Long Distance Footpaths – My Thoughts

There is something immensely satisfying in walking a Long Distance footpath. A sense of achievement, the rhythm of walking attained after the first couple of days, the sense of a journey all satisfy the inner desires of many of us. Alternatively just enjoy the beautiful scenery.

All over the world these long distance walks (or trails as they are increasingly known) are becoming increasingly popular. In Britain we have a number of excellent official and non-official footpaths criss crossing the country. Many follow old historical routes (such as George Fox’s route from Pendle Hill to south Windermere, many are created to visit the best sites in an area (such as the Bracken Way in the Yorkshire Dales) but most have just come in to being as they pass through lovely countryside.

The Joys of a Long Distance walk

The following are my list of reasons why you should do a long distance walk, at least once.

• Planning. Choosing the walk, deciding on the logistics, reading about new areas and anticipating what is to come
• Arriving somewhere different each night. However much you prepare every night will bring something different to what you expect.
• Different Landscapes. Due to their lengths you will see contrasting views and scenery which all go together to help reflect our countryside.
• Meeting new people. Certainly on the more popular paths you will meet some strange characters. Most will be friendly, some grumpy (tired) but all have something in common with you….even if it is just blisters.
• The Unexpected. Each day will bring something new that, however much you prepare for, will surprise.
• Learning about our country. Whether it is geology, history, old industry, villages and other settlements you will finish a walk more educated. .
• Completion. Each time I have finished a multi day walk I have felt immensely satisfied and fulfilled. Think any good day walk and multiply it.
• Beware though. They are addictive, once you have completed you will be on the look out for another.

The Pains (literally)of a Long Distance walk

• Physical. Walking day after day will do things to your body a simple day walk will never do. Blisters are most common. My best bit of advice to anyone is make sure you have comfortable, well souled walking shoes/boots…and compeed.
• Mental. It can be mentally tough, walking day after day for many hours without stopping. However within 3 days you will be in the rhythm and and gutted when you finish. You will feel you can carry on walking forever.
• Boredom. There are periods on long distance walks where the countryside is boring, either too familiar or just dull lane walking. On the Cleveland Way the coast can become endless, on the Dales Way the River Wharfe is your company for days whilst on the Southern Upland Way a 4 hour walk in dense forest is mentally draining. However there is better round the corner, just keep telling yourself.
• Getting Lost. Long Distance Paths tend to be quite well signposted. However the reality is that you will inevitably become lost at some stage. It is very frustrating to then have to walk further than you anticipated at the start of the day. I suffered a few times on the Coast to Coast.

Planning a Long Distance walk

There is a lot to do in planning a long distance walk. Some excellent companies can help (including ourselves). That is often the first stop before deciding whether to book it yourself or not.

• Which Long Distance Walk should I choose? I have listed my favourites further down the page with a very rough grading system for how suitable they are.
• Companions. Hikers may be inclined to walk in large groups or just on their own. With any extended period with the same people they can get on your nerves. However they also understand you and know when to avoid you. The best thing on a long distance walk is you can literally go for hours without taking to them, walking apart.
• Also bear in mind you only ever walk at the slowest persons pace and on a long distance walk that can be frustrating for both those at the back and front. I like walking with my dog!
• Route Finding. Do not rely just on a guide book, instructions can be confusing. Learn to read and take the excellent Ordnance Survey Maps. Howver these can be many and Harvey Maps to bespoke ‘strip maps’ for many of the long distance trails. They are excellent.
• Where to Stay. Pre-booking is best, it alleviates a worry but be prepared to have to walk away from the official path. Many accommodation will pick up but not all. Single night stays over the weekend may also be an issue. Alternatively take a tent!
• Daily Walk Length. Not just dependent of miles but also the terrain you are walking through (ups and downs). This is limited on many walks by the availability of suitable accommodation. Book Early.

A Brief Summary of the Long Distance Footpaths

These are the Long Distance Footpaths I have waled and which are my favourites and why. I have added a link to more details on each trail, just click on them for my in depth thoughts and personal journey when I walked them.

• Coast to Coast (194 miles). Passing 3 different National Parks (each very different in character) and having the satisfaction of a genuine coast to coast experience this will always win for me. Probably not though for the first Long Distance walk you do.
• Bracken Way Dales (95 miles). The best way to walk the Yorkshire Dales but not signposted as it is not an ‘official’ trail. Some quite long days put this on the more challenging walking scale.
• Cleveland Way (108 miles). Some longish moorland sections and rolling coastline, mixed with an interesting history makes the Cleveland Way one of my favourites.
• Southern Upland Way (212 miles). In contract to the West Highland Way this is a hard walk, rarely used but extremely interesting. Amazingly it is the only ‘official’ coast to coast path in Scotland.
• Hadrian’s Wall (84 miles). If the two ends were as good as the middle this would be the best Long Distance Walk. Like the Cumbria Way though they are not but still well worth doing.
• West Highland Way (96 miles). This walk gets better and better as it heads in to the Highlands and towards Glencoe. An excellent first long distance walk.
• Cumbria Way (74 miles). Like the Dales Way the path lacks interest at either end but is superb in the middle section, anything that travels through the Lake District is spectacular and it is definitely a walk worth doing.
• Dales Way (81 miles). A fine choice for the first time long distance path user, excellent in the middle section but gets more tedious as the walk progresses beyond Sedbergh.
• The Dales Highway is more enjoyable, certainly for the more experienced walker who likes the higher lands.
• Pennine Way (268 miles). I have only ever done this walk in stages but even so rather enjoyed it. Probably for the more hardy walker as lot is through rough country.

Tailor make your own Long Distance Path!

Choose an area and devise your own long distance path. Britain has an endless number of rights of way (and access land), connect them up and walk them over a few days.

Alternatively let us devise one to suit your needs as part of our Tailor Made service.

If it is memories that you are after on your holidays take a long distance walk, if its health and fitness nothing could be better. Try one and see for yourself.

Enjoy your walking

Jonathan

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