Change your life in 2026, do something incredible and take up the challenge of walking 1000 miles in one year. You need to Walk 2.74 miles or 4.4 km a day to reach a 1000miles. Steps – 2000 steps equals one mile. This is the 11th year of this program/challenge organized by Country Walking magazine in UK. Watch this short promotional video below and learn about the benefits of this program.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/ANWFdMfFgl4?si=W2uF8JiMv7uWSfbo

( Above – Ingonish sky – photo credit – Tom Wilson)

Hikers are full of stories and experiences and over the years I have been fortunate to hear many at our annual Hike the Highlands Festival on Cape Breton Island. Here are two stories I heard before I ventured over to Scotland with my wife & nephew, for our first long distance hike – West Highland Way & Ben Nevis Hike.

The first hiker from US had completed several long distance hikes including the Appalachians Trail and West Highland Way. He took the time to explain his experience with West Highland Way and gave me some tips along the way. He watched me hike and told me my pace was good and I would have no problems. The second hiker was a retired school teacher with an interesting hiker’s hat with flowers. She had hiked Ben Nevis, Scotland’s tallest mountain at 4413 feet. She had told me it took her 3 hours up but 4 hours down due to her knees. It took us 3 hours up and 2 hrs down. I found it hard on my knees going down as well. You can learn from fellow hikers. Share your stories.

Above Photo : Sunset hike at Neil’s Harbour Beach. Lady on the left is Lisa Dixon who recently hike Base Camp to Mount Everest in Nepal. Previously she hiked Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa.

This year’s Hike the Highlands Festival has several new features. They are 1) Early bird registration saves you money $$$. 2) The festival has been shorten by 3 days to save you money $$$. 3) There are two news hikes – Franey – new trail as well Chemin de L’bime. 4) Sunrise hike – Jack Pine and Sunset Hike at LeBloc. 5) Hikes from the past have returned a) Gypsum Hike, b) Lowland Cove, c) Fishing Cove.

The festival will also feature presentations by two of our guides, Lisa Dixon and Denyese MacDonald on the Base Camp to Mount Everest Trek in Nepal ( 12-14 days) and the Huayhuash Trek in Peru ( 118 km). Other evening activities include Opening & Closing Ceremonies and a BBQ at the Clyburn Picnic Area.
Hikers can register for the festival by clicking this link.

Spring has almost arrived on Cape Breton Island and there is still some snow in the Highlands. Expect the following conditions : 1) wet & slippery conditions on the trail, 2) windfalls & branches down, 3) higher brooks & streams than normal and 4) Yes snow.

Here are some tips for preparing to hike in spring like conditions : 1) Check the maps for elevations on the hikes you will be hiking. Higher the elevation, chance for snow.  2) Wear gaiters when spring hiking,  3) Bring your hiking poles to help you balance when crossing streams & brooks, going thru snow & wet conditions on the trail, 4) Dress appropriately and bring extra layers in your daypack. 5) hike with a friend and let people know of your hiking plans. 6) bring a first aid & emergency kit.

Hike Nova Scotia 2025 Hiking Summit will take place May 30 – June 1 in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. The 2025 Summit includes workshops, hiking stories, networking opportunities and, of course, hikes!  This year’s event is co-host with Lunenburg County Hikers. 

View the program and hike details before registering for the Summit: 
1) Program Overview 2) Detailed Program and 3) Hike Details 

Registration fees are as follows :
1)  Non Hike Nova Scotia Member – $150.00
2)  Hike Nova Scotia member          –  $127.50
3)  Youth/Students (25 & under).   –  $125.00 

Click on this link to register. 

Hike the Highlands Festival will have a booth at this year’s Hiking Summit. Drop by and learn more about the 22nd Annual Hike the Highlands Festival – September 13-19, 2025. 

Take up a walking or hiking challenge in 2025. Take up Country Walking Magazine – Walk 1000 miles in 2025. That is walking 2.74 miles or 4.38 km a day.  If you keep track of steps daily and walk 10,000 steps a day that is 8 kms or 5 miles. So this is a very doable challenge. You will feel better, both physically and mentally by being outside and you may lose some weight.

Participate in the Hiker Challenge Badges program with Hike Nova Scotia. This program is to about inspiring, motivating and rewarding you for getting out on Nova Scotia hiking trails and providing challenges for you. There are regional hiker challenge badges as well core hiker challenges badges. Check out the link above for more information and register for the program.

