envious!

@SanFranBear hotels and pubs! I couldn't cope without a bed at the end of the day!

A short walk this weekend, Chess valley in the Chilterns, not quite as dramatic as the Dorset coastline but very pretty countryside nonetheless.

We were on bits of that here and there in our holiday in exmoor earlier in the year. Lovely part of the world.