[Closed] Any long distance walkers in?

Before I knackered my feet, I'd done a few long distance walks...

Terrain will dictate how far you can walk daily and the stress on your body. Harder surfaces will be faster but can kill your legs.

Allow lots of overnight recovery time. Should be easy at this time of year.

Consider interspersing nights out with B&Bs, especially if the weather isn't great.

I like poles. I've a long story about "walking poles" but that's for another time.

Hopefully, TJ will show up on this thread

Should be easy at this time of year.

Will probably be in the spring I'd say.

Doesn't quite get you home to Cardiff, but how about Offa's Dyke Path https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/offas-dyke-path/ ?

30 a day is quite tough, you'd have to work up to that, I think. I did St Cuthbert's way this summer over 5 days, which was really far too relaxed, but even over 4 days it would only have been 16 miles a day. Didn't use poles but do have some very comfortable boots.

How about the Offa's dyke path? Southern half is lovely, I haven't done the northern section but it looks just as good.
For me, 30 miles a day would be ridiculous/impossible, particularly fully loaded in hilly country. 15 to 20 is more like it, but don't under estimate the way tiredness builds from day after day of this kind of effort.
Ha, just beaten by OWG!
PPS I bloody love poles!

30 miles is a good walk, and just because you don't get blisters walking round your neighbourhood doesn't mean you won't after 30/60/90/300 miles. I've done a back to back 30 and that was a long couple of days, my perfectly fitting walking shoes started to hurt and there were a few chafing issues.

In conclusion, I doubt you'll die, but it'll be bloody hard work, it's 10 hours per day on your feet. It'll also be a touch boring as the route won't be views all the way.

Dunno, but I've decided to walk to Milan for a coffee next Spring. Probably get the train home though.

Fitness generally isn't an issue as people "walk themselves fit" after a few days. Main thing is avoiding blisters. Walking shoes that you've broken in and fit perfectly, plus fresh socks every day, and you should be fine. Oh and don't carry too heavy a pack.

OD path doesn't float my boat as much as staying more to the West and hitting the big country. My initial thought would be something like Ogwen, then the Rhinogs, really want to stay the night in Hengwm, then Hafren Forest, then Llanwrtyd area, Eppynt, Beacons obviously then home via the route I usually ride which is via Dowlais and Caerphilly.

In fact I might make Hengwm a must-do because it's a fantastic spot but not really very good on a bike. It might even be better to go Bangor to Aberystwyth that way and get the train back from there.

just because you don’t get blisters walking round your neighbourhood doesn’t mean you won’t after 30/60/90/300 miles

Of course I'm aware of this - what I meant was I don't tend to get blisters when I do a 10 hour walk.

I think maybe a day of 30 miles if the terrain is OK is perhaps doable with a rest day after, but not day after day. (certainly wouldn't plan it like that) I think you'd have to really look at the route closely to see what's do-able on a particular route day in day out though. Regardless walking poles would be on my kit list

I'm keeping an eye on this thread because I've been tempted by similar recently.

I would bank on 25 miles per day maximum. Anymore and your feet start to feel it.
Also, do the Wales Coastal Path around the LLeyn penninsula and down around cardigan Bay. It's much better than Offa's Dyke path and probably better weather (as it's coastal - less rain). It's also well waymarked so saves your brain from constant map-reading.

I've done 4x50ks back to back.

Never used poles. Big issues are blisters but don't underestimate the pounding your feet take.

Should sign up to the 4daagse!

I would bank on 25 miles per day maximum. Anymore and your feet start to feel it

Entirely dependant on terrain, weather and physical fitness/conditioning - and other variables too tbh.

Look at the many Cape Wrath Trail completion vids on youtube, granted Wales won't be quite as rough, but most average under 20 miles per day, and have a rest day too.

I'm firmly in the 'you won't know until you try it' camp.

