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Brit, living in US, and currently visiting Devon. Channeling our inner Katharine May, we just walked a chunk of the SWCP from Hope Cove to Bolberry Down, followed by a wild swim at Hope Cove. We're avid hikers back home in Washington State, and while there are great trails in the North Cascades and Olympics which we love, walking around the edge of our home island in Puget Sound means walking along the tide line because "private beaches".

On the other hand, we're also avid cyclists and our island is a haven compared to the roads here!

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Aah that is such a good bit of the SWCP!

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I'll just throw in that France also has an awesome path around the coast of Brittany, very comparable to the SWCP. My wife and I did two weeks on that for our honeymoon back in '99.

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Absolutely agree with you! I feel so appreciative of the fact that one could literally walk the whole perimeter of the UK safely. I walk a lot on my own and although I still prefer to have my dog by my side in places I’m not 100% familiar with, I’ve never ever had bad experience compared to other countries, that I’m not going to name

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Sadly my dog doesn't really like walking, or else I'd do the same 😭

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Oh no, she must be quite old or has some hip problems. Poor baby! Xx

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Nope, she’s 4 and just doesn’t like it!

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Sep 8, 2023Liked by Katherine May

I was reading The Electricity of Every Living Thing whilst on holiday in Pembrokeshire last year, where over the years I've walked miles of the coastal path. Your description of the shouty man advising the small fast steps on the ascents was a game changer! After years spent lunging upwards, and being so out of breath, I shall never climb another steep incline without the slightly comedic upward shuffle.

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Yes!! It changed my life, loath as I am to admit it :)

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Sep 8, 2023Liked by Katherine May

Thank you Katherine! I loved my walks when I visited the UK❤️. The whole ethos seems geared to walkers. It is a different, and I would say friendlier, experience than in the States. USA the focus is more on “hiking” wilderness areas, which are not always accessible. And you don’t want to stray onto private property, you might get shot!

Anyway, I recommend toe socks. Though they are one of those things you either love or hate. And in your kit, a pocket knife. And agree, well-fitting shoes, but not tight shoes realizing your feet swell on long walks. I’ve learned all my lessons from experience 😉.

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Toe socks is such a good call. I'm always interested in the difference in language between the UK and US: walking vs hiking. We make it sound a lot lighter, I think! We also have quite a few accessible paths, although plenty of ones that aren't too. It always makes me happy when I'm walking and someone whizzes past me on a mobility scooter!

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I love this difference. I have historically disliked “hiking” as it feels like a fitness-focused death march in the US. Also, I don’t tolerate heat or sun well and that was always a factor when I lived in Southern CA.

However going for a walk has tremendous appeal now that I live in Germany. There are many more places that go through beautiful woods rather than next to cliffs that trigger vertigo for me.

I’m inspired to research options I can get to by transit- not having a car anymore has kept

me in urban walking mode the last five years, but I’m ready to give this a go as soon as this heat wave ends. Thank you so much for all the detail and in-depth sharing of your experience- invaluable!

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There are such lovely places to walk in Germany! And good transport too - it’s worth checking out travel info on specific trails, as sometimes they have shuttle buses to more remote ares.

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oooh- good point about the shuttle buses! I’ll get researching. 🩷

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In the US here and can agree that public land for hiking, as we call it, is at a premium. And, yes, know what's private and what's for public use for safety's sake. I have a 10 year old pair of Vibram toe shoes I hike in all summer. I love them. In the winter, I wear boots and usually crampons because of snow and ice.

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founding

This is a great guide, thank you. I also remembered that time we had to be rescued in the Scottish hills because my dad did not have a guide like this ; )

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Hahaha I think that’s not a rare experience!

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