CWG_WelcomeWalking

BY COUNTRY WALKING MAGAZINE 

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

THE AMIRA COLLECTION: THE FIRST WEATHERPROOF HIJAB AND NIQAB 

WWW.TREKMATES.CO.UK

Foreword? 

FORWARD! 

WELCOME TO THE WALKER’S HANDBOOK. 

A simple guide to the simplest activity on earth. 

‘Simple’ is the word: the great thing about walking is that it doesn’t need a lot 

of specialist know-how. It doesn’t need sophisticated equipment or hours of 

practice. It’s not demanding or punishing. It’s not about ‘pushing yourself to the 

edge’ or beating anyone. It’s just you, your feet, and a path. And that’s it. 

There are a few things that are good to know though, and this handbook is here to tell you 

some of them (and maybe make you curious for more). In here are gems that will make ANY 

walk at least 23%* more fabulous, whether it’s over a field, through a wood, up a mountain 

– or even, most importantly of all, the walk you do from your doorstep. 

That’s why we’ve welcomed our partners komoot to the party. The brilliant komoot app 

not only unlocks great walks for you; it also tells you what those lucky walkers who’ve been 

there before loved about it. The hidden viewpoints, the secret lakes, the best coffee: komoot 

makes you feel like a local before you’ve even arrived, then it makes the walk unforgettable. 

Between us, we’ve got you covered. So whenever you need inspiration or advice, reach for 

the Handbook. Like we said, simple. 

Nick Hallissey 

Deputy Editor, Country Walking 

*Figure plucked at random, but it feels about right. 

Get out there! 

Find great routes courtesy of 

the komoot app. New users 

can unlock a free offine maps 

bundle (worth £8.99): head to 

komoot.com and enter the code 

KOMOOTWALKING. Valid until 

31 December 2023. To find out 

more about komoot, see p10! 

Amazing walks 

every month! 

The Walker’s 

Handbook was 

created by Country Walking, 

Britain’s bestselling walking magazine. 

Find out more about it at 

greatmagazines.co.uk/countrywalking 

Contents 

04 TEN AMAZING THINGS… 

…to find on any walk 

09 LANDSCAPE GENIUS, Pt 1 

The remarkable world of 

the humble field. 

10 HOW TO WALK 

LIKE A LOCAL 

How the komoot app turns 

you into a genius – and every 

walk into an adventure. 


Discover what makes our 

coastal landscapes so special. 


Why you should definitely go 

down to the woods today. 

18 SECRETS OF THE MAP 

Make navigation a doddle 

– and see more on every walk. 

20 WHAT TO WEAR 

A simple guide to walking kit 

that makes all the difference. 

25 HOW DO I…? 

Simple answers to some of 

the FAQs of walking. 


Head for the hills! 

(And mountains too…) 

31 WALK 1000 MILES 

Come and join the biggest, 

friendliest walking group in 

human history! 

PHOTO ABOVE : TOM BAILEY; COVER IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK 

THE WALKER’S HANDBOOK COUNTRY WALKING 3

T he Walker's Handbook 

10 amazing things 

to find on any walk 

From badger tracks to buried treasure, discover the 

secret delights just waiting out there for you… 

1 Sounds 

2 

When the moment feels right, 

just stop and close your eyes, in the 

middle of a park, the depths of a wood, 

the edge of a field, or on top of a hill. And 

listen. Even in winter – when we might 

think everything’s asleep or in decay 

– the sound becomes a crescendo. Birds, 

breeze, leaves, water, distant voices, 

the hum of traffc, rustles in the 

undergrowth, the bleat of a sheep. 

It’s your moment; grab it and hear it. 

T racks 

There’s no better way 

to make yourself slow down than 

looking for the foot and pawprints 

of our animal cousins in the soil 

(or snow) beneath your feet. Granted, 

you’ll see a lot of canine paws and 

horseshoes. But get your eye in and 

you’ll spot the more secretive species 

too: fox, badger, deer, otter, hare, pine 

marten – even wild boar in some 

locations. The Woodland Trust 

website (woodlandtrust.org.uk) has 

an excellent guide to common animal 

tracks, while the Field Studies 

Council (field-studies-council.org) 

Badger 

sells a Mammal Tracks and Signs 

Guide for £3.75. And just maybe, if 

you stop and stay quiet for a while, 

you might even spot the creature that 

left the print in the first place. Magic. 

Wild Boar 

PHOTO: BUITEN-BEELD/ALAMY- 

PHOTO: IMAGE SOURCE PLUS/ALAMY- 

3 

Fox 

Cake 

Well, obviously cake. A great 

many walkers (us on CW included) build 

whole walks around cake. And tea. And 

coffee. And hot chocolate. Whether it’s 

the destination or the halfway pause, 

a café, tearoom, coffee shop or ice 

cream van is as much a part of a good 

walk as the fresh air and the breeze. 

Best of all – because you’re walking, 

it’s not an indulgence; it’s a reward. 

Deer 

PRINTS: SHUTTERSTOCK 

PHOTO: IFMC/ALAMY- 

4 COUNTRY WALKING THE WALKER’S HANDBOOK

WALKING WONDERS 

4 

Friends 

Pretty much everyone you 

meet on a walk is friendly. After all, 

you’re kindred spirits: you’ve both 

chosen to walk this path, on this day, just 

in opposite directions. But then there’s 

also the joy of walking with someone. 

It might be someone who really needs a 

friend right now; a pal you haven’t seen 

for years; a friendly walking group; the 

family. Words flow, laughs are hearty, 

snacks are shared and the walk always 

ends with a promise to do this again 

sometime. Don’t believe us? Check 

out the world’s friendliest walking 

community at facebook.com/groups/ 

walk1000miles and see what we mean. 

PHOTO: TOM TOM BAILEY BAILEY 

5 

Change 

Pick a favourite local 

walk and watch it change with the 

seasons. Try and note some element 

of change each time you walk it: 

a bud coming out or a new bird call 

in the trees; the first frost; the first 

fruit; the day the stream dried out. 

And find one spot and photograph it 

four times, in January, April, June 

and October. Pretty sure you’ll want 

to put the resulting four photos 

together on your wall. 

PHOTO: QUALIT DESIGN/SHUTTERSTOCK 

6 

Wine 

As with cake, it is very possible 

– in fact, heartily encouraged – to build 

your walks around the availability of 

pinot grigio, IPA, intriguingly botanical 

gins and/or single malt. Or just a little 

old lemonade. Our pubs and bars need 

us now more than ever, so please by 

all means find them and love them. 

And also as with cake, it’s about the 

well-earned reward: a three-mile walk 

easily offsets the calorific intake of a 

glass of Rioja or pint of Hobgoblin. 

PHOTO: TOM BAILEY 



7 Treasure 

Ever heard of geocaching? 