@duncancallum have you looked at the ring of fire route yet? cracking big route for you to explore your newish surroundings 🙂

I have done this a lot. 200 miles would take me at least 3 weeks

I work on 12 miles a day for carrying all my kit on rough terrain. Day after day that is enough. You want time to enjoy the scenery and your lunch and to retain some energy for the next day and when you get overtired is when you make mistakes and fall. I can do 15 or even 18 but I find 12 is a realistic number for planning. 30 is an absurd amount. thats 10 hours walking head down every day - no time to sight see and packing up and pitching camp in the dark at this time of year

Every gramme you carry counts as well. Light boots are important to reduce fatigue and IMO poles are essential - I walk with one and carry a second for steep downhills. Even if just for sability crossing streams or prodding bogs to see how deep

Thats my experience of many hundreds of miles walked in multiday tracks on all terrain and climates

Oh - and a day with a pack in rough terrain is far far more effort that a day on the flat with no pack

when did you last walk 30 miles in a day? When did you last do more than 15?

Fatigue is cumulative on this things. I also tend to have a day in a hotel every 2nd or 3rd day

Dunno, but I’ve decided to walk to Milan for a coffee next Spring. Probably get the train home though.

*High fives with an awkward handshake movement*

When I retire I had thought about having a coffee in the most northerly, southerly, easterly and westerly coffee shops in Europe.

I have been to the most northerly, most NW, most NE, most westerly, most southerly and most south west spots in the UK. Just the eastern bit to do. also been to the most northerly point in europe and most westerly

Yea, 25 miles on undulating terrain found in the UK. More in Norfolk, less in Snowdonia/Highlands

When I retire I had thought about having a coffee in the most northerly, southerly, easterly and westerly coffee shops in Europe.

But by the time you walk there your planned coffee shop will have closed and the next one will be somewhere over there... Whereas,

I have been to the most northerly, most NW, most NE, most westerly, most southerly and most south west spots in the UK

these bits don't move. 😀

30 is an absurd amount. thats 10 hours walking head down every day – no time to sight see and packing up and pitching camp in the dark at this time of year

I've watched a few of the Pacific Crest Trail and John Muir Trail (etc) films. Some of them aim for 20-30 miles a day, for months on end.

I watched one where they challenged themselves to do as far as they could in 24hours. One did 60 miles - with pack on through the hills...

When I retire I had thought about having a coffee in the most northerly, southerly, easterly and westerly coffee shops in Europe.

I'll play. Does it have to be a dedicated coffee shop? The most northerly cafe appears to be the Scandic Hotel at the Nordkapp:

https://goo.gl/maps/T3JZRTpDNVNr7PBs7

EDIT nope, there's apparently a cafe at this lighthouse:

https://goo.gl/maps/3akwZwsbVBMm8wfj9

You'll struggle to define the easternmost point of Europe though. It might be Baku if you're being generous.

According to Wikipedia it might be this place:

https://www.google.com/maps/ @67.5169563,64.074035,3a,90y,230.56h,92.74t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1syAoO4VZWvRWrqaMa3ixfGQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DyAoO4VZWvRWrqaMa3ixfGQ%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D5.0172176%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

Up for it?

You’ll struggle to define the easternmost point of Europe though. It might be Baku if you’re being generous.

To me the game is about getting there, not being 'right'.

And don't tell me Iceland is in Europe... 🙈

I did the Swiss Peaks race this September, made it to 260km or so before having to drop out due to injury. Despite going very light (no need to carry food, and my sleeping bag + change of clothing went on ahead of me) it still took me approx 5 days, and that was sleeping less than 3 hours / day. Bear in mind I'd been training for this most of the year, including lots of 40-50km outings and a 100+km ultra a couple of months beforehand.

OK, it was in the Alps, but I doubt central Wales would be that much easier and the weather's likely to be worse. So I'd echo what everyone else has said: you haven't got a chance in hell of doing 200 miles in a week. TJ's estimate of 3 weeks would be far more reasonable.

