*** Sorry - Trail Walking for First Timers is undergoing maintenance and is currently not available ***
To know that later THIS YEAR...
...you'll FINALLY achieve this dream you've had for such a long time.
Trail walking can be LIFE CHANGING.
You'll create lifelong memories
You'll experience what it's like to really get somewhere on your own two feet
You'll see things and places that most people do not normally see
You'll challenge yourself and feel really PROUD of your achievement
Do you feel like there is so much to think about you've no idea where to start?
- Where do I sleep?
- What maps should I get?
- Which trails are suitable for a first timer?
- What gear do I need?
- Should I have a rest day and how many?
- How many miles should I aim for each day?
- Am I fit enough?
- What if I'm doing this alone? Will I be okay?
- What if I get lost?
- I worry I'll forget something important
- I feel very unprepared.
- What is the trail etiquette?
- What happens if my feet hurt?
- How do I plan my itinerary?
- How much will it cost and what should I budget?
- Will I be safe?
Want some insight from someone who's done this before?
Need a bit of encouragement?
Want to cut through the inertia?
Need a kick up the backside to get it SORTED?
In the next 3 weeks I want to help you:
1) CHOOSE the right British trail for you and gather your key resources
2) PLAN, BOOK and ORGANISE your first British long distance path
3) Be fully PREPARED for walking it later in the year!
. . . EVEN if you are nervous
. . . EVEN if you feel totally unprepared
. . . ESPECIALLY if you never get around to it because life always gets in the way
Here's what I can help you with:
Trail Walking for First Timers is a 3 week course delivered by email, video, downloads and checklists to help and motivate you to get this SORTED in the next 3 weeks!
I'll take you STEP by STEP through the process from "I don't know what trail to do" to helping YOU making key decisions, book your British trail and have everything prepared.
WEEK ONE
VIDEO: My Top 4 Trails for First Timers
I'll talk you through the 4 trails I think are awesome for first timers. (So yeah I basically tell you what I think you should do!) But honestly these trails are ideal for beginners so I hope you'll enjoy this video.
PDF: How to Choose Your Trail Walk
A 29 page PDF which includes:
- 12 questions to ask before choosing your first trail
- What you SHOULDN'T worry about at this stage
- My best recommendations for nervous navigators; not-so-fit walkers, scenery-lovers, just want to be alone hikers, sun lovers.
- How to get a feel for what the trail is like from the comfort of your own sofa in 4 simple steps
SPREADSHEET: Trail comparison
A spreadsheet listing 24 of the most popular British trails detailing: distance, days to walk, national trail or not, which ones can be completed in day hikes or weekend trips from London, which can be broken into short sections, difficulty, popularity and scenery.
Video library
I've scoured YouTube to find the best short video for each of the main British trails from authors, guidebook publishers, park authorities, holiday companies and individuals, to give you a sense of what each trail is like and help you choose the right one for you.
VIDEO: Guidebook and map comparison
I compare the 3 most popular trail guidebooks, pointing out the pros and cons of each - and explain the types of map you can get.
PDF: Guidebook and map comparison
A 7 page summary of the differences between the 3 main guidebooks and maps
PDF: Making key decisions
Make key decisions about where you will SLEEP, whether you will BACKPACKING and what you will DELEGATE. This 34 page PDF will walk you through the pros and cons of the various options open to you.
It also includes a worksheet/planner with example costs to help you plan your BUDGET.
WEEK TWO
VIDEO: Itinerary planning step by step
I'll talk you through how to plan an itinerary that suits you, including 5 key things to consider.
SPREADSHEET: Itinerary planning spreadsheet template
Download this template spreadsheet to help you plan your itinerary
VIDEO: Booking your trail
Why this can the hardest step and how to 'cross the Rubicon'
The right order to do your bookings
If you need a bit of motivation to just get this done - I'll provide it!
SPREADSHEET: Booking spreadsheet
Don't get overwhelmed
Keep everything simple and organised
Use this spreadsheet to help you
VIDEO: A bit of motivation
Procrastinators, a special message for you.
WEEK THREE
PDF: Plan to Practice
A 12 page PDF and worksheet with details of the three types of physical preparation you need to PLAN to ensure you'll be fit enough to walk the trail.
Includes a worksheet full of prompts to help you get this started.
PDF: Gear Guide
21 page PDF gear guide explaining all the gear I take on a trail and why.
You also get a one-page gear checklist to take to the shop with you!
VIDEO: Gear Guide
I'll talk you through and SHOW you some of the gear I take with me on my trail walk and why.
VIDEO: 8 Trail Walking Tips
In this video I share:
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What to do at the end of your walk to make the next day so much easier
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The one first aid kit item I don't leave home without
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What to do if you get a blister
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My top tips for food on the trail
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My thoughts on trail etiquette
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A neat way to tie up your boot laces
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What people think of you if you are walking alone
VIDEO: Stay Safe on the Hills
In this video I share 3 simple steps to staying safe whilst out on your trail walk.
You also get a checklist to help you plan and be confident that you've prepared properly.
BONUS
Reading and viewing recommendations to whet your appetite for the walk ahead.
Get inspired, get excited.
ADDITIONAL BONUS!
