WALK SKILLS
Incoming for a summer of sun: top tips on getting the most out of a coastal walk.
COASTAL CAUSEWAYS C
oastal walks are an absolute delight to experience, offering a medley of sensory titillations: sweeping views, salty sea air, quirky land formations, wildlife in abundance, and the chance to go for a swim. It’s a perfect way to spend a weekend away from the city and we’ve got some tips to help you get the most out of your walking holiday.
DAY TRIPPER? OR LONG HAUL?
Firstly, decide on the level of walking you’ll be doing. Are you going to be staying in the same place each night? Or will you be trekking between different locations on a point-to-point adventure where you travel from A to B rather than in a circle? Do you have the use of a car – maybe even two cars – or will you be using public transport. Circular walks are the easiest to do, but don’t lend themselves easily to coastal walks. Point-to-point walks will allow you maximum coastal time and means you’ll get to see a larger part of the coast. With a bit of planning, point-to-point walks can be done using public transport or with the use of two cars, and another great way is to travel with all your gear and camp or stay in different places each night.
MAP SKILLS: JUDGING DISTANCE
If you’re walking along a straight coastline, then it’s quite easy to know how far you can travel in a day. But if
you’re walking along somewhere with coves, bays and headlands – somewhere like gorgeous coastline of Pembrokeshire – then these quickly and massively add to the distance you need to travel. Even today’s mapping software can underestimate the time taken to navigate the rugged coastline. Don’t forget, as well as the ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ there are the ‘ups ‘ and ‘downs’! The descent into a small gorge means usually means an ascent out of it on the other side. Allow ample leeway when planning these routes, a couple of hours is usually sufficient – it’s always better to reach your destination earlier rather than later, so you have time for some much needed refreshment!
WEATHER: HERE NOR THERE?
Part of the beauty of many coastal paths is the exposure you get next to the sea, but with that exposure comes the full force of the weather – be it wind, rain, the sea, or even the sun. Try to consider the direction of the weather
THE WHOLE KIT AND CABOODLE
If you’re just out for the day, you don’t really need much to go walking along the coast. There are always a few essentials though!
Appropriate footwear is a must – either walking boots or shoes. Flip flops are great for the beach, but you’ll be cursing them and the blisters they’ve given you after walking miles in them. Decent waterproofs in case of wet weather – don’t forget, on the coast you’re more exposed to the elements that usual! – and it’s a good idea to bring spare undergarments, socks, and warm clothing as we all know that the UK can get cold, even in summer.
And if you’re hitting the beach, don’t forget to bring a towel! The sea around
relative to your general direction of travel and, if possible, try to keep the elements at your back rather than in your face. It’s much pleasanter to walk away from the wind and rain rather than into it, so think about reversing your start and finish points if you’re just out for the day. However, remember that rugged coastlines mean a lot of meandering so you might on occasion be walking towards all four points of the compass within any one day, irrespective of your base-course!
62 | CLIMB. WALK. JOIN.
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