@nobeerinthefridge

Nice loop. Would have been keen once. I don't do well on long distances anymore. Hip replacement let's me ride fine but walking is hard especially big downs. Though I might look at doing bits

Second eastern-most shop looks much much better though:

https://goo.gl/maps/CxDkhsWoSzgL8eGN7

So I’d echo what everyone else has said: you haven’t got a chance in hell of doing 200 miles in a week.

I know, it does say that in the original post.

I know, it does say that in the original post.

Not really, it says "a bit of a stretch" and "probably too far", which is highly optimistic. Bordering on insane 😀

I said probably too far, and I was right 🙂

However now this has made me want to try it and see how far I can actually go in a week.

I've done 62.5 miles in a day on 4 or 5 occasions, travelling light and not doing back to back days. Carrying stuff and doing day after day the most I tend to aim for is around 12 miles.

As above, waking up after a day of walking, having slept on the floor, having to pack up all your stuff then set off I find taking it easy and walking a slow 12 miles over say 4 or 5 hours then setting up again, finding a pub, dinner, bed, repeat is about my limit

You could do the Camino de Santiago as a start to see how you get on - it's actually set up for long distance walkers, with accomodation available at nicely spaced intervals (based on 100s of years of experience).

30 is an absurd amount. thats 10 hours walking head down every day

Quite. I find 15 miles to be a pleasant distance - a proper day's walk but enough time for a pub lunch and finishing in time for a relaxing evening.

I’m keeping an eye on this thread because I’ve been tempted by similar recently

Same here,I'm looking at doing the Penine way

25-30km a day for the first week I suggest. I've done 845 km in 29 days, my first walk to Compostelle along the north coast and Primitivo from St jean de Luz. 25-30km a day the for the first week and 30-35km the last week. We've never done more than 42km in a day with camping kit. You do get walked in but there's a limit. I had a 12kg pack including 1 liter of water and food for the day and Madame 10kg. On subsequent routes we've done less.

I always carry sandals. In fact the boots spend more time in the pack than the sandals. Every bit of easy trail I change into sandals and sometimes do the whole day in them.

Keeping your feet clean and dry is essential. Over trowsers that go over waterproof boots if it's raining.

The route will be tricky, we do things that keep roads to a minimum, that often means that we see a road sign to our destination for the day that's 5km less than we'll walk. From Bangor to Cardiff I'd want three weeks and I'd do the walking routes through Snowdonia, the Berwyns, the desert of Wales and Brecon Beacons. In a week I wouldn't plan to get beyond Machynthleth.

Glyndwrs Way is a more remote route than OD.The northern half will require wildcamping so more weight.We have the maps etc if you decide to go that way.

However now this has made me want to try it and see how far I can actually go in a week.

I think that's the approach I would take. Go as far as you want to each day.

Which is great until you're trying to find campsite or accomodation on our crowded little island.

I'm confusing the Berwyns with the range behind Harlech. 35 years since I lived In Wales.

You could do the Camino de Santiago as a start to see how you get on

Significantly more difficult to arrange and with more travelling time though.

The plan would be to wild camp anyway. It's free, and more flexible than having to make a booked place and not being able to go any further if you get there too early and feel good.

Walked the coastal section of the Bibbulmun trail in Western Oz. Around 350km. Took about two weeks or so.

Was 19 at the time and was walking it with an English teacher (38) who had split with her husband. I learnt an awful lot during that time and no, it wasn't grammar and spelling.

I’ve watched a few of the Pacific Crest Trail and John Muir Trail (etc) films. Some of them aim for 20-30 miles a day, for months on end.

I watched one where they challenged themselves to do as far as they could in 24hours. One did 60 miles – with pack on through the hills…

They ain't normal folk tho! Well Moley is not either but you know what I mean 🙂

Another vote for 30miles is too far, we've done a couple of the corsican coast to coast walks (very hilly) and a couple of times we coupled up days as they seemed too short, even double days were still sub 20miles. As a challenge I've managed 60miles in 24hrs but that was supported & with no kit to carry.

I think planning on a lower daily mileage is important. I’d look at something like the Cambrian Way route.

I guess you will have watched this already but, from my perspective, this guy seems to just get things right.

