I’ve been a follower of solo hiker, Claire Edwards @claire_outdoor_adventures on Instagram, for a few years now and I’m always inspired by her energy and vibrancy in her posts. Claire confidently hikes up mountains with her husband, with friends and more often than not on her own.
Claire has been a real inspiration for me and many others to get outside and hike more. You’ll recognise her instantly from her trademark colourful hiking gear… she certainly knows how to be seen in the mountains!
In this new series ‘A Life More Adventurous’, I will be sharing the inspiring stories of popular outdoor enthusiasts who share their adventures on social media. These adventurous hikers, runners, swimmers and paddle boarders all share a passion for the great outdoors, offering insights, tips, and personal experiences that motivate us to ‘Get Outside‘, explore and appreciate the stunning scenery here in Great Britain.
A Life More Adventurous – Claire Edwards
Can you tell me a little bit about how you got started with hiking?
I grew up in a small village in Staffordshire in a typical family environment. My childhood consisted of playing in the woods, riding bikes and on the local rec. My parents and in fact all of the rest of my family are not outdoorsy in the slightest, neither was I.
My love of the great outdoors didn’t come until much later. In fact I was in my 40’s when I moved to the edge of the Peak District with my husband. We have been settled here ever since. It’s perfect for walking in the Peaks, we have so many amazing hikes within an hours drive.
I’ll never forget the first hike we did, it was across the Roaches and over to Lud’s Church. I remember thinking “why have I never been here before and this is so beautiful”. Little did I know way back then that this would become my local walk. I’m sure I must have walked across the Roaches over 100 times!
From that day we continued to walk every weekend, travelling a little deeper into the Peaks. One Christmas one of the gifts off my mum was a book with walks in the Peak District. We worked our way through the book and still do some of the walks from that book today.
Back in the day we used to print off the directions from the book and take them along to follow. Of course things have progressed now and I use OS maps for any routes I’m not familiar with.
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About 4 years ago I decided to start an Instagram page, just for fun and our memories. I never thought anyone would be interested in the slightest. How wrong I was. It made me realise that there is a whole hiking community out there. I have made some fantastic connections and even met up and hiked with many people I’ve met through Instagram.
What do you love about being a solo hiker, and why did you start hiking alone?
Just as Covid was coming to an end I met up with a local girl and we walked in the Peaks, we chatted endlessly about hikes and mountains. I said to her “I want to got to Wales and the Lake District and climb all the big ones”.
We went to the Lake District and hiked the Fairfield Horseshoe, it was fabulous. We continued hiking together for a few months once a fortnight but she had to return to work as the pandemic was coming to an end and I was left with no one to do “the big ones” with.
What are Mountain Monday’s?
I’m very lucky with my job, I don’t work Mondays, so that became Mountain Monday… Soon after my friend went back to work I was getting the urge to climb another mountain.
The first time I went to Wales on my own I climbed Cadair Idris. The weather was fabulous and I had the best day. I felt at peace, free, so happy and fulfilled, and had such a sense of achievement. I didn’t need anyone else. I could do it alone That day a solo hiker was made….
Of course still walking in the Peaks with my husband every weekend. Travelling to either Wales or the Lake District every Monday. Occasionally I meet friends but more often than not I go alone.
I didn’t need anyone else. I could do it alone That day a solo hiker was made….
Does anything stop you getting out on Mountain Monday’s?
The only thing that will stop me is heavy consistent rain, thunderstorms or high winds. I always check the weather apps before any hike. I use MWIS, Mountain Forecasts and the Met Office but there are others.
I will forever be a sunrise lover, that comes with its drawbacks, the main one having to get up at 2 or 3 am every Monday so I can “catch sunrise” or saying that, I never struggle getting up, that feeling of excitement and anticipation of the upcoming adventure has never dwindled, in fact I cant wait for Monday to come around.
How does hiking impact your mental and physical health?
Its strange that I’m writing this on National Mental Health Day because for me the outdoors is definitely the best medicine. It allows me to completely switch off and escape for a few hours. It boosts my mood, instead of feeling exhausted after 5 or 6 hours driving and the same amount of time hiking I feel on top of the world and without a care in the world. I’ve found it a great way to boost my confidence and self esteem. It certainly triggers the happy hormones!!
Get a natural hiking high!
“I’ve found it a great way to boost my confidence and self esteem. It certainly triggers the happy hormones!!”
Do you do any special training to maintain your fitness for hiking?
I previously mentioned that I’m not from an outdoorsy family but I have always been a keen gym goer. I do 3 or 5 HIT classes per week. Of course this isn’t necessary but it helps me get up those mountains with a heavy pack.
