UK hiking holidays hold a whole lot of potential. Not only do they provide you with a chance to see the country’s best views, but they can also place you in the heart of striking destinations like the Lake District.
That said, a trip that sees you scaling some of the country’s highest mountains isn’t exactly the gentle experience you might be used to. Instead, these trips require grit, physical exertion, and a whole lot of determination. If you aren’t careful, they could also see you ending each day with a fair few injuries.
But, does this mean you need to spend every hiking trip in discomfort? We don’t think so. We’ve got some top tips for making sure that you stay as comfortable as possible throughout your hiking adventures.
# 1 – Understand Your Ability
UK hikes cater for a wide variety of hiking abilities, and you’ll certainly know about it, and potentially leave yourself at risk, if you attempt to tackle intermediate options like Cairngorms 4000 right away.
Instead, beginners should seek more gentle beginner-friendly hikes, like Devon’s Yes Tor or Yorkshire’s Pen y Ghent. These options are typically shorter, not as high, and across terrain that’s a little easier to navigate.
Even these easier hikes can reveal some top UK views and destinations and are sure to leave your muscles sore after a long day. Still, their relative ease means you can more easily focus on enjoying yourself, rather than risking your comfort, and potentially your life, on a hike that you’re simply not ready for.
# 2 – Perfect Your Kit
The less prepared you are with your hiking kit, the more risk there is that you’ll experience unnecessary injuries.
To avoid this, invest in the right, high-quality, equipment at all times. Namely, hikers at any level will need to stock up on vitals like specific hiking footwear, walking poles, and a decent, thermal, waterproof coat.
You’ll also need a quality backpack for the trip. While it’s important not to overpack this, you should stock it with options like spare clothes and socks, a compass, a map, and a torch for use in emergencies.
# 3 – Bring Your Accommodation With You
It’ll be difficult to feel comfortable on your trip if you’re landing in a new accommodation for each new hiking location. As well as needing to transport all of your things when you’re already exhausted, this will leave you unable to truly relax.
Transportable accommodation options like motorhome rental can be a more comfortable option on any hike. As well as providing you with an easily movable base for belongings that don’t need to come on hikes with you, this ensures you have a familiar, comforting place to return to each day. It also makes sure you can get the rest you need, even as you travel to your next hike!
Staying comfortable through the exertion of a hiking holiday isn’t easy, but it’ll be a lot easier with these top tips in mind.
