Walking the Cotswold Way with a Ruptured Disk

“Here we were walking the Cotswold Way, laughing a lot, and enjoying every minute whilst meeting some amazing people but had we listed to the doctors she’d still be in bed feeling sorry for herself.”

When my wife Jo ruptured her L5S1 disc in February 2021 she was immediately paralysed and left bedbound.  Both A&E and her GP said, “it’s sciatica, it’ll take you 6 – 9 months to recover.”  

We thought that walking was over for us for the rest of the year but fortunately her sister pointed her to a chiropractor.  

Seeing her twice a week, the chiropractor had Jo hobbling on crutches by the end of March.  It began with 50 paces, then 100 paces and so on.  

On 19 April it was a whole mile on the flat on the top of Leckhampton Hill, which is part of the Cotswold Way trail.  And then she was just using one crutch and then no crutches. 

Recovery on The Cotswold Way

We decided to see if we could manage to walk the 102 miles of the Cotswold Way path.  We knew it would take a lot of planning because much as Jo was walking, she couldn’t drive her car and so we had to manage the walk using one car and doing short circular or there and back walks.  

This meant that much as the Cotswold Way is 102 miles, we walked nearer to 180 miles to complete the walk.   

On the days we couldn’t get out walking Jo was able to research the routes to find shortcuts back to the car and places to park.  

One trick we learned was to move the car from the starting point to a mid-way point.  This meant that we did two short there and back walk a day with a good break in the middle of it.  

We also became experts at spotting places where we could park the car for free. Over the 23 walks we spent just £4 to park in Broadway 

We set off from Chipping Campden on 8 June 2021 hoping to walk as far as Broadway Tower but with several ‘escape’ routes if it was too much.  

We made it and took a shortcut to the car in Chipping Campden by avoiding Dover’s Hill on the way back.  

We walked a total of 7 miles that day and our pace was just under 1.5mph but the euphoria of being out walking was exhilarating.  

By the time we walked into Bath on 25 August we were managing 12 miles a day and averaging just over 2mph.  It took us 23 walks in total, although that included some very short evening walks and an extra Cotswold Way loop taking in Selsley Common near Stroud.  

We also took two bus journeys.  The first from Dursley to Coaley Peak to walk back to Dursley, and then from Wootton under Edge back to Dursley having walked to Wootten from Dursley. 

What gear Jo used on the Cotswold Way

Jo did the whole walk in a pair of Reiker sandals because they were the most comfortable footwear for her back.  Walking poles were essential to help with balance and support too.  

I carried her walking boots in my rucksack just in case we came across terrain she couldn’t manage in her sandals.  Going through muddy patches was hysterical with Jo tip-toeing and trying to avoid mud and puddles whilst I just stomped straight through the quagmires without a care in the world.  

She started off with a small rucksack which we joked only carried a lipstick and nail file (it had her water bottle in it) but we quickly realised that even at about 1kg the rucksack was too much and she soon stopped taking it and everything was put into my rucksack. 

Joe wasn’t alone with her back injury

We met numerous people who had similar back injuries and their stories seemed so similar.  Some had had disc operations, some physiotherapy, but they all said the same thing.  

At the end of the day, it was walking that really helped their sciatic back problems.  Right at the beginning, the chiropractor had said to Jo to walk through the pain and he was so right.  

Here we were walking the Cotswold Way, laughing a lot, and enjoying every minute whilst meeting some amazing people but had we listed to the doctors she’d still be in bed feeling sorry for herself. 

We also met numerous walkers doing the Cotswold Way in 5 – 7 days, often wild camping, and we were a little envious of their adventure.  

We simply cannot carry the gear to wild camp or do overnight stops at the moment, but it is a goal we are aiming for.  

However, our slow walking pace and short distances mean that we can stop to absorb a view or explore a church or village and take lots of photographs.  

Our challenge for 2022 is to do the Ridgway, although the Coast to Coast, West Highland Way, and Offa’s Dyke are on our radar too when we get a bit fitter.  

We will be using the Windrush Way, Warden’s Way and parts of the Cotswold Way as our training walking over the winter and in the spring hope to be out on the Ridgeway, covid permitting. 

The Yorkshire Dales Top 10

The Yorkshire Dales Top 10 is an unofficial route that encompasses the top 10 mountains of the Yorkshire Dales. It does so by starting and finishing in Hawes and covers about 79 miles. The trail itself is quite challenging and often cuts across moorland and up steep embankments.

