Welcome to the Our Sporting Life hiking blog. I’m Stacey and I’ve been hiking religiously since 2020. Lockdown helped me discover local trails and since then I’ve been bagging munros, Wainwrights, as many hills and mountain ridges as I can find, plus flatter trails too. I’m absolutely hooked. Most of the hiking blog posts here are written by me. I cover routes, reviews, gear and other features relating to hiking (mostly in the UK because that’s where I am). And I’m a firm believer that nobody should write about a route they haven’t done themselves. That’s why we don’t have thousands upon thousands of route reviews, but instead a smaller number of the ones we’ve done ourselves and can do into more detail on.
Sometimes, other members of our team of guest contributors may share hiking articles here too, but we only publish content on topics that the writer has experience of.
Tryfan’s North Ridge route offers up some absolutely spectacular scrambling and incredible views. So I was delighted to stick the out of office on and head over there for a hiking morning on a sunny May Friday. Here’s how it went!
Hikes and Walks Near Manchester Manchester City Centre isn’t somewhere you might associate with peaceful hikes and walks. But there are some pretty impressive routes
This stunning 8km walking route takes in a couple of stunning waterfalls, a breathtaking gorge and a Harry Potter filming location. This is Janet’s Foss, Gordale Scar and Malham Cove. And here’s how I found this magical Malham wander.
I don’t like changing hiking boot brands. I really don’t. But having used Merrell hiking boots for so long and having issue after issue more
I walked around Derwent Water in the Lake District using the 15km circular hiking trail. Honestly, as far as flat walks in the Lakes go, this one is absolutely brilliant. Here’s how it went.
Traditionalists may not like it! But personally, I don’t like to risk being stuck on a hill or mountain with a dead phone or head torch battery. So I like to carry a portable charging device (or 2, or 3) with me. Here are the best portable charging banks for hiking that I’ve used. (And I’ve used a lot, by the way).
Kinnoull Tower is perched on a cliff edge overlooking the River Tay and just by the side of the A90. I’d always fancied a wander up there, each time I’ve driven past. So finally, I went and did it. Here’s some photos and a little review of a small hike with BIG views.
I set out on a January day to bag the munros of Creag Leacach and Glas Maol on a lovely day for a hike in the Cairngorms. Here’s how it went.
Some hiking days just feel harder than others. Llech Ddu Spur (Crib Lem Spur) was one of those days for me. It was an unseasonably
Ben Nevis always feels like something of a “must bag” for hill baggers (being the highest and all). And that makes it pretty busy. So if you’re less bothered about elevation and more bothered about a peaceful mountain hike, you might want to check out some super alternatives to Ben Nevis where you’re far less likely to encounter a crowd. Let’s check them out!
I set out for a straightforward summer hike up the Munro of Meall Nan Tarmachan. Here’s the route taken, a few photos and how the day went on this beautiful, straightforward and scenic walk.
I bagged my first Munro in August 2021. It was Ben Macdui – the UK’s second highest mountain. In the same hike I also got my second munro, Cairn Gorm. Here’s how that hike went!
Scotland is a hiker’s dream. Aside from the lochs and mountains, it is home to some of the finest waterfalls in the country! Here are 6 of the best waterfall walks in Scotland I’ve ever done.
Blisters. The little blighters can turn a pleasant hike into a hellish test per perseverance. So just how do you go about preventing blisters when hiking?
The Birks of Abderfeldy is an absolutely stunning waterfall walk in Scotland. Here’s everything you need to know about it!
Baselayers. They’re not all made equal. So let’s take a look at what materials are best when it comes to hiking baselayers.
Honestly, one of my personal favourite things about hiking is snacks with a view! And snacking is vital when hiking, so we spoke to a Doctor to find out what snacks are best taken on a long hiking day.
Hiking doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style for function. Discover how to look good and feel comfortable with stylish hiking outfits, from boots to backpacks, that combine fashion and practicality.
I took the short walk to Grey Mare’s Tail in Kinlochleven on a quiet November day. This was a short walk that packed in a real punch for views. Here’s how my little wander went.
Here’s a handy little hiking time calculator based on Naismith’s rule! How accurate is it? Well, as ever, these things depend on your own fitness and so forth. But I’ve always found Naismith’s rule to be a handy benchmark to aim for in terms of time for any given route.
Dovestone is a beautiful place in the Peak District’s Dark peak, nestled amongst the Saddleworth Hills. But there’s far more for hikers here than reservoir walks. Here’s a hiker’s guide to Dovestone Reservoir and the surrounding hills.
Fancy yourself quite the brain box when it comes to Munro mountains of Scotland? Put your knowledge to the test in this 20 question Munros Quiz and find a host of other interesting facts and figures about Scotland’s Munros right here.
Choosing the right backpack is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when preparing for a hiking trip. This choice determines whether the pack
Running in the mountains during winter offers an exhilarating mix of challenge and beauty, from icy trails to snow-covered landscapes. However, winter mountain running requires preparation, strength, and the right gear to ensure both safety and enjoyment. Here’s a guide on how to tackle these conditions effectively.
The Ogwen Valley is just something else. Spectacularly beautiful with its rugged, rocky peaks and pristine valley, there are hikes here suitable for all types of hikers and walkers. And here are 5 of the best Ogwen Valley hiking routes in my humble opinion!
I fell in love with Merrell a few years ago when I got a pair of hiking boots I just LOVED. But it’s been all downhill since then unfortunately with consistent quality issues and absolutely awful “waterproofing”. So, is Merrell a good hiking brand? Well, in my opinion, largely not. But let’s talk about it in more detail.
I took a cold, rainy November day hike out to Steall Falls, Glen Nevis, just a short distance from Fort William. Here’s how this gorgeous short waterfall walk went.
I’ve made no secret of my love for Mammut jackets and midlayers. But I think the women’s Aenergy Light hooded is the best of the bunch. Here’s my review and why I LOVE it so much.
So you want to hike Snowdon? Well, you have plenty of choice. There are 5 potential starting points for your hike up Snowdon, each offering different paths and scenery along the way. Here’s the key information about them all.
I’ve been wearing Mammut midlayers and jackets for over 3 years now. So is Mammut a good hiking brand? Well here’s my takes on the pros and cons of buying hiking and mountaineering gear from them.
Traditionalists may not like it! But personally, I don’t like to risk being stuck on a hill or mountain with a dead phone or head torch battery. So I like to carry a portable charging device (or 2, or 3) with me. Here are the best portable charging banks for hiking that I’ve used. (And I’ve used a lot, by the way).
We don’t post loads on social (shock, horror, we know). But we will try harder… promise!