*** Sorry - Walk Your Weekends is undergoing maintenance and is not currently available ***
Walk Your Weekends is everything I know about weekend walking from London.
*** Sorry - Walk Your Weekends is undergoing maintenance and is not currently available ***
HOW do I hike the best of Britain WITHOUT using all my precious holidays? = Do it at the weekends.
HOW do I get there WITHOUT a car? = Use public transport.
HOW do I get home to London on Sunday night from a remote location where the bus stops don't even exist? = I can tell you!
HOW do I make the most of my weekend and not waste it walking a rubbish route? = That's where I can help!
WHERE can I see some of the most beautiful British scenery and still do it in a weekend? = Read on!
These are the weekends I tell my friends to do if they ask me how to explore the best of British countryside walking.
These are the weekend trips that are explained in detail in Walk Your Weekends.
You can do all of these from London in a weekend by public transport.
In Walk Your Weekends I explain exactly how!
Langdale Extravaganza
Deep in the heart of the Lake District, in the little village of Elterwater, you’ll really feel like you’re away from it all, with the opportunity to climb one of Wainwright’s favourite fells, tick off the classic Langdale Pikes and rest your weary legs with a pint in the famous Old Dungeon Ghyll hikers pub. This is a very strenuous mountain walk with lots of drama.
If you’ve never been to Langdale before, this is a great way of diving right in and experiencing some of the classic fells and walks in the Lake District.
Ulverston to Langdale
This walk follows the first two days of the Cumbria Way from Ulverston, on the coast, heads through tranquil farmland at first, then enters the Lake District via some some wilder and more rugged paths, finally winding its way to Coniston along the Lake.
Day 2′s views are spectacular as the path heads through some of the Lake District’s most picturesque spots including Tarn Hows, Colwith and Skelwith waterfalls, Elterwater and Langdale, ending at the famous hiker’s pub the Old Dungeon Ghyll.
Kinder Scout, Bleaklow and the Pennine Way
The Pennine Way: well, what can I say? This is the oldest national trail in the UK, stretching 268 miles from Edale to Kirk Yetholm in Scotland. It is a very famous walk, full of history, atmosphere, adventure, misty wilderness, brooding moorland scenery, and weather-worn rocks!
On this weekend you will walk the first two days of the Pennine Way, from Edale to Diggle through the heart of the ‘Dark Peak’ (so called for its notorious peaty bogs!). This offers a wonderful taster of the trail and takes you into some areas of the countryside familiar Manchester locals over the peak district moorland plateau Kinder Scout, Bleaklow and Black Hill.
Petersfield to Amberley
An hour’s morning train journey and you’re on grassy paths in the South Downs with excellent views, amidst butterflies and wild flowers, often with birds of prey hovering overhead. On a good day you can see for miles from the many viewpoints, to the sea and inland across the south-east. The paths are good and navigation is easy.
This section also has many interesting ancient sites of interest such as ancient burial grounds, mysterious tumuli and monuments. Unlike much of the South Downs, this stretch is quite varied as you go through a good mixture of grassy, chalky downland, country fields, and woodland.
Rannoch Moor, Glen Coe and Ben Nevis
Taking the sleeper train you’ll wake up deep in bonnie Scotland. You’ll cross the remote wilderness of Rannoch Moor – home to herds of red deer – to the head of Glen Coe, with dramatic views of the mountain Buachaille Etive Mòr behind. Walk down Glen Coe, where each turn in the road brings a more amazing viewpoint. Climb up to the Hidden (or Lost) Valley, where the clan MacDonald hid rustled cattle. The next day is the opportunity to climb Ben Nevis, Britain’s biggest mountain. But the trip is not over yet; head straight to the sleeper train and glue yourself to the window for one of the most incredible train journeys in the UK.
Brecon Beacons
A beautiful National Park within reach of London, you can take the opportunity to tick off the iconic Beacons on a exhilarating ridge route with panoramic views; or explore some of the other best walks in the area.
