Water fountain

So let’s have a look at your walking day. You’ve just had a superb English breakfast at a cosy little UK B&B.

The walkers’ manual suggests, “Caffeine: Avoid caffeinated beverages before your walk, they cause you to lose fluid, making you thirstier as well as making you take inconvenient stops along the way”.

But a few cups of tea with breakfast are just the thing to get you on your way. One way to deal with this is to give yourself a good 30 minutes after breakfast before you set off for the day.

You fill up your water bottles (about 1.5 – 2 litres) or the water bladder in the daypack, usually about 2 litres. And off you go, daypack containing all the gear we need.

Walking causes your metabolism to rise and body water to be lost through increased respiration and sweat.

Drink When Thirsty:

for long distance walkers (that’s us), use thirst as a guide and drink when thirsty.

In most cases sipping water along the way is fine and will keep you from dehydrating.
These are some symptoms of dehydration:
nausea after exercise
dark yellow urine or no urine
dry, sticky mouth
dry eyes.

If you notice these symptoms, drink some water.

Water Treatment.

Now, if you are in a remote area and need to fill up with good clean drinking water, then you may need a water filter or some other form of water treatment, such as tablets or a UV sterilisation pen. Check your local walking shop for these items.

During the day you’ll visit villages with tea, coffee and cakes. Usually, this will provide you with the sugar and salt you need for walking. If it’s really hot, then you may like to supplement your water with a sports drink, either in liquid or powder form.

When you finally arrive at our evening’s accommodation, enjoy some water, tea or any other drink you prefer. Remember to clean out your water bottles or water bladder and refill with clean drinking water.

Your evening meal will usually replenish those electrolytes which you had used up during the day’s walk. A good night’s sleep and you’ll be ready for tomorrow’s walk.

Drinking and walking do go together – water before, during and after your walk.

Ascending Mt. Kosciuszko in NSW

Weight loss must be one of the most popular reasons for people to take up the wonderful activity of walking.

The thought of feeling the weight disappear as you make your way over hill and dale along, for example – the Coast to Coast Walk, is very appealing.

And in most cases it is worthwhile. Let’s have a look at some of the benefits of walking in general, and then we’ll look at our longer distance walks.

Walking at a moderate pace for 30-60 minutes

burns stored fat and can build muscle to speed up your metabolism. Walking an hour a day is also associated with cutting your risk of heart disease, breast cancer, colon cancer, diabetes and stroke.

This is good. We should be doing this as a regular part of our day, or at least three times a week.

With a more active metabolic rate, weight loss is more likely – just don’t increase your food intake unnecessarily.

So, what happens on the longer distance walks?

All this new exercise is great for our bodies and minds. It’s called well being. As the walking days continue, you will find that you will become fitter, as long as you do not overdo it.

You will find the distances that are manageable – 10 km, 15 km, 20 km or even 25 km per day. Keeping to your chosen distance, your heart, muscles and lungs will all be happier, and healthier.

And as long as you don’t overeat, you will most likely find that weight loss will occur. Now, this is not guaranteed, because when you do walk in Europe, there are so many interesting foods to try as well as drinks, coffees and cakes.

On all our classic journeys,

we enjoy the whole show, culture, history, physical walking, meeting people and becoming (if not already) healthy. So if weight loss has brought you to walking, that’s great. Now it’s time to start planning that next journey.

Till next time.

Lake Ada on the Milford Track

New Zealand’s Milford Track walk is a 54 km route that takes walkers through some of New Zealand’s most inspiring landscapes. A wonderful walking holiday.

The walk must be done in 4 days, as the track can only support 40 independent walkers and 40 guided walkers per day during the walking season.

The following is an outline of the 4-day walk itinerary.

Begin at: Start from Te Anau, in New Zealand’s South Island.
How to get there: Take a bus from Christchurch.
A bus will transfer you to the wharf at Te Anau Downs, where a ferry will take you to Glade Wharf.

Walking itinerary:
Day 1. Glade Wharf to Clinton Hut (3.5 km)
This is an easy day along a fire trail to Clinton Hut.

