Why Long-Distance Hiking Trails Call to Us

By Claire, Curius Compass

Ready for the Off

There’s something quietly magnetic about a long-distance trail.

It’s not just the miles — although those do stack up, step by step, into something pretty powerful. It’s the rhythm of it. The shift from everyday noise to something more grounded, more present. On long walks, time softens. You stop watching the clock and start watching the sky.

Our first proper long-distance walk came from a simple idea: we loved going the distance… but didn’t love the pressure of a long-distance race. We liked the challenge — the movement, the effort, the rhythm — but not the countdowns or cut-offs or crowds. So we swapped start lines for stile climbs, and race bibs for OS maps.

Sunshine in Boulmer.

In 2019, my friends, Fi and Debs (always ones to say, go on then!), set out to walk St Oswald’s Way, from Holy Island to Heavenfield just outside Hexham where we live. This 103-ish mile trail (give or take a few mis-turns) takes in castles, coastline, river valleys, hills, villages, forests, and farmland. It joins parts of Hadrian's Wall path and the Coastal path and follows the route that St Oswald, the King of Northumbria, took in the early 7th Century. It was our first completely self-organised, self-guided hike — and I found myself in charge of all the logistics.

Friendly locals

As we set off on our first day, there was slight tide-induced panic causing us to dash across the causeway from Holy Island far too early and far too quickly. But once we relaxed into it, something shifted. We found a rhythm. We stopped for second breakfasts and caffeine in cafés along the way, chatted with the people we met, read up on the places we passed… and, of course, took selfies and photos at every site and view.

Those five days in the Northumberland countryside were glorious — even when the weather wasn’t. There’s a simple magic in waking up, packing your bag, and setting out with like-minded people, knowing your only job is to walk from A to B. The reward? A couple of well-earned beers while we basked in our achievement and shared stories of the day.

A beer at Craster.

Then it was upstairs to find our bags magically waiting in our rooms, followed by a hot shower, a bit of Wordle or a nana nap, and then down for a cooked meal and a proper night’s sleep.

Celebrating with a beer in Elsdon.

Multi-day hiking is a challenge, yes — but it’s also a joy. A chance to push yourself, connect with others, and create memories that linger long after you’ve reached your destination.

And the tutus? They’re a cheerful remnant from our racing days — specifically a beer marathon we did years ago that required superhero attire. On the long-distance trail, tutus became both a conversation starter and a light-hearted symbol of our walking ethos: take the challenge seriously, but don’t forget to have a bit of fun along the way.

Long-distance trails call to us because they offer something rare: time and space to be fully present. To move through a landscape slowly. To laugh, to reflect, to reconnect — with nature, with others, and with ourselves. It’s about adventure, yes, but it’s also about belonging.

Reaching Heavenfield.

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” — African Proverb