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 😃

Been an amazing week or so for walking, at least down here on the South Coast - glorious sunshine but still a slight chill early on so not too overwhelming. I'm still on track for my Amazon walk as did 35k over the week.

Most notably, I was out this weekend for a glorious walk through the South Downs - I set out just gone 7am so avoided the hottest part of the day just about... but the sky's were clear and blue and the views from the top were gorgeous. I only took one photo (as had been joking with my bf about Cheesehead Foot) but I ended the walk with about 5k along a windy little river. My headphones had run out of juice so it was just me, the burbling water, bumblebees and butterflies galore - Spring has Sprung!

Ah @Juniper68 there’s a little teaspoon of my sibling scattered at Black Crag - it’s a beautiful little fell.

Not done any walking for six months due to fibroids, flooding, anaemia, adenomyosis etc but that’s now sorted and it’s a joy to be back in the hills. A nine-miler up from Walsden to Stoodley Pike in Calderdale but a bit of colour in my cheeks last weekend and then another 6 miles around the edge of the Peaks yesterday. I am back.

@SweatyChamoisPad was it one of their favourites? I've lost siblings too. Before he died brother used to say he wished he could still do long walks. My sister wasn't a walker. Just around shops 😊

I managed two days of walking this weekend - a lovely circular alongside the river Fal and a shorter stint along the Tinners Way in west Cornwall. The wind was fierce on Saturday and early Sunday but dropped as the day warmed up. Absolutely glorious weather and views.

@Juniper68 Unfortunately it wasn't - he had a condition (severe epilepsy and osteoporosis) that meant he couldn't go far from home and he used to be so fit and active. I take him to places and leave him there - the only criteria is that it has to be beautiful or have a good view, and the view from Black Crag was utterly stunning on that evening. I only leave a little - partly after inadvertently sitting in a pile of remains on Helvellyn, and partly because then I can take him to other places too :-)

@SweatyChamoisPad that's lovely. The view from Haystacks is lovely. That's why Wainwright's ashes are there.

High raise is also stunning.

Haystacks is still on my list of Wainwrights yet to do so thanks - will make sure he’s up there. And agree re High Raise - one of my favourite fells thanks to that spectacular view if it’s clear.

You'll love the view @SweatyChamoisPad

I've been confined to barracks (or very limited walking anyway) for over a year with a hideous cough - ultimately discovered it was related to asthma caused by COVID so it was such a joy to get some good meds into me and get out! Not a big walk, but the first one for such a long time, with excellent company, glorious views, stunning sunrise, a night in a cabin... bliss.

@LostInTheColonies that's good you got out. My dh got asthma after covid. It's settling now. He's been using one of those things you blow in to to strengthen lungs. Also uses the inhalers.

Hope everyone had been able to enjoy the lovely weather before the rain today.. if you got rain, of course!

I managed a bumper week of walking with a couple of hikes over 20k and a really nice walk for a date night on Friday, meaning I walked over 60k this week! Really pleased as I was also able to get out to places I've not been able to of late - a particular highlight was the New Forest today, just gorgeous! Lots of deer and ponies - it really is a very special spot!

Not sure what the week ahead brings as work and children and the like but hoping the sun keeps his hat on!

Very mixed few days - very cold last week on the north downs but at least it was dry and sunny and a good stomp

Wow well done @SanFranBear . 20k days are impressive.

I'm fancying doing the Herriot way with dh. Breaks up into 4 times 13 mile ish days. We love that area anyway and know it well. We won't camp but stay indoors.

Might look that Herriot route up myself @Juniper68would be nice to have something a bit different to look forward to when him indoors gets mended

@becausetrampslikeus the Dales way is canny too. Not too long. I think the days of coast to coast Cumbria way and Cleveland way etc are behind me now. I have to build up to long trails.

Herriot way sounds doable.

13 miles a day sounds up my street - I did 25k a day on nice undulating terrain in France last year and it was fine. I love the first version of ACGAS so would love to do some walking around there.

Have any of you read the Salt path? Dh and I have. He's on reading again and I will after he's finished. Looking forward to the film. Seems like great casting. I've seen Raynor Winn being interviewed and looks as if Gillian Anderson has captured her by the clips I've seen?

oooo The Salt Path is such a Marmite book. I loathed it! Something about it felt inauthentic to me. And I just didn't warm to the narrator. I plodded along with them mainly because I live on the SW coast path. But it definitely didn't encourage me to read the next book!

Another sw coastal path book I loved is The Electricity of Every Living Thing.

Also another general walking/philosophy type book is A Flat Place by Noreen Masud.

I wasn't a big The Salt Path fan but I think maybe they just have very different walk personalities to me. I like a plan. And would spend my last £2 on some peanuts or something rather than fudge or whatever it was.

Thanks for the suggestions.
Well plenty must have liked it enough for a film to be made. I thought it was quite honest. But only those two will know. I couldn't get into the second one.

I usually like a quirky book.

I listened to The Salt P on audible.

I got a bit annoyed in parts!! They were so entitled. And judging the other ‘tourists’ Just thought they were a generally unorganised and judgmental pair. But I like walking/hiking adventure books so I sort of enjoyed it 😂 I just thought they were a bit ridiculous at moments.

will watch the film as I like Gillian Anderson. Would love to do the SWCP one day.

Fallen off the thread a bit the last few months due to health issues (now sorted). Hiked up Stoodley Pike in Calderdale last weekend and really missed my hills. Now trying to get back in shape by walking and cycling a lot!

Have booked a few days in Whitby primarily to ride the Cinder Track to Scarborough and back, but thinking about walking the other days. I know there's the Cleveland Way, which I can also do a bit of, but has anyone done any of the Filey end of the Yorkshire Wolds way?

There's Cleveland way chat UK ( and yww) on Facebook. Lots on there have done the WW. I've done the Cleveland Way.

Had a few decent walks lately. Went up Walla crag, haven't done that for years. Camping in Swaledale this week and be walking there too.

This! I live on the SW coast path and hated the way RW talked about others. Not a likeable narrator at all. I also felt we could have done with more detail on what actually happened that led to their impoverishment.