Hooks

And don’t tell me Iceland is in Europe

Well, Australia is the Eurovision...

Well, Australia is the Eurovision…

Bugger.

It's going to be a long ride/walk/retirement.

I'd reduce the distance or extend the time tbh

The West side is the way I'd head but 30 miles with the Rhinogs stuck in the middle is a hell of a day. I'd do a lot of google earth making sure there is some resemblance to a track on the ground, the Rhinogs are pretty bleak on a foggy day, I'd be brushing up on my map and compass skills, I've only walked them once but I'm not sure if there is an actual track that goes over the Rhinog peaks, the Arenigs across the way are worth a look too.

Again, sections across Llantwrtd can be very bleak, and horrible going (tussucky hell) up steep banks - I'd look to fit in the Drygarn Fawr cairns on the way through.

You could probably get bothy to bothy down if they're open by then, that in itself would present a pretty good challenge.

I'd just be very weary, on a nice sunny day it'll be an absolutely fantastic day out and you'll have clear views of whats in front of you, and on the map. With low cloud and terrible visibility that game changes very quick, it's Wales so you'll never be too far from a road (if you can find it) I've been walking out the back of Afan Arban and came very very close to turning an ankle off a tussock, had to pull myself together a bit and walk it off (not easy with a 3 day sack on) if you're up that way and something goes wrong there's a good chance of no phone signal and no one else will be wandering past for a few days at least, made me very aware so I'd keep that in mind.

I hope I reach retirement at an age where I can do those walks in good health, without the restrictions of short time periods.

You could look at something based on the Dragons Back route. - It certainly picks up some of the best hilly bits. A bit of careful planning should allow you to re supply on route.

Don't forget about the climbing and the terrain. Both will slow you down and sap your energy. If 20 miles on a flat, relatively even, dry surface is doable in a day, you might struggle to do much more than half that if you are fighting over undulating stuff, with muddy paths, bogs, heather/bracken etc. You can easily "waste" an hour on the trail stopping for photos, a brew, a pee, lunch, mapreading etc. If you are used to bike packing you'll know how much time pitching and sticking camp, making food etc takes. If you are going for a week you'll need to be really disciplined at it or you'll end up getting get damp you don't want to.

I haven't carried a huge pack with all my supplies, tent etc, in it since I did my DOE, and whilst I know that I'd have been carrying way too much unnecessary stuff, and modern kit is lighter - I'm in no rush to do so again. I'd need to be going somewhere there was no hostel/BnB type option to even consider it. I'm not particularly fit but I'm exercising outside most weekends and anything beyond 15 miles is starting to be a slog with just a day sack unless the terrain etc are very nice. If I've gone over 20 one day I always cut back the next day. I never plan more than 8 hours on the go because that will be the day you make a wrong turn, you discover the bridge you needed was washed away last week, or twist an ankle or it starts snowing and you hide under a bridge for 2 hrs till it stops... and if that was already going to be a 10-12 hr day it just got really shit (you may have an advantage by carrying a tent that you can stop early - although personally I sometimes need the motivation for the last 3 miles that I've got a bed booked).

However now this has made me want to try it and see how far I can actually go in a week.

mmm... you sound like a mate of mine - where every bike ride, run, cycle has to be about having the most crazy numbers. How much fun he had on the way doesn't matter so long as he can go back to work next week and people go "wow, you're mad".

I have always wanted to do a long distance walk, so I'm watching with interest. 🙂

I agree with TJ.

12 miles a day when carrying kit is plenty. Anything more than 15 a day turns in an endurance event.

Don't forget your chamois cream, it's not just your feet that will suffer!

There's a guy, Chase Mountains, on YouTube who gives very good tips regarding walking. He's also an advocate of using poles.

Friend of ours does transalp walks. Munich to Venice type walks. She's fit AF. Great bum.

@poly

Overcoming that sort of issue is the attraction for me. It's about testing myself.

mmm… you sound like a mate of mine – where every bike ride, run, cycle has to be about having the most crazy numbers. How much fun he had on the way doesn’t matter so long as he can go back to work next week and people go “wow, you’re mad”.

