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?

I've seen "Wild" and read the book it was based on, by Cheryl Strayed. I was also inspired to do a similar walk in the UK but that's as far as I've got. Good luck to you, I'm cheering you on.

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!

Sounds wonderful!

The threshold trail series of walks is a good one to look into if you want to train and dip your toe in before doing several days. I've done race to the King and race to the tower, lots of people walk solo but there is support there if you need it. A stepping stone to the 'wild' experience maybe...www.thresholdtrailseries.com

How about the Cotswold Way? It runs from Chipping Campden to Bath. I've not walked it myself but have climbed Kelston Round Hill which is at the Bath end and has amazing views right across the city in one direction and across Bristol and the river Severn (on a good day) in the other.
Here's some directions to get you started

Rather than jumping straight in on a long distance walk I'd recommend staying somewhere and doing day walks first. Lake district or Snowdonia perhaps if you want safety in numbers while you're getting the hang of day hiking, or somewhere quieter like the Peak District, North Yorkshire or Cornwall. Two or three days of that will give you a better basis as to what you need with you on a straight walk.

Thank you so much for all the advice. I wasn't expecting to get so many replies, I will go through them properly this evening. I often get a bit carried away with inspiration after watching/ reading something but this idea has really stuck. As I haven't been met with a resounding "stupid idea" I'm feeling even more spurred on.

On the fitness point, I usually walk five miles every day and probably 10 at weekends. I'm sure I could do 20 miles without too many problems but doing that repeatedly day after day might be an issue.
What sort of training do you recommend? Just walking or something else as well?

I'm definitely interested in the mental health aspects, nature, being somewhere beautiful, having a good think.

I started a thread ages ago about hiking alone and I got some great advice - but I can no longer find the thread! (It had a different username!) If anyone comes across it, please post a link!

What sort of training do you recommend? Just walking or something else as well?
One tip I was given was to get used to walking with a full backpack as it can be shock if you normally just walk without one.

One of my friends in her 60s does regular solo walks. She has done the Coast to Coast, the South Downs, the Pennine Way etc. Sometimes she does part of one for a few days then returns in a few months and does the other part. She recently completed the Icknield Way which is easy walking and close to London. I'm quite tempted to do it myself but in sections, so maybe 4 long weekends over the course of a year. Its the oldest track/Road in Britain

www.icknieldwaypath.co.uk/

The Ickneild Way starts (or ends, depending on your point of view) near to where I live - I have an ambition to run it one day. When DS is a bit older, perhaps...

Go for it, op 👍

I met a woman who works the ski season and then spends her summers walking in the pyranees. She has a house in the UK she rents out and hasn't been to for fifteen years.

The Pembrokeshire coast path is stunning. You can’t do the whole thing in 5 days but there’s lots of planning information on the coast path website.

I am similar age and also been looking at doing this. I walk 5 miles a day normally but when I did a few longer (25mile) walks, I found I really hurt the next day so my ideal walk will have 12 to 15 mile intervals. I like the look of either the Hadrians Wall or West Highland Way trail. One thing I would add is that if your walking is around London, get practise walking hillier routes as it's completely different. 5 mile walk around my village versus 5 miles on the Cornish coast path are completely different levels of challenge.

My sister did the whole Cornish coast path solo. It was on the run up to her splitting from her (philandering) husband so I think she did it for the benefit of her head. But she is super fit (ran marathons). Do not underestimate some stretches of that path! On the other hand some stretches aren't 'lonely'. You will meet people. i would suggest the stretch from Penzance east around The Lizard to Falmouth. I wouldn't hesitate to do any of that solo. It has lots of locals using it and only has a couple of fiendish sections rather than being relentless like a couple of the sections on the N coast
I did a section of Offa's Dyke with a friend last year and that was spookily quiet. I was glad of the company.
How is your map or app reading? Some marked paths can get fiendishly tricky at little knots of stiles and field entrances. Sometimes a second brain is helpful! Of course on the SW coast path you wouldnt have that problem - just keep the sea on the same side!

How about a section of Offas Dyke Path or Wye Valley Path as a starter? Beautiful but not especially rugged terrain for your first outing.

I’m also hoping to do this - am fair bit older but have done day walks regularly for years. There are companies that will work out routes and book accommodation for you, the walkers’ magazines have ideas too.

My own chief concern is avoiding cattle on moors and fields, so coast or canal paths for me.

It's my dream to do the pennine way - but the whole thing would take weeks rather than days.
I would recommend the Lake District section of the coast to coast if you only had a short time (or the whole thing if you had a little longer!), so the part from st Bees to Shap.
I did the coast to coast at the level of practice you are now - the Lake District section was the most spectacular scenery-wide and hardest walking (with the ascent/decent) but still doable without extra training. Did that on my own and felt very safe - stayed in hostels and b&bs rather than camped though!
Then pennine way I'm expecting to be much tougher and to need extra training. There are some lovely bits of both the pennine way and the southwest coast path that are easily split into smaller sections for a few days

Would also recommend baggage transfer companies etc so you're only carrying a day pack with you.
For training, hills is the biggest thing - I had a couple of weekends beforehand going on day walks to hillier places (round me is totally flat) and that gave me a much better idea of how much 5 miles over hills and 5 miles flat differ.
It's totally doable and I really recommend it!

How are your map reading/GPS skills? Footpaths are not always clear (although official long distance routes tend to be better waymarked) and have a habit of being blocked/moved by crops or electric fences. How are you dealing with livestock in fields?

Not for this year.......but a few years ago I did the Queen Charlotte Track in New Zealand, staying in homestays. I didn't have to carry my luggage/equipment (was taken by boat each day to my next accommodation), I didn't need to struggle with map reading (very clear path with signage and maps). There were no tents involved!

I did it alone, but felt very safe throughout. The homestays/accommodation were expecting me each night and it was nice to stay with and have company each evening. And I bumped into other walkers (and mountain bikers) quite regularly, never felt too alone. I loved it. Possibly my best holiday yet.

It's 70 km ish (there are some additional parts you can do). I did it over five days, but some people do four.

Are you on facebook? If so join Adventure Queens group - lots of women who have done/are doing similar

Here is a list of companies that will carry your luggage / book your accommodation etc. on different long distance walks. Probably costs a lot, but have a look: www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/visiting/enjoy-outdoors/walking/walking-holidays-and-baggage-carriers

I fancy the Lycian Way in Turkey.

Do it! I've done a few now, including the Coast to Coast for my 60th birthday. My first was the Cleveland Way which is the right kind of length to feel you're really doing a long-distance path, but not too huge to be daunting.

If you're fit enough for decent day hikes, then you can do multi-day hikes.

There's nothing better than setting off for the day, tummy full of cooked breakfast, with a packed lunch in your rucksack and nothing to do apart from walk to the next b&b.

I'm currently drooling over these. www.theguardian.com/travel/2016/apr/23/top-long-distance-walks-worldwide

The Cumbria way is usually done in 5 days, it's 70 miles long, mostly through the Lakes, there are companies that do baggage transfers so you can just walk with a day sack.