woman running outdoors
woman running outdoors

5 Ideas To Get You Outdoors This Weekend

Don’t let the cold put you off enjoying the outdoors — Here are 5 ways to thrive outside this weekend.

Are you bored of your current routine? Perhaps every weekend is the same and you fancy shaking things up.

We know how it is during the colder months. You want nothing more than to curl up in a blanket with a hot drink. And while that’s totally fine, it could do you some good to get a change of scenery once and a while. It’ll certainly do wonders from staring at your mountain of exam revision!

So to help you out, we’ve come up with five ideas you can try this weekend to get you up and about in the good ol’ outdoors. We’ve got something for everyone, so don’t worry if you’re daunted at the idea of taking up an outdoor sport right now. We’ve got everything, ranging from tough hikes to wholesome city walks.

1. Hike in the early morning

There’s nothing quite like watching the sunrise. Whilst it might seem like extra effort getting up early, the earlier you hike the safer it is — no losing your way as the darkness descends (or worse, your footing!).

Plus, getting your body moving first thing is a fantastic way to incorporate a little cardio into your routine. It’s a plus if you take it outdoors and watch the sunrise during your hike. 

And not to worry, hiking doesn’t have to take too long either. Here are some routes we love all around the UK:

Beginner hiking trails

  • Mam Tor (Peak District National Park)
  • Burnham Beeches (Slough)
  • Brecon Beacons Four Waterfalls Walk (Ystradfellte, Wales)

Intermediate hiking trails

  • Scafell Pike (Lake District)
  • Snowdonia (Wales)
  • Edale National Park (Edale, Derbyshire)

Advanced hiking trails

  • South West Coastal Path (Devon to Cornwall, depending on your route)
  • Ben Nevis (Scotland)

What should I take for my hike?

You’ll want to take a few bits with you that keep you energised, hydrated and safe, including:

  • A refillable water bottle
  • Snacks (protein bars, or anything that will replenish your energy)
  • A map
  • A good pair of hiking boots.

What kind of hiking boots should I get?

We trust Salomon for their men’s hiking shoes and women’s hiking shoes every time. Here are a few we highly recommend for their durability and reliability too:

1. X ULTRA 4 MID GORE-TEX. Men’s hiking boots — £155

2. PREDICT HIKE MID GORE-TEX. Men’s hiking boots — £132

3. QUEST ELEMENT GORE-TEX. Women’s hiking boots — £132

4. QUEST 4 GORE-TEX. Women’s hiking boots — £185

2. Go on a walking tour

If hiking is a little too much, don’t worry. A walking tour might be just what you need. Plus, it’s super fun being a tourist in your own city!

Walking tours of all kinds exist, no matter where you are in the country. Find out about your city or town’s local history, attractions, famous monuments, hidden gems and much more. You might even get access to off-the-beaten-path locations tourists would usually miss on a trip.

Plus, you won’t have to worry about traffic either. The clue’s in the name! It gets you moving (and tons of photo opportunities). Simply hit the search engines and find walking tours near you.

Comfortable footwear is advised, especially as tours last a couple of hours and involve standing and listening to the tour guide. We recommend purchasing a pair of reliable walking sneakers that are both comfortable and stylish for your tour. We love these from Salomon:

1. XT-6 FT. Unisex Sportstyle shoes — £165

2. SNOWCROSS. Unisex Sportstyle shoes — £195

3. Try trail running

Running is a great form of exercise, it lowers stress levels, increases our sense of well-being and makes us feel good. However, if you’re bored of your local route or the same treadmill at the gym, we highly recommend giving trail running a go!

Trail running involves running on rough terrains like valleys, mountains, dirt roads and the like. It might seem a little redundant, especially if you can just run on a paved road or path. But the beauty of trail running comes from the freedom it gives you, running on nature itself!

Plus, it gives you a far better workout than regular running. Think about it, by running on rough terrain, you’re having to engage more muscles to keep your balance. More muscles used = tons of physiological benefits.

What footwear should I use for trail running?

You want something secure, more so than your average running trainers. This is because you’ll deal with different terrain far more regularly. 

Need some inspiration? Check out these trail running trainers we love from Salomon:

1. SPIKECROSS 5 GORE-TEX. Unisex Trail Running Shoes — £119

2. SPEEDCROSS 4 GORE-TEX. Men’s Trail Running Shoes — £98

3. SPEEDCROSS 6. Women’s Trail Running Shoes — £130

4. SUPERCROSS 4 GORE-TEX. Women’s Trail Running Shoes — £91

4. Make new friends through Meetup.com

Meetup.com is a fantastic place to connect with people who like all kinds of hobbies, including outdoor ones!

If you’ve ever been curious about trail running, regular running, rock climbing, mountaineering, water sports or other outdoor activities, then Meetup.com can give you the opportunity to get involved. Plus, tons of beginners join in on these activities too, so you won’t be alone. And if you find they’re all seasoned pros, then you’re in good hands.

Simply sign up to the platform and get yourself in on the outdoor activities you’re curious about!

5. Try good o’l running

If trail running sounds a bit too much, then not to worry. Regular running is also super good for you and is really fun.

Fun!? Yes! While the thought of getting out of breath might not sound so fun, it’s all about good technique, which you build up overtime. Plus, finding a fun place to run in might make all the difference in getting your motivation up and grabbing those trainers.

Besides, running is literally a free form of exercise. Perfect if you’re not close to the gym or want a free alternative to keeping fit. Here are just a ton of health benefits you can get from running too:

  • Increased cardiovascular health
  • Improves mental clarity
  • Eases stress
  • Boosts your happiness!

Speaking of trainers…you’ll want some decent ones to keep your safe and protected in your run. Here are some Salomon trainers that’ll keep your feet padded, protected and safe on your run:

1. S/LAB PHANTASM. Unisex Running Shoes — £170

2. GLIDE MAX. Men’s Running Shoes — £140

3. SONIC 4 BALANCE. Women’s Running Shoes — £91

4. GLIDE MAX. Women’s Running Shoes — £140

We hope these five ideas have you inspired to venture into the great outdoors this weekend! Whether it’s for a walking tour or a hike up Ben Nevis (psst…please train for that), Salomon has got you covered with their up to 30% off, plus an additional 10% off for students! Redeem your Salomon student discount when you sign up to Student Beans for free.

This is a sponsored post in partnership with Salomon.