It's not every ride, and I certainly don't do it to tell my friends, but I actually enjoy the challenge of going as far or as long as I can. I've found they help on very steep climbs, and they help me walk really fast, but at a sustainable all day pace they don't seem that useful.

Re poles - I have some cheap ones, but they work. Apart from weight, what am I missing out on over more expensive?

Re poles – I have some cheap ones, but they work. Apart from weight, what am I missing out on over more expensive?

nothing really

You need to spend a good bit of cash to keep a multi day pack lightweight too. My pack for 5 days in the cairngorms earlier this year was around 12.5kg, could be lighter but the cairngorm plateau isn't a place to be without proper kit, even in summer.

I get pushing and testing yourself - but it still needs to be fun and a realistic target. #when planning my long leisurely strolls I aim for 70ish miles a week. ( that does allow for a day off each week - so 6x12 mile days) I could do a fair bit more but not 3x.

Don't underestimate how tough it is and its a different set of muscle groups and your feet will hurt even if you avoid blisters. Food is heavy as well - getting under a kilo a day is not easy 'cos you will need lots of calories and going into villages for resupply costs time.

Set yourself a hundred miles route to do in under a week and I would say wild camping thats enough of a challenge - achievable but tough.

You need to spend a good bit of cash to keep a multi day pack lightweight too.

I have my baseweight at 8 kg - thats tent, poles waterproofs cooking kit rucksac - everything enough to camp out in the cairngorms. Cost a lot of money

It’s about testing myself.

In that case go out and walk 30 miles with a 12kg pack and see if you can do one day, and if you can still walk beyond the end of the road the next morning.

Before Caminos we walk 15-18km when Madame finishes work a couple of times a week and do some mountain walks of around 1300m +ve as preparation.

Aye, with my walk to Milan I'm planning on doing it on concrete pavements/ gravel paths, through urban areas etc. It's almost all flat til you get to the Alps too, so I'm thinking 20 miles a day. That's with a lighweight walking pole tent and buying food from shops/cafes as I go.

So quite different from wilderness walking!

I've already agreed that 30 miles a day is not achievable.

I used to walk a hell of a lot before a silly (walking) injury and resultant RA put pay to serious walking (more than a mile or so) for a few decades.

But from 15-30yrs I’d happily do 25 leisurely miles a day on tarmac, towpaths, fireroads and footpaths. More if solo. I’d just take a sandwich and a drink. Carrying a big pack of course would be a different story.

Multiple days is a different story because then footcare and rest becomes an issue. In fact multiple days walking is a different beast altogether and takes conditioning. Is there no way you can sort of work up to it?

In that case go out and walk 30 miles with a 12kg pack and see if you can do one day, and if you can still walk beyond the end of the road the next morning.

^ This. Maybe 10kg + water 😉. You can go much, much lighter in the summer, and/or with heavy investment in light kit.

I’d agree with the 20 mile p/day with kit estimate but even that is optimistic depending on terrain. Wales of course not being the flattest. Bangor to Cardiff is approx 180 miles via the A470

It will certainly be (and feel like) a lot,lot longer off-road!

Re poles – I have some cheap ones, but they work. Apart from weight, what am I missing out on over more expensive?

As of now can only do about 10 miles lightly-loaded (daypack) but improving daily since buying poles and beginning losing weight.

Do I wish I’d had poles before disability got me? Yes and no. I’d enjoy the unencumbered walking for a full day. If hiking solo I’d sometimes cut a hazel pole, use it as a companion and aid. Multi-day hikes probably trekking-poles would have helped in hindsight.

Since buying some (recently) I find they propel me forward and take a good deal of the load off. Wouldn’t be without them. Spend some time watching how-to videos. I was at first using them so wrongly it was laughable. I wasn’t even aware of what the straps were for, let alone how to get into them.

