Solo long distance walk (mid 60s)

[countrygirl99]

I've always wanted to do a long distance walk but have never managed to convince DH even though we hike a lot. There's a possibility I'll be able to get redundancy next year and if I do I'll retire ( very slightly) early. One of the things I want to do with my time is a walk in the UK probably 3-4 days with a view to doing part of the Camino de Santiago later. Any recommendations and tips?

I did the West Highland Way earlier this year (mid 50s) and loved it. About 20k a day. We used walkers hotels/bnb and luggage transfer, which was a lot easier than camping (the horror 😳 !) so my recommendation is to make the most of the support infrastructure, especially if you are on your own. You'll also meet a lot of other walkers enroute which is great for company and inspiration

Hadrians wall

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/4777668-do-you-do-long-distance-walking-coast-to-coast-etc

This thread should be helpful @countrygirl99

If your route will take you along isolated or quiet stretches, stay vigilant. Take a personal alarm with you.
Check in with family every day & discuss your route.
Sh*t happens.

I did the West Highland way a couple of years ago - it took me nine days (I was taking it quite slowly, most people do it in 5 or 6 days). It was a good first long distance walk as its so well marked and there's plenty of accommodation and infrastructure like bag transfers. For a shorter walk you could get the train to Tyndrum and just walk the highland part of the walk to Fort William.
This summer I've been walking the Dales Way in chunks. A really easy intro to long distance walking would be the first section Ilkley to Kettlewell which took me three days.

I highly recommend the Camino, it's busy so pretty safe for a loan traveller with plenty of pilgrim hostels to stay at. Such friendly people along the route too, I doubt you would be walking completely alone for long. I recommend joining the route in the Pyrenees if you have sufficient time

Consider St Cuthberts Way: Scottish Borders to Northumbrian coast, ending at Lindesfarne. Can be done in 5 days.

Great thread! Place-marking!

Good luck with your ventures op and don’t let your dh hold you back!

I've just read about a new one in the U.S which is my ultimate goal now

theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/articles/the-8-best-long-distance-hiking-trails-in-the-us

Ahh yes here are actually a couple of companies that offer walking packages as a holiday break. This would give you a bit more confidence, they provide route and timings and sometimes accommodation is suggested or included. If you prefer you may be able to find one with other people.
Also find your local Love Her Wild group on Facebook, as well as the groups in areas you are interested in. These are volunteer led female only activities ranging from a couple of hours walk to multi day hikes, exactly designed for women in your situation.

I have wanted to walk the Wicklow Way since I moved back to Ireland. I’m thinking that I might do isolated days as it’s so close to home so I can get a taxi home after each section.

I often go on fairly long walks at home and as we rural with an extensive network its surprising how often I can be out for 2-3 hours and only see 1 or 2 people if any so that side of things doesn't worry me so much. I'm feeling a bit phased at the planning (we have a lot of elderly parent stuff distracting efforts at the moment) I think & picking the right route. I was thinking of the Norfolk Coastal Path as an easy taster and getting there by public transport. Then I looked into it and it's 2 changes of train to Kings Lynn then a bus to Hunstanton. I can drive there in 2 hours! I've had a look at some of the companies and they seem so expensive.
I'll look at that Facebook group. The local groups I've found so far seem to consider 3 miles a long walk.

Is that advice really proportionate to the risk? How many women are attacked by strangers when walking in remote areas? Not many - it makes headlines when it happens, precisely because it's rare. Statistically, the chances of the OP being attacked are vanishingly low - she'd be safer doing this walk than almost any other activity.

And what use is a personal alarm, when you're in the middle of nowhere anyway?

Do we always have to try to scare women and teach them that the world is not theirs to enjoy?

(Cue loads of posters saying that it is possible to be attacked, while walking in a remote area. Of course it is: but the risk is very low. It's possible to be attacked while walking to a corner shop - much more likely than on a walk, in fact - but we don't feel compelled to warn a woman every time she does it. Yet our reflex whenever a woman wants to do something the teeniest bit adventurous is to imply that she's at risk of assault.)

It's always good idea to share your route in case you have an accident. But not because you're at risk of attack.

I so agree @MissLucyEyelesbarrow . I refuse to be scared out of enjoying the natural world. I’m cautious and don’t advertise I’m hiking alone, don’t make myself look attractive ( not hard when you’re post menopausal and covered in goretex) avoid busy places close to roads ( I figure any psycho killer is going to want to make a quick getaway) and then I forget about it and enjoy my hike. It’s remarkable how few lone women you see hiking, and most tend to be older.

I'm in my 60s and have been walking the SWCP over the last 18mths and have never felt worried or vulnerable. Have done anything from 1 to 5 day hikes just go for it

I did some of the north Norfolk coastal this September. It’s very easy walking. send me a message if you like

If you wanted to drive there you could walk in the direction away from your car and use the excellent bus service back to it at the end of your trip.

I'm definitely not bothered at walking by myself. Just looking for practical planning tips 😊. I've decided on a 3 day walk on the North Norfolk coastal path as a starter because it's not far from home, there's plenty of accommodation and there's a coastal bus I can pick up if I have overestimated my capabilities.

@countrygirl99 if you are retiring next year have a look at the local U3A too. Ours does group walks and has different groups so some groups like the 3 milers but another group do 10 to 15 milers and there is usually an annual walking holiday arranged too.

Good luck with your trip. It sounds amazing

How old do you need to be to join U3A? Is it just for post retirement/65+?

Showing my ignorance but I had a vague notion of it being more like adult education classes for post retirement years - hadn't realised they also did more social activities.

I think they've removed to age limits in our U3A and you can go at any age although most are over 50.

What a lovely idea @countrygirl99 , I'd love to walk the Camino way when my DC are older! You might want to look at the Kerry Way as well, which apparently is well signposted and scenic. I read about it in Father, Son and the Kerry Way - Mark Richards also wrote a couple of books about walking the Pennine Way, but preferred the Kerry Way. I really like the books too, plenty of gentle humour, Mark reminded me of my dad

I'd qualify then 😂

Thanks, I might look to see if our local branch has a walking group for slow walkers!

Totally agree! I spend hours out on my own and often see lone women on my ramblings. Yes of course it's in the back of my mind that something could happen but I can't let it stop me from doing what I love.

I appreciate this is quite an old thread, but in case anyone is still in the planning stages for a walk I’d highly recommend the Cicerone guidebooks. Super helpful with routes, timings, accommodation etc

This is a great thread! Many thanks for highlighting it @Rainydays200