I decided to depart on the trail In January 2022 with the aim of doing it over 3-4 days.

The mountains the trail covers are (in order of Height):

  1. Whernside – 736m
  2. Ingleborough – 724m
  3. Great Shunner Fell – 716m
  4. High Seat – 709m
  5. Wild Boar Fell – 708m
  6. Great Whernside – 704m
  7. Buckden Pike 702m
  8. Gregory Chapel 695m
  9. Pen-Y-Ghent – 694m
  10. Hugh Seat – 689m

I did these in a slightly different order which I’ll cover below.

Day 1

I started the day early morning, parking my car in Hawes. I put my boots on and hit the trail heading along the Pennine way towards Hardraw. Once there I began my ascent up the third highest peak of Great Shunner Fell.

The trail is well marked at this point and is a case of following the Pennine Way to the summit. It isn’t too challenging as it covers about 4 miles before the summit. The weather was shining bright, and the views were amazing as I travelled at a leisurely pace along the flagstones. Considering it was January, it wasn’t too boggy, and I found it easy going.

At the summit I was feeling fresh and enjoyed the amazing views, I sat and aired my feet out and took the time to eat some food. A couple of other guys came and chilled with me, they were doing another trail and we enjoyed a good conversation before they headed back down as one had lost his car keys on the ascent.

Next for me was a Western path along an unmarked area and across the open hill and moorland towards Hugh Seat, High Seat and Gregory Chapel.

I descended a couple of hundred metres and had to traverse some very rough ground with no discernible path available. I managed to avoid most of the heavy bog and peat soil erosion areas before ascending Gregory Chapel and then onto High Seat. I realized on my way back past Gregory Chapel, that I had missed Hugh Seat.

Luckily it was a short way off the unmarked path I was already following along a riverbed. I decided on taking the direct route straight up the hill and to High Seat, simple right!

Wrong!

As always with a Mike shortcut, it went tragically wrong and turned out to be a terrible decision, and one that I paid for.

As I was hiking down a section before the final ascent, I noticed a flat patch of sphagnum moss and thought to myself, this looks like an ideal place to pitch my tent. I should have thought to myself why would there be a perfectly flat section on a hill. Unfortunately, I didn’t, and I stepped well above my waist with momentum carrying me forward into a Sphagnum bog. Luckily, I managed to stop myself from submerging completely with my hiking pole, but this changed my whole trip.

After dragging myself out of the bog and having an angry spat I calmed and assessed my situation. I decided that as it was winter, and my boots were now soaked along with all the clothes I had on, it was best to take a long tiring walk back to the car and switch out my gear for trail runners and my spare clothes in the pack.

I finished ascending Hugh Seat and set back along the open moorland towards the side of Great Shunner Fell. It was slow going but the views were absolutely amazing and as much as I was cold and wet, I enjoyed the tough ground and made sure not to repeat my mistake.

I finally found a farmers track that led through Cotterdale and I was able to follow a small trail back to the Pennine way just before Hardraw.

The section from Hardraw to Hawes was tough on my feet and the wet boots were taking their toll on them. I could feel the blisters bubbling now and knew that I wouldn’t be able to complete the route as I had hoped and so would have to adapt my plan.

Once back at the car I changed out my clothes and reassessed my situation and what I would do.

Ultimately, I decided on car camping and driving to the mountains, with the aim of completing each of the remaining 6 as fast as possible.

I scored some pub food and then drove over to Wild Boar fell which would be my 5th on the trail and slept the night in my car near the base.

Day 2

I woke up early and decided to hit Wild Boar fell with a vengeance, I think I was just taking my frustration out on the incline and summited within an hour. The views were amazing on the way up and it looked like a mini version of the Matterhorn from the route I had taken.

Once at the top I spotted some cool cairns and had to take a small detour to check them out. So glad I did as they were beautiful and so unusual in their layout. I chilled at the top enjoying the beautiful sunshine before heading over to the trig point which marks the highest point.

I decided to have a little run back down and was making good time until I took a bit of a tumble and rolled a good 15m downhill across the frozen ground. Luckily, the only thing damaged was my pride. I opted for a brisk walk back down after that and quickly found myself back at the car with 5 out of 10 ticked off.