It’s a kind of global digital treasure hunt 

in which you track down ‘caches’ placed 

by fans around the globe. It’s a fair bet 

there’s one within half a mile of where 

you are now. They can be any size from 

old film canisters to Tupperware 

containers, hidden in tree roots or beside 

gateposts, and each one contains a log of 

who’s found it and when. Larger caches 

may also contain swappable trinkets 

called swag? It’s a fab idea, especially for 

family walks. Full details at geocaching. 

com, or just download the app. 

8 

Colours 

The silver of frost on 

winter grass; the explosion of 

celandines, daffs and bluebells as 

winter become spring; the million 

shades of green in midsummer; the 

golds, reds and buttery yellows of a 

misty autumn: a good walk reminds 

you just how extraordinary the 

planet’s palette is. Get up close and 

love it like Bob Ross. 


PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK 

SHUTTERSTOCK 


9 

Calm 

Walking is the simplest 

physical activity on earth. Craving 

mindfulness? Here it is. 

10 Highlights 

Wherever you may be, 

there’s one app that can tell you 

what people love about it, and 

the best places to go for a walk. 

The komoot app has a feature 

called Highlights, in which the 

worldwide community of komoot 

users share their insights, photos 

and suggestions for wherever they 

have been. 

Searchable via 

list or map, you 

can simply lock 

on to where you 

are or where you 

want to go, and 

find out what 

others have 

discovered. It’s 

how to feel like a 

local, wherever 

you go. See page 

10 for more 

details. 


Find, plan, and share 

your adventures with komoot. 

komoot.com/adventure-is

The Falklandsí archipelago is made up of two main islands, East and 

West Falkland, surrounded by smaller islands and situated 400 miles 

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can be found at many locations. 

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stunning white sand beaches, rocky shores, heath and scrubland, 

which provide a variety of habitats for wildlife. Nearby Cape Pembroke 

is a lovely area with small ponds, coves and a charming lighthouse. 

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white sand beaches interspersed with rocky headlands and large kelp 

forests. Many sheltered harbours are found along the coast. Hills, 

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Falklands. 

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amazing adventures. Wildlife is abundant in many places and there 

are sites of historical interest to seek out on foot. 

With a gloriously unpolluted atmosphere the views on a bright, clear 

day are truly fantastic and thereís fresh, clean air to inhale deeply. 

$QGDOOWRWKHDFFRPSDQLPHQWRIWKHQDWXUDOVRXQGVRIELUGVRQJWKH 

sea lapping the shore, a brisk breeze in the hills or the simple sound 

of silence. 

@FITB Tourism 

@FITB Tourism 

ilovethefalklands 

+500 22215 

info@falklandislands.com 

falklandislands.com


INSPIRATION 

Landscape Genius: Fields 

Whether it’s used for grazing or growing, 

the humble field has a lot for walkers to spot… 

PHOTO: JUSTIN KASE ZSIXZ/ALAMY- 

Mwah! 

Kissing gates sound romantic but 

the origin is slightly sadder: in the 

days when mourners carried 

coffns (or kists, as in chests) long 

distances to church for funerals, 

a kisting-gate was a place to pause 

for a breather. It was only later, 

when the gates became enclosed to 

prevent animals getting through, 

that the tradition developed of 

asking for a kiss as payment for 

letting a loved one through. 


Buried treasures 

Rocks such as flint, limestone and 

chalk will give you an idea of the 

underlying terrain and how well it 

drains after rain (limestone and 

chalk drain quickly; granite and clay 

less so – they stay muddy for longer). 

And if you’re seeing bits of flint lying 

around (especially after a field has 

You’ve got stile 

The word stile comes from the Old 

English stigel, meaning ‘to climb’. In the 

past it was considered unlucky to place 

a stile on any path leading to the sea, 

as it would slow down rescuers if a ship 

was wrecked on the coast. In 2015, the 

Yorkshire Wolds Way became the first 

National Trail to go stile-free. And if you 

Google miles without stiles you’ll find 

selections of stile-free routes for most 

of the UK national parks. 

been ploughed), 

look for small, 

flat flints with 

sharpened or 

worked edges 

(the technical term 

is knapping): it means the 

stone you’re holding was used as 

a tool, or possibly even a weapon, 

by a stone age local. 


PHOTO: MICHAEL OLIVERS/ALAMY- 

Herd instincts 

Cows are sociable – but they’re also 

picky. Cows will avoid certain others 

in the field if they haven’t ‘clicked’. 

The most common dairy breed is the 

black-and-white Holstein-Friesian. 

Each cow’s markings are as unique as 

fingerprints. And despite the muchquoted 

factoid, cows don’t have four 

stomachs. They just have one, divided 

into four sections: rumen, reticulum, 

omasum and abomasum. 

Chewing while 

processing into 

the rumen 

takes the 

longest time; that’s 

why it’s the root of the 

word ruminate, 

meaning to think deeply. 

Life in the hedge 

For thousands of years, hedgerows 

have been planted as field 

boundaries. As well as providing 

food and refuge for mammals and 

birds, hedgerows also clean our 

air, capture carbon and reduce 

flooding. Bats use them as 

commuter routes for foraging and 

roosting. For a great guide to the 

ecology of hedges, try John 

Wright’s A Natural History of the 

Hedgerow. 

Top species 

to spot: bank 

vole, harvest 

mouse and 

dunnock 

(pictured). 

PHOTO: PREMIERLIGHT IMAGES/ALAMY- 

What crop? 

The commonest crops in British fields 

are wheat, barley and oats. Wheat is the 

most common of all. A single hectare of 

wheat produces enough flour to bake 

11,500 loaves of bread. Without barley, 

we’d have no beer, whisky or malt 

vinegar. Barley stems are highly 

flexible, which is why they 

swish more visibly than 

other cereals when the 

wind is up. Oats can 

thrive in much poorer 

soil than wheat or 

barley. Sometimes fields 

will even tell you where 

you the crop is going; 

several large wheat fields 

in Lincolnshire have 

signs saying ‘proudly 

grown for Weetabix’. 

Barley 




Feel like a local... 

wherever you go! 

Meet komoot: the app that helps you plan perfect 

walks – and brings them to life on foot. 

WALKING IS, AS we keep 

saying, simple. But sometimes, 

choosing where to go for a 

walk can be a bit bamboozling. 

Where should I be looking? 

What are the best routes? What 

shouldn’t I miss? Will I manage that 

hill/mountain/clifftop path? And how 

do I avoid going wrong? 