Stay in (or near) Abergavenny - known for it's food - or Methyr Tydfil, close to the central Beacons; or even combine the two (I suggest an itinerary for all three options). This region has so much appeal it's worth coming back a few times to explore more of this unique and characterful park.
Scafell Pike
And of course... if we have Snowdon we have to do Scafell Pike too: England's biggest mountain and a popular Lake District challenge.
Smaller than Snowdon but in some ways more challenging, Scafell Pike can be climbed in a weekend from your base in the stunning Langdale or nearby Ambleside. It's a tough challenge, but if you're up for it, I suggest how this can be done.
On a good day the views over Cumbria are sheer heaven. And after your tough walk, you can retire to one of Langdale's great hikers' pub to celebrate your achievement.
Fairfield Horseshoe
A classic Lake District circular ridge walk starting from the town of Ambleside, the Fairfield Horseshoe takes in several Wainwright fells and will certainly blow the cobwebs away as you follow the ‘horseshoe’ round.
On Day 2, walk to Windermere via the spectacular viewpoints Wansfell and Orrest Head, which inspired Wainwright to move to the Lake district.
This weekend is based in one location so you will not have to carry your luggage, apart from on Day 2 when you will walk to Windermere.
Edale, Mam Tor and Win Hill
Edale in the Peak District is one of the classic British walking locations. From here the grassy, green White Peak (so called for its limestone) visibly morphs into the brooding, atmospheric, peaty and wild Dark Peak.
The area has been popular with hikers from nearby Manchester and Sheffield for decades and the mass trespass on Kinder Scout, one of the key battles leading to ‘rights of way’ for walkers, took place here.
Tour the vale of Edale, walk its famous ridge and you'll fall in love with the place.
Seven Sisters
This is a beautiful two day walk along the South Downs. The walking is easy but the views are rewarding and give a fantastic flavour of this part of the world. Starting in the characterful town of Lewes, this route follows grassy tracks along chalky hillsides over a series of lovely viewpoints. At times you feel as though you can see across the whole of the south-east of England.
Visit the Long Man, a mysterious chalk figure carved into the hillside, before reaching the sea at Cuckmere Haven, where the winding river has to be seen to be believed. The next sight is the spectacular ‘Seven Sisters’ white cliffs. Forget the white cliffs of Dover, this is the real deal.
Pentlands and Arthur's Seat
Visiting Edinburgh? Take a high level ridge walk taking in the peaks of the nearby Pentland hills, or in bad weather a low level walk is suggested. Both end in the Flotterstone Inn, where you can while away a few hours having some hearty pub grub and a few pints whilst you wait for the bus back to the city centre.
Finally if visiting Edinburgh you obviously must climb Arthur’s seat; I suggest a good route and an excellent pub lunch option (hello haggis!). Yes, it’s all about the pubs. It’s a hard life sometimes isn’t it?
Malham and the Yorkshire 3 Peaks
Walk through some of Yorkshire’s stunning scenery along some of the best bits of the iconic Pennine Way past Malham Cove with its fascinating limestone pavements and then climbing the distinctive Pen-y-Ghent, one of Yorkshire’s famous three peaks.
A third day, highly recommended option involves staying another night in Horton-in-Ribblesdale and topping off your weekend by completing the other two peaks: Ingleborough and Whernside.
Snowdon
Is it possible to climb Wales' biggest mountain in a weekend - from London? YES!
Will this be the year you finally tick it off?
I provide you with a suggested itinerary for travel, walking, accommodation, best route suggestions and plenty of Day 2 options from gentle walks to another mountain if you're feeling energetic.
This popular mountain has to be completed at some point. Why not this year?
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is a wonderful, easy get away at any time of year.It has some great coastal and downland walking, it's a short journey from London (some locals even commute!), and you get a real feeling of being 'on holiday' because you're on an island and by the sea. What's more, you can get around the island by public transport pretty easily.