I decided to assault Whernside next and parked at the legendary Ribblehead viaduct. Unfortunately, once over the pass from Hawes Whernside and Ingleborough were completely steeped in clouds making the area seem very formidable.

I made my way up Whernside following the Yorkshire 3 peaks route which was very familiar to me from the Dales High Way. I made quick time and considering the weather, the trail was still busy. As I got higher, the wind became strong and was absolutely freezing against my skin. I pulled my hood tight and pressed on, I soon found myself above the cloud base and the views were spectacular as the clouds rolled over the mountains and hills in the distance. I soon summitted and enjoyed a little rest bite before snapping a couple of pics.

I could make out the peak of Ingleborough as the cloud base ascended over the top which was brilliant to see. I quickly descended towards Chapel-le-Dale and made my way along the path towards Ingleborough.

I met an awesome lady who I spent 5 minutes chatting to, she was leading her friends back down from Ingleborough and told me the views were amazing up top. This boosted my spirits and abated my fatigue as I was able to make my way up the steep scramble before the summit. I spent some time here, watching the clouds roll over the hills around me and felt truly blessed to have witnessed it.

I made my way to the summit of Ingleborough and chilled at the top speaking to people who were sat up there.

After a while I decided that I had best start heading back down and chose to opt for a descent via Simon and Park fell. The route was straight forward and followed a very steep section along a wall down to the road near to where I had parked the car.

I debated heading over to Pen-Y-Ghent but my stomach decided against it and I made a night of it at the Station inn, where I spent the night in the bunkhouse.

Day 3

I woke up before dawn and set off towards Pen-Y-Ghent which would be my 8th mountain out of the 10. I decided on taking the less severe route up as it was icy and I wasn’t sure about the scramble near the top. The path was lit with the beautiful shine from the moonlight and It was almost as if the great moon goddess herself was guiding me. I was feeling very fatigued by this point and had pains and groans in most parts of my body but I pushed onwards regardless.

As I ascended I could see the faint glow from the coming sunrise and hoped I could outpace the light to the summit. Luckily, when I reached the trig point at the top I was in luck and I got to witness a beautiful sunrise that lit up Great Whernside like a beacon.

I chilled here for a little stretch before making a quick descent down the Pennine Way and into Horton in Ribblesdale.

My next and 9th peak was to be Buckden Pike which I’ve not summited before. I parked in the carpark and noticed how much colder it was here in comparison to Pen-Y-Ghent. I made haste as I knew the ascent and pace would warm me considerably.

As I went up I noted how remote it felt in this area considering I was crossing farmland. The path was frozen which aided me and kept me from getting wet feet. As I ascended I met a guy who was building one of the dry stone walls that are dotted around the Dales. I stopped and watched him for a good ten minutes as I was mesmerized by his swiftness and skill before carrying on my way upwards.

The path was getting ever steeper and I knew I wasn’t far off the summit now, so I carried on slowly. I reached the summit absolutely shattered but knowing I only had 1 peak remaining.

I watched the sky from the summit almost hypnotised by the rolling clouds that formed such pretty shapes, thinking I was literally in them the day before whilst summiting Ingleborough and Whernside.

I made quick work of my descent and soon found myself back in the carpark ready for the final challenge of my trip.

I parked up in Kettlewell and made a very hasty and steep ascent of Great Whernside. I thought I was ready for a direct attack but man was it steep.

I followed an unnamed stream all the way to the summit which was tough going and slower than I would have liked as my legs were completely shattered by this point.

I could hear my heartbeat in my ears and a quick check of my watch showed it hitting well over 180bpm but I persevered nonetheless, slowly making my way up the steep embankment. Eventually I reached the summit and was greeted by a group of people who looked surprised by the route I had taken up. I had a quick chat and told them I’d done all 10 peaks now and they snapped a pic of me atop the trig point which turned out well.

I left them and descended via the route I had taken up. It didn’t take half as long and I was down within a short period and soon finished with my peak bagging trip.

I hope you all enjoyed reading about the highs and lows of my trip and even though it didn’t go quite as well as I had hoped, I enjoyed every second of it and wouldn’t have changed it for the world.

Remember to tap me up on Instagram if you want to follow more of my trips @pack_backer

Peace out and happy trails.

Have you heard of the Snowdonia Slate Trail?

