Long distance walk solo?

[willowboom]

I would like to do a long distance, multi day walk on my own. I'll soon be 40, kids now at school and feel like I want to do something for myself and i'd love to have a bit of space to think. I've never done anything like this before, am fairly unfit, introverted and usually a bit unadventurous.

I don't want to leave my family for too long but could manage up to five days I suppose.

Is this a stupid idea? Anybody done anything similar? Which paths would you recommend? Any tips.

I've been listening to The Salt Path on Audible and watched Wild during lockdown so feeling inspired but is it realistic?

The only concern about a solo walk is the safety aspect of being on your own especially as a lone female.
Fantastic idea though to do something for yourself. Roughly where are you based geographically as this might help posters with suggestions?

I want to do this and have been looking at the Cleveland way as a good first one.

I do quite a bit of solo day hiking so not worried about safety.

I'd love to do this too.

Depending on what you are talking about in terms of distance you do need to be relatively fit, and properly kitted out. Are you thinking of camping (carrying kit) or staying in accommodation?

You absolutely should build up to it with plenty of day walks first. Then testing with carrying all your kit.

As romantic as it seems to just set off, for the first time, on a multi day hike. It's not. It's just foolish.

Spend the year doing a variety of walks, building up in terms of length and difficulty. Then look at what longer multi-day hike you'd be ready for.

Is my advice, anyway.

So relieved I'm not the only one to find this appealing!

I'll check out the Cleveland Way, thanks for that tip.

Training for a year sounds like a sensible plan.

I'm in London but willing to travel. As it's my first time I thought I would stay in Bed and Breakfast or similar, are these relatively easy to find or should they be booked in advance? I thought "proper" accommodation might be be good from a security point of view.

I do walk a lot in day to day life and at the weekends but it is casual walking which I think is probably quite different. I really want to challenge myself to do something different.

You definitely need to book in advance. Some places on popular walks all the accommodation in a village could be booked up a year in advance

I've done lots of them (can't now as my mobility is poor), and have female friends who have done them too. The proper kit etc is very important to reduce risk, and much as I once enjoyed high level camping, by 40 a comfy bed and shower was more often appealing. The important thing is a good phone (decent coverage - there's few places in the world that you can't get signal these days!) and a phone charger cell just in case you accidentally do run out of juice. It's hard to go wrong if you have a phone signal. There's a small risk of being vulnerable but that can happen in a town or city too - so it's about being aware and not taking silly risks, which at 40 I would expect you would know! Don't let fear put you off though - there is nothing more wonderful than the freedom of being alone amidst the beauty - although some paths are busier than some high streets!

I did the coastal Isle of Wight last summer on my own. Felt really safe and stayed in cheap hotels. Takes 5 -7 days. Would really recommend it!

Check out Abbie Barnes/ Spend More Time In The Wild (YouTube channel)

She does multiple solo trails, walks of varying lengths, good advice on packing and preparing, wild camping or finding campsites and other accommodation etc. She's like the Bob Ross of Hiking.

I'm planning on doing the West Highland way in May and then the Cleveland way in August, covid permitting!!
I've been collecting my gear together and planning for years but this year is the year its going to happen!
There are some great YouTube channels to watch, "Abbie Barnes; spend more time in the wild" has done most of the UK long distance trails as a solo woman and I love watching Homemade Wanderlust who has done lots of the very long US trails like the appalachian trail and the Pacific crest trail. Mary Mansfield is a Brit who did the pct a couple of years ago and has done some UK hiking videos too.

The West Highland way tends to have lots of walkers on it so think you would be pretty safe. There are companies that will pick up your backpack in the morning and take it on to where you are staying for the night. Some amazing scenery but weather can be terrible
www.westhighlandway.org/

I'm planning on doing a five day walk just as soon as the Covid situation allows. Yes, I should probably be fitter but I don't want to wait any longer. I am worried about safety but I also really want to walk on my own. My plan is to book accommodation in advance.

Get a good feel for how much distance you would want to do in a day and plan your accommodation on the route sensibly with some easier days. Enjoy!

I don't think you'd need to train for that long. Seize the day.

How about Hadrian’s wall trail it can be done in about 5-7 days depending in fitness. It is on my to do list. There are companies that will take your bags between accommodation.

How about the Camino de Santiago. You can walk on your own, at your own pace but there will always be people around.

I've always fancied walking the Norfolk coastal path - but I'll need to find a place that takes your bags to the next stop as I can't carry anything heavy.

www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/peddars-way-and-norfolk-coast-path/

The challenge with training for less than a year is that you are then likely to be attempting the long walk in less favourable weather (late autumn, early winter). A year brings you back to spring and the better weather.

The training is less about fitness and more about having a bank of experience and skills you can then call on if you need to.

That's how I would approach it, personally.

Hadrian's Wall would be another good option.
I am too worried about personal safety walking alone miles from anywhere. Wish I wasn't!

The Great Glen way has been on my list as a nice one to do too.

The South Downs Way is a good walk, and easily accessible from London. I wouldn’t try to do it all but you could pick a section.

If you are in London I would suggest the ridgeway as a start..Good for day hikes as well as can factor in train stations...

Starts out Ivinghoe beacon which is near tring station .
And heads West...onwards to white horse in Uffington then down to the standing stones at Avebury..

there's a great campsite at Ivinghoe beacon and we talk about doing it every time we stay there...

We camp znd there's dome really good campsite near it...but think if wss walking on my own I would rather bnb/pub stay ..less kit to carry and a decent bath! Feel more like a treat/holiday

Yes, west highland way. You’ll be totally fine. It’s doable in five days if you can manage 20 miles a day. There are folk who will do baggage transfer along to each stopping point if you want to travel light (as I did). I also didn’t camp. Wanted the comfort of a dry bed each night and the thought of erecting a tent in the midge infested pissing rain was not a pleasant one. Wherever you choose, you’ll love it. Enjoy!

I was just about to come on and recommend one of the Scottish companies who arrange self guided solo walks.
I rather fancy the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness one.
I'm early 50s, not too bad fitness-wise but am more interested in the mental health aspects of going solo. I feel I have spent the last 3 decades being all things to all people and I want to take every possible opportunity to just look after myself.
I started this project a couple of years ago by separating off my finances from joint and taking up a job outside of my usual little box. Then I began to insist that I took a whole day every week outside the home - pack up my car with folding chair, folding table, little gas ring for a kettle, and plenty of food and just heading off somewhere to walk, sit, look about me, eat and drink when I wanted etc.
Then solo weekend breaks to see things that I was particularly interested in.
I had hoped to start the overnight walks last year but obv that wasn't going to happen.
Luckily I have a supportive family and dh who recognise I've put a lot in over the years (actually dh bought me a camper van, perhaps he's trying to tell me something....)

You really don’t need to train for a year! I walk a lot with the dog for a few hours at a time from 2 miles to about 6/8 at a time and on Saturday I randomly walked 22 miles. I was absolutely fine and could have carried on.

If you are very unfit, build up so you can do 8-10 miles or so, but that wouldn’t take long.