This weekend includes two walks covering some of the best of the west and east of the island and some of its 'must see' attractions such as the famous Needles rocks, Alum Bay, Tennyson monument, Shanklin Chine.
Together, the two suggested walks take you to some of the island's best viewpoints like St Boniface Down, Limerstone Down, and Brighstone Down. You also get to walk along the coast for a while, too.
You can visit all these places with the information in Walk Your Weekends!
Your Weekend Walking Library
Immediate access to the library of 14 walking weekends so you can start to PLAN and BOOK your hiking weekend straight away.
I've done all the research for you - I've poured all my knowledge and experience into these guides.
These guides will tell you everything you need to know - including which map to buy, how to get there, where to stay, where to walk, where to eat, things to look out for, and background information about each walk.
Each PDF guide contains:
Summary of the weekend
Overall description of the weekend and the various options and alternatives
Route description
Route description with photographs
Accommodation
Recommendations on where to stay, including hostels, B&Bs, hotels, camp sites
Escape routes
Options to cut your walk short if you need to
Resources checklist
All on one page checklist covering the key pieces of information you’ll need for this weekend
2 or 3 days options
Have a 2 day weekend or a long weekend – details are given so you can tailor your weekend
Transport information
Detailed information on getting there and back by train and bus
Itineraries
Sample travel itineraries with example timings
Bad weather alternatives
Alternative routes in case the weather takes a turn for the worse and you can’t complete the suggested route
Route VIDEO
A video talk through of the route for the weekend
Photo VIDEO
A talk through of the weekend with photographs
Eating and drinking
Recommendations for the best places to eat and drink including the best pubs and where to get your picnic supplies
Note: I explain which maps are best/ best value to get for each weekend, describe the routes in the PDF itinerary, and talk through the route in a video and via photos. You do need to be able to read a map to use/understand these guides and you will need to buy or borrow a proper OS map to accompany the guides.
The Weekends include options for climbing 12 of the TRAIL 100 best mountains in Britain:
Introduction and Walk Chooser
I won't just leave you to read through the 50,000+ words in the library of guides!
Via the Introduction to Walk Your Weekends and the Walk Chooser I'll help you decide which walks are the best for you based on your requirements, time of year, fitness level, time to travel, and many other criteria.
Need a walk for autumn or winter?
Want to stay in hostels on your weekend?
Want a weekend that's quick to travel to?
No problem.
Lifetime Access
Once you're in, you get lifetime access - which means you can access the guides anytime AND you get access to all updates, revisions, and future bonuses and extras!
Sneak Peek Inside!
There's a reason I've created this as a multimedia resource.
Some of the best walking advice I've received in my life was in person.
You can't beat sitting down with someone and having a conversation, have them pour over a map with you, explaining the route, pointing it out and telling you the things to look out for on your journey.
That's why I've not only created incredibly detailed PDF guides for each weekend, but I've also created a video talkthrough of the routes.
It's as if we've met in the pub and I've giving you a full briefing over a pint* AND giving you a full info pack for each weekend.
In my verbal explanation, I can clearly explain all the alternatives, escape routes, and ways to shorten or adapt your routes.
Finally, as an online resource, I can easily add and update content when required; and you don't have to buy a new edition - you get lifetime access.
*Pint not included 😉
*** Sorry - Walk Your Weekends is undergoing maintenance and is not currently available ***
Yup because I can't stop creating things about walking you also get all these bonuses thrown in:
BONUS #1:
Video guidance
Are you a bit NERVOUS about weekend walking?
If you're new to weekend walking, walking outside of London or walking in Britain these videos will help!
I'll explain which maps are best to get, how to cope with the British weather, what equipment I use and much more.
I call it 'Walk Your Weekends Like a Pro'!
Here's the videos you'll get:
[VIDEO] 3 Simple Steps to Keep You Safe
If you're new to weekend walking or walking on your own, you might be concerned about safety on the hills. In this video I give you 3 simple steps and actionable tips to put your mind at rest.
