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 😃

Took a lovely walk this morning with our local Nordic walking group. Looped around some small woodland lakes, overlooking main lake and mountains for 2 hours to the viewing platform.
Found 3 fire salamanders in the wooded areas near the stream, and a huge pile of frogspawn . It was pretty warm

Here are some pictures of this morning’s Nordic walking

Stunning @Caspianberg ! What country is that if you don’t mind me asking?

@Lonelycrab - Austria. It’s southern, with the Italian dolomites in the far distance

Been out a couple of times this week but the mud is still so disheartening. I don't mind trekking more urban routes but there really is nothing better than getting into the greenery and hearing nothing but birds, rustles amongst the leaves and the snap of twigs as you hike!

I am due a really good pay packet this week so am planning on treating myself to two new purchases; proper leather hiking boots and a FitBit type monitor.

My poor boots are wrecked and need laying to rest so went investigating in Decathlon and was rather taken with their Forclaz boot... the reviews look good and they come with a two year warranty. That said, I'd happily take recommendations - I've heard Scarpa boots are good?

Interesting sign from my walk today 😁

@SanFranBear - I have the leather scarpa boots and they have been wonderful. Comfy from day 1, and waterproof. Mine must be 10-12+ years old and still going

Wow... over 10 years from one pair of boots, Caspianberg! That's pretty much me sold then as I get just about a year (1,000k ish) out of my, admittedly, cheap and cheerful pairs but I'm happy to splash a little as tired of ending hikes with wet feet!

@SanFranBear im really surprised also. Mine are really used also. In snow, mountains, garden, etc. I just clean the salt and mud off at the end of each winter and out a cream cleaner on. But inside is also not worn out. And grip still good

@SanFranBear - they were even in our baby announcement back in winter ‘19

That is absolutely adorable, Caspianberg! And that photo looks utterly picturesque in the background... I have scenery envy - especially following yet another wet day here today!

Supposed to be heading out on a bit of a night hike tomorrow - not sure wet fields are going to be a great idea at midnight somehow! I'll just have to invest in a few cocktails in cans and I'll fly home 😉

My dd got some Scarpas which she seems pleased with but of course with boots you need the ones that suit your feet. There's so many variables - width, where it comes to on the ankles, rigidity of sole and how curved or flat it is - I have to consider all those before thinking about leather vs fabric/suede construction!

I love my altbergs - the G last works perfectly for me - that's wide at the toes, the A is narrow at the toes , and the standard comes in multiple widths and they will sell 2 different sizes for a small premium if you go to the factory store at Richmond

Only 3 season though so it's scarpas for crampon use

Need to get one pair resoled - which helps justify the cost - so used my another pair ( that were resoled when I bought the other pair ) this weekend - managed a few good days in the lakes. Went that way as there are so many hard trails / less mud

I did a teeny hike in Austria too - up a hill behind my hotel.
I've not done many hills lately so I was pleased.

When I retire I want to go back to Austria and Germany

Its not so sunny in Austria today.
Took Ds out for a short walk this morning though before rain started

Found some cute baby sheep

Had a lovely hike on the Isle of Wight on Easter Saturday, we were blessed with absolutely perfect weather which was a real turn up considering all week previously it was grey and wet. My bro and wife, his 2 kids (11/13) accompanied myself and ds (12) and it was great to be out in a little group. Caught the ferry across from Lymington to Yarmouth and followed the coastal path around to Totland through some quite unusual forest, lots of fern type plants and vines in the trees, felt almost a bit like a jungle in places! Great views looking across the Solent to Hurst castle on the mainland.
Had a big cafe lunch basking in the sun, sadly the tide was in so couldn’t check out the rock pools they have there, then traced our way back to Yarmouth along the Yar estuary, a nice easy end to the walk (well apart from one swampy bit of trail that we had no choice but to plough through). Saw possibly the largest collection of swans I’ve seen at once, probably 30 or so at a guess!
Superb day out and we covered around 15km, we all slept well after that.

Beautiful here today in the hills , felt the sun on my face and conditions underfoot much better than the coast path we tried yesterday

Agree that the better weather is definitely lifting spirits - did venture out on the night hike on Wednesday...bloody hell, it got viscious towards the end! Slippery mud as well although we were mostly road based thankfully! Soaked to the skin by the time I got back so absolutely MUST go boot shopping tomorrow.

On that - thank you all so much for your recommendations and thoughts. I'm going to head to Go Outdoors tomorrow as sadly, a fair few of the outdoorsy type shops have closed in recent years. I'll let you know what I come home with 😁

Got a couple of really meaty hikes planned for later this week as DC away for a couple of days.. one about 20k, one about 25k and then dithering on a third as I know I'll be pooped but know I'll kick myself if I don't!

Happy Easter to you all!

Happy Easter everyone.

Im enjoying reading about your walks/hikes and seeing your photos. I’m out of action for a while (hysterectomy) and will have to slowly build up to longer walks again. We are off to Pembrokeshire in June and I’m hoping by then I will be able to walk a reasonable distance, until then I shall be just reading about your amazing hikes.

This might be good news. Click for full write up.

and a happy April to you too.

Mind you, it's only about 15 minutes from Thirsk to the Kilburn white horse, and Rosebury topping isn't all that big so those two might actually be feasible!

Haha... love the idea of Hiker Deliveroo 😁 I do like to go off the beaten track so not sure how helpful it will be but at the same time - could be dead handy if your water bottle runs out, you get a craving for mountain top pizza or your boots give up!

And talking of boots... wooohoooo! I went shopping and really treated myself! Look at my beautiful new Scarpa Rangers... got some cream protector too so I am hoping they're going to be my babies for a few years at least!

Those boots are beautiful!

Just squeezed a local walk in between showers today. Now the clocks have changed I really want to get out walking a bit more.

Very nice SanFran, you’ll clock up many many miles of trails with those I’m sure

They look good boots !

I didn't put mine on today - just a walk round town- what a difference the day makes to the weather