OS Champion

Meg Collington

Meet Meg Collington who loves hiking and cycling in the Lake District, Peak District and Eryri (Snowdonia)

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you like to get outside?

I’m Meg and I’m based in Ripley, Derbyshire, right near the Peak District. I first got into the outdoors as a Girl Guide and rediscovered my love for it as an adult following a bout of ill health that redirected my life back home.

I work a desk-based job from home now, so try to spend all of my free time outside. Dashing out to the Peak District to climb into the sunset in summer with a cheeky swim after to cool off. Grabbing my gravel bike from the shed and whizzing down the local gravel lanes to wind down and switch off after a stressful day at work. If I’ve only got my lunch hour, it’s a shorter wander into the surrounding hills and public footpaths.

At weekends, I plan bigger and bolder adventures. Come Friday, the tent is packed up into my biggest backpack, along with everything needed for dinner and morning coffee al fresco, for a wild camping adventure somewhere in the Peak District. If it’s not the Peak District it’s the Lake District or North Wales, which are both within a 3 hour drive and perfect for a weekend.

If the weather’s looking good, the paddleboard gets thrown in the boot along with as much outdoors equipment as activities I can fit into a British weather weekend.

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What’s your favourite route or place to go and why?

Meg’s Favourite Hiking Route – Lathkill Dale from Alport

My favourite place to go close to home is Lathkill Dale. It’s a stunning limestone dale in the White (South) Peak that’s a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Considering how beautiful it is, it’s never particularly busy. There’s a lovely circular walk through the dale, which includes a designated wild swimming spot next to Youlgreave (which can get busy). I never tire of visiting this place in all seasons, spotting the different flora and fauna that changes across the year. The route features on OL 24 for the Peak District White Peak Area.

Explore Lathkill Dale

Want to find out more about how to start hiking?

Read our complete guide to Hiking for Beginners, everything you need to get started from essential equipment to fitness and safety advice – Hiking For Beginners

What’s your fave bit of kit available on the OS Shop?

My favourite bit of kit available on the OS Shop is my Silva Expedition 4 compass. It might seem basic but it’s essential.

It’s easy to rely on phones for route finding but you should always have a back up paper map and compass. Not only could they save your life but it’s also incredibly fun and rewarding learning to navigate yourself. You’ll learn to appreciate your surroundings more and get a better feel for direction. I never leave for a hike without my map and compass!