That’s where komoot comes in. 

komoot’s mission is to make outdoor 

adventures available to all. The app offers 

mapping for the whole country (and most 

of the world too) – but more than that, it 

gives you all the information you need to 

choose your routes, and the confidence to 

get out and explore them. Whether you’re 

looking for hidden delights on your 

doorstep or an adventure further afield, 

you’ll find it’s all here. The secret is the 

komoot community: a family of more 

than 30 million hikers and cyclists across 

the globe who use and update the app 

with hints, tips and insights based on 

their own adventures. And the best part 

is – you can be part of it too. 

Here’s how it works. 

1. INSPIRATION EVERYWHERE 

The red dots you’ll see on the map are 

Community Highlights and points of 

interest: recommendations and tips 

from people who’ve walked there before 

you, or useful places that might enhance 

your walk. You may see a lookout spot 

you didn’t know existed, offering great 

views. Or discover a highly recommended 

café you just didn’t know about. And 

you’ll be able to see where all the 

footpaths and bridleways criss-cross 

on the map – opening your mind to new 

possibilities and new destinations. 

2. PLANNING MADE EASY 

When you’re feeling inspired, it’s time to 

start planning. With your start and end 

points selected, komoot will plot a route 

for you. With elevation profiles and 

waytype displays, you can adjust the 

plotted route in just a few taps. komoot 

will even give you an estimated time 

based on your selected fitness level. 

When you’ve plotted out the perfect 

route for you, save your route offine on 

your phone. Then when you get to the 

starting point, open the app and turn on 

voice navigation. You’ll be able to head 

out in confidence using your phone as a 

GPS so you always know exactly where 

you are on the map, and where you 

should go next. komoot will keep you 

on track while you focus on the joys of 

walking and discovery. 

3. SHARING THE JOY 

Afterwards, you can pay it forward by 

creating your own Highlights and tips to 

share with the komoot community. You 

can upload advice, updates to existing 

Highlights, and add your own photos too. 

But that’s not all. 

Here are even more ways to get 

the best out of the app… 


ADVERTISING FEATURE 

Walks by theme 

Everyone’s got a passion, right? 

And when it comes to the 

outdoors, whatever your passion 

might be, komoot almost 

certainly has it covered. Thanks 

to komoot’s Collections and 

Tours functions, you can find 

themed collections covering 

favourite topics like history, 

wildlife, geology and wild 

swimming. Just choose your 

favourite, and see what’s on offer. 

T rail view 

Trail View brings the 

lines on the map to life 

with user-sourced 

photos of the trail 

curated by an 

advanced imagedetection 

algorithm. 

Showing up as green 

dots on the new Trail 

View map layer on 

komoot.com, these images give you a 

visual on what that the path actually 

looks like, allowing you to plan more 

accurately and make better-informed 

decisions about whether a specific 

route is suitable for you. 

Tour 

recommendations 

Using the Tour Recommendations 

feature, you can search hundreds 

of thousands of routes across the 

UK. Filter them by activity, 

duration and diffculty to find a 

Tour that inspires you to get out 

there. komoot automatically 

adjusts the results to start at your 

current location. If you want to 

find Tours in a wider search area, 

or see a larger variety of Tour 

options, you can zoom out of the 

map, or enter a specific location 

in the search bar.


Wise words 

from the experts 

komoot has enlisted the help of a team of 

ambassadors who collect and curate 

great walks and tours for the app. 

Among them are blogger, writer and wild 

swimming devotee Siân Anna Lewis 

(right), long-distance hiker Nic Hardy, 

(above) and extreme adventurer Anna 

McNuff (although Anna loves little 

walks too!). They’ll tell you everything 

about their favourite trails and travels, 

illustrated with photos to provide 

instant inspiration and help you gauge 

whether the walk is right for you. 

Compatibility 

komoot is available across Apple 

and Android platforms, and on 

desktop. And if you already use 

other fitness and location apps, 

you’ll find you can import tracks 

easily onto komoot, to make a 

one-stop shop of your plans and 

records. It’s also compatible with 

smartwatches, including those 

by Apple, Samsung, Garmin, 

Coros, Polar and Huawei. 

...And a lot of love 

komoot has won a clutch of awards, 

including Country Walking magazine’s 

Gadget of the Year 2021. But don’t just 

take our word for it. We also gave the app 

to a group of readers who agreed it made 

a huge difference to planning and 

enjoying their walks. “komoot is a lot 

more in-depth than other apps I’ve 

used previously,” says Michelle from 

Northumberland (below). “It gives you 

a greater insight and overview and 

allows you to plan effectively. It has lots 

of analytical features and it gets you 

from A to B comfortably.” 


ADVERTISING FEATURE 

Meet some of our favourites 

Country Walking has put together some classic routes covering every kind of terrain, 

which you can discover as Collections on the komoot app. They’re subdivided by terrain, 

so whether you’re looking for woodland, coast, hills, mountains or fields, there will be 

something you’ll love. Here are just a few examples… 


PHOTO: PHILIP JONES/ALAMY- 

Dalby Forest 

North Yorkshire 

Tucked away at the southeastern tip 

of North York Moors National Park is 

the vast and magical Dalby Forest. 

Carefully managed by Forestry 

England, the forest boasts spectacular 

wildlife, ancient rock formations and 

endless trails and is the perfect place 

to reconnect with the senses. 

Pen y Fan 

Brecon Beacons 

At 2907 feet, Pen y Fan is the highest 

point in Britain south of Snowdonia, 

and is the centrepiece of the Brecon 

Beacons National Park. Its summit is a 

wedge of terraced sandstone carpeted 

in emerald green, and its range of 

approach routes make it an irresistible 

presence on anyone’s bucket list. 

Cat Bells 

The Lake District 

Cat Bells’ gorgeous form and easy 

access make it the Lakes’ most beloved 

mountain-in-miniature. Cat Bells is a 

marriage of shapeliness and splendour, 

offering just enough challenge to 

enthral the entire family and rewarding 

you with a summit panorama that’s up 

there with the best in Lakeland. 

Chipping Campden 

The Cotswolds 

Thanks to their sweetly rolling hills, 

clear field paths, delicate wildflower 

meadows and achingly pretty villages, 

the Cotswolds are a perfect place to 

discover your outdoor legs. Here’s a loop 

that shows this landscape at its very 

best, from stately Hidcote Manor to the 

warm welcome at the Ebrington Arms. 



T he Old Man of S toer 

Highland 

In northwest Scotland lies the Assynt, 

a moorland region peppered with steepsided 

mountains and fringed by rugged 

coastline. The Old Man of Stoer is an 

extraordinary feature: a 60m stack of 

Torridonian stone standing alone just 

offshore, and surprisingly easy to get to, 

making it a popular hiking destination. 

Find them all! 

Just scan the QR code to see all 

these Collections and get started. 

And remember: new komoot users 

can unlock a free offine maps 

region bundle (worth £8.99): just 

head to komoot.com and enter 

the code KOMOOTWALKING. 