Day 2.To Mintaro Hut  (16.5 km)
More challenging, along the Clinton River with a gradual climb to Mintaro Hut.

Day 3.To Dumpling Hut  (14 km)
This is the day that we climb 500 metres to the wonderful MacKinnon Pass, and then 1000 metres to Dumpling Hut.

Day 4.To Sandfly Point and Te Anau  (18 km)  – your destination!
Quite flat today, but the track seems to go on forever – until we arrive at Sandfly Point.

How to get back: Bus to Te Anau via the Homer Tunnel.

Our Take:

Walking the Milford gives you the opportunity to experience the clean great outdoors of New Zealand, and follow in the footsteps of its great explorers.

See the Milford Track information for walkers here

High above the MacKinnon Pass on the Milford track

New Zealand’s Milford Track is one of the best known walks there.

This four day walk follows the Clinton and Arthur valleys in Fiordland, in New Zealand’s south Island.

From Te Anau a bus transports you to Te Anau Downs wharf where a ferry takes you across to Glade Wharf. The walk begins from there.

I have written ‘On the Milford Track’, a useful booklet, with line-drawings, overview maps and a daily narrative.

The Milford Track route is 53 km long and for those contemplating this trail for their walking holiday in New Zealand, some planning is required. The path is well marked. The weather in this part of New Zealand is unpredictable and needs to be catered for. Expect to be rained upon!

Some general information about the walk: Milford Track Route: Starting from Glade Wharf, independent walkers will stay overnight at Clinton Hut, Mintaro Hut and Dumpling Hut. This is a four day walk through some of New Zealand’s finest areas.

Some Highlights: The independent walkers’ hut are comfortable and welcoming, especially if the weather is overwhelming. MacKinnon’s Pass, cheeky Keas (native parrots), Sutherland Falls and the numerous streams which you walk through.

Walking Route Planner:

The track only accommodates 40 independent and 40 guided walkers per day, so it has to be walked in four days.

Luggage transfer: Independent walkers must carry all their own food and sleeping bags. Cooking equipment and facilities are provided at each hut.

Your Milford Track Accommodation: Accommodation for independent walkers is in the DOCS huts. Mattresses are provided as well as limited battery lighting, washing up facilities and food utensils. Guided walkers are provided with warm huts, hot food and hot showers.

Food: Your choice. Make sure it’s something you like. Take snacks for when you’re on the track.

When to go? The walking season is from October to May. The track is closed out of season due to the inhospitable weather.

Walking Gear: Good walking boots and socks are critical. Your shoes should have been worn in. Also important is what rain gear to take. Make sure it’s made from a breathable material.

Our Take:

This is a superb wilderness walk, so don’t forget to bring your camera. Be prepared for lots of rain and wonderful walking. The track is always walked from Glade Wharf to Sandfly Point.

See the Milford Track itinerary here

Patagonian forest on the 'W' circuit

Chile’s Torres Del Paine walk is a 58 km route that makes the Patagonian wilderness accessible to the average walker. The scenery: icebergs, glaciers, towering mountains and the famous Torres del Paine (Towers of Paine) make this a wonderful walking holiday.

The walk is usually done in 5 days.  In planning an itinerary, some of the considerations in determining the distance for each day should include the type of terrain, the accommodation, weather, the time of year and how fit one is.

The following is an outline of the 5-day walk itinerary that we chose.  We decided on this itinerary because this is the traditional journey, the reasonable distances and the available accommodation.

Begin at: Puerto Natales, Chile.
How to get there: A bus or mini bus will take you to the National Park’s entrance. From there you will be transferred to Hostel Lago Grey and then taken by ferry across Lago Grey to Refugio Grey.

Walking itinerary:

Day 1:
Bus from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine National Park.
Ferry along Lago Grey to Refugio Grey.

Day 2:
Walk to Paine Grande (lodge) (11km 4hrs).

Day 3:
Walk to Camp Italiano (7.6km 2hrs).
Walk (round trip) to Camp Britanico (11km 5hrs).
Walk to Refugio Cuernos (5.6km 2.5hrs).