Published on behalf of the Snownonia Slate Trail

This 83-mile trail takes you on a journey back in time when Snowdonia was the centre of the
slate industry. While experiencing the haunting, and maybe sad beauty of this abandoned
industrial heritage, now a World Heritage Site, the Snowdonia Slate Trail walker will also
have the opportunity to walk past working quarries while the National Slate Museum of
Wales and a number of slate-related attractions are also visited.


This Trail is also a joy for narrow gauge railway enthusiasts and visits the Penrhyn Quarry
railway, Llanberis Lake Railway, Snowdon Mountain Railway, the Welsh Highland Light
Railway and the Ffestiniog Railway.

But this Trail is not just about the slate industry and its railways. It visits less-frequented,
but beautiful, parts of Snowdonia, passing through all the major mountain ranges, offering a
range of experiences from mountain to forest, lake to river, from the valley to the sea. All
along the trail are fascinating things to be seen and experienced. From small sleepy villages
to the honey pots of Llanberis and Betws y Coed, this trail provides a wealth of variety.

Route Description

The route starts at Port Penrhyn, on the outskirts of Bangor, and follows the Lon Las Ogwen
cycle path and North Wales Path for a while, before following field paths, farm tracks and
country lanes to arrive in the large slate village of Bethesda, which lies beneath the vast
slate tips of Penrhyn Quarry.

Crossing the River Ogwen, the route continues along field paths and tracks to Mynydd
Llandegai, a remote hill village which lies just above Llanberis, the next destination. In
Llanberis, the National Slate Museum can be visited for free or the train to the summit of
Snowdon can be taken at rather more cost. Alternatively, take a full day out and walk it.

From Llanberis, the route climbs over to Waunfawr, across little frequented moorlands,
passing many abandoned slate quarries. This scenery continues to Dyffryn Nantlle where
the village is dominated by slate tips and sinister flooded slate workings. Continuing
between the steep cliffs of Mynydd Mawr on the left and the Nantlle Ridge on the right,

Rhyd Ddu is reached, where sustenance and lodgings can be found, as well as a pub. If
you`re lucky, you might just see the huge Garrett double bodied engines of the Welsh
Highland Light Railway pass through.

Through the Beddgelert forest, the trail meanders into Beddgelert itself before negotiating
the beautiful Aberglaslyn Pass, eventually reaching Nantmor. From here, field, forest and
moorland paths take the route to the isolated slate village of Croesor, overshadowed by
Cnicht, the Matterhorn of Wales.

Following old quarry tracks, the trail ascends to the remote and derelict Rhosydd quarry
before descending through the slate spoil heaps to Cwmorthin valley with its ruined village
and chapel. From here, crossing the Ffestiniog Railway, the route continues to the significant
slate town of Blaenau Ffestiniog before carrying on by way of Cwm Teigl gorge to Llan
Ffestiniog and its historic community-owned pub, the Pengwern.

Across fields, the impressive and unfrequented gorge of Cwm Cynfal is reached and
followed for some distance before taking to the high and desolate moors of the Migneint
above Cwm Penmachno, which is reached by way of the abandoned Rhiwbach quarry with
its derelict village and slate mills. From Cwm Penmachno, where the drop-in Heritage Centre
can be visited, the trail follows field paths and tracks to Penmachno.

After calling at the café at Conwy Falls, a good path and a quiet lane take you to the hustle
and bustle of Betws y Coed. Following the Llugwy River, past the steeply sloping Miner`s
Bridge, Swallow Falls and the Ugly House, the route takes to the open moors before calling
in at Capel Curig.

From Capel, a broad track takes the trail back into the heart of the mountains at Ogwen
Cottage before continuing along the old highway and Lon Las Ogwen cyclepath. This path is
left to cross the Ogwen once again to finish in Bethesda, the home of slate.

Want to learn more about the Snowdonia Slate Trail? You can visit the website here, or visit the Facebook page here.

Introducing Trail Prints!

Hey!

Over the past couple of months, I have been hinting at some customized prints for long-distance hikers to help you celebrate your long-distance hiking achievements.

I’m really excited to share with you the first 6 prints. I will be adding more every few days and also taking special requests. If you would like a personalized print for a trail that is not listed here please email me at matthew@distancehiker.com or message me on social.

