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 😃

Can't say I blame you, faffadoodledo!

And I grew up very close to the Chilterns, Dillon, although the more northern end from the Chess Valley - its beautiful round there! My brother lives very close to there still though so perhaps I should pay him a visit - I'm a sucker for a waterfall!

Unexpectedly out yesterday as my evening meeting was postponed... with my new work hours, I didn't start out until 5,45ish and so by the time I'd got round (about 16.5k) it was pretty dark and had to get my phone torch out. I thought I'd chosen a route with mostly residential streets for the second half but there was some cross country - was quite unnerving at points but surprisingly peaceful!

The first half of the walk went down the coast to Lee-on-Solent where I've never been and it was gorgeous.. been a while as have been mostly inland, over downs and suchlike. It was quite flat as well so also, a welcome change.

@SanFranBear crikey you must have stanked those kms to make it back before dark!

Oh, it was dark by the time I got back to my car and didn't feel as well equipped as I should've been. So have invested in a hat with a torch and a high-vis waistcoat type thing to bung on over my jacket once it gets dark.

Went out last night and I think I need to either stay very urban (although can expand which towns or cities I go round) or stay very much forest/off road based. I had to walk down a narrow, country lane last night and did not enjoy it at all. I only came across one car but made me realise how dark it gets when there are no street-lights or pavements. Dangerous too even with my high-vis and torch.

Am out again this weekend but it will at least be in daylight! Funnily enough - no photo from yesterday!

What a wonderful thread, I hope you don't mind me joining you. @SanFranBear I am loving your photos. I grew up around there and your pictures have brought back lots of happy memories.
I'm really, really pushed for time because of work at the moment but am trying to go out most days with a longer walk at weekends as I need to get my fitness levels up in preparation for doing The Ridgeway National Trail next year. I would love to hear from anyone who has done it.

Fantastic username, undergroundoverground - and would love for someone to chat to. The thread has, understandably, gone a bit quiet with the nights drawing in and the weather taking a real turn, but I'm determined to keep up the walking as its made such a difference to me this year.

I did The Ridgeway Race (26 miles, I think) when I was at school but don't live anywhere near it now. Are you planning on doing the full 87 miles - that's an impressive feat, best of luck!

I hear you on time, though - I've recently gone back to full-time hours which are a real shock and mean I can't get out as early as I'd like during the one day a week my DC go to their Dads for the night. But, I'm persevering and have every other Friday night & Saturday daytime to get some km's in too...

Speaking of which, two very different days this week. Yesterday was dreadful, weather wise, but I made my way over to Southsea for a walk down the promenade! The rain and wind made it somewhat challenging but other than the damp, was a lovely walk (and I've now bought some waterproof trousers!!)

Today was so very different - sun was out and it felt like the early days of summer. Headed out to the New Forest to do a quick loop before the DC come home and it was glorious. Lots of people, actually (although did choose a more popular spot of the Forest)

So here's a drizzly Spinnaker Tower and some little ponies (quite a few were looking pregnant so looking forward to the spring when all the foals are out and about!)

I need to read through these for ideas, so shamelessly bumping to keep this active

FFS your post popped up after I posted that, really shouldnt get distracted while writing...great thread though!

I haven't managed to get out at all this week so I am impressed that you walk so far and work full time @SanFranBear Lovely ponies!

Not sure how far I walked but did a lovely 2 hours around The Crown Estate this afternoon. Everything was so green and beautiful which seems amazing after everything was so dry in the summer.

@SanFranBear I'm planning on doing the full 87 miles of the Ridgeway over a week. I have done a couple of 100km walks in the past over 24 hours: London to Brighton and The Thames Path, but hope to take a more leisure pace with this one though and enjoy the scenery. Still need to do about 16 miles a day though hence getting some practice in.

It's mostly just weekend and holidays here or a stroll to the river // through town after work or even lunchtime in winter

Currently in Yorkshire moors with mother so it's quite short walks ( she is well over 80 and clearly slower than she was even 2 years ago ) but still great fun - we did 7 miles in total yesterday so I am waiting to see how she feels today

Goodness, Midgetastic - hope I'm still racking up the miles in my 80s.. your Mum is fabulous! Hope you're having a lovely holiday - bet the moors look amazing in this misty, wild weather.

And am very impressed with your '100km in 24 hours', undergroundoverground - I can't even imagine how tiring that must be! Something to aim for one day, for sure! Best of luck with your training but sounds like you know exactly what to do!

Picked up a hideous cold so will have to see how I feel for any midweek outings this week.. but know I'll regret it if I pass!

She was up for another 7 miler yesterday!

Think she has really enjoyed being somewhere different, and having a chauffeur

Chilling and home today

100km in 24 hrs is not for me - I'm a plodder but I also need sleep

@midgetastic is your mother Sheila Hancock? 🤣

Nat at all 😂

Shouldn't that be gnat at all midge 🤣

😂

Went on a short hike with the kids today but something went wrong with our map reading as it was supposed to take 2 hours but we were back at the car after 1!

Sorry you got lost rifling but wow! That looks lush.

What a beautiful morning this morning. I did about 4 or 5 miles around The Surrey Hills and it was glorious out. Wished I could have kept going but unfortunately work beckoned.

Oh that looks lovely
Great idea to move before work

Oh - such beautiful scenery both.. so much green! And those early morning shots are just delightful, overground!

I've not been out this week as been full of cold and family commitments has meant a lot less free time! This is probably the first week since March that I've not even got out for a 5k in my neighbourhood so need to try and get out - tomorrow lunchtime maybe?

Again, I don't think it really qualifies as a hike but did about 4 miles before work again this morning. It's a lovely bonus of having to drop my daughter at the train station at 7.15am and my dog thoroughly approves of these early starts.
It was Quite grey and a bit drizzly but I went to The Crown Estate and just enjoyed the peace and the changing from Summer to Autumn. I must admit I love this time of year.

Being out in nature definitely counts, overground! And I also love Autumn (provided its not raining!) - the carpet of leaves is my favourite!

I'm going to try and take advantage of the sun today and get out for a longish walk round the South Downs... Will have to see what the DC fancy as there was talk of swimming yesterday which will also be fun but not quite the same! If not today though, definitely tomorrow!!