Valid until 31 December 2023. 

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK / JETS_CZ 


ANDREW STANLEY 

Clinical Director and State Registered PODIATRIST 

Andrew Stanley BSc(Hons)PodM MChS SRCh 

Leg or foot problems? 

Trail’s expert can help! He offers: 

X Digital treadmill walking analyisis 

X Walking/posture correction 

X Single visit treatments 

X Custom-made orthoses ‘while you wait’ 

X On-site workshop ensuring 

comfortable fit 

X Orthotics tested in video gait laboratory 

www.reboundclinic.co.uk 

or for a brochure and 

appointments 

01729 825900 

Rebound Clinic, 

The Sidings, 

Settle, N Yorks 

BD24 9PR 

Andrew specialises in the diagnosis and correction of foot and leg injuries. 

All foot problems 

Plantarfactis (heel pain) 

Achilles Tendonitis 

Deep Calf Pain 

Common Walking injuries 

Ankle Pain (inside, outside, central) 

Knee Pain (inside, outside, central 

Shin splints 

Osgood Schlatters Syndrome 

Chondromalacia Patellae 

Iliotibial band syndrome 

Hip Pain 

Lower back pain

INSPIRATION 

Landscape Genius: Coast 

Where land meets sea, magic always happens. 

PHOTO: ALL CANADA PHOTOS/ALAMY-; IMAGEBROKER/ALAMY- 

PHOTO: DAVID ROBERTSON/ALAMY- 

T he highest cliffs 

From the insanely folded granite 

of Cornwall’s north coast to the 

remnants of Britain’s only known 

space impact in north-west coast of 

Scotland, the high and rocky bits of 

our coastline are full of wonders. The 

biggest cliff of the lot (on the mainland, 

anyway) is Great Hangman, near Combe 

Martin in Somerset, at 1043ft. Up on Hoy in 

the Orkney Islands you’ll find the highest 

vertical sea-cliff in the whole of the UK: 

St John’s Head, at an immense 1128ft. 

Who’s playing in the sea? 

Apart from the scores of seabird species 

you’ll see offshore throughout the year 

(including coromorant, guillemot, 

razorbill, oystercatcher and Arctic tern 

– and even puffns), there are exciting 

marine species to look out for. Want 

a tick-list? Aim for 

bottlenose dolphin, 

basking shark, 

Atlantic grey seal and 

harbour porpoise. 

T he pret tiest beach? 

So many contenders; here are just a few: 

Three Cliffs Bay in Gower; Runswick 

Bay in North Yorkshire; Beer in Devon; 

Holkham in Norfolk. But Sandwood 

Bay, on Scotland’s remote Sutherland 

coast, is often hailed as the cleanest and 

most unspoilt beach in the UK (partly 

because you can only reach it on foot, 

if you don’t have a boat handy). 

T he rare machair 

On the west coasts of Scotland 

and Ireland you’ll find one of 

the rarest coastal landforms in 

Europe: machair. Similar to a 

dune system, machair is formed 

from lime-rich shell sand washed 

up by the sea, then worn away 

by winds that spread the sand 

inland. Here some rare and hardy 

willdflower species can flourish; 

look out for red clover, silverweed 

and ragged robin. 

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK; WIKIMEDIA COMMONS 

PHOTO: NADIN DUNNIGAN/ALAMY- 

Just a snapshot 

The coast is changing from 

moment to moment. Between high 

tide and low tide, areas of land up 

to five square miles can appear and 

disappear on a single beach. But 

also, the coast itself is physically 

changing, through either erosion 

or the buildup of sediment. 

As broadcaster Neil Oliver says: 

“All maps of a country are a lie. 

Every map is just a snapshot of an 

instant; the next second, the shape 

of the coast will be different.” 

T rapped in the rocks 

Fossil-hunting is a great way to enrich 

a cliffside walk – just take care to look 

only amongst exposed or fallen-away 

debris, rather than digging into the cliff 

itself. The best time to go looking is after 

a storm, when the winds are likely to 

have dislodged chunks of the cliff. 

The commonest finds are belemnites 

(a squid-like cephalopod) and ammonites 

(the swirly-shelled mollusc). But 

sometimes bigger stuff is found, like 

the massive scelidosaurus found at 

Charmouth in Dorset in 2000 – the 

largest and most complete dinosaur 

remains ever found in Britain. 


PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS 



INSPIRATION 

Landscape Genius: Woods 

From undergrowth to canopy, there are extraordinary 

things happening in every woodland… 

PHOTO: MERLIN SHELDRAKE 

PHOTO: EDWARD PARKER/ALAMY- 

Britain has rainforests 

Not lush, steaming jungles, but we do 

have temperate rainforests: ancient 

woodland that thrives on the rainfall 

and warm air brought to our western 

shores by the Gulf Stream. Most has 

been lost over the aeons, but fragments 

can still be found, such as Wistman’s 

Wood on Dartmoor. Writer Guy 

Shrubsole is hoping to identify and 

preserve as many fragments as possible; 

visit lostrainforestsofbritain.org to see 

how you can join the search. 

T he wood wide web 

Even in the depths of winter, your local 

wood is alive and communicating. In 

2019, scientists were able to map out the 

concept of the mycorrhizal network, 

AKA wood wide web: the process by 

which fungi and bacteria swap nutrients 

between soil and tree roots, 

forming an interconnected 

network of organisms which 

exists in every woodland. 

Want to understand it 

more deeply? Read the 

astonishing book 

Entangled Life 

by Merlin 

Sheldrake 

(left). 

T he oldest tree 

The yew is our longest-lived tree: 

specimens have been found dating 

back 3000 years and more. They are 

incredibly resilient and can return to 

life from an apparent state of total 

decay. The oldest known yew in the 

UK is the Fortingall Yew, in 

Fortingall churchyard in Perthshire 

(left). Some estimates place it at 

around five thousand years old. 

T he forest builder 

One of the main reasons oak 

woodlands will expand (if humans 

don’t restrict them) is the jay. 

Their habit of carrying off acorns 

and then dropping them beyond 

the boundaries of the wood means 

that more oaks grow, extending the 

edge of the woodland over centuries. 

Conservation projects around the 

UK have created buffer zones 

beyond existing woodland so that 

jay-dropped acorns can thrive 

without being eaten by 

grazing animals. 

PHOTO: GUY SHRUBSOLE 


Gaps in the roof 

Did you know some trees practice 

social distancing? It’s more 

common in Asia and the Americas, 

but look up in a wood once in a 

while and you may notice that the 

canopy has gaps, as if neighbouring 

trees are avoiding touching each 

other. It’s called crown shyness. 