I had a grand idea in my head that I would have an abundant amount of designs ready for Christmas, but after print production issues, along with a very steep learning curve, I have only managed to launch with 6 styles. However, I was not prepared to launch a half-baked product and wanted to ensure that the print you receive is something that I too would be happy to hang in my home

I’m delighted with the finished result, which beautifully displays the detail of your chosen route, while being minimalist in appearance.

Initially, trail prints are going to be available on this website, however, I will in the new year, depending on how this launch goes move them onto a dedicated eCommerce website (Details TBC).

Currently (for the next few days) shipping within the UK only with free delivery.

Members of UK Long Distance Hiking can get 10% off by using the code: THANKYOU10

Anyway, without further ado, I would love for you to check out my new Trail Prints by clicking the button below.

Thanks a million for your support of this project!

What do long distance hikers do when they are not hiking?

It’s really easy to join a group like UK Long Distance Hiking and fall into the trap of believing that everyone is some sort of full-time adventurer or digital nomad who gets to hike 24/7.

Seeing people doing the things you want to do all the time can certainly warp our reality which is why we are experiencing issues around mental health and social media as a society.

After all, whether your interest is long-distance hiking or knitting, it’s easy to feel that fear of missing out (FOMO) or find yourself comparing to others who seem to be having more fun than you.

So, as somebody who has these feelings creep up fairly frequently I was interested in the genuine question – what do hikers do when not hiking?

I was less interested in hobbies, more on that later, and more interested in careers/jobs. 

I expected just a few answers but got loads.

Here are the ones which jumped out at me the most (or the ones I could find entertaining GIFS for)

We have a singer in an Abba tribute band.

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There are a handful of gardeners

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And we are lucky enough to have some NHS workers 👏♥

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Some members walk or groom dogs

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As you would expect in 2021 some members are techy guys, such as database developers, and programmers.

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And a few folks confessed they were retired. 

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There are even two sex therapists

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A handful of teachers seem to seek solitude away from their classrooms on the hills 

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And a very small minority actually do this outdoorsy thing full time, including a member who runs some outdoor websites, another who writes guidebooks, and a member who is an outdoor instructor/leader.

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Two members own car detailing businesses. Isn’t that a fancy way of saying you wash cars for a living but charge 10x the amount of the local car wash? ( I could get into this trade! )

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And we have some carers, youth workers, and social workers – those wonderful folks who care for our vulnerable and disadvantaged. 

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The Classical guitarist struck a chord.

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And for those brave enough to be in retail. I applaud you!

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We even have a builder. But he is walking around the UK at the moment 

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If CSI is you thing, two members work in forensics 

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And a good handful of you are in ecology and environmental professions.

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I’m sure I saw an Estate Agent. But moving on…

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There are some business owners and entrepreneurs

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A surgeon 

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And a graphic designer or two

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Need a 3 piece suit? Well one member can make them

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And many many more, including, a salesman, a makeup artist, a motorsport photographer, a sound engineer, HGV driver and a wedding photographer.

The career choices are varied, mostly interesting, and show that many of us, including myself, must earn a living so enjoy the thing we love the most – hiking.

I hope you enjoyed this post.

10 Long Distance Hiking Trails In the North Of England

The North of England, whose physical boundary is much debated, depending on how ‘North’ you reside. Regardless, Northern England beautiful part of the country, which so much to offer those traveling on foot. For the purpose of this guide, we are looking at routes from the Peak District to the Scottish Border.

The countryside in the North is home to 4 National Parks, from the rugged mountain scenery of the Lake District to the gritstone moors, and limestone dales of the Peak District. The Yorkshire Dales, and Moors grace the county of Yorkshire with much interest, yet very different landscapes, and the Northumberland National Park further up North is abundant with forest.

It’s no surprise that a number of well-recognized long-distance trails have emerged over the past 20-30 years in the North. In this guide, we will be looking at the top 10 long-distance trails in the North of England.

The Coast To Coast Walk


First and foremost on this list is the Coast to Coast walk.

Wainwrights Coast to Coast walk spans 182 miles and can be walked over 12-19 days. The route takes walkers from St Bees on the North West coastline and finishes in the quint Yorkshire village of Robin Hoods Bay.

Walkers are in for a treat with the Coast to Coast, with cuts through 3 National Parks, starting in the Lake District, before going through the Yorkshire Dales and finishing in the Yorkshire Moors

The route has been made famous by the well-known gentleman who first devised, and walked the route – Alfred Wainwright, who trespassed for much of the route prior to well-established paths and rights of way being in place for walkers. The appeal of the Coast to Coast and many UK long-distance trails is the sense of exploration you get.

