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The great outdoors

Here you can find advice on camping, outdoor activities and walking in the UK and abroad.

Come chat hiking with me!

790 replies

SanFranBear · 08/05/2022 14:40

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 😃

Come chat hiking with me!
Come chat hiking with me!
OP posts:
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SanFranBear · 18/08/2024 00:29

Wow... those photos are genuinely inspiring! Just beautiful!

OP posts:
SanFranBear · 07/09/2024 20:43

Thought I'd pop in and let you know I managed to hit my 1,000 miles target a couple of weekends ago with a beautiful walk down the Solent (pic attached!). So I now have another medal to add to my small but perfectly formed collection.

Now the weather has turned, I'm a little sad that it might be harder to get out for long walks later in the day but I'm still determined to regularly get out. I, inadvertently, managed 25k this morning.. I'd arranged to meet friends for a short walk so headed off a few hours before them to get some mileage in before I cadged a lift back... and then they weren't able to make it! So I had to then walk back from our meeting point 😆. Thankfully the weather held but I was proper pooped!

Come chat hiking with me!
OP posts:
becausetrampslikeus · 08/09/2024 08:24

Target easily met @SanFranBear - smashed it ! And a beautiful picture of good weather - a rare thing this year

DelightfulDoris · 11/09/2024 18:06

Looked like a nice sunny day.

Yes I’ve been occasionally going for a walk once everything is done at home. I am now always getting back in the pitch black!

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 12/09/2024 21:11

My back is still rubbish but I'm getting out more on flat ground.
I'm in Finland and went to the beach today.
I saw a hare - they are so massive up close!

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 13/10/2024 10:11

Finland is extremely excellent to hike in. Hardly any big hills, so ideal for building up strength.

Come chat hiking with me!
Wildernesstips · 15/10/2024 19:07

Oh wow, that photo! Beautiful.

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 15/10/2024 19:27

That's not even the nicest bit of Finland - just the closest pretty bit to Helsinki. It has little flying squirrels!

countrygirl99 · 28/10/2024 14:50

I'm off to Finland in a couple of weeks. Visiting my son but we'll probably do a couple of walks around lakes local to him. There are a lot to choose from!

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 29/10/2024 17:19

The weather's about to change but as long as you have good boots and waterproofs, you'll be fine!
I've been appreciating my walking poles for the stretches on huge slabs of granite as they can get slippy.

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 12/11/2024 21:39

Well my stepped approach of exercise achieved by living in Finland has worked wonders.
I managed to climb Pen-y-ghent at the weekend. No views because of the gloom, but a sense of achievement.

Come chat hiking with me!
countrygirl99 · 17/11/2024 06:36

Lovely walk in Helvetinjärvi park yesterday. All my images are too big to load though www.nationalparks.fi/helvetinjarvinp/trails

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 17/11/2024 09:28

That looks like a gorgeous park. What's the weather up to?

countrygirl99 · 17/11/2024 09:42

Weather has been varied. Was dry when we were walking but had some heavy rain on the drive home and a localised storm had brought a tree down across the road. Today is sunny intervals but possibly snow tonight.

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 17/11/2024 19:29

That's good you got decent weather for a walk.

My friend on the West Coast had some trees down in that storm too.

faffadoodledo · 30/11/2024 18:02

Last January me and DH had a great holiday in north Norfolk walking the coastal flatlands. We were SO lucky with the weather!
Thinking of another risky trip this January, but this time to the Lakes. We've been several times before but I'm wondering if we're crazy to consider it! I really want to do Cat Bells. We'd be sensible with our gear, and DH is a whiz at navigating. But even so.... thoughts? X

becausetrampslikeus · 30/11/2024 22:48

Pot luck - Just depends really on the weather - it's ice I would be most concerned about at that time of year

Cats bells is straightforward and well possible even with the short days - but I wouldn't see the point if there was no visibility

countrygirl99 · 02/12/2024 11:32

I've decided I'm going to do a solo long distance walk next autumn. Currently choosing between the Fisherman's Trail in Portugal end Sept/early October and Exmouth to Lyme Regis in early September. Both are the same base price ( within £30) but flights and airport carpark make Portugal a couple of hundred more. But the weather is probably more predictable in Portugal. Decisions, decisions!

DelightfulDoris · 04/12/2024 18:04

Wow Fisherman’s trail looks like it would be very picturesque.

Since getting out a bit this Autumn I think I’d like to do something to make the most of it next year.

I already have the second half of the Pennine Way to do in April though. And don’t want to take advantage of my DH being generous looking after stuff while I’m away.

DelightfulDoris · 04/12/2024 18:05

Has anyone on this chat thread done The Cleveland Way ?

countrygirl99 · 04/12/2024 18:12

I've decided on the Fisherman's trail. Just need to study the Easyjet schedule to work out dates with good prices.

Juniper68 · 04/12/2024 18:13

DelightfulDoris · 04/12/2024 18:05

Has anyone on this chat thread done The Cleveland Way ?

Yes. There's a good Facebook page on the Cleveland way.
I did it over 9 days but a lot do it less. We stayed indoors but you can camp all or most of the way.

Juniper68 · 04/12/2024 18:15

@DelightfulDoris
https://www.facebook.com/share/17vXVzUBMs/

DelightfulDoris · 05/12/2024 22:01

Hi, I joined that yesterday! Will scan though the posts :)
It looks a nice mix of countryside/ coast

Juniper68 · 06/12/2024 12:54

Yes it's a fantastic walk