Theories abound as to why it 

happens: it may prevent the spread 

of leaf-eating insect larvae, limit 

damage in high winds, and/or 

allow more light down to the 

woodland floor to nurture 

ground-level plants and the trees’ 

own root systems. 

Find a favourite 

Our most common tree species include 

English oak, alder, beech, silver birch 

and willow. Oaks can grow up to 40m 

tall but sometimes shorten themselves 

to extend their lifespan; and a single oak 

can host more than 200 species of insect. 

Legend has it that alder 

flowers (right) are used 

to dye the clothes 

of fairies 

(with the 

dark green 

colour 

acting as 

camouflage). 


PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK


Secrets of the Map 

A couple of navigation basics – and some 

lesser-known gems to track down… 

Grab a map 

The most detailed mapping for 

a walker’s needs is provided by 

Ordnance Survey Explorer 

maps, which use a scale of 1:25,000 

(ie, 1cm on the map equates to 

25,000cm or 250m in real life). 

Spot what you love 

All kinds of 

highlights 

are marked 

on the map 

– nature 

reserves, 

panoramic 

viewpoints, 

castles, cathedrals, campsites. Check 

the legend for the full list, and find the 

symbol that shows your favourite thing. 

Then look for 

it on the map 

and link them 

up with those 

lovely green 

lines – and 

that’s a walk 

right there. 

Added interest 

Some unusual map features and 

what they mean… 

Gothic script: Archaeological 

features dating from prehistory 

(before AD43) or the medieval 

period (from the 400s AD to 

around 1600). In between is the 

Roman era, whose remnants are 

marked with CAPITALS. 

Find the paths 

Dashed green lines are every 

walker’s favourite things on the map 

as they represent rights of way. 

A line of short green dashes means 

it’s a footpath, a line of longer 

dashes mean it’s a bridleway, and a 

series of crosses or half-crosses 

indicates byways. You can walk 

them all, while other users like 

riders and cyclists are also 

permitted on bridleways and byways, 

but not on footpaths. BUT, while 

those prized green lines mean you 

have a legal right to walk somewhere, 

they don’t always guarantee you’ll see 

a clear path on the ground: look for 

thin black dashes along the same line 

to know there will be a path you can 

clearly see. The green diamonds 

show long-distance routes 

– usually a good indication that 

there’s a nice, clear path to follow. 

Pink triangle and pink square: 

A pink triangle is a youth hostel; 

the pink square means a 

simpler bunkhouse or 

camping barn. 

Wading bird: 

Nature reserve. 

Spinning wheel: 

Craft centre. 

Pint pot: Pub. 

(Not every pub is 

marked; usually it 

means a rural or 

village pub.) 

Star: The rather vague 

‘other tourist feature’. 


MAP READING BASICS 

T he swirly lines 

These are contour lines, which 

indicate the height of the ground 

(picture them as the lines of an invisible 

tide). The closer together the lines are, 

the steeper the ground is. Look along the 

line and you’ll usually see a number 

indicating its height. While most 

wording on an OS map is written right 

way up, height figures are aligned so that 

they increase in height – see below. 

Expert help 

in your 

hand 

To make navigation 

really easy, grab a 

Country Walking 

routecard. Every 

issue comes with 

27 new and fully 

checked routes 

covering the whole 

country, so there’s 

bound to be one near 

you – or where you’re 

heading. They all include turn-byturn 

instructions and OS maps, 

and can be downloaded to a range 

of apps on your smartphone. 

Upskill yourself 

If you want to become a fully confident 

navigator, sign up for a one-day mapreading 

course. They cost around £70, 

but the skills, confidence and freedom 

they give you will be worth every penny. 

We recommend Mark Reid’s excellent 

courses at teamwalking.co.uk 



What to wear 

out there 

Walking doesn’t have to cost a lot. 

Buy wisely, and little bit of kit will see 

you right for mile after mile. 

YOU MIGHT BE sick of us saying 

it now, but walking is simple. 

And that’s true for kit as well as 

everything else. The world of 

outdoor gear can look a bit 

bewildering, but the truth is, a few key 

purchases will make all the difference, 

and might be all you need. It’s about 

1 

Good footwear 

If you’re comfy in your trainers, great. 

But once your curiosity takes you 

further out into the countryside, you’re 

going to hit some terrain that trainers 

don’t do so well in: muddy fields, stony 

hill paths, boggy moors. And to a pair 

of dedicated walking shoes or boots, 

these are all part of the job description. 

Tougher, comfier, more stable, more 

protective and more weatherproof: good 

footwear really is your golden ticket. 

BUY LIKE AN EXPERT 

Every foot is different, so finding the 

1 right fit for yours is Priority 1. Get 

your feet measured in an outdoors shop 

with a Brannock device, so the staff 

can find you the closest match. 

knowing what you need for the kind of 

walks you want to do, and shopping 

smartly to make sure you hit that sweet 

blend of quality, value for money, 

fitness for purpose and long-lasting 

reassurance. So here are the three most 

important items to get right, and the 

advice you need to buy them smartly. 

Look for a waterproof/breathable 

2 membrane, which keeps rain and 

puddle water out while also shipping 

sweat and heat out. The ‘gold standard’ is 

Gore-Tex but it can bump up the price. 

Most brands offer cheaper footwear with 

an ‘in-house’ membrane, and Gore-Tex 

options for a higher price. 

Wear your new boots/shoes round 

3 the house for a week before you take 

them outside. This gives you time to 

work out if they really are perfect for you 

– and keeps them pristine enough to 

exchange if they aren’t. 

Even the best footwear won’t do its 

4 best work without a decent walking 

sock to keep your foot stable and 

manage the moisture. So try on a sock 

along with your boots; the Bridgedale 

Hike Midweight (£22, bridgedale.com) 

is a fantastic all-rounder. 

Give them some love. A bit of TLC 

5 after use will really help them last 

longer, such as a quick scrub with 

Nikwax Fabric and Leather Proof 

(£4.50, nikwax.com). 

TRY THESE FOR SIZE 

QUECHUA 

NH150 WP 

shoe £30 

Astoundingly 

good value 

for a comfy, 

waterproof all-rounder. 

REGATTA 

Holcombe 

boot £100 

A terrific 

entry-level 

boot if you 

fancy tackling 

hillier ground. 

SCARPA 

Rush TRK GTX boot £195 

Great for all terrains; has a 

Gore-Tex 

membrane 

and is really 

built to last. 


WHAT TO WEAR 


2 

A decent waterproof 

Not gonna lie, it rains out there 

sometimes. But with a decent 

waterproof jacket, that won’t bother 

you at all. A good jacket needs to have 

a magic mix of waterproof barricade 

and breathability, to ensure you don’t 

overheat on the go. 