The Dales Way


The Dales Way runs 84 miles from Ilkley in West Yorkshire to Bowness-on-Windermere on the banks of Lake Windermere in the Lake District. The route follows riverside paths and travels through the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and then the rolling foothills of the Lake District.

There is much to see on the Dales Way, including a couple of spectacular viaducts, the ruins of Bolton Abbey, and a number of quaint villages along the way which really give you a sense of that idyllic village life.

The beginning of the route will see you walking along rivers, which will feel steady and enjoyable. Do be aware however that the middle section will be over more remote moorland which will require a little more concentration as you keep tabs on where you are.

The Yorkshire Wolds Way

The Yorkshire Wolds way is ideal for those who are looking for a relatively straightforward, well-signposted route, but with almost nobody else walking it.
With the Yorkshire Moors in close proximity, the Yorkshire Wolds AONB remains a little unknown gem of English countryside which is so often overlooked by walkers. This makes an excellent reason why you should walk the Yorkshire Wold’s Way National Trail. 

The Yorkshire Wolds Way starts in Humber and finishes in Filey. The route ambles through dales, woodlands, and agricultural countryside. The walk is ideal for those wanting to wild camp due to the absence of tourists. However, those wanting to stay in nice places will be treated to quite a lot of choice.
For a summer walk away from the crowds, here is your pick.

Derwent Valley Heritage Way

The River Derwent is an 80km long river which starts in Ladybower, at its source in Ladybower Reservoir, and finishes at Shardlow, south of the city of Derby. The Peak District is a busy National Park but much of the route is serene riverside with some busier sections through the towns and villages you pass.

Much of the route is downhill too as you are following the direction of the river. The highlights are the historic spots on the way. The river is rich with natural, and industrial history – being a key route to many exports of old and an engine to many old mills on the route.
If you are looking for a straightforward, and highly enjoyable route to walk with lots of history and interest this one not to be missed.

Peak District Boundary Walk

The 190 mile Peak District Boundary walk is a circular long-distance hike that loosely follows the boundary of the Peak District National Park, starting and finishing in the historic spa town of Buxton. 

The walking itself is incredibly varied, with a lot to offer, from walking through a number of pretty boundary villages, such as Hartington, and Thorpe, to enjoying views over Chatsworth House. The walk is however harder than some. It’s not particularly well recognized as it’s only been recently developed therefore luggage transfer isn’t readily available. That being said, it’s fully waymarked, with a good guidebook to assist you on your way. A set of two OS Maps are essential purchases and cover all areas of the walk. The route follows established footpaths with generally good levels of accommodation.

The Northumberland Coast Path

Castles and long beaches. That neatly sums up the 74 mile Northumberland Coast Path that stretches from Cresswell to Berwick-upon-Tweed. This relatively flat walk will be of great appeal to those who want a coastal walk, untainted by the busyness of some other coastal areas in the UK. Expect a number of really interesting historic waymarks on the route, such as Bamburgh Castle, and The Holy Island which is cut off from the mainland daily due to the causeway which drops below the sea when the tide rises.

The Northumberland Coast Path is an ideal long-distance walk for those looking for a coastal walk without the ups and downs along high and unforgiving cliff edges. Instead, you will be treated to unspoiled wild coastline with steady terrain throughout the hike.

St Oswalds Way

The 97 mile St Oswald’s Way Pilgrimage runs from Heavenfield to Lindisfarne and is plotted along the same trajectory of the king St Oswald, born in the 7th Century. 

Hikers start at Heavenfield under a wooden cross erected by Oswald before he defeated the Welsh and Mercian forces. The end of the route at Lindisfarne is the burial place of Oswald, well at least his head…

The route itself follows part of the Hadrian’s Wall from Chollerford, before heading across open countryside to the Northumberland Coast Path. Highlights include medieval abbeys, neolithic sites, sites of scientific interest, heather moorland, and of course the Northumberland Coast Path

The Hadrian’s Wall Path

This article would not be complete without the inclusion of the famous 84 mile Hadrian’s Wall Path. After all, how could you miss the great wall in the North? The original wall, designed to keep those pesky rampaging Scotts out of Roman Britain.
What was a fine fortification built from sea to sea, stretching from Newcastle to Bowness-on-Solway is now a ruin for much of its length, but it has some well-preserved sections along the way. In addition, it also has some well-excavated settlements, garrisons, and fortresses.
History aside, the Hadrian’s Wall Path makes for some excellent countryside walking. Along the route, you will pass through several small villages and larger cities such as Carlisle. There is an abundance of B&B’s and campsites on route making this a walk that suits walkers of all preferences.

