National Walking Month 2022: Get walking in the Lake District this May
This month, everyone across the country is encouraged to get outside and walk more as part of Living Streets’ National Walking Month. Living Streets is the UK charity for everyday walking who are dedicated to encouraging people of all generations to reap the benefits of walking more. They encourage children to walk to school and adults to use their car less, in order to help the health of both the environment and the public. This year, the charity are urging everyone to #Try20- and walk for 20 minutes each day during May.
The Lake District shares the values of the charity, aiming to improve the environment and the health of those who live and visit the national park. Of course, the Lake District is famous for it’s hiking, making it the perfect place to spend National Walking Month.
We’ve put together a list of health benefits associated with walking, beginner Lakeland walks to get you started and some hints and tips to ensure you enjoy a safe and comfortable walk…
Why should we walk more?
Walking when we can and reducing the use of cars and carbon emissions is great for the environment, but walking also has an amazing impact on our physical and mental health too…
Walking is good for the heart
The American Heart Association discovered walking at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week could reduce the risk of heart disease by 19% and risk of stroke by 27%. The risk reduces even more if you walk further and more frequently. Walking also lowers the risk of high cholesterol.
Increases your vitamin D intake
It’s no surprise in the UK that many people suffer with vitamin D deficiency. Despite the lack of sun sometimes, the best way to increase your Vitamin D intake is to get outside as much as possible and take a walk in the sunshine. Vitamin D is good for your bone health, as well as your immune system, which is why it is important to try and increase the levels in your body. Of course, be aware of the dangers of the sun too and always wear SPF.
It boosts your immune system
Research from Harvard Medical School claimed walking can help protect you during cold and flu season. A study of over 1,000 men and women found that those who walked at least 20 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week, had 43% fewer sick days than those who exercised once a week or less. Those who did get sick had fewer symptoms and were poorly for a shorter amount of time.
It helps you maintain a healthy weight
Depending on how fast you walk, the distance you cover and the terrain you are on, walking can help you lose weight by burning calories and body fat. If you walk at around 2mph for 30 minutes then you will burn around 75 calories, and if you increase this to 4mph this will rise to around 150 calories. Just 20 minutes of walking a day will burn around 7lbs of body fat a year.
It gives you energy
If you’re having one of those days when you feel lethargic and exercise is the last thing on your mind, going on a short, brisk walk can boost your circulation and increase oxygen supply in your body, in turn making you feel more alert and awake.
It makes you happy
As well as having benefits on your physical health, walking and getting outside amongst nature have also been proven to improve your mental health. Walking helps improve your mood because it boosts blood flow and circulation to the brain as well as releasing endorphins. These endorphins are known to not only boost our mood but also to lower our stress and anxiety levels.
Lake District Beginner Walks
The Lake District is the ultimate place for hikers, providing endless opportunities for both short, lowland hikes and more challenging, mountain walks. Now you know the health benefits, put them into practice with these Lakeland beginner hikes.
Beginner Lowland Walks
Tarn Hows Circular
One the Lake Districts most popular routes; a circular stroll around Tarn Hows is an easy, accessible walk suitable for everyone, even your dog! A full loop is around 2 miles and should take around an hour. Start the walk from Tarn Hows National Trust Car Park and enjoy this picturesque spot, which was also a favourite of Lakeland author Beatrix Potter.
Friar’s Crag
Friars Crag is a beautiful viewpoint overlooking Derwentwater and providing amazing views of Catbells and the surrounding fells. The low level route begins at Derwentwater foreshore beside the Theatre by the Lake and takes you through woodland and stone tracks before reaching Friar’s Crag. The route covers around 1 mile and takes approximately 30 minutes.
Buttermere Circular
Voted as one of the country’s favourite views, Buttermere is peaceful valley overlooked by towering fells, reflecting onto the mirror-like surface of the lake. The valley is remote and has only one accessibly road running through. For a easy route away from the crowds, a walk around Buttermere lake is ideal. Start at the Bridge Hotel in Buttermere and follow the route adjacent to the lakeside. The walk follows a 4.7 mile route and should take around 2-3 hours.
