Along with incredible views, you can always count on food to motivate you when you’re venturing out on a long walk. Whether it’s a heavenly bake you’re hanging on to until you reach the perfect picnic spot, or a delectable flask full of hot chocolate that’s sure to make every step feel a little sweeter, food can be so much more than just fuel: it can be a real source of encouragement and another reason to smile during your adventure.
When it comes to finding your ultimate walk, the Ramblers has got you covered. The Ramblers helps open the way for walkers across the country at every level: from providing and protecting routes for walkers, to working to preserve Britain’s world-class walking network.
The Ramblers’ dedicated team of staff and volunteers and staff is working tirelessly to ensure that everyone can enjoy a walk in nature. And by joining the Ramblers, you’ll be helping to safeguard the freedoms that so many walkers in Britain enjoy.
All that hard work is enough to give anyone an appetite. So, whether you want to join the Ramblers to enjoy more time outdoors, or get more involved at a grassroots level, you’re going to need some sustenance along the way. Read on for some food hacks to elevate your next excursion...
If your walk requires an early start, chances are you may not fancy your breakfast until you’re already out on your trail – that’s where baking something in advance can really come in handy. Breakfast bars can provide a great source of energy, and there are so many tasty combinations to choose from. The night before your walk, try putting together a traybake using ingredients such as porridge oats, seeds (pumpkin and sunflower varieties are particularly good) and dried fruits like apricots or raisins. Golden syrup and peanut butter will also add an extra hit of sweetness. On the morning of your hike, simply cut as many slices as you need, pack them away, and you’re good to go.
Sure, a barista-style coffee is great and all, but few hot drink experiences live up to one that’s had at the top of a wind-whipped mountain or hill. With the right flask, your beverage should stay as hot as molten lava, so you can pour yourself a warming cup of loveliness whenever you feel like it. Coffee and tea are of course popular choices, but hot chocolate has to be one of the best pick-me-ups. For a slightly more exotic concoction, make yourself a champurrado – a thick, warm water-based Mexican chocolate drink. For a superfood-infused brew, try turmeric tea. This nutritious drink is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and possesses a subtle heat that’s sure to power you through the rest of your walk.
When it comes to getting the most out of your walk, food really can make all the difference – especially if you’re out on a longer hike. While it’s tempting to hold on until lunchtime before tucking into whatever delights you’ve made, it’s best to adopt the ‘little but often approach’ to eating as this will help keep your blood sugar levels up and banish any painful cramps. Trail mixes will provide long-lasting energy, rather than a short-term sugar rush, and they’re so easy to make. Simply add some of your favourite nuts to a bowl (almonds and cashews are ideal for this) along with some seeds and dried fruit and you’re away. For a little more indulgence, throw in some dark chocolate too. You’ll be glad you did.
If you’re somebody who regularly enjoys long walks, you may already know just how much of a blessing your slow cooker can be. Just picture the scene. You’ve braved the cold, covered some major ground and now you’re back home, where a sumptuous stew or casserole is bubbling away, ready for you to enjoy. This time of year calls for hearty dishes, and slow cooking promises maximum flavours and textures with minimum effort. Simply toss in your ingredients before you go, start the cooking process, and return home to a mouth-watering meal unlike any other. Think meat that falls apart with just the stroke of a fork and sauces that are enriched with the deep aromas of herbs and spices. From a succulent beef shin and ale ragù to a Normandy-style pork and cider casserole, the slow cooking possibilities are endless.
Often the best walks are those that take you deep into the countryside , where you’re free to really immerse yourself in the wonder of nature. Of course, it’s unlikely the road less travelled will be paved with endless cafés and lunch stops, so you’ll need to pack your own fuel. This is where it pays to step up your Tupperware™ game. Both sustainable and convenient, a food grade BPA-free silicone bowl that’s collapsible will become your new best friend. Many of these containers are made with clasp lids that create a spill-proof seal for extra peace of mind and can be broken down into a small disk that’ll save room in your rucksack.
It’ll come as no surprise that staying hydrated during your walk is essential and the bottle you choose really can make all the difference. Refillable water bottles are the most obvious option – they’re easier to clean and are better for the environment than disposable bottles. They can be heavy however, so try packing yours in a separate water carrier, such as a lumbar or bum bag, to evenly distribute the weight you’re carrying, if needed. Alternatively, you could choose a hydration bladder pack. These flexible containers are carried on your back or inside your waistband and allow you to sip through a flexible tube – extremely convenient if you’re carrying water on longer walks and need easy access to it! As a bonus, you can usually use the space saved in your backpack to carry other necessities, too.
As a member of the Ramblers, for just £3.05 per month, you’ll get unlimited access to the Ramblers’ library of tried and tested walking routes, plus its 50,000 fun and friendly group walks. But that’s far from all there is to the Ramblers. Your membership will help increase access to green spaces, open up more places to walk and boost Britain’s wellbeing one step at a time. After all, there’s plenty to do.
With its members’ support, the Ramblers...
• Helps thousands more people every year broaden their horizons on foot because walking in nature makes us happier and healthier.
• Maintains paths to prevent them being blocked or becoming overgrown, provides advice to walkers, and helps individuals overcome more personal obstacles, like a lack of confidence to explore or knowledge of where they can walk, because the Ramblers is committed to removing all barriers to walking.
• Helps protect walking access rights. As a result of over 85 years of hard work by the Ramblers, we are now free to roam across millions of acres of land, including national parks and national trails.
Find out more about the vital work the Ramblers does and pledge your walking miles in 2022 for the chance to win some amazing prizes.
The Ramblers is generously supported by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, as part of the lottery’s Climate Challenge initiative. People’s Postcode Lottery manages lotteries on behalf of 20 Postcode Trusts.
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