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 😃

Hi everyone 👋

I'm in the middle of a 2 day hike along the south Cornish coast, in fact I'm sitting in my tent as I speak 😂

Not doing big miles on this trip because I'm carrying all my equipment but got done lovely pics yesterday 😁

Wow, squashedalmond, those photos are gorgeous. Has the weather held for you today as its turned rather miserable here, slightly further up the coast. Impressed you're carrying your life on your back - other than time, that's what puts me off multi-day hikes although I think I'd plump for hostels? Although I do love camping - I guess your tent is nice and lightweight?

I love your photo too, Etinoxaurus - what curious looking rocks. Is there a story behind them?

I'm trying to build up my hill fitness after covid so actually managed a walk up a hill near me. Dd was obsessed with the bluebells so all my photos are of them.

This is all the stuff I look with me, my tent is a 2 man but it's not the lightest unfortunately as I don't have ££££ to spend on a super light one 😂 It's very robust and roomy though, so if you have 2 people carrying it's absolutely fine and you can split the weight.

It's been a very tough walk but absolutely brilliant, I was so lucky with the weather and fortunately the heavens have only just opened now I'm on the bus home 😆 I even managed to squeeze in a sea swim!

Hostels/B&B's etc are definitely a great option if you don't want to carry everything and it does make a difference in how many miles you can cover. As tough as it is though, it's actually very empowering knowing that you have everything you need right there with you, you are totally self reliant! I could eat, sleep and wash without any outside assistance, I've I'd needed to wild camp I could have easily done it 😁 Just needed to refill my water on occasion.

Some amazing pics on here, it's great inspiration for future hikes! 😁

Impressive packing, squashedalmond! And pretty inspiring as well - definitely considering a couple of days away over the summer. I've got a little two man tent me and my best friend took round NZ many years ago now and its definitely on the lighter side (and compared to my current family one with airbeams, positively weightless!) Did you camp alone too - or find a little site?

You should definitely do it @SanFranBear! It's an amazing experience 😊 There's lots of ways to cut down on weight and with 2 people it's even easier.

I stayed at sites as I wanted to make sure I had a place to stay for the nights and use the showers/toilets/water points, but I'm sure I could have wild camped if I needed to. I just don't like the idea of potentially being moved on after a long day of walking 😂

Have only skimmed the thread will come back and read properly later.

But the bluebells have been good this year.

A few pictures from my walks along the Yorkshire coast this weekend. I’d forgotten just how incredibly cold the North Sea can get.

Saturday was the only day of the week when I wasn’t wearing multiple jumpers. I actually hit a new record of FOUR jumpers on Sunday. I could barely do my coat up, or move my arms 😂

On the one warm day we had, we were hit by clouds of insects of almost biblical proportions. They weren’t the stinging type, but they did get everywhere! I think I prefer the colder weather.

Nevertheless, I can really recommend the Yorkshire coast for walking holidays. It’s stunning with all its lovely little coves, caves and interesting rock formations. I’m already planning a return trip! 😊

I can only find the rocks described as wind formed!
I’m surprised they’re not called the three sisters; they look a bit like doves.

They do!! I like to name everything and am surprised they're nameless as they're so distinctive... they should go with yours - the Three Sisters 😀

That coastline looks lovely, CrimsonAlligator - really moody and windswept. I'm impressed with your layering - I sweat up a storm (sorry, possibly TMI) when I walk so rarely wear more than a t-shirt under my walking jacket but it does sound particularly cold where you were.

Beautiful bluebells, Barbara - I've amazed at how hardy they are.. they seem to have sprung up everywhere around here!

Off out for a walk with a friend later but it'll just be a local one, round the city streets as we both have DC at home. Better than nothing but counting down until Wednesday when I can get out again. I'm in a meeting until early evening so it'll be a bit of a late one but looking forward to being out at a different time of day - perhaps see a wider selection of wildlife? Hoping to see a lovely sunset at least!

The wind in Yorkshire is famously lazy - it doesn't go round you, it goes through you.

Those stones look like they've wandered off from the Yorkshire sculpture park or suchlike!

Ha ha, I love that Errol. Very true!

I’m not sure what the criteria for a hike are, but I had a lovely 6 km evening walk on my local beach/ saltmarsh. It’s almost always completely deserted, which adds to its appeal for me 😊

That's lovely.
I've just been walking in one of the local river valleys, still full of bluebells - a nice circuit which climbs sharp but short up onto the moors. It was hazy today but still good views.

I'm kind of placemarking really. Love hiking and done a lot, but I use routes from books and rarely strike out on my own.

We've got a dog now which has changed the dynamic a bit.

Id like to join up, if I may..
Currently on holiday in our campervan in Cornwall ...( And currently sitting in it as its utterly tipping down atm!)
But here's a stretch of this mornings walk...Rocky Valley near Tintagel.
I am fortunate though to live near coastal path on Isle of Wight so can get out pretty often.. I need to do more though, as the last couple of years , I have vegetated a bit ,so hoping this thread will help motivate me ...

This is a wonderful thread! I'm loving everyone's photos.

It inspired me to walk this past weekend. Not sure I'd call it a hike (4.5 miles pretty flat) though. At what point does a walk become a hike?

Here are some pics.

QueenMabby I reckon that definitely counts...

@CrimsonAlligator Wow, where is that? It looks beautiful.

At what point does a walk become a hike?

Do you know, I haven't got a clue? I guess if you get a bit puffed out and know you've been walking then it probably counts? I guess being out in the wilderness also helps although the New Forest where I am can get very busy so it's not really isolated as such.. and you can definitely do some urban type hiking (although probably don't need the poles for those!)

I guess though, it doesn't really matter - and especially not for this thread... its about posting your adventures, sharing great tips and beautiful photos - just getting outside!

It's a hike if you definitely need tea or beer after (if not during) it, I think.

A very sensible approach 😆

DH and I like to walk in and around our local area of North Oxfordshire. Loads of nice walks here. I am not good at uphill and can only do about 3-4 miles due to a heart rhythm problem, I get out of breath, but I do at least try! Always feel better afterwards.

Rather a late one this evening - got back to the car for 10pm and it was properly dark. The final few km's were down a waterfront but we were in quite dense woodland before that and I couldn't see very far in front of myself at all! So grateful I had company tonight - although I probably would have chosen a slightly different route if I'd been alone.

There's a large storm down here tonight although didn't get caught in it - the lightening was fierce though, flashes seemingly to light up the whole sky. Sadly, I'm no photographer so didn't catch anything on camera but did get a nice snap of the harbour as well as a wreck of a Norse longboat (although pretty hard to make out in the dark!)

Out again Friday morning - definitely sticking to daylight hours for the forseeable!!

Yikes, not sure I’d feel comfortable walking in a thunderstorm @SanFranBear . That sounds way more scary to me than walking in the dark 😬

I went for a walk through an ancient woodland yesterday. Lots of beautiful trees and ferns and one of Wales’ highest waterfalls (I think!) at the end. Years ago I went for a walk through this valley with an archaeologist, who pointed out all the remains of houses & hut circles and how to roughly date them. I’ve not been able to walk there since without being acutely aware of all the history in those hills. It’s a pretty special place.

@Subbaxeo , the last picture I posted was taken on the edge of the Menai Strait (Wales) looking inland.