Crime

Crime incidents on walking trails in England and Wales are extremely rare but you should keep your possessions within sight in crowded places, holiday areas and towns. In our larger towns and cities, as in the rest of the world, avoid walking alone late at night and take a registered taxi.

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Poor Weather

Be prepared for all weather conditions. All areas of the UK will get periods of bad weather, so you must be prepared for this with good waterproofs. In very high winds and in storms do not venture onto exposed moorland or coastal routes. On remote sections if you get caught in heavy rain you may have to battle on for several hours.

 

Get used to checking the weather forecast the night before each walking day and if wet weather is forecast for the afternoon make an early start or if it is going to be a wet morning consider a late start and avoid the worst of it.

 

Local TV news around 6pm gives a reliable weather forecast as well as weather forecasts for the next day or check online at

www.bbc.co.uk/weather

 

If the forecast has put you off walking, ask your accommodation for information on getting to your next location by bus or taxi or there are also taxi numbers on your itinerary. If you do decide to travel on to your next destination you can explore and perhaps do a smaller circular walk from there if you have bad weather.

 

Cliff Falls and Diversions

Always keep to the path and follow any diversions in place around cliff falls – these are for your safety. The coast has some very unstable sections of cliff and if you walk off the path you may end up in these areas.

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Avoid cliff edges and don’t sit directly below cliff faces. In any of the mining areas open shafts still exist, some are fenced-off, but others are not. Stick to the path and you will avoid this hazard.

 

If you see any dangerous erosion on the path, cracks, slips or loose rocks find a safe route around this and get in touch with us as we will report this to the Path Rangers for action.

 

Tides

Be aware of tides and use the tide tables we supply to check if you are in doubt. Every year people get cut off by the tide on beaches and sadly from time to time some are swept away by rip currents and freak waves.

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It is safest to SWIM ONLY ON THE MAIN BEACHES where information is available on conditions and lifeguards patrol in season.

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Away from the patrolled beaches if you do decide to risk swimming on a remote beach be very cautious and don’t go out of your depth or into areas with surf.

 

Drinking Water

It is important to keep well hydrated when walking, especially in very hot weather, by drinking plenty of fluids.

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Tap water in the UK is safe to drink unless otherwise indicated though you can buy bottled water from most shops,

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Please try to use a refillable water bottle or buy portable water filters which are designed for walkers and campers rather than adding to the amount of single use plastic bottles in the world.

 

Do not drink straight from streams and untreated water sources like cattle troughs as these can be contaminated by farm run off or dead animals upstream.

 

Ticks

Ticks are small insects that can carry certain diseases the most serious of which is Lyme Disease. When walking in areas of thick dense vegetation such as bracken you should wear long-sleeved shirts and tuck trousers into your socks. Avoid shorts and open sandals.

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Check your skin at the end of each day for ticks. It is a good idea to carry a tick remover which is more effective at removing ticks cleanly than tweezers.

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You can find out more about Ticks and how to avoid them or remove them on this website: www.nhs.uk/conditions/lyme-disease/

 

Livestock

You will almost certainly come across livestock at some point in your walk. Cows are allowed on footpaths and are not usually a problem provided they are not frightened.

 

Always give cows a wide berth and where possible walk around the herd not through it and don't make too much noise. Don't panic or run – the cows may run just because you are!

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Be especially cautious when cows have new- born calves with them and give them a very wide berth. Never walk between a cow and its calf or calves as she may perceive this as a threat to her offspring.

 

If cows are obstructing your path, then you are within your rights to find a safe route away from the path to get around them provided you re-join the path as soon as practicable to do so. Always close gates behind you.

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Please also see the section on dogs and cattle if you are bringing your dog with you.

 

Blisters

Prevention is better than cure – wear comfortable, worn in boots and socks both of which should fit you properly. (see Section 11 – ‘What to bring’ for more info on this)

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Take the opportunity to let your feet loose from your boots when you stop for a break, to cool them down. If you do feel any rubbing due to a sock having slipped or bunched up – DON'T PUT OFF ADJUSTING IT!!

 

It is very easy to just put up with it until the next scheduled break but by then it is often too late.

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If you do get a minor blister use a normal plaster to give some protection against rubbing, ideally a blister plaster (see Kit List) which will form a barrier over your blister.

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If the blister gets worse or bursts of its own accord carefully make a hole in the skin using a sterilised pin or needle to allow the liquid to escape. (You can sterilise the needle by heating with a match or lighter, with an alcohol wipe or by putting it in boiling water for ten minutes). Put antiseptic cream and a plaster on it and check it frequently.