As to quality/price I just a few weeks back went from cheapo (really cheap, ie short, hard plastic grips) to a decent pair (Black Diamond Trail) that I picked up for a song from FB Marketplace (£20)

Key differences are

- lightness (7005 alu)
- fliplocks (ie cam clamps, which are apparently more secure than twist-locks), - - much longer foam grip. This allows for an easy climbing-grip, ie you can just hold the grip much further down rather than having to shorten poles every time you hit a sharp ascent.
- More packable (collapse to 22”)

Wouldn’t be without them now. ymmv

There's some truth in "walking yourself fit" on a long trip. The temptation is to start with a big day, but overcome that and go easy for the first 2/3 days and you'll settle into a comfortable rhythm. Rather than aim for distance, just take it a bit easy, have breaks, stop early. By the time you reach day 4 your body will have adjusted to the daily routine and you'll start to cope with more miles.

There's no harm in setting a big target to see what you're capable of. It doesn't have to be about willy-waving. Just make sure you know where the public transport options are 😄

Re poles – I have some cheap ones, but they work. Apart from weight, what am I missing out on over more expensive?

Mrs_oab has teh carbonz (although cheap Sprayway version, £40) and I have boggo Vango.(£20)

Hers are noticeably lighter and nicer flex to them in use.

Both have fliplock (better IME than the screwlock), both have nice handles, hers have nicer straps too.

Other than that, no difference.

Biggest thing I could save weight on is my pack itself! I have lost my slightly lighter old skool Karrimor Alpiniste and so an currently using old skool Lowe Alpine 60l - it weights nearly 3kg alone!

Like TJ, I have built up some moderately light gear that costs a chunk but is nice to use. I have however gone too light recently, and am rowing back a touch on function over light weight.

I am saving for new tent - and want under 1.8kg if I can, currently spoiled by 900g tent, but it is going to cost...

Hmm. I'm definitely going to try a 2/3 day walk next year, mostly to see if my feet will cope. My overnight kit is so much lighter since I discovered bikepacking, It'll be a huge change.

How about not taking a tent ? Ild prefer a faster lightweight approach. If you’re doing it it summer, just a bivi bag. If the winter, B&B.

I have my baseweight at 8 kg – thats tent, poles waterproofs cooking kit rucksac – everything enough to camp out in the cairngorms. Cost a lot of money

Aye, ditto, my 12.5kg was with food for 4/5 days too.

There’s some truth in “walking yourself fit” on a long trip

Definitely, always feel stronger after a good few days walking!.

And this legend agrees. 🙂

How about not taking a tent ? Ild prefer a faster lightweight approach. If you’re doing it it summer, just a bivi bag. If the winter, B&B.

B&B I wouldn't rule out, but continuous nights in a bivi bag in Wales, a no for me. Not much weight difference in a lightweight tent v bivvy bag these days really, and the relative luxury of having room for your kit (and also being able to cook) inside the tent is a massive bonus.

I've done a few long walks...

5 or 6 5-day backcountry tramping trips in NZ, walked the Pembrokeshire Coastal path a couple of times...

It's good fun, but if you can plan around staying "not under canvas" it will greatly improve the ease of walking and fun.

I did the PCT in 2019 (roughly 2700 miles, in 157 days). I'd suggest accumulated fatigue is the biggest challenge on a longer (>1 week) hike. 1 day off in 7 seemed to work well to allow some recovery. For a shorter trip you may be able to just muscle through.

I watched 20-something college kids fly past knocking out the 35+ mile days in the flatter parts...my longest day was 27 miles. It took me about 300 miles to really get trail fit. I started at 12-15 mpd and gradually increased the distance. A lot of it is in the mind - are you prepared to push another 1,2,3,or 4 hours when everything hurts after the first 10 hours and you're tired (and quite likely a bit bored)? Why?

In the UK [wet] weather plays a big role - I binned a Glasgow-Cape Wrath Trail hike last month after 250 miles due to incessant poor weather. Just wasn't enjoying it. In Scotland I was only making 12.5 mpd with an off-trail route.