You'll learn:
1. Things to Pack 2. Things to Know 3. Things to Do
You also get a CHECKLIST so you don't have to remember it all!
[VIDEO] How to stop the British weather spoiling your weekend
The weather is one of the biggest complaints people have about doing a weekend walking trip.
In this video I'll explain how to STOP the weather spoiling your weekend.
After watching this you might actually enjoy the inevitable rain!
And yes, there's a CHECKLIST too.
[VIDEO] Make traveling less troublesome
In this video you'll learn:
1. How to easily find travel information even on obscure bus routes
2. How to cut the cost of travel as much as you can
3. My top travel tips for a smooth journey
And there's a PDF DOWNLOAD containing links to all the resources mentioned in this video!
[VIDEO] How to Pack it in Five Minutes
In this video I'll SHOW you what I pack in my rucksack and explain my reasoning behind the key items I take!
You also get my PACKING CHECKLIST which you can download and edit to personalise it and help make packing less stressful.
Banish that 'I think I've forgetten something important' feeling for good, and make packing simple.
[VIDEO] Lessons Learned from 10 years of weekend walking
Learn the navigation mindtrick I learned from getting lost on Bleaklow in perfectly clear weather... The action I always take whenever I feel just a spot of rain... What I learned when my friend stumbled crossing Stickle Ghyll... Why I don't care what people think about my estimated walking speed... The key lesson I learned from the day my parents nearly died on the Cape Wrath trail... How to avoid getting a nasty surprise when you book into a hostel... And how to have awesome hiking experiences at any time of year.
[VIDEO] Mastering maps
I show you the different types of maps you can get in Britain and the various pros and cons of each!
The DOWNLOAD provides details of exactly which maps I recommend for the 10 weekend walks plus details of how to look at maps online for free.
[PDF] Practice and Prep suggestions
I've curated a list of a few suggested day hikes in and around London to challenge your fitness; these are long(ish) walks and/or challenging walks to help you train up for weekend walking.
BONUS #2:
This is my comprehensive ticklist to the BEST walking in London and around.
If you've ever wondered:
Which places are considered ‘must dos’?
How can I decide which walks to do to give me an absolute overview of the best walking available in and around London?
Where are the unmissable viewpoints?
What should any self-respecting London walker aim to tick off their checklist?
I’ve curated a list of 50 ‘must visit’ walking locations in and around London, and directed you to the best resources and information for finding out more about each of the items.
With this list, you’ll be able to find great ideas to suit you if you’re a beginner, and later on, if you want to try something more adventurous.
BONUS #3:
This 3 week mini course - delivered by email, video and PDF downloads and checklists will help you:
- Choose the right trail for you
- Choose the right map and guidebook combination
- Made some key decisions about where you'll sleep, how you'll backpack and what you'll delegate
- You'll plan your itinerary and set your dates
- Book your travel and accommodation without getting overwhelmed
- Plan how you'll practice for the trail
- Know exactly what gear you'll need
- Learn some key trail walking tips
- Get inspired and excited!
BONUS #4:
Ambleside in a Nutshell PDF
Ambleside is one of the best places for first time visitors to the Lake District.
It's easily accessible by pubic transport from the south of England, it's surrounded by gorgeous scenery, and has great transport links to some of the key walking areas and lakes.
Not only that but it has excellent restaurants and lots of rainy day options (which you DO need in the Lake District!).
I've been visiting Ambleside for years, and I regularly get questions about ideas for walks, transport and other information.
If you were to sit down with me over a coffee, I'd spend at least 3 hours or more explaining the options, points of interest, things to do and places not to miss.
So I decided to make it into a handy guide for you.
You can get the benefit of my experience and recommendations; without having to research it all yourself!
This PDF guide covers:
- How to get there by public transport
- How to get there by car; including route from London and service stations
- Where to park and cost
- How to find holiday cottages
- Which restaurants, cafes and pubs do you recommend (honestly!)?
