welcome cuddlecraver.i am replying fom northern ontario, canada. right now are hiking on snow trail. much easier as the packed snow covers the tree roots and rocks. myself along with my trust dog huck(shepherd/lab) get on the trails as often as possible. a little advice take it easy at first. 2 or 3 miles for a week or so. this is the way i started about 10 years ago. wiyhin a few months iwas up to 5 to 7 miles . at first start on fairly flat terrain,not paved roads, they are hard, both on your knees and feet. when you feel comfortable intrduce a few hills to your walks. within 10 months to a year i could plod on for about 10 miles of fairly hilly paths. after this the sky is the limit. i did my first munro(mountains 3000ft. plus). of course the daredevil i thought i was i tackled ben nevis,the highest mountain in the uk, not a good choice i made it up and down, but it took me over 10 hours. i was knackered and aching everyehere. i want to get some keen hickers together,and do a little group hiking. i am a canadian/brit but do the majority of my serious walks/hikes in the uk and europe. i started a little hiking venture catering to groups of 6 to 10 participants. for 7 to 10 day excursions. my favourite is the coast to coast in england. we start in ashbourn in the west and finish up in saltburn by the sea in the east. this is not the wainwright trek but a shorter route of 110 miles in just over 10 days.
take care
hiker ross