Hi there, team We Run. Coach Alexa here.
I’m drawing to a close on my series about walking, although I keep thinking of new topics to talk to you about.
Today I’m going to talk a little bit about resources for walking and hiking. Many of these also cross over into trail running.
AllTrails – Finding New Walking Routes
The first one is the AllTrails app.
I love it for coming up with new route ideas, particularly if I’m staying with a friend or on a trip somewhere different in the UK. It’s a great way to find local walks in different areas, not necessarily out in the sticks.
It’s a really good resource for walk ideas, with ratings for difficulty, route length, and estimated completion times. It’s a great place to start if you’re looking for local walking routes.
Ordnance Survey App – Planning and Navigation
I also love the Ordnance Survey app.
You can plan routes and check route distances. I grew up using OS maps, so I know all the symbols and can read the topography.
As well as taking a paper map with me, I love the OS app because it’s very user-friendly, easy to use, and gives you a little dot to show exactly where you are, which is very handy if you happen to get lost.
Learn Navigation Skills
I would thoroughly recommend taking some form of navigation course if you’re interested in getting into hills, moorland or mountains.
It’s really useful to have the skills, knowledge and confidence needed for those more challenging environments.
My favourite is the Outdoor Centre Plas y Brenin in Eryri National Park, North Wales.
I’ve been going there for years for various courses. I love it there. It has a fantastic location and atmosphere, the instructors are amazing, and I always meet really lovely, interesting people. I can’t wait to go back for my three-yearly outdoor first aid renewal later this year.
I’d thoroughly recommend taking any navigation course, but Plas y Brenin in particular.
National Trails Website
For more walking inspiration, have a look at the National Trails website.
These are a collection of nationally important trails that are particularly well waymarked and very well maintained. They have trail wardens who make sure the routes are kept clear, and if there are any problems, proper diversions are put in place.
As I said, they’re generally very well signposted, so they’re relatively difficult to get lost on, although not impossible.
Long Distance Walkers Association (LDWA)
Finally, last but by no means least, the Long Distance Walkers Association.
I love this organisation and have been a member for years.
For the incredible sum of £18 a year, or less if you pay annually by direct debit, you get access to local walking groups. These are social walking groups that organise a variety of walks each month from different meeting points.
You also get access to their challenge events. These are organised events where you have a start time and a route to follow. They are mostly self-navigated, so just bear that in mind, as they tend not to be marked.
They’re a brilliant organisation that puts on fantastic events all around the UK, with distances ranging right up to their 100-mile event.
My favourite benefit, and the one I use most, is their long-distance path database on the website.
It’s a fantastic collection of National Trails, named trails, smaller local routes created by individuals, and routes put together by members or local groups over the years.
You can often download GPX files, find information about guidebooks or leaflets for lesser-known routes, and sometimes even get recommendations on places to stay.
It’s another fantastic resource that I regularly use when I’m visiting different parts of the UK and looking for route ideas.
Final Thoughts
Do check them out. I hope that’s useful.
I’ve got a couple more videos to come about walking before I change tack.
If you have any comments or questions about walking, or anything you’d like me to focus on next, let me know.
Happy walking and running.