- Where to get picnic supplies
- How to get around by bus and where you can go
- 8 EASY walking ideas / suggestions (low level walks; 6 m / 10 km or less; 3 hours or less)
- 3 MEDIUM walking ideas / suggestions (fell walks with some steep climbs; about half a day or less)
- 4 HARD walking ideas / suggestions (full day challenging fell walks)
- 15 things to see and do apart from walking / hiking
- What maps you'll need and which Wainwright books cover the nearby fells
- What are the hostel and camping options
- Where to hire bicycles
- What you can do on a rainy day
- Where are the cash machines
- Where is the post office, tourist information, medial centre and more
- Where the public toilets are (including the free one!)
- My recommendations of great shops in the town
- Map of the town and surrounding area (you could download the PDF to your phone and zoom into the map)
BONUS #5:
How to Plan Fantastic Car Free Walking Weekends PDF
The EXACT process of how I go about planning car free walking weekends away from London in Britain’s best hiking areas, with a specific case study.
This mega guide is going to be full of really PRACTICAL step by step tips and I break down the specific process for you – so you can do it too.
BONUS #6:
How to Walk the Best of Britain from London PDF
Ideas, Inspiration and Tips for Beautiful Hikes in Your Weekends
This 127 page PDF ebook is a compilation of 10+ years of experience of hiking Britain whilst living in London, 5 years of blog posts on londonhiker.com, and the best resources from my Hiking Britain email trainings all about hiking in Britain’s best hiking location – from London, without a car and in your weekends!
It includes:
- Crash Course in Britain’s Best Hiking: discover where the best hiking locations are and how to get there from London.
Stories, tips and inspiration for walking trips to:
- South Downs
- Isle of Wight
- Peak District
- Lake District
- Snowdon
- Brecon Beacons
- Yorkshire Dales
- Scotland
You’ll also get the big list of 20 ideas for weekend walking breaks from London.
Plus a planner to help you plan your best hiking year ever!
This is an online resource / toolkit jammed with videos, checklists, links and PDF guides
The last 10 years of my experience of hiking around Britain has been poured into Walk Your Weekends. There are over 6 hours of videos to support the guides and ensure every last detail is covered.
What's included:
- Vale of Edale PDF guide + 1 route VIDEO + 1 photo VIDEO + lifetime access to all updates & revisions
Value:
- £12.99
- Langdale PDF guide + 1 route VIDEO + 1 photo VIDEO + lifetime access to all updates & revisions
- £12.99
- Fairfield PDF guide + 1 route VIDEO + 1 photo VIDEO + lifetime access to all updates & revisions
- £12.99
- Ulverston PDF guide + 1 route VIDEO + 1 photo VIDEO + lifetime access to all upates & revisions
- £12.99
- Kinder Scout PDF guide + 1 route VIDEO + 1 photo VIDEO + lifetime access to all updates & revisions
- £12.99
- Seven Sisters PDF guide + 1 route VIDEO + 1 photo VIDEO + lifetime access to all updates & revisions
- £12.99
- Petersfield PDF guide + 1 route VIDEO + 1 photo VIDEO + lifetime access to all updates & revisions
- £12.99
- Yorkshire PDF guide + 1 route VIDEO + 1 photo VIDEO + lifetime access to all upates & revisions
- £12.99
- Highlands PDF guide + 1 route VIDEO + 1 photo VIDEO + lifetime access to all updates & revisions
- £12.99
- Pentlands PDF guide + 1 route VIDEO + 1 photo VIDEO + lifetime access to all updates & revisions
- £12.99
- Snowdon PDF guide + 1 route video + 1 photo video + lifetime access to all updates & revisions
- £12.99
- Scafell Pike PDF guide + route video + photo video + lifetime access to all updates & revisions
- £12.99
- Isle of Wight PDF guide + route video + photo video + lifetime access to all updates & revisions
- £12.99
- Breacon Beacons PDF guide (3 weekend itineraries) + route video + photo video + lifetime access to all updates & revisions
- £14.99
- Walk Chooser PDF guide + planning CHECKLIST