Is being a solo female hiker scary?
For me absolutely not. I find it so rewarding and empowering, of course you have to be prepared. By this I didn’t mean spending hundreds of pounds on kit. There are some great mid range boots and jackets available. As you become more serious then you may then want to upgrade.
Of course you have to be sensible, by that I mean I always tell my husband where I’m going, what route I’m taking and approximately when he can expect to hear from me (the signal in the mountains is sketchy at best).
Have you ever got into any difficulties when solo hiking?
I’ve never really got into difficulty but have had a few mishaps. Once I set off super early, 2am, drove to Wales, arrived around 4.30am in the black dark, only to realise id left my head torch on charge in the kitchen at home. I had not choice but to sit in the car an wait…
Another time I’d driven to the Lake District, I had checked the weather the night before, it said conditions worsening in the afternoon. When I got there there was torrential rain. I waited for an hour or so, set off when the rain eased but it soon got super windy and started pouring down again. It just wasn’t fun, I know my limits and safety first always. So I returned to the car and had the long 3 hour drive home after only hiking 4 miles.
What are your top tips for solo hiking equipment?
The basics I carry for any hike no matter how far are:
- map and compass
- small first aid kit
- waterproofs
- head torch
- power bank and cable
- extra layers
- gloves & hat
- plenty of water
- snacks and food
Top Solo Hiking Advice for Beginners from Claire
If you are thinking of hiking solo but are afraid to do so, I would say start small and somewhere local, maybe a walk you’re familiar with, just got for it. The main thing is that someone knows where you are. Or if you’re not ready to go it alone I would recommend joining a group. There are lots to be found on Instagram and Facebook
Claire’s Recommended Solo Hikes For Beginners
There are so many beautiful fells in the Lake District that are not that high. I would happily recommend the following hikes for first time solo hikers.
The Lake District Recommended Solo Hikes for Beginners
Gummers How
Gummers How is ideal for a first solo hike. You can park really close using LA11 6NX
Top tip…. This is a great place to see a cloud inversion!
Place Fell
Place Fell is 657m, this one is so pretty and starts in Patterdale, it’s perfect for a first solo hike. You can just go up and down or make it a lovely 7.7 mile loop, adding High Dodd in and returning along the banks of Ullswater
Raven Crag
Another really pretty hike for a beginner is Raven Crag. It’s only 481m but the views are just fabulous. This one starts at Thirlmere Dam, there are a small number of free spaces for parking. Again you could just go up and down or make a loop and collect a few wainwrights.. High Seat, High Tove and Armboth Fell.
The Peak District Recommended Solo Hikes for Beginners
The Roaches and Lud’s Church
My recommendations for the Peak District would of course have to include The Roaches and Lud’s Church. Its a lovely walk with a bit of everything, views, woodland and of course the mystical Lud’s church. This one is approximately 8 miles. You can park just below the Roaches on Roach Road, Upper Hulme ST13 8UB. If going at the weekend, get there early!
Stanage Edge
Another firm favourite and great walk for a first time solo hiker is Stanage Edge. I just love this walk, the views are incredible and you will see lots of old millstones scattered below the edge. This one is approximately 5.5 miles across and back but of course you can add to it as you like, Bamford Edge is not that far away. For this walk I park on Hooks Car Park S32 1BR
What are your future hiking goals?
Well who knows. I am almost 60 yrs old now and just thankful every day that my body continues to allow me to do what I love and am passionate about.
I hope to hike more in Scotland, I just wish it was closer!! One route I’ve been eyeing up is The Ring of Steall, Mamores. Maybe that will be a long weekend next year, fingers crossed.
One place I would love to visit in the future Canada, it just looks so beautiful, the mountains and lakes are next level!
Thanks so much Claire for all your amazing advice and inspiration, I hope you make it to Canada soon! If you would like to follow Claire’s solo hiking adventures and more, find her on Instagram @claire_outdoor_adventures. If you know someone who leads a life more adventurous and you’d like us to interview them, get in touch with me! hilary.pullen@os.uk
I’ll leave you with this fabulous reel Claire made showing exactly what it feels like to get up early and get ready for a solo hike, she really captured the essence of the quiet and dark early morning start that sunrise seekers know only too well!
By Hilary Pullen
Meet Hilary, Editor of Get Outside – the Ordnance Survey Blog. Hilary is based in North Wales and loves hiking with her dogs in the mountains of Eryri and Bryniau Clwyd, you can find her on Instagram @nearlyuphill and read her guides to walking in North Wales on her blog. Drop her an email hilary.pullen@os.uk if you are interested in posting an article on Get Outside.
