She Hikes The South West Coast Path

630 miles. 115000 feet of ascent and descent. 45 stages. Over 6 and a half weeks.

Carrying my belongings on my back, and pitching my tent as my home every night.

2022 is the year I start fulfilling a dream I’ve had for a very long time – to hike the entirety of the South West Coast Path.

Having the necessary 45(ish) days off work in one go sadly isn’t compatible with doctor life. So instead, I have decided to break it down into week long chunks that I can take off over the coming years.

The first stage will hopefully begin on my 34th birthday this April and I’ve set myself the target of completing it before I turn 36. So that gives me until 23rd April 2024 to get out stomping!

I am spending this week planning my sections and hunting out good spots to stop for the nights (any recommendations gratefully received).

My trail guidebook tells me the record for completing the path stands at 10 days 12 hours and 6 minutes (am I making rather a meal out of it by suggesting I’m going to need til 2024?!). But having never been one for rushing through the fastest route in life, taking my time, and savouring each step along the way, feels far more appropriate.

So welcome along – I hope you’ll join me, albeit virtually, on this adventure. I’ll write more about my motivation for doing this particular trail, along with info about my prep and current challenges (such as trying to make my kit as lightweight as possible!) before long.

But for now, it’s back to the maps…..