82 HEALTHY FOOD GUIDE JUNE 2019
OS Maps,
free for
basic
functions, or from
£2.99/month, £23.99/
year for premium tools,
ordnancesurvey.co.uk
Access standard,
low-detail maps for
free or subscribe to
access Landranger or
Explorer maps, plan
and record routes and
use the app offline.ViewRanger,
free for basic
functions,
£3.99 a year for
premium tools, App
Store, Google Play
A good alternative to
OS Maps (it’s always
handy to have a
back-up), or subscribe
for more tools, such as
3D tracks and routes,
detailed maps and a
way to track friends.Footpath
Route
Planner,
free, App Store,
Google Play Trace
maps with your finger
and it’ll plot a route,
snapping guides to the
nearest road or path.
Lets you plan and
measure routes in
seconds, save them
offline and share them
with others.Meetup,
free,
meetup.com
This is an easy way
to connect with
local groups of
like-minded people
in your area. It means
you can find a walking
group wherever
you are – or start
one yourself if you
want to meet some
fellow hikers.Active 10,
free, App
Store, Google
Play This app from the
NHS is great if you’re
new to walking and
want to work on your
fitness daily so you can
boost your endurance
for longer, weekend
walks. Track how many
times you can fit in
a brisk, ‘Active 10’
(10 min walk) each day.freely– experiencedwalkerstendtofavourtrousersin
lightweight,technicalfabricsratherthanleggings(no
pockets!)orjeans(theygetheavyandcoldwhenwet).
OA BACKPACKChooseonethatfitseverythingyou
needandcanbewornalldaywithoutrubbing.
OPROTECTIONfromtheelements.Sunscreen
is a must,butdon’tunderestimatehow
changeableevensummerweathercanbe.
A hat,Buff-typeneckwarmerandgloves
canbeashandyasyoursunglasses.Insect
repellentmaybeuseful.
OA MAPYourphonecanhelpyouto
navigate(seeThere’sanappforthat,
below)andGPStechnologywillworkto
locateyouevenwhenthere’snophone
signal.Thatsaid,it’sbesttohavea papermapand
realcompassincaseofa technologyfail.Asallgood
GuidesandScoutsknow,OrdnanceSurveyis your
bestresourceforpapermaps.Youcancreatemaps
ofa customareaif needed(ordnancesurvey.co.uk).
OWATERCarryplentyofwaterandenoughfoodfor
theday.Onmanyroutesyoucanwalkformiles
withoutfindinga shoporpub– andyoumayneed
tocomeofftheroutetolocatethem.
Anda fewoptionalextras...
OWALKINGPOLESofferextrastabilityandbalance
andtakethestrainoffyourkneesandankles.They
mayseemlikeanextraburden,butweighthatup
againsttheirvalueonlongerorhillierwalks.A good
outdoorshopcanhelpyoufindtherightsizeand
a lightweight,packablestyle.
OKITPROTECTORSTherearelotsofclever(and
eco-friendly)productsthathelpkeepyourwalking
gearingoodcondition(suchasthecleaningand
waterproofingrangeatnikwax.com).If yougetthe
walkingbug,youcanmakesureeveryitemlasts.^TAKE APAPERMAP
INCASE OFA
TECHNOLOGYFAIL_
THERES AN APP F OR T HAT!’
Many walkers like to go off grid. But those who enjoy a little
connectivity may find these apps and gadgets useful...Put safety first
‘Not much can go wrong when you’re walking on
lowlands, so just use common sense,’ says James.
‘Always tell someone your route, start and finish
points and your expected start and finish times.’ Make
up a basic first aid kit with plasters, blister plasters or
tape, antiseptic, painkillers, insect repellent
and sunscreen – or buy a ready-made kit
for walkers from any good outdoor shop.
Take an extra battery or charging pack for
your phone. A head torch and penknife are
handy extras if you plan to be out all day.
‘Hill walking is riskier as it takes you
further off the beaten track, over uneven
and challenging ground. You may go up
to levels where the weather can be more inclement
and change quickly, even if you set out on a beautiful
summer’s day,’ James adds. ‘In the unlikely event of
an emergency, call 999 – the police can put you in
touch with the local Mountain Rescue Service.’Make a holiday out of it
Make a weekend or longer of it and plan a route with
overnight stays. Adventurers may want to carry their
own camping gear and find campsites (or wild camp
in Scotland). Or you can stay in hostels or B&Bs en
route – just be sure to book ahead rather than turn
up, exhausted, at the end of a long day’s hike to find
there’s no room at the inn.
When booking a walking holiday you can usually
opt for a baggage carrying service from one overnight
stop to the next. Walks can be guided or self-guided.
Check out nationaltrust.org/holidays; ramblersholidays.
co.uk or thewalkingholidaycompany.co.uk.
To increase your fitness and keep your motivation