- £2.99
- Intro to Maps VIDEOS and PDF guide
- £4.99
- BONUS: Coping with the Weather VIDEO and CHECKLIST
- £4.99
- BONUS: Packing made easy VIDEO and CHECKLIST
- £4.99
- BONUS: Untangling Transport VIDEO and CHECKLIST
- £4.99
- BONUS: Staying Safe on the Hills VIDEO and CHECKLIST
- £4.99
- BONUS: Lessons Learned from 10 years of weekend walking VIDEO
- £4.99
- BONUS: Practice & Training routes nearby London PDF guide
- £4.99
- BONUS: Trail Walking For First Timers 3 week e-course
- £19.99
- BONUS: London Hiker 50
- £4.99
- BONUS: Ambleside in a Nutshell PDF
- £4.99
- BONUS: How to Walk the Best of Britain from London: Ideas, Inspiration and Tips for Beautiful Walks in Your Weekends PDF
- £7.99
- BONUS: How to Plan Fantastic Car Free Walking Weekends PDF
- £5.99
- Lifetime access to all revisions, updates and new itineraries
- Invaluable
*** Sorry - Walk Your Weekends is undergoing maintenance and is not currently available ***
This toolkit helps you plan:
- 14 fantastic 2 or 3 day hiking WEEKENDS in Britain
- 33 DAYS of weekend walking days (PLUS bad weather alternatives) + 50 London day walk ideas
That works out at:
- £3.56 per weekend
- 56p per day
- You want to explore the best of Britain's hiking - regularly - not once in a blue moon!
- You're fed up of feeling lazy and caged in the city
- You miss the quiet of the outdoors - it fills your soul
- You prefer to travel at your OWN PACE - not with a group of strangers
- You don't have TIME to go hiking!
- You're ready to fall in love with the British countryside
- You don't have a car (or prefer not to use one)
- You're overwhelmed by the options and don't know where to start
- You can't afford to hire a 1-2-1 guide each time you travel
- You'd rather not spend days and weeks researching the options and logistics
- You'd love the achievement of having completed a fantastic walk at the weekend
- You're new to hiking in Britain (ex-pats, students, Londoners)
- You're fed up of walking down alleyways and through suburbs in the south-east and want to see some proper, wild countryside
- You've done some hiking already - around London or in another country - but want to do more
- You can navigate from an Ordnance Survey map
- You’ve recently moved to London and don’t want to give up your passion for hiking, but don’t know where to start.
- Or you’ve always wanted to visit places like the Lake District and explore more of the U.K. countryside, treating yourself to more challenging walks, but you haven’t got around to looking into it.
- You dream about being out amongst the mountains, on the wild and windy moorland, in the heart of the hills, or on a trail winding into the bracken-covered fells.
- You can't think of anything worse than walking outdoors in the rain
- You're really reluctant to - or can't - spend money on transport
- You can't read a map at all
- You've never done any walking before - you're a complete beginner
- You've already visited the places in the guides I'm providing
- You like scrambling, ridge walking and taking the 'edgy' routes up mountains
- You're not prepared to book your own travel & accommodation
No I haven't walked everywhere in Britain.
No I haven't done as much as some folks have.
But as they say I've been around... and where I've been I have FALLEN IN LOVE WITH.
I want to help you get there, too.
I spent years accumulating this information
I've got shelves full of hiking books, guides, map and magazines.
I've spent hours and hours peering at train and bus timetables on the internet to try to make these weekends work.
You can totally do all of this yourself if you want to. But if you want to save yourself the time and hassle, I've got it all here ready for you.
Think of me as your virtual hiking consultant.
*** Sorry - Walk Your Weekends is undergoing maintenance and is not currently available ***
- Nothing makes me jump up and down with glee more than knowing I've helped someone hike an area of the country that they've never explored before.
