Walking more brings enriching experiences to every day – and moments big and small that will never leave us…
‘I cried at the top’
‘Win Hill in the Peak District, Oct 2020 – where I completed my 1st Walk 1000 Miles. I was so chuffed with myself – it was something for me and by me and something I didn't think this middle aged overweight menopausal plodder could achieve. I cried at the top as it was a hill I'd always wanted to climb too, as I could see it from my bedroom window growing up.’ – Pam Keighley
‘I felt so alive’
‘My first mountain hike following breast cancer treatment. My father had recently died and I’d been very ill and sad. There was still a lot of snow and low cloud so it was a difficult and scary walk with shaky legs and quite a few tears. But I felt so alive and at peace, close to my father and at the start of a second chance at life. 25 years later, not everything has gone to plan but walking still has the power to transform the worst of days to the best and I know that I am very, very lucky to be here’. – Rachel Kirk
From the streets to the summit
‘Climbing Snowdon via the Pyg track with a bunch of teenagers who were young offenders. Lots of moans and tears and we couldn't see a flipping thing. But they did it, they were rightly very proud of themselves. Never been in the country let alone up a mountain! I was enjoying the best gin and tonic ever from the cafe when one of them asked "Miss, if we steal more cars can we come to Wales again?"’ – Liz Morton
‘Best walk of my life’
Muker to Keld via Crackpot Hall last June, one month after my all-clear from cancer. I needed to reclaim myself – my body, mind and soul, and so I did this walk in solitude and powered up to Crackpot Hall. I stood in the wind and felt I’d got myself back from the medics and the cancer, and I could do it again. I’ll never forget that moment. My dad was sat waiting for me at the campsite in Keld with a bacon butty and a cuddle – best walk of my life.’ – Lou Booker
Disaster!
‘On holiday in rural Suffolk, I went out for a walk on my first evening when suddenly my leg went down into a marsh. Thought all of me was going to follow but I managed to grab onto some tall reeds. Stuck, I had to call 999 who sent four policemen and a fireman to pull me out. I think I aged 20 years that evening!’ – Sue Collins
Walking in rhythm
‘It was the longest trip I’ve had away from the family in 15 years – walking from coast to coast across Scotland in June ’21. We made our own way and it took us 15 days in which we experienced every emotion possible, saw some amazing sights and camped in places that only those that walk can get to. But I’ll never forget it because it cemented our partnership and made me realise that together we can do anything. It certainly tests a relationship. But it never felt anything other than easy, and an experience I’m extremely grateful to have been able to do.’ – Salyen Latter
The heavens open
‘It was a beautiful moonlit night for a hike right up until the heavens opened. Then I saw my first and only moonbow. I was literally soaked to the skin but it was worth it for that magical experience.’ – Susan Cole
Fellowship of the trail
‘The West Highland Way – always dreamed of it but made life excuses, then hit 40 and chased my dreams. I set out alone and made friends for life, including a German father and son I’m revisiting it with this summer. It was during the walk I got the news young Bradley Lowery had lost his battle with neuroblastoma. It hit me hard so I decided just to keep walking and do the next day’s miles too, to be with my thoughts. But my new friends refused to leave me and we all walked on into the hours of darkness talking and coming to terms with the more serious things in life. For so many reasons the walk will stay with me forever.’ – Paul Ferguson
A sign
‘I was walking with my life coach and saying I wasn't sure if I was on the right path in life, and as crazy as it sounds I asked the universe to show me a kingfisher as I sign I was doing okay. Next thing – one flew past me! I wasn't sure if I'd really seen it and it flew past again! A full-on goosebump moment’ – Liz Goodall
New horizons
‘A friend at a party came up with the suggestion we walk Wainwright’s Coast to Coast – 190 miles from Robin Hood's bay. A crazy idea as at that time we had absolutely no experience in walking. But spontaneously four of us decided to do it – and it changed our lives. I’ve learned that I can expand my boundaries, new things can become importance in life and the treasure of a very special friendship between the four of us. Loved the walk!’ – Anka Henrici
