Long Distance Paths

...with my old man.

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Jez
12/03/2005 at 14:29
Hello,

My Dad has decided that he wants to complete a long distance path before he's 60 and he's volunteered me to organise it for him (well what are eldest sons for?!).

He doesn't want to go mad and go for something like the Pennine Way, C2C or West Highland Way as he doesn't think he can get fit enough before hand. In the same way, he doesn't want to carry all his gear or camp every night.

Has anyone got any suggestions on possible paths, porter type services or any general bits of advice to help me out.

Ta

Jez
Evil Genius Darren
12/03/2005 at 14:57
How about the ridgeway? Not exactly exciting, but an ancient trail that doesn't get too remote or difficult.
Paddy Dillon
12/03/2005 at 15:09
Cumbria Way... Dales Way... both trails are pretty scenic without having too much uphill work involved. There's accommodation along the way and guys who'll transport bags from place to place. Then there's Hadrian's Wall, where you could operate from a single base and use the dedicated AD122 bus which picks up and drops off at several points along the route.
Ninja Marmot
12/03/2005 at 15:28
I investigated the Dales Way last year. There are a host of helpful websites and there is no need to camp out. Some of the companies - if you do a search - offer a porterage service for around £25? a day so you only need to carry your lunch and a waterproof, although TBH in some parts of the DW there are pub lunch stops....

I wasn't well enough to do it last year but I'm stronger now and it would be a great one to kick off with.

Another suggestion is the Cumbrian Coastal Path. We did bits of it last summer - the scenery (from Lancashire border to Scottish border) is stupendous.
Ninja Marmot
12/03/2005 at 15:29
Are you riding shotgun with him?
Ddyrchafedig Gyrrwr (Beic Modur)
12/03/2005 at 15:39
Offa's dyke path is a good all rounder, and one that has several entrance/exit points along the way with many interesting side "attractions."

The section starting at Chepstow up the Wye to Monmouth and then onto the eastern Black mountains to Hay is one of the most picturesque and is full of diverse scenery.

It can be broken down into nice manageable sections, so he could do as many sections as he feels he would wish.

Failing that, the Pembrokshire coastal path is another one !!
John Kilgour
12/03/2005 at 17:07
It isnt hilly but the Thames Path doesnt need super fitness and has accomodation (and beer!) at strategic intervals.
Jenny Smith
13/03/2005 at 17:43
Another vote for Hadrian's Wall and I would recommend you do it west to east because unless you are very unlucky, the wind will be on your back. Also, if you are using public transport, Carlisle and Newcastle are both easy to get to and if not, as Paddy says, the AD 122 will get you around.

If you are really looking for something not too hard the Cotswold Way is also a very nice walk.
JYC
13/03/2005 at 18:25
Your Dad might not be up for travelling a distance, but I was thinking the Forth and Clyde Canal from Edinburgh to Glasgow - almost completely flat, beautiful countryside, with lots of B&Bs and pubs along the way, and interesting stuff to see such as the Falkirk Wheel. There is also the Crinan canal if you are looking for something a bit more rural.

Maybe there are lots of canal and river walks close to you, that you can link in with easy transport?
Jenny Smith
13/03/2005 at 21:08
Has anybody walked the Great Glen Way? Just wondering what that is like?
Cara-Lyn: Stealth Sloth
13/03/2005 at 21:20
Cotswold Way? Not remote so plenty of accommodation, not too far for him to travel, and rolling hills rather than bogs and mountains.
Hamish Fenton
13/03/2005 at 21:26
Thames Path?

http://www.nationaltrails.gov.uk/thamespathframeset.htm


baggage transfer:

http://www.sherpavan.com/
Paddy Dillon
13/03/2005 at 21:27
Jenny - I walked a version of the Great Glen Way before it was "official" - and I'm not sure how much of my route actually ended up being the "official" waymarked trail. The weather was lousy.
Alex. Apparently.
13/03/2005 at 21:28
Im doing the GR5 with me pa this summer, hopefully!


Oooops: "He doesn't want to go mad and go for something like the Pennine Way, C2C or West Highland Way" sorry, maybe the 300 odd miles of it might be overkill! :p
Hamish Fenton
13/03/2005 at 21:32
i'd go for the cotswold way too, at least there are hills and it is very picturesque too
Paddy Dillon
13/03/2005 at 21:54
Hmmm - sounds like the GR5 wouldn't suit Jez's dad - but if he was looking for a nice 'n' easy route in France then the GR3 would be a good 'un. Also known as the 'Route of the Valley of the Kings' - it wanders through the Loire Valley from chateau to chateau and there are plenty of places to stay - though I don't know offhand if anyone does baggage transfer.
Man on stilts
14/03/2005 at 11:12
Another vote for the Dales Way:

Easy going through some of the best, most scenic bits of the Pennines. Plenty of accommodation options. Baggage transfer available. Can be done in about a week. And lunchtime pub stops most days.

Could hardly be bettered!

Nearly Normal Polar Bear
14/03/2005 at 11:14
Another vote for Cotswold Way, if the weather is sweet it is a lovely part of England.
Jon Doran
14/03/2005 at 11:49
Sherpa Van service, as someone else has already mentioned, will transport your baggage between overnight stops.

My ex-gf's parents were in a similar position a couple of years back and did the Dales Way. They thoroughly enjoyed it and the pubs in the Dales seem to be the best in the country (note 'seem' before anyone starts a fight over the issue...).

OutdoorsMagic Editor | jon@outdoorsmagic.com 

Ninja Marmot
14/03/2005 at 13:04
I see that in the latest issue of Triangle, there is a bit on LDWs.

They say that the Wolds Way is 79 miles long and will take 14 days......eh?

We did it in 3 days and all I can say about the accommodation options is that we used the support minibus to ship everyone to a B&B in Filey for both nights as there didn't seem to be anywhere appropriate elsewhere. Of the people who did that walk (12 plus 3 support crew =) 15 peeps:-
2 are now dead
none of the married couples are still together

Bit of a jinxed trip - I can hardly recommend that one, then!! lol
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