My Most Memorable Adventures of 2023

It's getting towards the time of year when I look back at my most memorable hiking adventures! 2023 has been the year of long-distance, multi-day trails for me, from my 5-day solo hut-to-hut trek around Andorra to the 435-mile (700 km) hike with my partner James across the Swiss Alps. So let's dive into it…

Memorable Adventure 1 was on the Sutherland Trail in Northern Scotland.

In April 2023, my boyfriend James and I embarked on a week-long hike across rugged northern Scotland on the 150km Sutherland Trail. Day 2 was the highlight of the trip - waking up to an awesome sunrise on the mountain of Suilven - the jewel of Assynt. A pesky toe blister named Bob tried to put a downer on this trip but he didn't succeed!

See the full Collection of our adventure here: komoot.com/collection/2077787

Memorable Adventure 2 was in the Lake District’s Langdale Pikes

In May 2023, I enjoyed a 5-mile (8.5 km) family walk up the Langdale Pikes in the Lake District. Adventuring with my parents is everything to me. This was a tough hike for them, don't be fooled by the relatively short distance, as the 2,330 feet (710 m) of ascent and descent over steep terrain humbled us instantly. Luckily, going through challenges with your loved ones brings you closer together and the picturesque valley of Langdale will always take the edge off the aches and pains.

Memorable Adventure 3 was in the Yorkshire Dales’ Howgill Fells

A 10-mile (16 km) loop of the Yorkshire Dales’ Howgill Fells with my lovely hiking community. Group hikes make my soul sing. Back in 2017, I founded an informal hiking club through Instagram. Within the space of a year, I’d met friends for life, bonded over our shared love of the outdoors. In May 2023, we headed up The Calf from Sedbergh for lots of fun conversation, trig pillar silliness and snack sharing. Getting a photo of us all airborne on the summit of The Calf was a challenge!

Memorable Adventure 4 was on Mallorca’s GR221

A 6-day women-only hike along the GR221 in Mallorca with Jess, Becky, Liz and Bryony in June 2023 saw me rip up the rule book on long-distance hiking. As a 'purist' hiker, cutting a couple of stages short and prioritising cocktails on the beach was firmly against my usual disciplined style but boy did I love changing things up for this hike! We shaved 6 miles (10 km) off the third day and I have no regrets.

See the full Collection of our adventure here: komoot.com/collection/2235396

Memorable Adventure 5 was on the Coronallacs trail in Andorra

In July 2023, I dabbled with solo travel on my 5-day, 59-mile (95 km) circular hike around the microstate of Andorra in the Pyrenees. The third day was the one where I shook off my anxieties and embraced solo adventure. I grew to love the alone time during the day and the social time at the mountain huts every evening. Every year, I try to push myself and try something new and this was an important trip for me. It was my first time in Andorra, my first time alone abroad for a week and my first solo multi-day hut-to-hut hike.

See the full Collection of my adventure here: komoot.com/collection/2283572

Memorable Adventure 6 was on the epic Alpine Passes Trail

In August 2023, James and I walked 435 miles (700 km) across the Alps on a month-long hike across a series of incredible mountain passes. The tenth day of the Alpine Passes Trail saw us cross from Switzerland into Italy for one of the best camps of my life above Lago Vannino. The longest end-to-end hike of my life to date was all killer and no filler. We were averaging over 3,000 feet (1,000 m) of ascent day after day, mountain pass after mountain pass. The views were 5* and the sense of achievement at the end was off the scale.

See the full Collection of our adventure here: komoot.com/collection/2299915

What are your most memorable adventures of 2023? Share them with the hashtag #bestof2023komoot