First date
‘My fella and I walked Whernside together for our first date. I wanted to impress him so I’d had my hair done nice and make up on as walking clothes aren't always flattering. By the time we got to the trig point it was blowing a hooley and absolutely lashing it down – I looked like a drowned rat but we were getting on great, and carried on walking and talking. The sun came out as we approached Ribblehead viaduct and he asked me if I wanted a meal in Ingleton. I thought he was being polite. But when it was time to go I took a deep breath and asked if he wanted a second date (we lived 100 miles apart), and to my surprise he smiled and said “How about Ingleborough next week”?. Five years on and we're still together and he's lovely.’ – Mary White
Cry freedom
‘August 2020. We drove to Morar station in the Scottish Highlands, left the car and walked two-thirds of the length of Loch Morar to Tarbet, where we were caught a boat to Mallaig. At Mallaig we sat in the sun eating pizza before getting the train back to the car. It was the most glorious day – around 25 degrees, most unusual for the Highlands – and we looked on the finest views imaginable, swam in the loch (Britain's deepest), and ate lunch in perfect silence save for the lapping of the water. A true escape, to true wilderness, after the anxiety and weirdness of the pandemic. Magic.’ – Anne England
Inspired by you
‘Thanks to seeing photos of Pen Y Fan in the #walk1000miles group I knew I wanted to climb this epic mountain – and after two false starts I finally did it with my lovely niece last year. I will never forget it for the amazing views, perfect weather and the sense of achievement. After our lunch photo we also managed Corn Du. So grateful to Walk 1000 miles! – Jill Morgan
The great gift
‘The first walk I can remember doing with my dad – from Endcliffe Park to Forge Dam, in Sheffield. We did it off and on through my life but my strongest memory of the walk was when I was 16 and he knew I was stressed about exams so off we went through the woods to the cafe at the Dam. Every time I smell wild garlic, I remember the love of my Dad and that special time we spent together walking. He passed over 10 years ago but his love of walking was one of his gifts to me.’ – Katrina Scott
Dreaming of moor
‘When I did Cross Fell and the Dun Fells it was the culmination of years of being obsessed with an area to which I’d never been to but still dreamed about. The walk was amazing, the company outstanding and the distant views of the Lake District were beyond my ability to express in words.’ – Mark Wild
‘Life is so good now’
‘I’ll never forget the day I began the South West Coast Path last July. A decade of an unhappy marriage followed by non-stop focus on working and bringing up my two boys alone had left me rather overwhelmed in life. But I started this first section of the SWCP has been a catalyst for change and regeneration in my entire life. I've got as far as Hartland Quay now and I'm going back next week for the section to Bude. I can't begin to describe how good life is now. I've lost a few pounds from this photo too! – Sarah Price
A snow day
‘Simply a walk around Calke Abbey with fellow 1000-Miler, Richard Crooks. Always a lovely walk but on this occasion the sunshine was interrupted by a sudden, unexpected heavy snowfall. We turned into big kids in the magical winter wonderland!’ – Julie Buchan
A dream comes true
‘I’ve dreamed of seeing the aurora but every time we head to the Scottish Highlands we seem to miss them by a day or two! So tonight we headed to the Forest of Bowland, and… wow.’ – Leanne Woodall
Giant steps
‘The last part of the South Downs Way – a journey I never thought I'd manage having had a lifetime of agoraphobia. At 50 I decided enough was enough! With support from friends, encouragement from the amazing #walk1000miles family I did the first 5 miles of my last walk by myself.... unimaginable! I was then joined by many of the friends who'd walked parts of the 100 miles with me. We arrived at King Alfred's statue in Winchester and celebrated with... a cup of tea’ – Mo Peters
Walking in step
‘The last walk I told my mum about before she passed was that I was going to do the Dales Way. She loved listening to my holiday tales. I set off the following year and In a quiet riverbank spot on the way to Hubberholme, I spontaneously sang the one song that never failed to make her laugh, the ‘Lonely Goatherd’ from the Sound of Music. I felt her on my shoulder for that mile or so. Wonderful memories.’ – Julia Corfield
