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 😃

So disappointing when stuff like that happens. You will need the walking poles to lift your spirits - occupational therapy

@Gwdihooooo how are you finding Keswick? Been baking 🌞 We did skiddaw today. Cinema tonight. I got some good photos.

Would love to see your photos if you're happy to share, Juniper.

I've been out both yesterday and today with a combined distance of just over 45k.. my legs are feeling a bit tired but I'm pleased to say my knee is holding up beautifully!

Yesterday, I walked the countryside around Salisbury - not an area I've ever really explored before. It was very beautiful and very British... even managed to pop to a National Trust monument, Pillarbox Hill. Other than a vast number of different grasses and varied wildlife, I wasn't too sure what made it so special but it was pretty!

Today, I went back out in the New Forest - it had been absolutely ages as I've moved to the other side of the city and so it's a longish drive there now. However, with DC away and being on leave, I took myself down to the southern edge and oh my goodness, was wonderful. A lot flatter than yesterday but got what is probably one of my most favourite photos of the ponies ever.

It was by Hatchet Pond, just outside Beauleiu and was towards the end of my hike so had started to flag. But the absolutely stunning beauty of the ponies, the little island, the sun being so amazingly positioned just took my breath away! I'm so lucky to basically live here!

Oh wow, that ponies photo! Great to see this thread resurrected.

Great pics @SanFranBear ! Always found Hatchett pond good for donkeys, they seem to like it there too. But lovely pic of the ponies. Also stunning pics from @SuperLoudPoppingAction.

Off to Snowdonia next weekend, hoping the weather holds, the plan is Cadair Idris or Penygader as it’s now known.

Out yesterday for the last of my three long hikes as DC have come home today! It was in the South Downs and my goodness - I picked a very VERY hilly route and, after the previous two days, my legs were really feeling it. I did make it round though and it was another beautiful day so pretty happy with all my wanders this week - just over 68k!

Here are some sheep 😁

Made it out last night and the again today - definitely trying to make the most of the weather as I'm never sure when it's going to end.

Last night was a walk down the shore of the Solent - I wasn't able to start until quite late so didn't want to end up stuck in the dark on the wilderness so stayed city based. Lots of wildlife still abounds though - hence my little ducky pic.

Today, however, made it out into the South Downs again, although a much kinder route than last week. It was soooo hot though - I may have burnt my nose 😆But got a lovely photo of a crow, chilling on a stile - it was very ballsy and didn't move until I was basically mounting the stile!

Loving being outdoors at the moment. Hope Snowdonia is living up to the hype, Lonelycrab - hopefully you'll be able to see through the clouds at the top!

I'd love to go to Snowdonia just never seem to get round to it? I want to walk up Ben Nevis too. Doing Scarfell properly soon (long story)

It's beautiful here today. I've had to nap as more or less did 24 hour shift yesterday. Having a walk out tomorrow though.

I'll see if I can find any nice pics from last walk?

Just looked they're mostly of wild flowers. I'll get pics tomorrow.

Meant Scafell pike 🙈 think I'm still asleep. I'm going out tonight too.

@Juniper68 I strongly recommended you try and get to Snowdonia if you can. It’s a bit of a faff the driving as the roads in that area are twisting and seem to take ages but it’s worth it if you can. There’s walking of all types there, you don’t have to do anything too strenuous and many of the shorter flatter walks are equally rewarding.

@SanFranBear nice pics again, the South Downs can be such hard going- those climbs can be super steep depending on where you are.

Ok so we had a superb time in Wales and managed to do a pretty strenuous hike and wild camp just underneath the peak of Cadair Idris. It’s was pretty darn hot and the sun was relentless but slowly we bumbled about 700 vertical metres up and camped next to Llyn y Gader on the northern side of the mountain.

The views and scenery was nothing short of jaw dropping. We saw a few other people hiking, they were all wild swimming too and it’s obviously a top spot for that. I’m not brave enough though, dipping my toes in was enough!

Was all going perfectly until around 11pm the wind really got going, gusting to about 50mph at a guess. One of the tarps got almost blown off the mountain and it was a stressful hour of so getting them more securely anchored. Only managed to snatch a few bits of sleep that night as I was half expecting to get my tarp blown down too but thankfully it held. Despite all that, an amazing experience and one I’ll never forget. Here’s a couple of pics. On the red sunset lake picture, you can see a trout jumping if you zoom in!

A few pics

Can we resurrect this thread? Autumn & Winter is a great time to get out for a hike, when the light allows.

I took myself up Sergeant Man in the Lakes at the beginning of Nov, with 1st sighting of snow.

Was beautiful and so good for the soul

Oh yes! Don't let this lovely thread die!
Went with a lovely friend to Dartmoor in mid-October and were rewarded with blue skies and even a swim or two in the very cold rivers.

Me and DH are planning a trip to North Norfolk to do some walking in January. Are we crazy? I went to university in Norwich so know those easterlies can be bitter!

Lovely photos you two.

I'm off to the lakes for a couple of nights in Sunday. I'm taking my camera and small tripod see if I can get some good shots.

On Sunday!

@Lonelycrab hope you're around? Those photos are amazing 🤩

Hey Juniper 👋 yeah still here! And thank you.

In August me and ds (11) went back to Cadair Idris and managed to get to the top, it was actually really cold for August, around 15 degrees at the bottom and down around 6/7 up the top. It’s been a long time since I’ve been up anything big so was pleased that we managed it ok, ds was very chuffed! Hope to go back to Snowdonia next summer and maybe try a different peak together….Heres a pic of him at the summit, he was quite excited about being in the clouds for the first time.

And @Juniper68 Good luck for the lakes, looks like you might have some good (but cold!) weather… hope you get some great shots!

@Lonelycrab aww God love him. It's fantastic getting them out.

I'll post any decent pics on here 🙂

There should be a bit of snow on the tops on Sunday

Fell top assessors have started tweeting for the season, for those that are looking at spending time in the Lakes this winter. Can also recommend the Mountain Weather UK app for specific hill and mountaintop forecasts - cos we know what’s going on down the bottom ain’t necessarily what’s going on up the top.

Yes I go to the lakes a lot. Love it in autumn/winter.