Whether it is a trek across the beautiful Scottish Highlands or exploring the Shetlands, a bracing winter walk is a great way to refresh your body and your mind this winter.
Walking brings with it a lot of health benefits, from building stamina, encouraging positive heart health and lose weight, according to the NHS.
Whether you are looking for inspiration, or a place to contemplate, hiking in winter brings with it a range of considerations to make sure you make the most of your trip.
Here are some top tips for making the most of your journey.
Wear Lots Of Layers
With walking holidays in Scotland, the weather will be bracing and refreshing, but it is important to be prepared. Dressing in layers means you are prepared not only to avoid being too cold but also have the option to remove a couple of layers when you feel too warm.
Make sure you have some thermal socks, insulating gloves and a base thermal layer, which you can combine with other layers to make sure you are comfortable.
Most importantly, don’t forget a hat. Your head is the most temperature-sensitive part of your body and if your forehead is cold, the rest of you will feel it too.
Plan For The Weather
Weather forecasts can change, particularly in colder months, so check the expected conditions of your route, then double-check the weather and pack accordingly.
Make sure you have strong shoes or boots that fit the conditions and prepare in case the weather changes, for example by packing sunglasses to avoid the glare from the sun on hillier treks.
Make sure you have a good waterproof coat, ideally with a thermal layer that can be removed or separated, depending on how warm you are.
Start Early And Don’t Rush
Depending on how long the route is, it is generally better to start early when you are walking, to make sure you have plenty of time to travel to your next stop or destination before it gets dark.
The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy yourself, and the key to that is to go at a pace that suits you and you are comfortable. Having the luxury of time means you can take breaks when you need them and slow down if you need to.
Days are shorter and nights are longer so be sure to plan your route accordingly.
Keep Hydrated And Fed
The colder the conditions are, the more calories you burn when you are walking, so it is important to pack plenty of drinks and the right types of snacks between meals.
A warm thermos with soup, hot chocolate or tea will work well to keep you both warm and hydrated.
If you are picking snacks, what you ideally want is things you can eat on the go and high in protein and carbohydrates to help give you that energy boost.
This keeps you replenished, full of energy and helps you to stay warm.