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 😃

I inboxed you

Does anyone here do group walking holidays? We've been with HF, Ramble Worldwide (previously Ramblers Holidays), and others. We have had many fantastic holidays but the average age seems to be creeping upwards, and I wonder if they have lost their appeal?

Taken the plunge and booked a few nights at the Old Dungeon Ghyll in January. Mad??
We've been several times before but not in Jan. have never done Cat Bells, so that's top of my list.

Love that pub. Have you been to the Cathedral caves?

@Juniper68 no I haven't. I'll take a look at the map. Thanks for the tip.
In fact we've stayed at the ODG twice before - the first time was an almost literal first date. And the second time was for a wedding anniversary. It's a special place for us. I'm just slightly worried that I'm less fit than I used to be for the big hills!

Just take your time. There's low level walking too. Are you going into Coniston? The Bluebird is in the museum now. Nice low level walking there.

https://www.walkmyworld.com/posts/cathedral-cave-lake-district

That looks great @Juniper68 ! I also want to do Cat Bells

But first I need some winter walking trousers. Any recommendations anyone? I have lovely lightweight ones but would like to try some warmer/ water resistant trousers. Which fit nicely too.

I have some fleece lined Craghopper trousers which are lovely for walks when very cold or snowy - they are somewhat water resistant too. However, the reality is that they are actually too warm for 99% of the walks I do. (Or maybe it's just the menopause)!

I've got some new lined craghoppers too, which I've been wearing a lot - today just a couple of circuits of Dunham Massey deer park, not a hike but just the job for this weather.

Mine are a bit loose round the waist but they come with a belt so that's ok.

I've got Craghoppers too. Love that they do a short fit, so many of the more expensive ones drown me. And yes they are warm. I mostly use them when I'm judging winter horse competitions and only walk in them when I'm taking the dogs out in sub zero temps. I have also used them for cross country skiing in Finland.

Well my new trousers worked brilliantly. And I'm buzzing after our very wintery three days in Langdale. Crinkle Crags in the snow and ice (husband is a v handy navigator and carrier of equipment) and another big loop of a high walk ending up at Blea Tarn. Also a less challenging nip up Cat Bells and a fun side trip to the Pencil Museum,.
I feel I achieved something quite amazing - much trickier than my usual walking. Loved it despite the 7 and a half hours it took to get there.
And the ODG bar and its STP were of course on point as always :)

Signing in!

Just booked a fortnight in the Pyrenees. Most of that is an organised nature-watching holiday but am tacking a couple of days on either side to explore some of the GR routes. So pleased it’s getting lighter in the evening so I can get out for walks after work.

We're at Ambleside atm. Going up Loughrigg today hopefully. Weather is great. Clear sky.
Had a few beers and whiskies last night. Dh and ds2 are a bad influence. Ds is an adult I'm not letting a child drink 🤣 I should be ok though. I don't usually drink much nowadays.
Great you're all getting out.

Planning to go to the Peak District walking with a friend this summer. Where might be the best base to minimise driving? Want to be able to do some decent circular walks at high and low levels.

How wonderful to see this thread still going and reading about your lovely adventures.

@faffadoodledo, sounds like you had a wonderful time - I'm really looking forward to a time I can disappear off for a few days of proper walking. Any pictures from your epic trek? I'm afraid I know nothing about the Peak District other than its gorgeous!

And some hiking in the Pyrenees sounds so exciting, @ProbableDoris... I'm not great with hills but I bet its going to be sooo beautiful - especially with the nature watching too!

How was Loughrigg, @Juniper68?

I've been very quiet and absent from this thread but I have been keeping up the walking. I did manage to complete 'Iceland' last year so have signed up to walk the Amazon this year - 1600k which is a bit ambitious but means I have to ensure I get out a couple of times a week!

I didn't stray too far from home today but did manage 25k, at one point headed through a forested section where this peculiar lake/pond/enlarged puddle was. The trees were really striking and very atmospheric! Not out again really until next weekend sadly, but hoping to get another 25k under my belt, although going to be a hilly one.. out in the South Downs and taking in St Catherines Hill, just outside Winchester!

I know St Catherine’s Hill very well from my misspent youth @SanFranBear 😁

I’ve been thinking about doing the Clarendon Way between Winchester and Salisbury. Part of it takes in Broughton Doen which is a beautiful spot.

Hi all
thibgs have been very limited here lately - walking partner injured . Decided last week that I just have to get out by myself for my sanity. I hope the photo is good/ right as I am in a funny mode to avoid the glaring white of the new app

@ProbableDoris there is a lovely book by Tracy Chevalier that features the Clarendon Way called The Invisible Thread.

I feel like all I have been doing recently are local walks, but it’s definitely nice to have more daylight to do them in.

Thanks! I’ll borrow that from the library.

@SanFranBear loughrigg was lovely thanks. Been up Black crag since then that was also amazing. Great views for little effort.

@SanFranBear that's a stunning picture. You are lucky to be able to do 25k. I have two 4 legged hiking buddies that have a limit of around 15k.
I've planned a few things for this year. One goal is to walk the River Ouse over several weekends.
But it's still very muddy around here so I have to stick to the local reservoirs and country parks for now.

Anyone else hiking with dogs? How do you plan/ do several days... thinking of camping!?

Haha, @ProbableDoris - I won't ask for details but I'm sure it was a lot of fun! I've touched on the Clarendon Way on a walk or two, out towards King Somborne and think it shares some of its paths with the Monarch Way.. gorgeous countryside!

Some lovely photos there, @becausetrampslikeus and @Juniper68 - I do love a sweeping landscape.. makes any upwards hike worth it and makes me feel very insignificant (which I actually like!)

@Ylvamoon - it's horribly muddy everywhere at the moment, isn't it! But with local walks with pretty spots like your photo, i wouldnt be too sad staying local. Walking beside a river is so very relaxing so a little jealous of your River Ouse plans. I walked the start of the Grand Union Canal last year and whilst obviously not the same, it was fascinating - looking at all the houseboats and canal boats! The weirdest spot was crossing the massively busy North Circular on a bridge - with the canal just flowing beside us.. I had no idea there were canal bridges like that, it felt very surreal! Can't remember if I took a photo (probably not as I always forget!)

Been out again today on my wide and rolling hills in the sunshine - I wore my sunhat ! makes me glad to be alive . Not at all damp though - extreme fire risk warnings are out for Friday and I can see why

I also had a lovely hilly walk over the weekend, @becausetrampslikeus - managed my St Catherine Hill trek. I definitely felt very alive and the uphill was very much worth it... I like this time of year so much - blue skies but still a slight chill so you don't melt (could do without the mud though!)

Happy wanderings to those able to get out in the week - I normally manage a Wednesday walk but having to postpone this week.. Will have to make up for it at the weekend!!

Lovely weather here today. Managed a short coastal walk. I could actually feel the heat of the sun.
Hope everyone else has a good day.