How far ?????

[Be Chilled]

New to hobby, and I appreciate replies depend on individuals fitness etc. But what's everyone's favourite walk distance. So I'm thinking 6 to 9mile for mine, carrying full backpack. But I like to stop sit get stove out and brew up and sit peacefully, and chill.
I've only done one walk though, lol, yesterday, 5hrs on Dartmoor in terrible conditions in end, but still stopped for 2 brews and collect my thoughts of how I was getting back to car as mist dropped and app was rubbish and phone died. So now I'm waiting for better days, and leaning map and compass and mastering app. What's your ideal walk ?? 

[Slowcoach]

It depends on a lot of things in my case.
1. Where I am walking... is it mountainous, hilly or relatively flat.
2. The time of year...the amount of daylight
3. Who I am walking with.. are they a strong walker.
4. The amount of time I have available
5. How I feel


Where I live in Somerset my walks are generally 12 to16 miles, in the Lake District 9 to 12 miles. In normal times I walk twice a week.

[WhitstableDave]

I don't have an ideal walk and at the moment I'm using a treadmill and not going outside at all, but having said that...

In normal times, I walk with my wife at weekends and during holidays, but, being retired, I do a great deal of solo walking while my wife is at work. Typically, over the past few years I've been averaging around 12-20 miles (mostly) locally before lunch and without stopping.

[BuzyG]

Oh your post has me chuckling to myself.


I walked straight past my car' in the mist after dark' last time I was up there. I was only 20m out on a compass bearing, but visibility was not so good.  As for Phone Apps, I always carry mine and a battery pack. But I very seldom use it.  I'm teaching my daughter to map read at the moment, as she has discovered the out doors again due to lock down.  Funny Old world.


As to distance, any where from 5 to 50 miles on the SW moors.  Typically 12-17miles on a Sunday walk on Dartmoor with 3-4000ft climbing.  I would normally try to fit in one 20-30 miles walk a month.  I do tend to avoid the main paths though.   

[Be Chilled]

Wow, I think I need to get fitter and up my game lol. All of you are amazing how far you walk.
As for map reading, take a look at youtube Outdoors Inspiration its an incredible video. The map and compass dated 10th Nov 2020.

[Dodgylegs]

Walking distance depends on route I've planned to walk, anywhere between 8 & 16 miles, there's a lot of planing involved! Slowly trying to come back from injury, so back down to anywhere between 4 & 7 miles, although current 'walks from front door' aren't pre-planned; Monday ended up doing 8 miles without too much pain, yesterday ended up doing 9 miles nearly killed me!... shattered after 5 miles!!

[pauldawes]

Ideal for me this year has been 6 to 16 mile day walks.


Like you (Be Chilled) tend to do it in stages...so what I’d count as 16 miles might be 2 miles to local railway station, 10 mile  “main walk”..2 miles finding somewhere to eat and get to anther railway station, then final 2 miles getting home from local station.


I did mean to get fitter and do longer walks this year (I could do a 20 mile day at present fitness level...but wouldn’t enjoy it)...but plans have been derailed a wee bit.

[weston.front]

It is best to judge your distance based on the expected time spent walking.  This in turn can be calculated using Naismith's rule which is designed for people carrying a full pack.  That is 4 km / hr + 1 min for every 10 m of height gain.  If you are fit and have plenty of daylight I would base your distance on 6 hours of walking.  If you still have some fitness to gain or it's the winter then aim for 5 hours walking.


Example based on 5 hr : If we assume 900 m of height gain (that's 90 min) that leaves the distance you can cover in 3.5 hours which is 14 km or 8.7 miles if you prefer old money.

And as for your pack, it's wise to limit the weight to a maximum of 33% of your body weight.  That is based on a good BMI, if you are already carrying reserve rations before you put the pack on (!) knock this back accordingly.

[fernman]

And as for your pack, it's wise to limit the weight to a maximum of 33% of your body weight.  That is based on a good BMI

Are you sure you've got your sums right?

With my weight being 76kg, that means I would carry up to 25kg, when in fact I normally (or did prior to illness) carry half that amount.

[cornwallcoastpathdweller]

I agree Fernman


Im 68kgs.  33% of that is 22kgs, the only time i carry that sort of weight around is when the wife takes me out shopping at the point of her gun.

[Lee R]

I don't cover as much as some of you.


I think the most in one hike was the Pen y Fan horseshoe from Neuadd with my teenage son which is about 9-10 I think. I have done close to that around the Mendips before Burrington/Rowberrow/etc We did do the Four Falls Waterfall walk & the opposite Elidar/Sgwd Gwladys in the same day though too. Aside from that it depends where & who I'm with & if the little dog is with us. The other thing is that I'm more into my photography so although I might cover 5 miles my MPH average is usually very low because of the time stopped.


So, on my own I like upwards of 5 miles. With the others anything around 3 is good.

[Lee R]

I keep meaning to weigh my pack. I'm a fairly lean, lightweight person. It's probably less than I think! 

[BuzyG]

I have not weighed my pack. But with me currently at a lean 96 kg I'm certain it is not close to 33% of my body weight. Even when packed with climbing gear. 


If I think on I will weigh it today. Just for interest.  More clothes but less fluids in cool conditions.

[Ray-S]

I have never weighed my back pack but as I am 64Kg I suspect I am carrying too much. Will do it next time if we are ever allowed out again.
Mileage wise I have no idea as I have never tried to check but as I treated myself to a gps watch for Xmas which pairs up to the health app on the phone of the same make I will be recording it from now on. I suspect about 8 miles but that would usually involve quite a height gain as I like the views from higher up.

At present I am pounding the local streets and getting pretty fed up with that and so far this year have covered 146Km (90 miles) Average distance is around 9Km. With a target of 160Km and 3 days left that is going to be achieved. No hills locally so quite boring.

Also bought myself some resistance bands which are much better than I thought they would be and have spent almost 8 hours training with them this year.. Already seeing improvement in my posture as I was very round shouldered and have better flexibility. Can't recommend them enough and YouTube provides all the advice on using them correctly.


EDIT.  The OP asked about your ideal walk.   My favourite is on a summers day. Park in Askham village (30 minute drive) and walk up onto the fell, diversion to Arthur's Seat then down into Pooley Bridge for a beer and food at Granny Dowbekins.   Other than that a 40 minute drive into Keswick.  Up and over Latrigg then up Skiddaw and retrace back to the car.  Mileage wise ask me in the summer.

[BuzyG]

Yes it is boring at the moment Ray. We are lucky to have farm land and a small nature reserve close by.  Plus it is lumpy around here.  I have done the same circular 14mile route around Saltash 5 times now and can't weight to get back to the moors.   


Daily it's just 3 to 4 miles each lunch hour around the streets and lanes. At least there are thousands of slightly different routes doing that.