Hill walking/Trekking

You have on your doorstep some of the most amazing walking landscapes you could ask for.

I've just come back from a couple of weeks in the Lake District and had such a good time I'm seriously considering moving up there.

Like most hobbies it can be a bit of a money pit - my advice would be to do some walking local to you and find out what style works for you and how much you enjoy it (eg some people like to stomp round and get their aerobic exercise fix whereas others are much more into meandering/taking-in the scenery type walking).

If you do want to pursue it - spend as much as you can afford on a decent pair of boots and socks, join a local walking/ramblers club, participate in a few walks and learn from their experience - you'll enjoy it and after sorting your kit it's all totally free!
 
Has previously mentioned,buy a book regarding walks in your area.They usually
include information such as,difficulty levels,distances,expected finishing times and landmarks etc.Start with some of the easier routes.
 
Personally equipment wise I would recommend.

Pair of boots (my 10 year old £20 boots are more comfortable than my £120 'decent' boots)
Decent walking socks
Pair of walking pants
fleece
hat/gloves
water proof jacket and pants
hydration pack (so your not carrying heavy plastic bottles of water)
rucksack (about 30 litre)
a dry bag for inside your rucksack to put clothing/car keys/money etc
Compass

I've also been converted to using a walking pole after initially taking the piss out of mates, takes a lot of pressure off the knees when you're coming down a steep hill.

You can print out maps and routes on the internet, if you do decide to buy the os maps get them laminated so they dont get pissed wet through.

People say start off with smaller walks but my first walk 2 years ago was snowdon and since then I've done many harder walks and I wouldn't consider myself fit. I took my missus up to helvellyn via striding edge last week and that was the first proper walk she had ever done. Just take your time but leave yourself enough time to get down before it gets dark.

Learn how to read a map and use a compass and be able to read OS grid references.

Check the weather forecast before you go, what can be a moderate walk in normal conditions can be death defying in ice and snow without the proper gear (crampons ice axe etc).

Some good walks on the website below. If you live in heywood then pendle hill aint that far away and is a decent walk and you could do it without buying all that gear I mentioned.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.walkingbritain.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.walkingbritain.com/</a>
 
Ambleside YHA is a great place to explore the lakes from. It sits on the edge of Lake Windermere, and a double private room (albeit with bunk beds) is about £30 a night. Plenty of walks that you can start from there, including some that are a distance away because it's next to the ferry port. The staff have guide maps for about 50p.

As for kit. My advice would be don't spend the earth until your confident it's something you're going to commit to, though a waterproof jacket is always handy if you live round here.

I've seen some very nice walking gear in TK Maxx, usually at knock down prices.
 
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