MAY IS NATIONAL WALKING MONTH!

May is National Walking Month (NWM) – a time to get moving whilst embracing adventure with family and friends in the great outdoors! Whether you’re an avid hiker, keen to improve your fitness, or simply want to shake up your routine, this is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with nature and boost your physical and mental wellbeing 😊

To celebrate our favourite month, Nikwax reached out to some of the walking groups we featured in a blog earlier this year, asking them to share their favourite hikes with us for NWM inspiration, from Yorkshire to Brighton…

HIKING BUDDIES
Our favourite walk is the coastline between Flamborough in East Riding and Whitby in North Yorkshire – it is nothing short of breathtaking. Flamborough Head’s striking white chalk cliffs are home to nesting seabirds and basking seals, and as the path winds north, remnants of wartime history such as pillboxes and radar stations break up the landscape. On reaching Whitby, its dramatic ruined gothic abbey, which was the rumoured inspiration for Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’, is accessible via 199 steps up from the town. This is a walk that blends all our passions into one: history, books and the beauty of the north. @hikingbuddiesuk

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BLACK TRI TRIBE
Our favourite walking trail is along Devils Dyke, just five miles north of Brighton in East Sussex. At nearly a mile long, the Dyke Valley is the longest, deepest and widest ‘dry valley’ in the UK. Legend has it the Devil dug this chasm to drown the Christian parishioners of the Weald. On the other hand, scientists believe it was formed naturally just over 10,000 years ago in the last Ice Age! The ramparts of an Iron Age hill fort can be seen as you walk around the site, and, on a clear day, the valley’s surrounding hills offer stunning panoramas. If you’re lucky, you might even spot the Isle of White in the distance. @blacktritribe

Nikwax recommends packing – or wearing – a lightweight, breathable fleece for your walk in case of a sudden nip in the air. Proofing your (clean) fleece in advance with PolarProof® will ensure it keeps you warmer and drier on your adventure. Buy now on Amazon

MUSLIM HIKERS
Our ultimate hike is the Kinder Scout circular walk in the Peak District, which takes in farmland, the Ladybower reservoir, and moors. Whilst we’ve had the occasional misfortune of getting stuck in the black peat bogs and almost losing our hiking boots(!), this walk really delivers – whether or not the sun is out and however chilly it is at the top. Accessible from the villages of Edale (where there’s a well-linked train station) and Hayfield in the High Peak, walks around Kinder offer a journey through many different landscapes, showcasing the beautiful diversity of the Peak District.

Nikwax recommends hard-wearing leather footwear for the gritstone edges, limestone dales and rolling hills of the Peak District. Waterproofing Wax for Leather is our founding product, providing immediate and long-lasting protection for your ‘investment’ boots. Buy now on Amazon.

EVERY BODY OUTDOORS
We love the walk up to Black Hill in the Black Mountains, at the edge of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) on the border between Mid and South Wales. The ridge is known as Cat’s Back because it is long and thin, and the views from it are beautiful. It is a relatively forgotten part of the Brecon Beacons, which means it’s never hugely busy. It is a short, steep climb up to the ridge, but, from there, the walk is gentle, and you have the option of either going there and back (the return views are stunning) or continuing and joining Offa’s Dyke to circle back through the valley between. Best of all, beautiful wild ponies live on these hills and encountering them is magical. @every_body_outdoors

Nikwax recommends sporting a sturdy pair of walking boots for undulating, mixed terrain. Why? Because comfortable feet make for happier hikes! Our nifty Fabric & Leather Footwear Kit not only cleans and waterproofs your boots but also allows water vapour to escape, keeping your feet even drier. Buy now on Amazon

ALLTERRAIN95
“The Old Man of Coniston” is a prominent peak in the Lake District, and the popular and rewarding hike up to it is without doubt our favourite walk. Offering amazing panoramic views over the rest of the Lakes, and, if the weather plays ball, stunning sunrises and breathtaking cloud inversions from the summit, it ticks all our boxes, whichever route up we choose. As the walk is moderately challenging and the weather in the Lake District can be unpredictable, hikers should always be prepared for all conditions. @allterrain95

Nikwax recommends you don’t set off without a decent, comfortable backpack that distributes weight evenly and carries essentials such as water, food and equipment. Our Tent & Gear products – SolarWash® and SolarProof® – clean and add UV protection to backpacks and other gear, preventing sun damage and increasing fabric tear strength. Buy now on Amazon

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE GIRLS
One of our staple hikes is the 20-mile pilgrimage trail – in reverse – to Canterbury Cathedral, in Kent. We recently hosted a walk here, following the Via Francigena (an ancient pilgrim’s route) starting at Dover Castle. The route follows the North Downs Way National Trail through the picturesque landscapes of the south coast, taking in the beauty of the trail before finishing at the cathedral. The Via Francigena (the Road from France) stretches across Europe from Canterbury, through France and Switzerland, before ending in Rome. Although we have only completed a small section of it, we’d highly recommend! @outdooradventuregirlsuk

Nikwax recommends a good quality base layer to help regulate your body temperature during changes in the weather and/or varying levels of exertion. To make it work extra harder for you, condition it with BaseFresh® for a fresher, more fragrant pilgrimage.  Buy now on Amazon.