Day 4:
Walk to Refugio Chileno (12km 5hrs.

Day 5:
Walk to base of Torres (round trip) 4hrs. – your destination!
Walk to Hosteria Torres 2hrs.
Take bus back to Puerto Natales. 

How to get back from Hosteria Torres: A bus will transfer you to the Park entrance, from where you take a bus back to Puerto Natales.

Our Take:

This is a once in a lifetime Patagonian experience. Couple this walk with a general visit to South America and you have a great journey ahead of you.

See the Torres del Paine information for walkers here

The magnificent peaks from the Torres del Paine 'W' circuit

This walk takes you through some of Patagonia’s finest wilderness areas.

The trail begins at Lago Grey and continues along the lake and up the Vallee Frances before continuing to the Chileno Valley and the Torres del Paine (Towers of Paine).

Rudolf Abraham has written a Cicerone guidebook ‘Torres del Paine – Trekking in Chile’s Premier Park’, which is a useful illustrated book, with line-drawings, detailed maps and route directions.

The Torres del Paine route is 58 km long and for those contemplating this trail for their walking holiday in Patagonia, some planning is required. The path is well marked, but the Patagonian weather is unpredictable and needs to be catered for.

Some general information about the walk: Torres del Paine ‘W’ Circuit: Starting from Refugio Grey, the 58 km trail wends its way along a ‘W’ shaped route, ending up at the base of the Paine Towers. There are some ascents and descents along the way, but it’s generally an accessible walk.

Some Highlights: Grey Glacier, the refugios, the Cuernos (mountains), Vallee Frances with its snow covered mountainsides, the Chileno Valley and the Torres del Paine.

Walking Route Planner:

The number of days required depends on how fit and how quickly or leisurely you want your walking holiday to be. Work out the average number of kilometres you are prepared to do in a day, taking into account the landscape and the refugio in which you will end your day. We did the walk in 5 days.

Luggage transfer: This service is available for guided walkers and can be organized through a number of tour operators on the ‘guided’ itineraries. Independent walkers need to carry their own gear.

Your Torres del Paine Accommodation: This is in refugios and must be booked in advance. There is the option for camping as well. Bring your own tents.

Food: Most walkers take advantage of the great meals provided by the refugios’ staff. Determined walkers can cook their own in the campsites.

When to go? The northern Spring or Autumn seasons are recommended as accommodation is easier to obtain and the tourist numbers are lower.

Walking Gear: Good walking boots and socks are critical. Your shoes should have been broken in. Also important is what rain gear to take. Make sure it’s made from a breathable material.

Our Take:

This is Chile’s premier Patagonian walk.  The mountains, glaciers and lakes on this 58 km journey through Patagonia are inspiring, so remember to bring your camera. Be prepared for rain, wind and wonderful walking. The path is usually walked from Refugio Grey to Refugio Chileno.

See the Torres del Paine itinerary here

Walking along the Seven Sisters

South Downs Way – Itinerary:

England’s South Downs Way Walk is a 164 km route that takes walkers across farmlands, through the woods, over chalk cliffs and along pleasant river valleys. A wonderful walking holiday for those yearning for gentle, yet impressive scenery.

The walk can be done in 9 days, but we recommend to add another day at Alfriston or Winchester.  In planning an itinerary, some of the considerations in determining the distance for each day should include the type of terrain, the accommodation, weather, time of year and how fit one is.

The following is an outline of the 9-day walk itinerary that we chose.  We decided on this itinerary because of the reasonable distances and the available accommodation.

Begin at: Eastbourne, England.
How to get there: London’s Victoria to Eastbourne – train takes 90 minutes.

Walking itinerary:

Day 1: Eastbourne to Alfriston  (17.5 km)
Walk up to Beachy Head cliffs, Then up and down over the “Seven Sisters” chalk cliffs, when the scenery changes at Cuckmere Haven. Here the Cuckmere river meanders down to the sea. Walk up the valley and across hillside footpaths to Littlington with its attractive tea shops before walking to Alfriston.

