Lands end John o groats (walking) LEJOG

[i4got]

I’ve seen plenty of posts about driving or cycling LEJOG but unless I missed it nothing on walking? Anyone done this or planning it. ?

I’m hoping to start beginning of April 2022. Had a long distance walk in Italy to Rome cancelled this year and figure there’s less can go wrong with a domestic trip.

Anyway any advice or suggestions welcomed.

[i4got]

Cheers for the link

[i4got]

Regbuser said:

And, from experience, the Offa's dyke way is more 'shire' than the Midlands; but you have to then traverse Flintshire - swings and roundabouts..

That's one of the big decisions I'm looking forward to researching.

[i4got]

Time for an update.

Getting train down to Penzance on Tuesday then bus to Lands End and starting the walk on Wednesday.

After a lot of research and blog reading I have a route that I'm generally happy with.

I'll be going up the centre of Cornwall, Devon and Somerset rather than the coast path. Making use of parts of the Michael Mary Pilgrim path and the King Arthur Path up to Glastonbury.

Then bits of the Costwold Way, the Severn Way and the Staffs & Worcs canal up to Stafford.

Rather than the Pennine Way I'm working up the Dales Way to Windermere then the Cumbria Way to Carlisle.

Up the Annandale Way, part of the Southern Upland Way to Edinburgh, then cross the Bridge to Perth, Pitlochry and Blair Atholl. Cross the Cairngorms to Inverness using the East Highland Trail, then up the John O Groats trail to the end.

Decided on the east side of Scotland to avoid the crowds and hopefully the midges on the West Highland way / Great Glen Way - plus I really like the idea of wild camping through the Cairngorms.

Got all the equipment and gear I think I need as I'll be primarily camping.

The route isn't set in stone as I'll be looking for camp sites or wild camping spots as I go rather than pre-booking.

All being well I should finish towards the end of June.

Looking forward to it with a fair amount of trepidation built in.

I may pop onto PH from time to time if I need some local knowledge on stopping places or anything else.

[i4got]

El stovey said:

Were you the guy doing the sw coastal path last year and got injured op?

No I've not done the Sw Coast Path. I've done a few over the years (Coast to Coast, South Downs, Portuguese Camino, RidgeWay etc) but touch wood not had to retire injured yet. I'm a bit older and achy-er now and not tried anything this challenging before so fingers cossed.

[i4got]

Thanks all for the good wishes.

[i4got]

Pit Pony said:

Do google maps says it should take 11 days.

Given that the pennine way took me 3 weeks, I think this time Google is out by a factor of 10.

Good luck by the way

The Pennine Way is quite an achievement. I haven't yet ruled it out but when I get close I'll see what the weather is like. I'll only head that way if there's a prolonged period of good weather forecast. Don't fancy the muddy bogs if I can help it.

[i4got]

Bannock said:

Serious question OP - what brand of walking shoe do you prefer?

I'm actually mainly using trainer/trail shoes - Hoka ATR Challengers - got gaiters as well.. I'm meeting up with my wife at three stages in the walk and she'll have my well worn in boots with her (Altbergs) so if I need to change over I'll have that option. I'll definitely be in the boots for the Cairngorms stages.

[i4got]

Austin_Metro said:

OP, please do post a photo a day.

Maybe:

Miles walked:
Pies consumed:
Weather:
Moment of the day:

Would be fun to follow. Good luck!

I may well do that. I'm looking forward to trying some new beers on the way as well.

[i4got]

Rosscow said:

Best of luck, OP! Sounds incredible and I’m quite jealous!

What total mileage is your route, and how many miles a day on average are you aiming for?

Please do keep us updated whenever you can.

Enjoy!

Edited by Rosscow on Thursday 24th March 18:39

Total mileage will be somewhere between 1100 and 1200 miles (hopefully nearer 1100 if I don't get lost too much).

I'm aiming for around 16 or 17 mile average per day but will probably start with a bit lower mileage (13/14) and work up to it.

I'm also planning for a rest day every week or so.

[i4got]

interstellar said:

Will you be having people waking with you at many points?

Some friends have offered to join for the odd day here and there. We'll play it by ear.

[i4got]

GloverMart said:

Really just posting to wish you all the very best for this, i4got. It's something that in my head, I'm daft enough to do but my body would never cope with it now.

Would be good to get some pics along the way if you have time though.

Pics will definitely be posted. At this stage I'm not sure my body will hold out - my back in particular with the rucksack. I'm already thinking contingencies though. eg buy a shopping trolley in a Wilko somewhere and fix my rucksack to it. Hopefully it won't come to that.

[i4got]

interstellar said:

Good luck i4got. Think you are making the trip to the start like tomorrow.

Thank you, yes - train to Penzance tomorrow, then bus to Lands End early the following morning.

[i4got]

First day finished. A nice short one. Stayed at Penzance last night and got the bus to LE this morning. Left my rucksack at the accommodation so a pretty easy 11 miles back to Penzance. Nice and sunny when i finished so enjoyed a £1.49 pint of IPA in the sun at the end. I think tomorrow will be quite a bit tougher with the back pack.

[i4got]

S100HP said:

Are you recording on Strava or similar?

Using an app called Relive. Records route and height. It additionally produces a video. Not sure if it will load on PH but I’ll give it a try.

[i4got]

It seems to have worked but the music isn’t there (you haven’t missed much)

[i4got]

I’ll mix and match the route. Today from Penzance to Hayle I used Slow Ways website and it was mainly footpaths and cycle routes. From Hayle I used google maps to pick quietish roads to Cambourne.

Todays vid…

[i4got]

BoRED S2upid said:

Very nice. How much was todays pint?

American Pale Ale £2.10

[i4got]

interstellar said:

19 miles today. Nice!

Quick question - are you using iPhone? Are all your photos taken in live mode on purpose?

Yes to iphone. Not intentionally - need to work out how to change the default

[i4got]

RDM said:

Love your endeavour and following with interest but where are you buying your pints…1982?

Spoons