Walkers are always looking for a new challenge. Waking up early, walking miles upon end, defying the elements, savouring the views and stopping occasionally for a bite to eat and drink are all part of the experience. Luckily, the English countryside offers many opportunities for this type of adventure.
Whether you are a beginner or expert, a walking holiday is a great way to discover the land. Hopefully, some of the following information will help you to sort out the logistics, ensure you have all you need and prepare for the ultimate trip!
As far as accommodation goes, it is best to stay in a rural location if possible. Staying in a rural location will help to keep you in a one-to-one position with nature, whereas a hotel or resort location will tend to the wants and desires of everyone in the outside world. Keep in mind that your accommodation is a fairly major factor in the location you decide upon. You will definitely need to check out the area you want to stay in advance to determine the logistics of getting there, what you will need and how to prepare for the trip.
When determining the budget for a walking holiday, keep in mind that you will probably not have all of the supplies that you need. Bring only what you need to thoroughly process and learn more about the location. Do not be afraid to travel light.
Footed down to the local camping store armed with a list of camping accessories and maps to determine if the chosen location has enough to make your stay worthwhile.
Walking:
Not at all difficult, but remember to pack for every eventuality. Things you can’t live without. Wet wipes, doctor’s orders, medicines, clothes, shoes, handheld devices and of course, a map and compass.
Keep your goals simple, obviously. Otherwise, the adventure can turn into a horrible experience. Think brightly and you can achieve them. Thus, carefully plan your trip to leave everything as you had it.
In walking, safety is your main concern. Know the location and nearest points of water. Know the area and how wildlife will react to your presence. Use a mobile phone or some solar energy to keep you connected with local weather reports.
To walk in some places you need to have a GPS, compass, map and useful information to get you to the next higher point. Walk in ways you never thought, then figure out, how to get yourself to the next level.
Communication. Having a way to get a hold of someone, especially in an emergency can prove invaluable.
When you are walking in remote areas, tell someone where you plan to camp and when you expect to return. Provide them with your planned route. They need to know your record and have a way to track you if you don’t return. This is a safety measure, because if they can’t locate you they could be sent into the wilderness alone.
Your goal is to have a successful, fun experience. To help you achieve these, you need to be cooperative, respectful to the environment, and realistic about your location and the location of your planned camping spot.
Being Responsible
When you go camping, you:
Must take care to pick up after yourself Always camp at designated places if possible. These areas will be designated in your camping program or in a designated area in your camping ground. May not pick up rubbish and human waste. May not build a fire into an open fire pit. May not build a tent Camp as close to streams and ponds as possible. These water sources will contain bacteria and toxins. They are not safe to drink.
Take all the garbage with you. In campsites, you must use biodegradable bags to store your garbage. Avoid building a fire nearby. Leave your camp site as you found it. Respect local wildlife and remove all traces before you leave.
Winter
Beautiful white! No sun or shade. Cold, but not freezing. You can’t help but doze off. Open up your sleeping bag. Did you really think that you would keep warm in a sleeping bag? Think again. Sleeping bags are not heat trapping. Building a campfire nearby keeps you warm, but you will still be sleeping in a bag.
Lighting
If you see a pathway to your camp site, rather than risking your life to climb over and explore, turn down the lights. Think about your fellow campers in the dark. They were there, trying to enjoy their time, too. They didn’t deserve to have their Light switched off a few feet from your flashlight.
All of theseSafety Tips are just a guideline. You may need to adjust your accommodation to accommodate.