- I just love giving people the tools and know-how to have the most amazing hiking weekends.
- Britain is a truly beautiful country - I want you to see it like I have.
- I want to provide you with EXACTLY what you need to know to plan your own amazing hiking weekends and travel independently, at your own pace.
- I want to make you smile on Monday morning on your way to work when you think of your weekend, filled with an incredible sense of achievement
- I completely LOVE researching itineraries and options to help you have the most amazing weekend ever.
- I totally get that you want to go at your own pace - not with a group of strangers (me too).
- I totally GET that you need to know the LOGISTICS of how to get to these walks when you're based in London or nearby.
- I've been doing weekend hiking trips for 10 years and when I first started, I had to research for days and combine information from a million different sources to plan my trip - I want to save you from that tedium!
Imagine commuting on the tube on Monday morning with a smile on your face - filled with a huge sense of achievement and knowing you've just got back from a fantastic hiking weekend.
Imagine exploring some of Britain's best hiking without having to use up all your holidays or take weeks off work.
Imagine not missing out on Britain's stunning countryside even though you live in London.
Not putting it off any longer.
Not feeling LAZY any more!
I know exactly how that feels... the 'itchy feet' syndrome.
When I haven't been hiking for a long time I start to feel very frustrated.
I feel so lethargic... like I'm half asleep, trudging through my daily routines in a fog.
(It doesn't help that commuting on the tube every day can want to make you curl up in a ball and head back to bed).
I know that feeling all too well.
It took me about 5 years of living in London to get to that point.
I grew up in the north of England and went hiking a lot with my parents.
But when I moved to London, I missed it all.
I started to feel like the only way I'd ever have these amazing experiences of the countryside was to leave London - but that wasn't going to happen any time soon.
You want to go walking. . .
But you have no TIME!
You have to work and your major holidays are already fully accounted for.
So do you give it up?
Well -
This is EXACTLY why I created Walk Your Weekends.
I was fed up of feeling like I had to PUT OFF my love of the outdoors because I had little time and lived far away from the hills.
I realised there was no perfect time to fit this into my life.
I was waiting for a time that would possibly never happen.
Waiting until I moved out of London.
Waiting until I had more time to hike (like when would that happen?).
Waiting until I had someone to hike with.
But then it got to the stage when I couldn't wait any longer.
I wanted it in my life NOW.
So I realised: just do it in your weekends!
No holidays required - maybe just the odd day or two here and there to make a long weekend.
You don't have to do it all the time - just four weekends a year can make a huge difference.
Think what you can achieve in just four weekends:
. . .You could climb Britain's highest mountains.
. . .Complete a long distance trail.
. . .Visit achingly beautiful places that will give you lifelong memories.
WHERE on earth do you go?
HOW do you get there with no car?
WHERE are the best places to stay, eat, and picnic?
WHAT do you do when you get there?
WHAT if the weather is so bad you can't do your original planned hike?
HOW can I stay safe?
I've researched it and I've DONE it - and now I'm sharing it all with you.
I read years of outdoor magazines, obsessively collected them and tore out and filed away the routes by region.
I read books about hiking Britain and poured over maps, train and bus timetables.
I found out where to stay and I grilled my relatives - who still lived in the North of England - for their top tips.
Me either!
I have done many of these weekend walks on my own.
(And I like it that way).
Hiking is often MY time. . . time to let my brain relax, to meditate, to feel connected with nature.
I completely understand this, so I've prepared the guides in Walk Your Weekends for you so that you can go on your own hikes independently and travel at your own pace.
The only downside is not being able to take good photos of yourself...
Is it sad to admit I actually ENJOY researching this subject - how to get people out of London and on to the hills?
My friends tell me I have:
- "Attention to detail and an ability to create and work in systems steadily and without going mad."