Lewes to Eastbourne Weekend Guide (PDF + 2 x Videos)
This is one of the most popular weekend walking guides in my pack 'Walk Your Weekends' and would be an excellent 2 day practice walk to test your fitness/capabilities if you are based in London.
You need to do a couple of 2 or 3 day walks BEFORE you walk your trail to practice and see what you're capable of.
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.
This includes 1 x PDF guide, 1 x Photo VIDEO talkthrough and 1 x Route VIDEO talkthrough. It does not include maps; I explain which ones you need to do the route.
*** Sorry - Trail Walking for First Timers is undergoing maintenance and is currently not available ***
OPTION 2
Get the 'Walk Your Weekends' full package which includes EVERYTHING in Trail Walking for First Timers PLUS a whole heap more!
Hello! I'm Catherine Redfern.
I'm the creator of londonhiker.com, walkyourweekends.com, and the Insider's Guide to Walking in London, The London Hiker 50, Ambleside in a Nutshell guide and much more.
I've been walking long distance paths since I was nine.
Starting the Coast to Coast - a lifelong dream!
At the end of the Glyndwr's Way: a relatively new long distance path in Wales
Having fun in Loch Lomond on the West Highland Way
On the Ridgeway. Another National Trail ticked off.
Enjoying the sun and views on the South Downs Way
On the Pembrokeshire Coast Path with my mum
About to start another trip on the Pennine Way: I did it in stages over a few years.
About to start the London section of the Thames Path, with a baby on board!
I did the Dales Way whilst pregnant - ALONE! I was a little nervous... but I was PREPARED and I knew what I was letting myself in for.
A great sense of achievement on completing the West Highland Way.
That's me running into the sea at the start of my Coast to Coast walk!
I've walked the West Highland Way, South Downs Way, North Downs Way, Ridgeway, Pennine Way, Coast to Coast, Glyndwrs Way, Cumbria Way, Thames Path (London section), Pembrokeshire Coast Path and most recently the Dales Way (alone, whilst pregnant!)
I'm so obsessed with it I actually collect vintage books about the Pennine Way...
I've done all my walks on a DIY basis. In other words, I booked and organised them myself rather than through a travel agent, and I carried my own backpack too.
I am not an expert, and I'm not super human. If I can do it, YOU CAN TOO.
You can do this. I believe in you!
This is going to really help you if:
- You've always wanted to walk a trail but never managed to get around to it
- You've done quite a bit of walking, but never a long distance trail
- You feel overwhelmed by it all and just want someone to take you through it STEP BY STEP
- You need a bit of motivating to finally get it all organised and stop procrastinating
- You'd love to get it all organised in 3 weeks, knowing it's all to look forward to later in the year!
- You want to walk a BRITISH trail (this is where I have experience)
- You want to get the insight from someone who has done all this before
- You'd like to organise the trail yourself rather than hire a company to do it for you
- You know if you keep procrastinating about it, it will never get done
- You did a trail years ago but could do with a bit of a refresher
It's most likely NOT suitable for you if:
- You've already organised a trail walk before
- You've not done any walking at all
- The trail you have in mind is not in Britain
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Do you book things for me?No – I’ll provide you with virtual support, motivation and information to help you do your own DIY bookings. You can use a holiday agent to do this for you if you prefer to! I’ll provide a list of these for you if you want to ‘delegate’ your bookings.
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Is this for a specific trail?
Mostly it’s generic advice suitable for any British trail. HOWEVER… I will provide trail specific advice and answer YOUR 1-2-1 specific questions on any specific trail or issue during the run of the course.
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How is the course delivered?
I’ll email you when each bit of new content is ready. Usually that’ll be 3 times per week, and there will be links to where you can watch the videos, and download the checklists etc.
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What support do you offer?
I’ll provide 1-2-1 support by email or Facebook to answer your specific questions as best as I can during the duration of the course. I’ll try to respond to your query within 48 hours.
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Will this work if I want to do my walk in sections/stages?
This course is relevant if you are intending to complete the trail by walking more than one day at a time (i.e. as a minimum by doing 2 day walks). However, I’m anticipating that most people will be planning a trail that lasts for around a week or longer.
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What if I can't complete the tasks each week?
It’s fine! It’s up to you when you complete them. You’ll have access to the materials forever so you can use them WHENEVER you need to – in a few weeks or later in the year if you want.
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Does this mean I'll be starting walking the trail after 3 weeks?
No, it means you will have planned, booked, organised and have a plan to prepare for it. Although there is nothing to stop you if that’s what you want to do!
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Does this include guidebooks and maps for my trail?
No – I’ll be explaining the different types you can get and making recommendations for the most popular trails.
Any more questions? Let me know: [email protected]
100% money back guarantee
If after the three weeks are complete, you would like a refund, I’ll happily provide you with one.
Some of the most popular trails are starting to be booked at this time of year. If you want to finally walk a trail this is the IDEAL time to plan it and get it all arranged before the opportunity passes you by.
It's ready for you to start NOW!
*** Sorry - Trail Walking for First Timers is undergoing maintenance and is currently not available ***
OPTION 2
Get the 'Walk Your Weekends' full package which includes EVERYTHING in Trail Walking for First Timers PLUS a whole heap more!