Category: Uncategorized

  • Stride Up: A Walking Journey from Canal Paths to Mountain Peaks

    Stride Up: A Walking Journey from Canal Paths to Mountain Peaks

    What if your next walking adventure didn’t start at the summit—but from the towpath, the woodland edge, or the gentle bend in a canal?

    Stride Up is a new 9-month walking journey designed to take you from beginner rambles to confidently completing the full Brecon Beacons Horseshoe Ridge. It’s structured, supportive, and rooted in the belief that anyone can become a strong, capable walker—with time, encouragement, and a good pair of boots.

    We start gently, build gradually, and celebrate each step.

    What is Stride Up?

    Stride Up is more than just a walking programme—it’s a pathway to confidence. With one guided walk each month, two skills days (navigation and hill skills) and a set of mini walking challenges to keep you going in between, this is a slow-and-steady way to build up strength and self-belief on the trail.

    You’ll walk in a small group, led by Julie. You’ll learn to trust your body and your judgement. And by the time September rolls around, you’ll be ready to take on the iconic 15km Horseshoe Ridge walk, covering three or four dramatic peaks with views that stretch for miles.

    How Does It Work?

    We follow four tiers of walking, each matched with guided routes:

    • Riverside Rambler: flat canal or riverside paths
    • Upland Wanderer: gentle hills and ridgelines
    • Summit Seeker: your first mountain summit – Pen y Fan
    • Horseshoe Hero: the 4-peak challenge to round off the year

    Along the way, you’ll take part in monthly mini challenges—like walking at sunrise, exploring a new surface, or navigating a route on your own. These light-touch prompts help keep you connected and motivated between walks.

    And if life happens? There’s flexibility built in. We’ve allowed for rest months, optional catch-up walks and bonus group walks later in the year for those who complete the course.

    Is It for Me?

    This series is for you if:

    • You’re new (or returning) to walking and want support to build up safely
    • You’ve set your sights on a summit but don’t know how to start
    • You love the idea of gentle challenge and outdoor community
    • You want a gift that gives purpose and adventure all year long

    This isn’t a race. It’s not a bootcamp. It’s a step-by-step commitment to yourself and your journey.

    Want to Join Us in 2026?

    Our first Stride Up series runs from January to September 2026 with a maximum of five places available. You can sign up now—or give it as a thoughtful Christmas gift that empowers someone you love.

    👉 Find out more and sign up for Stride Up here ← link this to your landing page

  • The Power of Being Gently Led

    The Power of Being Gently Led

    We don’t always need a map.
    Sometimes what we really need is someone to walk beside us and say, “This way’s fine. Let’s take our time.”

    That’s what gentle guidance is — not shouting from the front, not dragging you up a hill, but walking with you, at your pace, with calm and care.

    Being led doesn’t mean being less

    A lot of us carry old ideas about leadership — that it has to be loud, commanding, or always in control. But in the hills, as in life, some of the best guidance is quiet. It comes from knowing the ground, reading the weather, and paying attention to the person next to you.

    Being gently led means you don’t have to be in charge of everything. You don’t need to know the route, the pace, or the perfect gear. You can rest a little in the company of someone who’s thought it through, and is ready to adapt when things shift.

    It’s about feeling safe enough to take up space

    When someone else is holding the structure, you’re free to focus on the experience — the ground under your boots, the rhythm of your breath, the view as it opens up. You’re not worrying about keeping up or making decisions. You’re simply walking.

    That kind of support can feel rare, especially for those who are usually the ones doing the holding — parents, carers, people in demanding roles. Out here, it’s your turn.

    Guidance can look like waiting when you need to pause

    It might be noticing when you need a break. It might be letting silence stretch for a while. It might be checking the wind direction and deciding we’ll have our flask out of the wind. It’s not dramatic — just thoughtful, consistent, kind.

    It’s the kind of leading that helps people feel held, not hurried.

    Everyone needs guiding sometimes

    Even the most experienced walkers sometimes need someone else to take the lead — to walk alongside them, to carry the weight for a while, or to help them remember what they already know. There’s no shame in that.

    In fact, being gently led can be one of the most freeing things we allow ourselves.

    If you’d like to walk with someone who’ll guide without pushing, who’ll hold space without filling it, and who’ll help you feel more at home on the trail — I’d love to hear from you.

    Julie

    Want to know how that support actually works in practice? Here’s what to expect from a coaching walk →

    If you’re finding your way back to walking, this might help →

  • What to Expect from a 1-2-1 Coaching Walk

    What to Expect from a 1-2-1 Coaching Walk

    If you’ve been thinking about walking with support but aren’t quite sure what that looks like, this post is for you.