One of nice features of the walkabout program is that it allows you to participate in other activities ie. cycling, hiking, canoeing, snowshoeing, cross country skiing etc.   and provides a conversion table to help you convert into steps. Claire MacLean, our instructor indicates that some walkers have gone on to walk 1-5 million steps a year. By joining a walking club you have the opportunity to meet other people and learn more about the great routes you have around your neighborhood.  I was fortunate to meet and walk with  Emily Forrest, who walked the coastline of Nova Scotia , over 3000 km in 88 days.

So take a look at this program, it may inspire you to greater things and keep you life active and healthy.

Loon, St. Ann's Harbour

Something told me that day to take my DSLR camera with my zoom lens and teleconverter (1.5x) ,which made my zoom go to 405 mm. Off I went for my walk. It was a grey, overcast day not to cold at least I thought, so I took my hiking gloves. About 30 minutes later I switch to winter gloves, there was definitely wind chill factor in the air (-14).

Loon drying its wings

I heard a loon so I focused the camera to see if I could find it.  I did..It was out quite far in the harbour but my zoom brought it in. I stayed for 25-30 minutes watching it.  It was amazing experience…the loon caught a fish and ate it. Later it came in closer to shore…then it got up and dry its wings…. Then I saw a grey jay, squirrel and a seal on my walk.  An exceptional day for photography and nature. Now I want a bigger zoom.

Squirrel

Sun reflecting off the ice

As new year begins, many hikers take time to reflect on the past year,2011 and what it was for them. Hikers remember the trails they hiked, the people they have meet, those incredible photos taken and those special memories.

It is now time to plan and prepare for the 2012 season… 1) One of the first things I like to do is review my equipment & its condition, do a complete  inventory and see what is needed to purchase for this year. Looks like it will be a new pair of boots and daypack,  2)  Develop a fitness plan for the winter and spring as well set kilometre goals for 2012.  I know that to stay in shape I need to do so many kilometres each year but I am careful not to become a fitness hiker where I miss those special moments with nature & photos. I have set a lofty goal of 1000 kms in 2012, 3) Improve my photography & creative skills  with the camera and take more 5 stars pictures.

Ice in the brook

And finally, 4) Develop a wish list of a new trails and challenges to explore. These include a) the hike a 100 km  for the Hikers Distance Award at the Hike the Highlands festival,  b) Complete the Cape Breton Highlands 3 Peaks Challenge ( hike 3 mountains in one day on Saturday, July 21, 2012,  c) hike Snowdon Mountain, Wales, the last of the UK 3 Peaks Challenge mountains to hike, d) East Coast Trail in Newfoundland and Labrador, and e) Cape Chignecto.  Other challenges on my list include Ride for Diabetes in June at Little Bras d”Or, , Cycling the Confederation Trail (300 km) in PEI and doing the Not Since Moses 10k/5k Walk & Run event.

Wow it certainly plans to be a busy year….Have you started planning your schedule for hiking in 2012 ?  I wish all hikers happiness, good health and lots of hiking in 2012.

Wast Water Lake, Wasdale Head

As we enter Gosforth, Nether Wasdale and then Wasdale Head, I could tell this area was majestic.  The narrow roads, country homes, green grass,  Wast Water Lake and mountains made this a very special place. We decided to check out the start of Scafell Pike hike and get our bearings and the lay of the land. The next day we hiked the mountain. There is an outdoor store next to Wasdale Head Inn in case you need any supplies ie. map, gloves, toque etc.

The Summit - Cold, windy and foggy

The weather had improved from the day before so we were hoping to have a view at the top. The route we took was from 2nd parking lot, over the bridge , Lingmell Gill, Brown Tongue, Hollow Stones and then up to Scafell Pike. The research and planning for the hike was dead on and there were no surprises.  We added an extra layer for the top along with toque & gloves.  Glad we did, it was quite cold & very windy at the summit. A cloud came in during the last section of the hike so we had no view.

A few cows joined the descent of Scafell Pike

My nephew and I did the hike in 4.5 hours and that included all the photo stops along the way which were many. With Ben Nevis & Scafell Pike hiked, only one UK 3 Peaks mountain left – Snowdon to complete. Highly recommended the Strands Inn & Brewery for accommodations in Nether Wasdale as well for  their great food and pub.