As with footwear, a waterproof/ 

1 breathable membrane is key, and 

again, Gore-Tex is the flagship option 

if you want to make a long-term 

investment. But many own-brand 

membranes work just as well, such as 

Berghaus’ Hydroshell. 

When shopping, wear (or try) a 

2 jumper or fleece under the jacket. 

You want to make sure the jacket will fit 

over a warming layer underneath. 

Check the hydrostatic head, which 

3 is the measure of how waterproof the 

jacket is. To be classed as waterproof, a 

jacket must have a minimum hydrostatic 

head of 1500mm (which means it can 

resist a column of water 1.5m tall before 

it starts to leak). But most waterproof 

fabrics in the outdoor market far exceed 

that baseline; top-end Gore-Tex has a 

hydrostatic head in excess of 30,000mm. 

Again, TLC is key. An occasional 

4 wash with Nikwax Tech Wash (£5) 

will restore the membrane to full power 

and make the jacket last longer. 


CRAGHOPPERS 

Atlas £90 

Usually findable for 

less than that, this 

all-weather jacket 

comes with a lifetime 

guarantee. 

craghoppers.com 

BERGHAUS 

Deluge £100 

Berghaus make 

waterproofs of every 

style and thickness. 

Here’s a great midweight 

option at a reasonable 

price (often discounted). 

berghaus.com 

KEELA 

Prosport £160 

Designed for really wet 

and blustery conditions; 

the Prosport keeps the 

cold out and doesn’t let 

you overheat. 

keelaoutdoors.com 


RUSH TRK PRO GTX 

HIKER BEYOND 

THE ORDINARY. 

RUSH TRK PRO GTX is the new reference point for short or daily 

excursions. A shoe made with a focus on comfort, with technologies that 

can help reduce foot fatigue. It represents the right mix of comfort, 

stability and low weight, enhanced by the use of Nubuk leather. 

SCARPA.CO.UK

3 

A rucksack 

The joy of a good rucksack is not just 

how much it carries, but in how it 

disperses the load so you feel like you 

aren’t really carrying anything at all. 

That’s all down to the back system and 

the harness – styles vary, but they’re all 

designed to distribute weight and stop 

heat and moisture building up on your 

back or on the harness. 


Check the back system. Simpler 

packs have a padded back panel 

1 

which keeps the load close to your back, 

with channels to move air around. 

Higher-spec packs push the load away 

from your back, creating a space where 

air can circulate for best ventilation. 

Dedicated outdoor packs usually 

2 have a hip belt and a chest strap. 

These wrap the pack snugly around your 

body, meaning the weight is dispersed 

around your waist and upper torso (not 

sitting heavily on your back) and the 

rucksack won’t bounce around. 

Check for extra storage options, not 

3 just a main compartment. It’s good 

to have well-placed pockets that can 

hold a bottle or flask, car keys, valuables, 

map and guidebook, compass, sunscreen 

and first aid kit, so you can keep them 

close at hand when needed. 

Consider capacity. 15-25 litre packs 

4 are perfect for day walks; 30-40L 

packs are good for long trips if you’re 

walking between accommodation 

venues, and 50-60L packs are ideal for 

multi-day walks where you need a lot of 

kit, possibly including camping gear. 

WHAT TO WEAR 


REGATTA 

Survivor III £25 

A simple, well-designed 

pack for day-walks, and 

at a great price. 

regatta.com 

DEUTER 

Zugspitze 22SL 

24 £75 

A highly sophisticated 

lid-closing daypack 

with hip belt and 

chest strap for 

excellent weight 

dispersal. 

deutergb.co.uk 

JACK WOLFSKIN 

Crosstrail 32 £130 

This sleek, high-spec 

larger pack has multiple 

storage options and 

a great harness, 

and is ideal for 

multi-day walking. 

jack-wolfskin.co.uk 

T he nice-to-haves 

Little extras that might not be essential – but sure can make walking more fun! 

SIT MAT 

Mama Nature is lovely but 

she doesn’t often leave 

obvious dry places to sit, 

have a snack and watch the 

world go by. Step forward 

the sit mat – a foldable pad 

that fits neatly in your 

rucksack but pops out to 

make any surface comfy. 

Try the Pocket Perch 

(£20, jacwicksdesigns.co.uk, 

pictured) or the Multimat 

Compact Kumfie (£6, 

multimat.uk.com). 

WALKING POLES 

Usually named as the 

product that has made the 

most difference to walkers’ 

lives after boots, a pair of 

walking poles keep your 

body well balanced, 

lengthen your stride and 

relieve the weight and 

pressure on your knees and 

lower back by about 30% 

over the course of a 

five-mile walk. Try the 

Forclaz MT500 Anti-Shock 

Pole (below); they’re £40 

per pair at decathlon.co.uk 

HEAD TORCH 

A head torch is great 

to have in case you 

accidentally get stuck 

outdoors after dark. But 

they’re also great for 

deliberate night-time walks, 

eg. watching the sunrise or 

sunset, or heading out for 

a spot of stargazing or an 

owl prowl. And they’re fab 

for peering into caves, 

of course. Try the Black 

Diamond Astro 300-R 

(above; £35, blackdiamond 

equipment.com). 

EXPERT 

ADVICE YOU 

CAN TRUST… 

Each month, Country 

Walking has jargon-free 

reviews of outdoor gear, 

plus special features on 

eco-friendly kit, budget 

gear and sizing 

advice. 

…AND YOUR PHONE 

We mostly walk to 

disconnect from digital life. 

But phones can be helpful: 

for route planning (like 

komoot and OS Maps), for 

photos, for nature ID (like 

the free British Tree ID app 

from the 

Woodland 

Trust), and for 

inspiration. If 

you sign up 

to #walk 

1000miles, it’s 

your pass to 

the friendliest 

walking family 

on the planet. 


ADVICE & KNOW-HOW 

How do I...? 

A few of the big old FAQs of walking, 

answered as straightforwardly as possible… 

PHOTO: JOHN HAYWARD/ALAMY- 

...cross a field of cows? 

Even the hardiest walker can feel 

intimidated by the prospect of crossing 

a field full of hefty bovines. So what’s 

the secret? The best approach is to 

be boring: walk quietly, at a steady pace, 

and keep to the path (they’ll have seen 

walkers do the same thing on that line 

before, so you aren’t a curiosity). 

Avoid rushing, raising your arms or 

shouting, as they may become curious 

and head towards you. 

If they do get a bit close, walking 

slowly towards them encourages them to 

back off – but avoid eye contact as they 

can find it intimidating. 

Cattle see dogs as a particular threat, 

especially if they have calves in the field 

with them. So keep your pet as quiet as 

possible and under close control. If 

things get tricky, let the dog off the lead 

so it can run. The cattle will chase it 

(without being able to catch it) while you 

continue safely across the field, and you 

can reunite with your pal on the far side. 

