Durston Iceline Trekking Poles After many miles and camps, my trusty Alpkit trekking poles were coming to the end of their life. The twist locks were starting to slip and so I took the plunge and bought these beauties off … Continue reading New Gear for 2026
The third and final trail of my ‘Northern Trinity’ for 2025, the Yorks Dales Way and Yorks Wolds Way both already bagged. Day 1 – Cresswell to Alnmouth It took me a while to get to the start point. The … Continue reading Northumberland Coastal Path
I’d planned the Wolds Way as stage 2 of my Northern trinity. I’d bagged the Dales Way in May and the Northumberland Coast Path is already penciled in for September. The Wolds Way is a trail that had sparked my … Continue reading The Yorkshire Wolds Way
On Saturday 26th July I took on the first of 2 MacMillan Mighty Hikes to raise money for this amazing charity. Having been in the midst of a mini heatwave in the UK I was apprehensive about the conditions but I needn’t have worried, it was an overcast day, 22 degrees tops – perfect for a mighty hike! I have to say I was bowled over by the organisation of the event, from sign up to the start line everything about the communications, instructions, set up and facilities were incredible. I parked at the finish point then hopped on one … Continue reading MacMillan Mighty Hike
Ilkley to Bowness-on-Windermere I can honestly say I don’t think I’ve ever looked forward to a weeks hiking as much as I had this one. I’d ordered the Harvey map at least 6 months beforehand and had spent the past few months meticulously plotting mileage and booking campsites. More importantly I’d also picked up ‘The best pubs in the Yorkshire Dales’ in paperback from the charity shop – a vital source of information. I was ready, and then just over a week before the start something happened. My Mum died. She’d had cancer for a while and things had taken … Continue reading The Dales Way
The Dales Way & Fife Coastal Path The Dales Way – April Beginning in Ilkley, the Dales Way is an 80 mile trail that follows the River Wharfe through the Yorkshire Dales, heading across country through Dentdale before eventually arriving at Bowness-on-Windemere in the Lake District. There are quite a few villages along the way too. It’s apparently one of the ‘easier’ UK long distance trails if an 80 mile walk can ever be classed as easy! During my hike on the Coast to Coast last summer I fell in love with the Yorkshire Dales so I’m eager to return. … Continue reading Plans for 2025
In July 2024 I walked the 192 mile Coast to Coast trail from St Bees to Robin Hoods Bay. I used a mix of campsites, hostels and B&Bs along the way. I took 13.5 days to complete the walk and that included a couple of very short days (<10 miles). This was an experience of a lifetime, I’d definitely recommend the Coast to Coast to anyone that might be considering it. Day 1 – St Bees to Ennerdale Water It had been a long time coming but finally I’d arrived in St Bees at the start of Alfred Wainwrights Coast … Continue reading The Coast to Coast
I walked the 79 mile Rob Roy Way in May 2024 plus a 4 miles detour to visit the grave of Rob Roy MacGregor at Balquidder. This was a ‘tough on the feet’ walk mostly along the National cycle trail. Day 1 – Drymen to Aberfoyle Early start this morning catching the 0625hrs train from Rugby to Glasgow, changing to Glasgow Queen Street for a local train to Balloch, followed by a 20min cab ride to Drymen. It was early afternoon by the time I arrived at the official start (a bus stop) of the Rob Roy Way. The good … Continue reading The Rob Roy Way
I’m carrying over some annual leave and I’ve got the green light from Mrs Rusty Outside, so 2024 is going to be the year I finally get to have my own Coast to Coast adventure. I’ve been mulling/planning this for about 3 years now and so this July I’ll be setting off to the start at St Bees, walking 192 miles across 3 national parks, arriving 2 weeks later (I hope!) at Robin Hoods Bay. Cannot wait!! Continue reading My Coast to Coast adventure
The Affric Kintail Way is a 44 mile route stretching from Drumnadrochit on Loch Ness to Morvich on the west coast of Scotland. The trail takes in the town of Cannich then rises high above Loch Beinn a M’headhoin into the magnificent Glen Affric before finishing in the village of Morvich. This is very much a trail of 2 halves. The first 25 or so miles on tarmac and forestry tracks followed by remote paths into the valleys of Glen Affric. Day 1 – Drumnadrochit to Cannich (13 miles) After my toils on the Snowdonia Way I decided to give … Continue reading Affric Kintail Way
Rusty Outside 