How to turn a walk into an adventure

Countryside walking has long been seen as the preserve of those who like peace, quiet and a gentle pace of life (and that is certainly part of its appeal) but, with the events of the last 12 months, many people have developed a newfound love of walking and discovered that it can also feel adventurous, exciting and give you a real sense of discovery.

Part of what we love about walking is that it allows you to really explore an area in a way that other outdoor activities do not and there is no need to stick to the well-trodden paths!

If you like the idea of making your peaceful country walk more of an adventure, here are our top tips.

1. Ditch the walk book

Following a route in a walk book can be great – it’s relaxing and straight-forward and you can pretty much guarantee that you’ll get a nice walk – but it can be a lot more exciting to plan your own route. Put the walk book down and grab an OS Map. We’re lucky in the UK that we have such incredible, detailed maps at our disposal, which make planning a route and working out where you can and cannot walk relatively straightforward. The OS Maps website and app make it even easier as you can plot a route digitally then use it to work out if you have lost your way!

This is a sure-fire way to get away from the crowds, find yourself somewhere new and enjoy a real sense of discovery. It also feels like a real achievement at the end of the day when you successfully navigate back to your starting point!

2. Walk at dawn or dusk

The vast majority of people go for walks during the middle of the day but if you head off at first light or late in the day you get a completely different experience. Even the most popular spots tend to be empty, the atmosphere takes on an almost mystical feeling and your chances of spotting wildlife are much higher.

That’s not to mention that you can find a wonderful, empty spot to watch the sun rise or set, ideally with a hot cup of coffee or a cold beer!

On a solo walk in Kisdon Gorge, Swaledale

3. Go alone

In setting up Muddy Boots, we ended up doing a lot of walking on our own and it is a very different experience to walking with someone else or in a group – even places that may not feel particularly intrepid when you are with others, take on a wild and remote feeling when you are alone, especially if it is a quiet area with few other people around.

Being alone also means that you tend to take more notice of your surroundings, as you aren’t distracted by chatting to friends! You notice sights, sounds and feelings that are easily missed when in company. Being alone also means you are free to head off on a detour and shorten, lengthen or change your route whenever the fancy takes you, as you don’t have to take another person’s timetable or interests into consideration!

4. Go off-path

While activities like caving, rock-climbing and mountain biking are generally seen as more ‘adventurous’ than walking, only walking allows you the freedom to explore great swathes of the country with no restrictions.

In the UK we benefit from a huge network of footpaths and other public rights of way that makes exploring easy. In addition, we have the ‘Right to Roam’ on many areas of Open Access Land which means that you are not required to stick to the public rights of way and can explore the land at will. Doing walking routes that take in Open Access Land rather than just designated rights of way is a sure-fire way to have an area pretty much to yourself and feel like a real explorer. Some navigation skills are needed though! (NB The rules around Right to Roam and access land vary between the different nations of the UK.)

Having a dip at Cauldron Force, West Burton

5. Have a dip!

‘Wild swimming’ has been widely publicised recently and for good reason – there is nothing quite like a refreshing dip in a cold lake or river while on a walk to really bring a sense of adventure.

As long as it is done sensibly and with a bit of thought it can turn a simple walk into a really fun day out and there are loads of options, from large lakes for proper swimming to little waterfall pools for a quick dip, and from popular swimming spots to remote pools that you’ll have to yourself. If you aren’t used to cold water swimming, we recommend taking it gradually and having someone else with you.

6. Make it ‘foodie’

Foraging is another thing that has risen in popularity over recent years and there can be great satisfaction in finding edible things along your path and either enjoying them en-route or taking them home to turn into a delicious meal.

Cooking up a storm (ish!) on a walk in Wharfedale

Take this a step further by carrying a lightweight camping stove with you and rustling up a tasty lunch out in the hills. Some people produce full-on feasts on a tiny one-pot stove, but it could be something as simple as heating up some soup and stirring through some wild garlic!

7. Stay overnight!

There are few things that feel as adventurous as waking up on a remote hilltop to watch the sunrise! Wild camping is a great way to experience the countryside in a different way, once most other people have gone home and, if you choose a warm summer’s evening, you don’t need to carry a huge amount with you (some people don’t even bother with a tent!).

While wild camping isn’t officially permitted in England and Wales (it is in Scotland in some circumstances), there are parts of England where, provided certain rules are adhered to, it is generally condoned. Information about where, when and how it is ok to wild camp is easily found online.

8. Book a Muddy Boots Guided Walk!

If you’d like some help to explore some of the most beautiful and interesting parts of the Yorkshire Dales or Lake District, you can book one of our guided walks! Using our in-depth local knowledge, we can ensure that you experience the very best of the area, taking the paths less trodden to explore our favourite secret spots, uncover the stories and characteristics that define the Lakes and Dales (and, of course, just have a fun day out!). Full details on our guided walks page.