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 😃

Yes “youth” hostels are poorly named - I did not feel at all old at the sill the other week

but it’s good to see they are still trying to help younger people access the outdoors with some of their schemes - all those 25ps add up - the guy at Berwick yha said they gave 6 families holidays from one years worth of 25p extras

@SweatyChamoisPad well you always need to be careful around a hill that swallows trig points like sweeties !

I've completed the first day of my Rota Vincenta walk. 20km Porto Corvo to Vila Nova de Milfontes. Absolutely stunning scenery. This wasn't lunch spot but the route today was mostly on soft sandwich and I'm not sure my hips are ever going to forgive me! Bit annoyed that I've checked in desperate to get out of my sandy, sweaty clothes and my luggage isn't going to get here until 5. It will be mentioned to the company that organised the trip.

Looks lovely @countrygirl99 . Soft sandwich sounds good 😅

Missed that autocorrect 🤣 soft sandwich may actually be better than soft sand.

One interesting thing I noticed was that most of the walkers were couples or female groups. It's a popular trail and I only saw 3 men not walking as part of a couple (assuming the 2 Italian men walking together aren't a gay couple). Not my experience in the UK.

Should have walked slower and enjoyed what looks like glorious weather !

It was the early start to get going before it got hot that did for me.

Ah - hot - what exactly is that please ? It’s grey skies cold snd windy here

I'm not keen on slow walking. We're there many hills?

Undulating rather than hilly. Which was good because I couldn't cope with a long climb up soft sand. If it hadn't been sandy it would have been a doddle. At least I should sleep well tonight.

Sand is extremely hard work I always find even when it’s mostly flat

Yes you'll sleep well @countrygirl99

I hope the weather is good for you tomorrow 🙏 and for us in the Dales next week

Had a lovely few days walking bits of the Cornish coast path with a friend. Porthcurno to Lands End loop, St Ives to Zennor and back inland on the coffin path, and Penare to Gorran Haven via Dodman Point. Choughs, seals, and even a dolphin. We were very lucky with the weather!

Oh that looks beautiful too !

Some beautiful photos the last few days.. and some incredible sounding adventures! I'll apologise now for my offering below from this morning which perfectly sums up my local neighbourhood 😂

Well done @SweatyChamoisPad on conquering some Wainwrights - glad it's reignited your passion to do them all!

@countrygirl99 - sounds like you've got a good few days ahead... and I'm a big fan of undulating over steep hills - once I've got my 'walk on', I just keep going until I get there! Hope your luggage catches you up earlier for the next few days!

The weather looks like it was glorious @ProbableDoris and such a beautiful part of the world. Although love you just dropped a little bit of Iceland on the thread @Wildernesstips - looks wonderful.

It's been many a year since I've stayed in a YHA but they were always seen as a bit 'proper' when I was travelling, not as down or dirty as most other places. Sounds like I'd much prefer that now given my aching back and gently failing knees! Great to see everyone out and about still - I'm worried the darker nights and rubbish weather is going to dampen my enthusiasm but I shall keep on keeping on!

Day 3 complete. Every day so far has had a section of soft sand but thankfully not as much as day 1 and alll done with after about 9km today. Weather was cooler and cloudy today with drizzle for the first couple of hours and it was a bit of a relief from the heat. Massive waves crashing on the rocky coast. Back to sunny tomorrow. Today was the longest at 22km. Accommodation has been very good - comfy bed, good shower and close to restaurants for an evening meal.

@countrygirl99 good to hear yesterday went well. Good luck for today.

The Dales beckons for us. I need to sleep now and be up and ready to get away tomorrow.

Love the Dales

Finished my Rota Vincenta walk. Last day was tough. First 3 days were undulating but this one had some really steep and rocky bits. The sort where you think bloody hell I'm an OAP I could use that as en excuse! Today is the first day I woke up still aching but that could have been the wine with my celebration meal last night🤣.
But I do want to do another long hike next year, just need to decide where.

Oh wow - doesn’t it feel good?

we are toying between pennine way and southern upland next year. Because we already have the books

if anyone has any guides for any of the easier UK long distance paths that they no longer need I have bookshelf space !

Well done @countrygirl99 !

@becausetrampslikeus I’ve done the Pennine Way! Camping it.

The Facebook group Pennine Way Walkers is absolutely brilliant and so friendly. And gorgeous pictures :)

Fantastic @countrygirl99

@DelightfulDoris that's amazing camping the whole pennine way!

@Juniper68 it was incredible!
I did have the odd YHa stay (to dry off lol)
but camped in some spectacular places. Campsites and wild spots.

Next year considering Cleveland Way or Cumbria way (but include some mountainous sections)
Sadly nothing will compare to the PW though 🤣