Day 2: Alfriston to Kingston    (19 km)
Up onto the high Downs reaching a high point on this section at Firle Beacon. Across farmland to the River Ouse near Rodmell. A little further on is the Frog firle YH. Rodmell village has a pub and the “Monk’s House, where Virginia Woolf used to live. A little futher to Kingston.

Day 3: Kingston to Clayton     (13 km)
The trail climbs above the historic town of Lewes.  This section is  the highest part of the Downs. We pass over the highest point on the route at Ditchling Beacon 248 m.  Eventually, passing lark filled skies, the white “Jack and Jill“ Clayton windmills greet us on our descent down to Clayton.

Day 4: Clayton to Bramber      (13.5 km)
The route ascends and descends via the “Devil’s Dyke” – said to be the world’s largest chalk dry valley. We then walk on through the parish of Upper Beeding to drop down to the Ardur River Valley. Another  stretch of The Downs with great views down to the villages below and ancient features such as tumuli burial mounds and cross dykes are seen.

Day 5: Bramber to Amberley     (21 km)
There’s a steep climb up to the fascinating Chanctonbury Ring – a Bronze Age hill fort settlement. The path then drops steeply and then climbs once again for the leg above the town of Storrington, where beautiful Downland trails or a minor road from Chantry Post, can be used to make a pub diversion to this town. The trail continues over fields and through sections of forest to reach and descend to the attractive village of Amberley.

Day 6: Amberley to Cocking     (18.5 km)
You could also climb up to a point from where it is about 1/4 mile off route to the highest point on the South Downs at Crown Tegleaze at 253 m.  The path continues across the Downs, soon entering a dark and  muddy woodland before descending to Cocking Hill, and then into Cocking village.

Day 7: Cocking to Buriton       (17.5 km)
Walking along woodland trails. Features such as the Devil’s Jumps tumuli; a group of large ancient burial hillocks. There is also Beacon Hill, an Iron Age Hill fort that you can pass over on the trail. Next, the village of Harting with its impressive looking coppered church spire and then Buriton, another attractive  village, with a series of ponds.

Day 8: Buriton to Exton   (21 km)
Through Queen Elizabeth Country Park with a café. Next, up Butser Hill with its Bronze Age field patterns. Over The Downs into vast farmland and wooded countryside, and a steep climb up to “Old Winchester Hill,” a National Nature Reserve and Iron Age Fortress from where the Isle of Wight can be seen on a clear day. To the Meon Valley villages, first of which is Exton.

Day 9: Exton to Winchester     (19 km) – your destination! 
We walk past the other Meon Valley villages - Corhampton and Meonstoke and  over fields until we see Winchester in the distance.

How to get back from Winchester: Take a train from Winchester to London’s Waterloo (1 hr).
 

Our Take:

Starting from Eastbourne, you get an early chance to walk across the famous chalk cliffs (Seven Sisters). Then up through the rolling downs, past villages and towns. You finish at ancient Winchester, full of sites to visit (including Winchester Cathedral) and an easy place to get back to London from.

See the South Downs Way information for walkers here

Walking on the Downs

Britain’s South Downs Way National Trail is open to walkers, cyclists and horse riders. It runs for about 160 km between Winchester and Eastbourne following the rolling chalk downs of Sussex and Hampshire. The route follows prehistoric droveways that have been in use for at least 6,000 years, and numerous Bronze Age round barrows decorate the trail.

The Way begins in Eastbourne, passes the villages and towns of Alfriston, Kingston, Clayton, Bramber, Amberley, Cocking, Buriton, Exton and finally Winchester.

Kev Reynolds wrote one of the original guidebooks ‘The South Downs Way: Eastbourne to Winchester’, which is a useful illustrated book, with line-drawings, detailed maps and route directions.

The South Downs Way route is 160 km long and for those contemplating this trail for their walking holiday in England, a certain amount of planning is required. Although the path is well marked, the English weather is unpredictable and needs to be catered for.

Some general information about the walk: South Downs Way Route: Starting from Eastbourne, the 160 km trail wends its way westwards and ends at Winchester, King Alfred’s Saxon capital. Walking over the rolling cliffs of the Seven Sisters is a pleasure. There’s an exhilarating sense of space on the Downs. The track dips down into valleys and passes through the woods and fields of the Weald.

