Warnings of ice on the roads in to the western valleys so we hiked from Seascale on public paths around West Cumbria livestock farms, in and out of the Lake District National Park. Another training hike building up for more major hikes. We loaded my rucksack up to 9.5 kg with 24 m. of climbing ropes, as well as my DSLR, snack, thermos, torch and the usual emergency kit. And kept the pace up.

More photos: West Cumbria training hike - Lake District National Park

Family hike on Exmoor to the Iron and Bronze Age monuments at Dunkery Beacon (519 m.). Under the moorland peat is Middle Devonian sedimentary rock. Clear air so views across the Bristol Channel to the Gower Coast as well as Porlock and the North Somerset coastline below Dunkery Hill. Great to enjoy sunshine and cake from Cumbria at the highest point on Exmoor.

More photos: Dunkery Beacon (519 m.) - Exmoor National Park

Training hikes every other day since I’ve been in Brighton for the festive season. All in expectation of some slightly more arduous hikes that I have planned for 2026. Oh and burning off Terry’s fantastic Christmas cooking.

Just down from Skiddaw Little Man summit (865 m.)

Skiddaw Little Man summit (865 m.)

I’m planning on more and harder mountain hiking next year but feel I need to build my strength and endurance. So today’s session was a fitness training hike up from my Keswick front door (110 m.) to Skiddaw Little Man (865 m.). “Training hike” to me means structured hiking and rests, so about a three minute rest every 100 metres of altitude, as shown by the barometric altimeter on my watch; rucksac loaded to 5kg gross. The Skiddaw path from Latrigg Saddle is ideal for a training hike as it’s a steady climb, well-defined with relatively few scenic distractions.

More photos: Skiddaw training hike - Lake District National Park