    There’s a quiet power in walking alongside someone who listens, understands the landscape and makes space for whatever you bring to the day. That’s what a 1-2-1 coaching walk is about — not performance, not pressure, just movement, reflection and gentle encouragement at your own pace.

    It starts before we even set foot on the path

    Before your walk, I’ll check in with you by email or phone to understand where you’re starting from. You don’t need to prepare anything — it’s just a chance for you to say what’s brought you here, what you’re hoping for, or what you’re unsure about. Some people come with a clear focus, others just know they need to get outside and take a step forward.

    Based on that, I’ll suggest a route that suits the level of challenge you’re comfortable with — whether that’s a short lower-level walk or a longer route with more time to breathe and reflect.

    The walk itself is relaxed, private and unhurried

    We’ll meet at the starting point, and from there, we walk together. Some of the walk might be quiet. Some of it might be full of conversation. That part’s up to you.

    There’s no set script. I might offer prompts or reflections if that feels helpful, or simply hold the space while you take it all in. You can talk, pause, cry, laugh, share ideas or say nothing at all. Coaching doesn’t always happen in chairs — it often happens between one footstep and the next.

    It’s not therapy, but it can be therapeutic

    This is not a counselling session, and I’m not a therapist. But walking in nature, with someone beside you who’s focused on your experience, can create space for clarity, release and confidence.

    For some, a coaching walk is about untangling thoughts. For others, it’s about feeling safe on the hill for the first time in years. And for many, it’s simply about moving forward — quite literally — without pressure or judgement.

    We finish with a gentle check-in

    At the end of the walk, we’ll take a few minutes to reflect on how it felt and what came up. Some people like to follow it up with another session, others let it sit for a while before deciding. There’s no expectation either way.

    I’ll send a short follow-up note with anything you’ve asked to remember or reflect on — and you’re welcome to get back in touch if something else surfaces in the days after.

    This is your time, your pace, your walk

    There’s no performance, no expectation to “open up” or push beyond what feels right. Just a calm, grounded space for you to walk in your own time — with someone beside you who understands the terrain, and the tenderness of starting again.

    If you’re curious or unsure, I’d be happy to chat before you commit. You don’t need to be sure — you just need to start.

    Julie

    If you’re curious about why pace matters so much, this post is a great place to start →

    To understand the spirit behind Simply Strolling, you can read the welcome post here →

  • Walking at Your Own Pace: Why It Matters

    Walking at Your Own Pace: Why It Matters

    One of the first things people often say when they join me for a walk is, “I’m not sure I’ll keep up.” And it’s something I understand deeply — the pressure to match someone else’s stride, to prove something, or to not feel like you’re slowing anyone down.

    But here’s the thing: you’re allowed to walk at your own pace. In fact, it’s one of the most powerful things you can do — for your body, your confidence, and your connection with the world around you.

    This isn’t a race – it’s a return

    At Simply Strolling, the focus is always on gentle guided walks in Bannau Brycheiniog that are about reconnecting — not rushing. Whether you’re rebuilding after illness, managing anxiety, or just haven’t walked in a while, going at your pace gives your body and mind the space they need to catch up with each other.

    Pushing too hard, too fast, often leads to discomfort, disconnection or even giving up entirely. Walking gently gives you time to breathe, look around, and find a rhythm that’s entirely your own.

    Confidence grows with every step

    When you walk at a pace that suits you, something shifts. You begin to trust your feet, your breath, your ability to keep going. Confidence isn’t a leap — it’s a quiet build. And it often begins with a slow, steady walk in good company.

    My guided walks and coaching sessions are all designed with this in mind. Whether you join a group or come for a 1-2-1, I’ll meet you where you are — not where you think you “should” be.

    Listening to your body and the landscape

    The hills of Bannau Brycheiniog have so much to offer, but they don’t demand anything of you. When we take our time, the path unfolds more gently. We notice more — birdsong, small views, quiet moments. And that changes how we experience the outdoors.

    Walking at your own pace means you’re not just passing through nature — you’re in it. And that makes all the difference.

    You’re welcome, just as you are

    Whether you’re taking your first steps back into the hills, or just need someone to walk alongside you for a while, you’re welcome here.

    I offer gentle guided walks in Bannau Brycheiniog, alongside one-to-one coaching for anyone looking to grow their confidence outdoors. All walks are paced for real people — not mountain goats.

    You don’t need to be fit, fast or fearless. You just need to begin.

    Let me know if you’d like to walk sometime. I’d love to hear what pace feels right for you.

    Julie

    If you’re wondering what walking with support looks like, here’s what a 1-2-1 coaching walk involves →

    Just finding your feet? You might enjoy my welcome post →

  • Posts