Some Highlights: Beachy Head and Seven Sisters chalk cliffs
Cuckmere valley – classic river meanders down to the sea
Devil’s Dyke – an impressive dry valley carved out in the Ice Age
Chanctonbury Ring – Iron Age hill fort and Roman remains
Amberley village and Wild Brooks – a picture postcard village overlooking the Arun flood meadows
Uppark House – 17th century stately house, the childhood home of HG Wells
Old Winchester Hill – Iron Age hill fort and National Nature Reserve
The Meon villages – attractive old villages along the river Meon
Winchester City – first capital of England.

Walking Route Planner:

The number of days required depends on how fit and how quickly or leisurely you want your walking holiday to be. Work out the average number of kilometres you are prepared to do in a day, taking into account the landscape and the town or village in which you will end your day.  It’s also nice to plan on arriving a little earlier in a village if there are interesting attractions you may like to visit, such as in Amberley or Winchester.   We did the walk in 9 days, however it’s also possible to do it in about 7-8 days.

Luggage transfer: This efficient service is readily available and can be organized through a number of tour operators on the ‘self-guided’ itineraries.

Your South Downs Way Accommodation: This is usually in B&Bs or inns and should be booked in advance.

Food: Mostly good quality traditional English food is served up at B&Bs and village inns and there are wide choices in their menu. Cider and ale are common. Most B&B owners can cater for vegetarians or people with other food preferences if given sufficient notice.

When to go? The northern spring or autumn seasons are recommended as accommodation is easier to obtain and the tourist numbers are lower.

Walking Gear: Good walking boots and socks are critical. Your shoes should have been worn in. Also important is what rain gear to take. Make sure it’s made from a breathable material.

Our Take:

The walking on this 160 km journey through southern England is fabulous, so remember to bring your camera. Be prepared for rain and the wonderful walking. The path is well sign posted. See you on the track.

 See the South Downs Way itinerary here

Drovers Inn Inverarnan

West Highland Way: Itinerary:

Scotland’s West Highland Way walk is a 154 km route that takes walkers along the shore of Loch Lomond, across Rannoch Moor and up over the Devil’s Staircase, eventually arriving at Fort William.

The walk can be done in as little as 6 days, but for a more pleasurable walking experience 8 days is recommended.  In planning an itinerary, some of the considerations in determining the distance for each day should include the type of terrain, the accommodation, weather, time of year and how fit one is.

The following is an outline of the 8-day walk itinerary that we chose.  We decided on this itinerary because of the reasonable distances and the available accommodation.

Begin at: Milngavnie, Scotland.
How to get there: To Milngavnie: Train from London’s Euston Station to Glasgow Central Railway Station (5 – 5 ½ hours), short walk (10 minutes) or bus to Glasgow Queen Street Railway Station, then train to Milngavie (20 minutes).

Walking itinerary:

Day 1 – Milngavnie – Drymen (19 km)
An easy day, just don’t spend too long at the Glengoyne Distillery as you have another 8 km to walk before reaching Drymen.

Day 2 – Rowardennan (22.5 km)
Along the shore of bonny Loch Lomond. See if you can spot the various highland creatures about.

Day 3 – Inverarnan (22.5 km)
A further walk along Loch Lomond, with occasional traffic noise from the motorway on the opposite shore.
Have dinner at the Drover’s Inn (from 1705).

Day 4 – Crianlarich (10.5 km)
Loch Lomond, Glen Falloch and a series of dramatic cascades to the village of Crianlarich.

Day 5 – Bridge of Orchy (21.5 km)
A fairly tiring day, but great views and variable weather.

Day 6 – Kings House (21.5 km)
This is a super day’s walk in the middle of the bleak expanses of Rannoch Moor to the Kingshouse Hotel.

Day 7 – Kinlochleven (14.5 km)
Then past mighty Buachaille Etive Mor, which guards the entrance to Glencoe. Then the ‘Devil’s Staircase’, the village of Kinlochleven at the head of Loch Leven.