Here are some things people have said about the hiking advice I've given them:
- "Thank you so much - this is over and above anything I hoped you'd be able to share. Sincere thanks from the two of us for your time, and all the details." - enquiry via londonhiker.com
- "I really don't know what to say, thank you so much for making the video and explaining everything in detail, thanks a lot!" - enquiry via londonhiker.com
- "The trip was beautiful, your pack extremely helpful and detailed, and as spring comes I plan on continuing with the other trips!Your pack is exactly what I was looking for when moving to London, I’m so lucky I found it!" - - Anneli K
- “I had a FANTASTIC day walking from Ulverston to Coniston, it was well worth it.I had a great time and I can’t wait to try another one soon. Thanks again Catherine, I really wouldn’t have made the effort had I not stumbled upon your site.” Craig Murphy
Now THAT'S what I'm talking about.
*** Sorry - Walk Your Weekends is undergoing maintenance and is not currently available ***
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How long will I have access to it?It’s lifetime access!
You also get access to all future updates, revisions, and new itineraries.
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Are maps included?
No. I provide a route description and advise you on exactly which maps are the best to buy in terms of usefulness and value for money. I also talk you through the route map via a video. You must have the relevant maps with you, and be able to read them, in order to do these walks.
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How much should I expect to spend on transport for these weekends?
It depends on the area you are travelling to but it will be between £30 – £200.
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How much hiking do I need to have done?
You should have done some walking already – walks of at least 10 miles / 16 km. This can be in or around London or elsewhere (e.g. in another country). And now you’d like to do more around Britain.
If you have never done any walking before, this probably isn’t right for you.
IMPORTANT: YOU MUST KNOW HOW TO READ A MAP!
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How detailed are the route descriptions?
My route descriptions are not micro-detailed (e.g. they are NOT like this: “walk 500 yards, then pass through a green kissing gate, turn left after 10 metres, your direction 126 degrees”). They are more like: “Turn left out of the station. You’ll be following the Cumbria Way for the next 3 miles along the lake side. When you reach a crossroads at Beacon Tarn, take the right hand path”
You will need to read my description alongside a map – I will explain how to see maps online for free.
And I actually talk you through the route in a video, so you can see where it goes before you plan your weekend.
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Do you book travel & accommodation for me?
No. I provide you with the information to do this for yourself.
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Can I really climb Ben Nevis in a weekend?
YES! I’ll explain how! And it’ll be amazing!
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But summer's coming to an end by the time I book this hike!
There are hikes suitable for winter in Walk Your Weekends. It’s always a good time of year to be booking your next hiking trip!
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Are these hikes dangerous?
Some do go up mountains but there is very little scrambling involved and if you are careful and use common sense you should be fine. I include a safety checklist and safety video for you so you can be prepared and confident.
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How long are these hikes?
A full day will be about 8 – 16.5 miles. A shorter day will be about 6 miles. Most of the walks can be cut short or made longer and this is explained in the guide.
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Is this a hiking club?
No, it is information to help YOU plan your hiking weekends and travel INDEPENDENTLY at your own pace.
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Can I do these walks if I live in London?
YES. This is entirely designed around explaining how to walk your weekends if you live in London.
If you live elsewhere, please bear that in mind as all the travel information is worked out around travelling from London and back to London.
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Will I have to carry my own backpack on these hikes?
YES several of them are point-to-point hikes so you will be carrying your own clothes etc. However, it’s only for one or two nights so you should be fine, and I provide a packing checklist to help you work out what to take. The Walk Chooser also lets you know which ones are backpacking and which ones are based in a single location.
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What if it's winter now?
Actually this is a great time to PLAN and BOOK your next weekend! You can have something to look forward to when the weather gets better – and do it more cheaply too.
However, at least 3 of the weekends are suitable at any time of year!
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Where are these walks located?
Check out the map above for a rough idea.
100% MONEY BACK GUARANTEE
If after 2 weeks you regret buying, I’ll refund you 100%.
No questions asked. Just ask me.
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