The Cumbria Way

The Cumbria Way is a fantastic route running through one of the UK’s best loved National Park, The Lake District. The route was created by the local Ramblers Association back in the 70s. Walkers start in the town of Ulverston and finish in Carlisle.

 The start of the route is low-level walking. After Langdale, hikers will start to gain height with some breath taking mountain walking over Stake Pass, Skiddaw, and High Pike. Finally, you will drop down into easier walking through woodland and fields before walking into Carlisle. The walk is an incredible way to experience the Lake District National Park, and the wider county of Cumbria. It’s a bucked list essential walk for hikers of all experience

The Cleveland Way

The 109 mile Cleveland Way National Trail runs between Helmsley and Filey, cutting through the North Yorkshire Moors. The route is 110 miles in total and was actually the second National Trail in England and Scotland to officially open. You will start il Helmsley and cross farmland and heather upland before meeting the coastline ad Saltburn-by-the-Sea.

 At this point, you will head south down the Yorkshire Coastline. You will pass several quaint fishing villages and towns such as Whitby, and robin Hoods bay before finishing the route in Filey.

The Long Distance Walkers Association

The Long Distance Walkers Association History

If you are reading this article, and enjoying the excellent content on DistanceHiker.com its very likely that you have heard of the Long Distance Walkers Association or LDWA for short.

The Long Distance Walkers Association is based in Britain and aim to “further the common interests of those who enjoy Long Distance Walking”. The LDWA was established in 1972 by Alan and Barbara Blatchford, and Christ Steer and now boasts approximately 10,000 members.

The association defines a ‘long distance walk’ as any walk over 20 miles.

Personally at Distance Hiker we leave the definition of long distance walking to the individual who is doing the walk, but its nice to have a benchmark of what a long distance walk.

Local groups

The LDWA has 43 local groups who manage their own group walks. Many have their own Facebook Groups, or mailing lists to help to manage these walks. The first local group was the High Peak group, which was started in 1974

The LDWA also has an active Facebook group where all members can conjugate of over 10k participants, which is actually open to non members and members alike.

Strider Magazine

The LDW also has a magazine which is sent out to all members three times a year called the Strider.

The Strider is complete with some well written articles, news on the LDWA and up and coming events and certainly makes for an enjoyable read over a coffee.

Database

The LDWA also has an excellent, database of all long distance walks on the website. It’s updated frequently by a team of volunteers, and for many routes provides places to say, and local operators who organise tours or logistics for the routes.

If you are trying to find a long distance trail close to home, or explore your next trip, its a good place to start.

Events

The LDWA group walks, known as ‘Social Walks’ are usually led walks of around 20 miles in length with more challenging, and aptly named ‘Challenge’ events being 20-100 miles.

The Challenge events tend to be self-led, and are completed within a time limit, usually with marshals and clipper points – much a like a cycling sportive.

Information on up and coming walks is on the website.

100 Mile Events

What may be of particular interest is the annual 100 mile LDWA flagship event.

Each year, a new 100 mile, 48 hour walk takes place in a new area in the UK. Members must qualify before being accepted due to the difficulty of the challenge.
The first 100 mile event was the ‘Downsman 100’ in 1973. The LDWA has only ever missed two 100 mile events – during the countryside closures during the Foot and Mouth epidemic in 2001, and during 2020 when COVID-19 prevented events from taking place.

What often isn’t noticed is the huge amount of planning which goes into organising a Long Distance Walkers association 100 mile event.

The 100 mile event can take 3 years to organise, with local groups, and supporters volunteering their time to make it a success for those participating.

Obviously weather conditions are out of the organisers control and approximately 70% of entrants end up completing the course.

Naturally with a big event  like this, volunteers will be on hand with copious amounts of tea, warm food, and a change of clothes at the half way point.

Members who complete the event get a certificate and badge to celebrate their remarkable feat of endurance and many go on to repeat the performance year after year.