Day 8 – Fort William (22.5 km) – your destination! 
The final stage of this spectacular trail crosses the Lairigmor pass to Glen Nevis and the busy little town of Fort William, with the vast bulk of Ben Nevis waiting to be climbed.

How to get back from Fort William: A train from Fort William Railway Station to Glasgow Queen Street (3 ½ hrs), then taxi or bus to Glasgow Airport, or to continue to London; short walk (10 minutes) or bus to Glasgow Central Railway Station for a train to London’s Euston (5 – 5 ½ hours)..

Our Take:

Make sure your wet weather gear is up to scratch. Walking lochside can be a little noisy from the traffic on the opposite shore. The moors and the highlands are a great introduction to walking in Scotland.

See the West Highland Way information for walkers here

At the top of the Devil's Staircase on the West Highland Way

Britain’s West Highland Way Walk is one of the best known walks in Scotand. This walk takes you along the shoreline of Loch Lomond, over Rannoch Moor, along Glencoe Valley and over the ranges to Loch Linnhe and Fort William.

The Way begins in Milngavie, reaches Loch Lomond and passes the villages and towns of Drymen, Rowardennan, Inverarnan, Crianlarich, Bridge of Orchy, Kings House and Kinlochleven before arriving at Fort William.

Terry Marsh has written a Cicerone guidebook ‘The West Highland Way From Milngavie to Fort William’, a useful illustrated booklet, with detailed maps and route directions.

The West Highland Way route is 154 km long and for those contemplating this trail for their walking holiday in Scotland, some planning is required. Although the path is well marked, the Scottish weather is more than unpredictable and needs to be respected.

Some general information about the walk: West Highland Way Route: Starting from Milngavie, the 154 km trail wends its way northwards and ends at Fort William, the largest town in the highlands. It passes from the lowlands, across the Highland Boundary Fault and into the Scottish Highlands. Much of the Way follows ancient and historic routes of the drove roads along which highlanders herded their cattle and sheep to market in the lowlands, Military roads built by troops to help control the Jacobite Clans and Old coaching roads and disused railway lines. The walk crosses a variety of terrains, including lakeside tracks, moors and mountain passes. Wet weather gear is a necessary as is warm clothing.

Some Highlights: Loch Lomond, Glen Falloch and a series of dramatic cascades to the village of Crianlarich and to the Bridge of Orchy. Loch Tulla, the bleak expanses of Rannoch Moor to the Kingshouse Hotel. Then past mighty Buachaille Etive Mor, which guards the entrance to Glencoe. Then the ‘Devil’s Staircase’, the village of Kinlochleven at the head of Loch Leven. The final stage of this spectacular trail crosses the Lairigmor pass to Glen Nevis and the busy little town of Fort William, with the vast bulk of Ben Nevis waiting to be climbed.

Walking Route Planner:

The number of days required depends on how fit and how quickly or leisurely you want your walking holiday to be. Work out the average number of kilometres you are prepared to do in a day, taking into account the landscape and the town or village in which you will end your day.  It’s also nice to plan on arriving a little earlier in a village if there are interesting attractions you may like to visit, such as in Bridge of Orchy or Fort William.   We did the walk in 8 days, however it’s also possible to do it in about 7 days.

Luggage transfer: This service is readily available and can be organized through a number of tour operators on the ‘self-guided’ itineraries.

Your West Highland Way Accommodation: This is usually in B&Bs or inns and should be booked in advance.

Food: Mostly good quality traditional Scottish food is served up at B&Bs and village inns and there are wide choices in their menu. Most B&B owners can cater for vegetarians or people with other food preferences if given sufficient notice.

When to go? The northern spring or autumn seasons are recommended as accommodation is easier to obtain and the tourist numbers are lower.

Walking Gear: Good walking boots and socks are critical. Your shoes should have been worn in. Also important is what rain gear to take. Make sure it’s made from a breathable material.

Our Take:

There is a lot to see on this 164 km journey through England, so don’t forget to bring your camera. Be prepared for rain and the wonderful walking. The Way is usually walked from south to north. See you on the track.

See the West Highland Way itinerary here