And if you can’t safely cross the field, 

you’re within your rights to go around, 

rejoining the path as soon as possible. 

You may occasionally see signs saying 

‘bull in field’. Again, don’t panic. Beef 

bulls are only allowed in fields with cows 

(in which case they are more interested 

in the cows than you), while dairy breeds 

like Jersey and Friesian bulls are 

banned by law from any field with a 

footpath. Farmers are also advised to 

keep aggressive animals off public 

access land altogether. 

EXPERT ADVICE: Watch farmer 

Richard Heady’s brilliant video at 

facebook.com/headysfarm/ 

videos/356047318536156 

...handle a canine 

encounter? 

Dogs are a joy for many, but 

strange dogs can be scary, and 

some walkers don’t react well to an 

enthusiastic canine and the words 

‘he’s just being friendly’. The best 

advice is to stand still or take a few 

paces away, with head and body 

angled away from the dog and 

hands pressed snugly to your 

chest, to show you don’t want to 

engage and are not a threat. It’s 

the same if the dog is barking or 

growling. It may have perceived 

you as a threat, so your best bet 

is to seem as unthreatening as 

possible. Shooing, kicking out or 

yelling is likely to aggravate the 

animal, so stay calm, speak in a 

soothing tone, move slowly away 

and try to avoid eye contact. 

READ MORE AT: rspca.org.uk/ 

adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/ 

company/unfamiliar 

PHOTO: AMMIT JACK/SHUTTERSTOCK. 



...get back on track? 

Getting lost is probably the biggest fear 

of any walker – and don’t worry, it 

happens to all of us once in a while. 

Obviously a phone with access to a 

mapping app like komoot is a godsend, 

but if that’s not an option, don’t panic. 

Just stop, take a look at your paper map, 

and pinpoint the place where you last 

knew exactly where you were, say at 

a path junction or river crossing. 

Retracing your steps to that point (while 

annoying) is always the safest option. 

When you reach that point, look around 

for features that correspond to the map, 

like rivers, woods, church spires, roads 

or power lines. Find the closest feature 

that’s on your intended route, make that 

your ‘mini-destination’, and continue 

finding and setting mini-destinations 

until you feel comfortably back on track. 


INSET PHOTO: NDAB CREATIVITY/SHUTTERSTOCK 

...get fit ter? 

Just walk! Walking is as valid (and we 

think, a lot more fun) than a treadmill, 

a Peloton or circuit training, and it’s 

lower-impact on joints, bones, 

ligaments and muscles than running. 

Walking raises your heart rate 

(especially if you walk briskly) 

which is the key to losing weight and 

improving your physical fitness. As the 

NHS website says: ‘Walking briskly 

can help you build stamina, burn 

excess calories and make your 

heart healthier.’ That said, there’s no 

need to rush or push your limits. Just 

find your comfortable pace and enjoy 

it, and the more you walk, the healthier 

you’re likely to feel. Just ask the 

...find companions? 

Walking is a wonderful way to 

make friends. Search online or at 

your library for a local walking 

group or details of walking 

festivals in your area (festivals 

most commonly happen in spring, 

early summer and autumn). 

Best of all, come and join the 

#walk1000miles community 

(see page 31 and walk1000miles. 

co.uk): a huge family ready to offer 

advice and encouragement when 

you need it – plus regional 

sub-groups which may organise 

meet-ups and group walks. 

thousands of happy walkers on 

#walk1000miles: the vast majority 

say walking, just by itself, has made a 

huge difference to their physical and 

mental health. (See page 31 for more 

about that…) 

PHOTO: HEATHER PEEL PHOTO: TOM BAILEY 


Forests care for us. 

Together we care for forests. 

forestryengland.uk


INSPIRATION 

Landscape Genius: Mountains 

A few amazing things about Britain’s pointy bits. 

PHOTO: TOM BAILEY PHOTO: TOM BAILEY 

The national summits 

The highest peaks in the Home Nations are 

Ben Nevis (4413ft/1345m), Snowdon 

(or Yr Wyddfa in Welsh, 3560ft/1085m), 

Scafell Pike (3209ft/978m) and Slieve 

Donard (2790ft/2697ft) – although 

Carrauntoohil in the Republic of Ireland 

is much higher than Northern Ireland’s 

Slieve Donard, at 3407ft/1038m. If you 

rank all the UK mountains by height, you’ll 

find that the first 75 are all in Scotland. 

Snowdon (right) is number 76, Scafell Pike 

is 257 and Slieve Donard is 767. 

Anyone in there? 

Mountains are great for caves. Some of 

our favourites are Millican Dalton’s 

Cave on Castle Crag in the Lake District 

(below); Owain Glyndŵr’s Cave on 

Moel yr Ogof in Snowdonia and Robin 

Hood’s Cave on Stanage Edge in the 

Peak District. On Ingleborough in the 

Yorkshire Dales you’ll find two of the 

finest paid-entry showcaves in the UK: 

Ingleborough Cave and White Scar 

Cave. Search komoot for all of them. 

Classic starter peaks 

Want a mountain walk with clear footpaths, 

steady ascents and descents, and absolutely 

astonishing views? Our favourites are Cat 

Bells in the Lake District, Roseberry 

Topping in the North York Moors, Mam Tor 

in the Peak District, Moel Famau (left) in 

the Clwydian Hills and Arthur’s Seat in 

Edinburgh. Search them on the komoot app 

and you’ll find a perfect route to suit you! 

Summit furniture 

Some summits have some rather 

unusual things on the top. 

Cadair Idris in Snowdonia has 

a stone hut which used to be a 

tearoom; the hills and valleys 

around Benbrack in Dumfries & 

Galloway are home to a series of 

sculptures called Striding Arches 

by artist Andy Goldsworthy 

(below); and on the summit of 

Ben Nevis you’ll find the ruins of 

a former observatory and hotel 

(look out for the observatory’s huge 

wooden water 

tank, hidden 

20m south of 

the summit). 


Geologist’s paradise 

The rock our mountains are made 

of changes from one area to 

another, and often from one peak 

to the next. In the Lake District, 

Scafell Pike is a former volcano 

made up of igneous materials such 

as breccia, andesite and rhyolite, 

while a few miles away, its 

neighbour Skiddaw (below) 

is made up of soft shale and 

mudstones pushed up from 

a shallow seabed. 

The rarest wildlife 

Our mountains are home to some 

incredibly rare species. Snowdonia (and 

principally the rocky walls around Cwm 

Idwal) is the only place in Britain where 

you’ll find gagea serotina, also known as 

the Snowdon lily. The mountain hare 

is only found in the hills of Scotland (try 

the Cairngorms) and northern England 

(try Kinder Scout), and is renowned for 

turning white in winter to match his or 

her surroundings. The best time to look 

for them is the spring, when the snow 

has melted but they’re still wearing their 

white coats. The ptarmigan (pictured) 

is a shy bird which you’ll only find 

in the Highlands. In its honour, 

the café near the summit of Cairn 

Gorm is called 

Ptarmigan. 

