P
Paul Cummings
Guest
"amy radcliff" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> I am planning to go walking in the UK and would be extremely appreciative if anyone could offer
> comments and suggestions on picking the right route.
>
> I have walked the Cotswold Way (all of it) and have made numerous other full day walks. I want to
> go with my husband on another long distance walk...the first and main criteria is that it not be
> too difficult--we managed the Cotswold Way without great trouble, but I don't want to do anything
> more strenuous than that, and to be honest, hopefully a little less demanding. In looking obvious
> at possibilities, I see the Thames Path, the Ridge Way, the South Downs and North Downs paths. Any
> other obvious options? And in any case, which would be best?
I have walked large parts of the SDW, NDW and Ridgeway. My favourite would be the SDW. The NDW goes
too close to the M25 in many places or you get trapped in semi-prepared tracks with hedges on both
sides to restrict views. In my view this path also has more ups and downs than the others. It is
longer too. The Ridgeway can get awfully torn up on the western half, but otherwise is quite nice.
The SDW (eastern section) is mostly long ridge walks, with just a few steep ups and downs at the
begining and end of days. If the weather is good, you can see a long way on the SDW. I especially
like the footpath end along the Seven Sisters.
Thames Path would be the easiest walking, but, for me, too urban.
>
> I realize best is a hard word to define...aside from hoping to find good pubs with quality real
> ale (seriously, one of the reasons I love Britain is real ale), I don't have any strong
> preferences about what a good way entails.
I don't really remember many of these, so can't advise.
> In total, I wanted to spend 10 days or two weeks walking.
Ridgeway is a gentle 6-7 days, SDW about 8 and NDW more like 12.
Have fun, Paul
news:[email protected]...
>
> I am planning to go walking in the UK and would be extremely appreciative if anyone could offer
> comments and suggestions on picking the right route.
>
> I have walked the Cotswold Way (all of it) and have made numerous other full day walks. I want to
> go with my husband on another long distance walk...the first and main criteria is that it not be
> too difficult--we managed the Cotswold Way without great trouble, but I don't want to do anything
> more strenuous than that, and to be honest, hopefully a little less demanding. In looking obvious
> at possibilities, I see the Thames Path, the Ridge Way, the South Downs and North Downs paths. Any
> other obvious options? And in any case, which would be best?
I have walked large parts of the SDW, NDW and Ridgeway. My favourite would be the SDW. The NDW goes
too close to the M25 in many places or you get trapped in semi-prepared tracks with hedges on both
sides to restrict views. In my view this path also has more ups and downs than the others. It is
longer too. The Ridgeway can get awfully torn up on the western half, but otherwise is quite nice.
The SDW (eastern section) is mostly long ridge walks, with just a few steep ups and downs at the
begining and end of days. If the weather is good, you can see a long way on the SDW. I especially
like the footpath end along the Seven Sisters.
Thames Path would be the easiest walking, but, for me, too urban.
>
> I realize best is a hard word to define...aside from hoping to find good pubs with quality real
> ale (seriously, one of the reasons I love Britain is real ale), I don't have any strong
> preferences about what a good way entails.
I don't really remember many of these, so can't advise.
> In total, I wanted to spend 10 days or two weeks walking.
Ridgeway is a gentle 6-7 days, SDW about 8 and NDW more like 12.
Have fun, Paul