Beginner Mountain Hikes
Catbells
One of the most iconic beginner walks in the Lake District, Catbells offers stunning views over Keswick, Derwentwater and the Borrowdale Fells. The fell is the perfect introduction to mountain walking, including varied incline and a small scramble at the top! This walk can be started from the popular market town of Keswick and includes 451 m of height gain. The route from Keswick is around 4 miles and should take approximately 2-3 hours.
Loughrigg Fell
Loughrigg Fell is a great little walk for beginners, providing great views over Grasmere and an exciting opportunity to explore Rydal Caves. The route offers variation from woodland to grassy hillside and stony track. The walk can begin from White Moss Car Park and follows a short, 3.5-mile route, which should take around 2-3 hours.
Latrigg
If you’re not quite ready to tackle neighbouring giant Skiddaw, try a small walk up to the little Latrigg. This small peak is ideal for a morning or evening stroll and offers amazing views over Derwentwater. You can start this walk from Keswick, which takes around 3-4 hours and covers 5 miles or you can start from the foot of Skiddaw for a shorter option.
Walking Tips
National Walking Month often encourages people who don’t usually walk far to get involved with walking more. We’ve put together a list of some helpful hints and tips to ensure you have an enjoyable, safe walk…
Wear comfortable and sturdy hiking shoes or boots
Good quality hiking shoes or boots are crucial to avoid painful blisters and rubbing. If you’re new to walking, the array of hiking boot and shoe choices may seem confusing and overwhelming. To narrow it down, choose a hiking boot based on their fit, material and consider the terrain you will mostly be exploring….
When choosing a hiking boot, make sure your foot fits snugly to avoid too much movement; your heel should not lift when you’re walking but you should still be able to move your toes comfortably. If you’re exploring tough terrain, a full-grain leather boot is perfect for durability, water resistance and rugged ground. However, they are not as lightweight and breathable when compared to a hiking shoe. Low cut hiking shoes with flexible midsoles are excellent for day hiking on easy terrain.
Make sure your socks are the right material
A lot of people often make the mistake of wearing everyday cotton socks when they first start hiking. Cotton is a material that absorbs moisture. When you begin walking, your feet will start to sweat and cotton will absorb this in turn making your socks heavy and uncomfortable. Cotton will no longer insulate your skin when wet and it takes a long time to dry, resulting in painful blisters. When buying walking socks, look at the materials. Good walking socks are often made with a blend of polyester, spandex, nylon or merino wool. These materials are insulating, elastic, durable and fast drying.
We know a lot of outdoor kit can be pricey, so look around on second hand Facebook groups and apps, you can often find discounted gear which still has the tags on!
Pack plenty of water and food
Even if you’re heading out on a small walk, staying hydrated is crucial. Make sure you pack plenty of water and some food for a picnic stop mid-hike! If your on a short walk, you can pack whatever food you can carry, but if your walk is a little longer, try to pack food which is compact, lightweight and nutritious to provide energy for your walk such as nutrition bars, nuts and seeds or pasta and some sweets for sugar!
Start small with a popular, beginners route
Research your walk before you head off. If you’re new to hiking, choosing a small, beginners route is advisable. The Lake District hikes we’ve chosen in this blog are perfect! Once you’ve chosen your walk, obtain a map of the area and familiarise yourself with the route.
Check the weather
If you’re well kitted out, hiking in the rain isn’t all bad, but getting caught in a bad storm is. Make sure you check the weather before you head out to ensure there are no weather warnings and you know what to expect when you head out. If you’re thinking of heading out into the hills, the Mountain Weather Information Service is a handy tool to check.
Share your National Walking Month routes and highlights by using the hashtag #NationalWalkingMonth or #Try20
If you walked one of our Lake District Beginner Walks, tag us in your photos @onelakedistrict