PHOTO: DAVID CHAPMAN/ALAMY- 


GUIDED WALKING 

HOLIDAYS IN WALES 

Explore the spectacular scenery, history & wildlife of the Pembrokeshire 

Coast or Brecon Beacons. Daily walks with Welsh speaking guide. 

Full-board with delicious food, croquet, coracling, etc. Relaxed houseparty 

atmosphere. 7, 6 or 4 nights. Singles, couples & groups all welcome. 

CAT HOLE COTTAGES 

YORKSHIRE DALES 

Beautiful Dales scenery, 

superb cottages, 

great walks. 

Tel: 01748 886366 

Email: judith@catholecottages.com 

www. catholecottages.com 

For brochure ring Richard: 01873 810970 

or visit www.dragontrails.com 

Walking Holidays in Co Wicklow, Ireland 

Home to Ireland’s largest National Park - 1 hour south of Dublin 

Based at Loughdan 4* Guest House 

Fully inclusive Guided or Self-Guided tours, 

includes airport transfers and all meals. 

3 to 8 day self-guided tour from €425 pps 

Sean & Theresa Byrne 

www.walkinginireland.eu 

walking@loughdanhouse.com 

Phone 0035312817027 

3HQQLQH2XWGRRU)DEULFV/WG 

:DWHUSURRIƔ %UHDWKDEOHƔ 9HQWLOHƔ )OHHFH 

%XFNOHVƔ:HEELQJƔ=LSVƔ3DWWHUQVƔ6HDP6HDO7DSHV 

0DNHƔ5HSDLUƔ5HXVH 

ZZZSHQQLQHRXWGRRUFRXN 

VDOHV#SHQQLQHRXWGRRUFRXNƔ 

EXMOOR COAST & COUNTRY 

WOODCOMBE LODGES & COTTAGES 

Set in 3 acre gardens on a quiet country lane on 

the edge of the Exmoor National Park yet within 

1 mile of shops, pubs, beach & seafront. 

South West Coastal Path, Coleridge Way, 

Two Moors Way. Prepared walks from our door. 

Dogs welcome, Free Wifi 

www.woodcombelodges.co.uk 

woodcombelodges@outlook.com 01643 702789 

YARN MARKET HOTEL, DUNSTER, EXMOOR 

South West Coast Path Guided Walking Holidays 

10-17 June and 2-9 September 2023 

Tel: 01643 821425 TA24 6SF 

email hotel@yarnmarkethotel.co.uk 

To advertise in 

please call Chloe 

on 01733 979434 

THE FORGE & SMITHY COTTAGES 

offer superb accommodation with private gardens and 

secure parking in a beautiful Lincolnshire rural setting 

Visit England cottages (Forge gold award) – highly 

commended awards. A covid-safe environment 

For full details please visit our website 

www.the4ge.co.uk 

or email or call for more details on 

01526 342943 or enquiries@the4ge.co.uk 

THE calendar for 

walkers in 2023 

£7.99 

@SecretHillsWalking 

info@secrethillswalking.co.uk 

SPECIALIST GUIDED 

WALKING HOLIDAYS 

FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS 

Friendly, experienced Walk Leaders 

make your walking holiday flexible, 

hassle free, sociable and one to 

remember for years to come. 

‘The photos are stunning – very well put together’ 

Sue Dixon 

‘I order one every year and I’m always delighted’ 

Michelle Martin 

walk1000miles.co.uk/shop 

Discover more at: 

www.secrethillswalking.co.uk 

or call: 01694 723600

HOLIDAY COTTAGES 

Higher Trewithen Holiday Cottages is a collection 

of seven beautiful, fully furnished holiday properties 

in the stunning Cornish countryside. Surrounded 

by beautiful countryside and public footpaths. 

We’re family run and eco-conscious, with a focus 

on providing a relaxing, peaceful holiday experience 

for all guests, including dogs. 

Come relax & unwind in the Cornish 

countryside at Higher Trewithen. 

bookings@trewithen.com 

www.trewithen.com 

Please quote CWTEN when booking 

20 May – 11 June 2023 

160+ events - 3 weeks 

Discover & enjoy the Lincolnshire Wolds, 

an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 

www.woldsoutdoorfestival.com 

Throughout Scotland 

Cottages throughout Scotland 

Pets Welcome 

01463 719219 www.wildernesscottages.co.uk 

STAY • EAT • CELEBRATE 

#MeudonMoments

INSPIRATION 

You’re not going 

to believe this... 

...but you can walk 1000 miles in 2023, no matter where you are, 

how you feel or how impossible it sounds. It will change your life. 

ONE OF THE amazing things 

about walking is how powerful 

a force for health and happiness 

it is, in spite of being low 

impact, low hassle and low cost. 

And what’s amazing about walking 

every day is how quickly the miles add 

up into something extraordinary. 

Something that only a vanishingly small 

proportion of the population can say 

they’ve done or could ever do: 1000 miles 

in 12 months. 

That’s equivalent to the long way from 

Land’s End to John o’Groats – and yet 

you’ll do it without changing your life, 

taking time off work, or becoming a 

stranger to your friends or family. No 

one will even know you’ve embarked on 

an epic quest. Except they will notice 

something. You’re looking well; you’re up 

for more things; you’ve got more energy 

and a readier laugh; your posts and 

messages have really lit up. That you’re 

yourself, only more so. 

The secret can stay with us: that it 

takes an average of just 2.74 miles 

a day to walk 1000 miles in a year. 

Under an hour for most people, and you 

don’t even have to do it all at once. If that 

seems like a trivial investment of time, it 

is – but the returns are simply enormous. 

92% of participants say they’re more 

optimistic for their long-term health as 

a result, 96% that it has significantly 

changed their life for the better, 99.6% 

that it’s suitable for all levels of fitness. 

You don’t have to be a superhero to do 

this, but you’ll feel like one by the end. 

The journey starts at your door, and 

the destination is a brighter, happier, 

healthier you. So come with us, and join 

tens of thousands of people changing 

their lives one step at a time. 

How to get started 

Free, fun, flexible: register for the challenge and the 

newsletter free now at walk1000miles.co.uk; get your 

Progress Chart and 64-page #walk1000miles 2023 

handbook free with the February edition of Country Walking 

magazine, in shops 3 January or online at greatmagazines.co.uk 

www.walk1000miles.co.uk 

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK/MARIDAV 


Find, plan, and share 

your adventures with komoot. 

komoot.com/adventure-is

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