Membership Information & Prices

Below is copied and pasted from the membership page, and details their membership types.

The membership year is January 1 to December 31. Members joining on or after October 1 will be granted membership for the whole of the following calendar year.

Individual (UK) members receive one copy of each issue of Strider and are entitled to vote at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Family (UK) membership covers up to two adults and all children under eighteen years of age living at the same address. Each family group receives one copy of each issue of Strider and is entitled to two votes at the AGM.

International membership is available to anybody living outside of the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man. International members are entitled to vote at the Annual General meeting but can choose if they wish to receive a hard copy of our members magazine Strider posted to them, or whether they wish only to access and read it online.

Individual – UK residents only
£18.00 (£15.00 with Direct Debit discount)
Family – UK residents only
£25.50 (£22.50 with Direct Debit discount)
International – with mailed Strider
£26.00
International – no Strider
£15.00

7 Wonderful Benefits of Long Distance Walking

The benefits of long distance walking

Walking, and in particular long distance walking is an addictive hobby, and lifestyle for many. But that are the benefits of long distance walking which draw so many people to this wonderful past time?

It offers so many people an escape away from the idea of a conventional holiday (sitting by a pool), where they can instead stroll through extraordinary countryside, and stay somewhere interesting each night.

And for those long distance walkers who prefer single day walks of 20 miles and more, there are a number if events frequenly held around the UK. Many hosted by the Long Distance Walkers Association.

What then, are the benefits of long distance walking?

Lets jump in and take a look!


It Helps Your Longetevity

Its proven that walking for a brisk pace for at least 30 minutes each day can help to drastically reduce your chances of developing heart disease, some cancers and dementia in older age. Better still, it reduces cholesterol and blood pressure. Not only is walking amazing for short term health, but also a part of building a foundation of health for older age.

More specifically, it can help to improve your overall heart health by increasing your heart rate and strengthening your heart muscles. When you walk, much like with any physical activity your heart muscles need to work harder to pump blood and oxygen around your body and into your muscles. Over time this improves its function. 


It’s Great For Your Head

Walking can help to keep your head sharp, and alert. In a study published in the Neurology paper, 2008, it was shown that older adults who never exercise show clear signs of cognitive decline. However with just 6 months of walking, this can be reversed considerably.

Another study, undertaken by the University of California measured the cognitive abilities of 6000 women over 65 years old. They discovered that the mental decline was lower in women who walked the most.


It’s A Great Way To Socialise

As above, with so many events on (if that’s your thing), long distance walking offers a great way to socialise with other hiking enthusiasts.

Moreover, if you enjoy hiking long distances over multiple days the chances are you will be traveling in the same direction as other walkers who you will end up getting to know while walking.

This is a great way to meet new friends, some of whom you may know for life.


And It’s A Great Way To Find Solitude

One of the other benefits of long distance walking is solitude. Yes, you can get the best of both worlds. Walking, one step at a time does nothing but force you to slow down, calm your thoughts and enjoy the experience of being immersed in nature. The dose of vitamin D will help bone health, alleviate stress, and even provide some protection against disease, the natural light will help you sleep well (helpful for long days on the trail). And frankly, being in nature will help you to disconnect.


It Supports Rural Economies

If you embark on a walking holiday, over more than a day, you are helping rural economies. There are thriving economies in some small towns with the help of long distance walkers who fill the pubs and cafes, support the corner shops, and offer custom to the local hotels.


Long Distance Walking – It’s A Safe Activity

Perhaps skateboarding just isn’t your thing. 6 weeks in plaster when you have a busy grown up schedule just doesn’t appeal. Well don’t worry because walking is pretty safe. Obvious there are trips and falls to think about, and they do happen but most of the time you get back up, brush off and carry on. Just make sure to pack the right kit for your long distance walk.


It Opens A New World To You

The UK along has several lifetimes worth of long distance trails to walk. The rest of the world.. well you could enjoy it’s beauty for the end of time. Be sure to check out our money saving tips before you embark on your long distance walk.

There are so many wonderful long distance paths to explore around the world. From the popular Everest Base Camp Trek, or Inca Trail, to the Austria, Slovenia, and Italy’s Alpe Adria Trail.


Well I hope that has helped to inform you on the benefits of long distance walking. If your in any doubt of any of these benefits, check out our Facebook Group for some inspiration.