The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru

We will get to the packing lists and how to prepare blogs on the Inca Trail in good time, but for now I'm just going to tell you, without giving too much away, my experience of the Inca Trail.

You might be reading this because you're thinking of doing the Inca Trail, or just because you're interested in hearing about it, but here's the honest truth.

The Inca trail is hard

Waking up before 6am and walking for 5+ hours isn't many people's idea of a holiday, and it's hard work to get yourself up, prepared and motivated each morning. If you're coming from the UK you have jet lag on your side, so take my advice and keep waking up at 5am before you start the trail.

The Inca trail is longer than it sounds

26 miles does not seem long - its a 30 minute drive. People run marathons in a matter of hours! Wrong. You tackle these 26 miles at a fraction of the speed you might normally. The combination of altitude, incline, the bag on your back and the prospect of 4 more days of the same mean you need to pace yourself, and if that means going 2mph - so be it. Enjoy the scenery, stop to breathe it in, then carry on putting one foot in front of the other.

The Inca trail is beautiful

Possibly never again will you feel like or be, just a tiny speck of a person in the middle of enormous mountains and deep valleys. The wildlife, the flowers, and clouds even are all the motivation you will need and with every meter gained or lost, your whole environment will change. From clouds and rock to humidity and orchids; it's a beautiful trail.

The Inca trail is major bragging rights

Nothing will make you feel more smug than reaching the outskirts of Machu Picchu and hearing the day trippers coughing and spluttering over the few steps they've climbed to reach the perfect selfie spot. Like the marathon runners finishing alongside the 5k runners, you admire the fact they've made the trip, but there's something extraordinary about the physical and emotional journey you've been on.

The Inca trail is worth it

It's so worth it. The biggest fear I had on the Inca Trail was that once I reached the end, it would be an anticlimax. But on that morning, after the 3am wake up call, the queuing, and the final hike, reaching Machu Picchu and seeing it emerge from the clouds, as we emerged from the trail, it all came together. The challenges of the trail are worth it, and the journey is the destination.

Watch our story of the trail below.

Hiking the Dorset SWCP: Part 1

The SWCP, or South West Coastal Path stretches from Poole Harbour in Dorset to Minehead in Somerset, taking in 630 miles of coastline on England's glorious south western peninsula.

It's quite a thing to behold, and I'm pleased to say that as part of our training for hiking Peru's Inca Trail, we set out to walk the miles of Dorset coast using the SWCP.

Here is a guide to how to conquer such a feat, and a few tips, including pub stops along the way. Part 1 will cover Poole to Weymouth, and Part 2 covers Weymouth to Lyme Regis. There's a few hops, skips and jumps to join up the path, but as you'll be doubling back on occasions, we wont worry too much about that.

As for getting about, a car is helpful, but also the Purbeck Breezers for transport on Purbeck in the summer months.

Shell Bay to Studland 

Assuming you've taken in the 7 miles of golden sands and promenade of Bournemouth and Poole beaches, start this 'out and back' walk at Studland. Leave the car in Sandbanks and hop on the chain ferry, then follow the sand all the way to Middle beach. Stop for a much needed cup of tea and slice of cake at one of the cafe's before heading back, and keep a weather eye for nudists!

See the Shell Bay to Studland route now on MayMyRun.

Top Tip: This walk is almost all on sand at beach level, so bring a towel for a refreshing dip at the end.
Pub Stop: Knoll Beach Cafe
Distance: 5 miles Start/End: Shell Bay
Gain: 52ft

Swanage to Studland

After exploring the seaside town of Swanage, head left along the beach until you find the wooden steps. From here, you climb up the hill and are treated to stunning views of the bay. Follow the path as it crests and you will see Bournemouth and Poole Harbour in the distance. At Old Harry Rock, follow the path to the left all the way to the Banks Arms, where you'll find local beers and fish and chips waiting on the large garden. If you can tear yourself away from the lovely garden, it's a short walk to the main road and bus stop where you can hop on the 40 bus back to Swanage.

See the Swanage to Studland route on MapMyRun.

Top Tip: Start with tea and cake from the tea room in the carriage of an old train at Swanage station.
Pub Stop: The Banks Arms
Distance: 4 miles Start: Swanage, End: Studland
Gain: 200ft

Swanage to Winspit

From Swanage, head right along the quay and up the hill. Follow signs to Durlston through a residential area and woodland to the welcome centre. Here the SWCP picks up and follows the coast all the way past Dancing Ledge to Winspit, a disused quarry. There's a few steep climbs with steps, but poles shouldnt be needed.

From Winspit follow the path up to Worth Matravers, stopping at the Square and Compass for some live music and local cider, then take the road through Langton Matravers to Swanage.

See the Swanage to Winspit route now on MapMyRun.

Top Tip: Make the most of the photo opportunities at the Durlston Globe and Winspit Quarry
Pub Stop: The Square and Compass
Distance: 11.6 miles Start/End: Swanage
Gain: 900ft

Chapmans Pool to Kimmeridge

Start your walk from Kingston village or Houns Tout car park. Head down South Street and through the sheep fields towards Chapmans Pool, but turn right off the track at the sty. Cross the fields to pick up the path and find the famous steps out of Chapmans Pool. Once out, follow the path up and down (and back up again) until you reach Clavell Tower and the path dips into Kimmeridge Bay.

Head out of the bay towards the village, stopping at the Clavell Arms for a comfort break before continuing past Seabcombe House and through the farm. Cut through the fields back to the path you were on earlier and follow the route back, turning left at the top of Houns Tout to catch the path back to Kingston, and hopefully a plate full of jerk chicken!

See the Chapmans Pool to Kimmeridge route now on MapMyRun.

Top Tip: Things start to get hilly and there's a lot of stinging nettles, walking poles and doc leaves recommended.
Pub Stop: The Scott Arms and Clavell Cafe
Distance: 11 miles Start/End Kingston Village
Gain: 1250ft

Tyneham to Lulworth

Park and leave a donation at Tyneham before either heading south to Worbarrow Tout (for the views) or east to the mouth of Worbarrow Bay. From here it's a steep climb out of the bay to Flowers Barrow before you dip into the tank graveyard. Watch you footing and heed the warnings, this is a military training zone. Follow the path over a few more climbs before winding down to Lulworth Cove. After freshening up, head left along the beach and climb out of the cove through Fossil Forest and pick up the path back to Tyneham.

See the Tyneham to Lulworth route now on MapMyRun.

Top Tip: Check the Lulworth ranges are open before setting off and make time to explore the abandoned village of Tyneham.
Pub Stop: Lulworth Cove Inn
Distance: 11.4 miles Start/End: Tyneham Village
Gain: 1812ft

Lulworth to Preston

Park at Lulworth and take the path over the ridge towards Durdle Door. After taking some pictures, follow the path keeping Portland in view. As you near Ringstead Beach you'll see signs for the White Nothe and then the path becomes a lot flatter, eventually dropping into the beer garden of the Smugglers Inn.

From here, you can continue to Preston, or Weymouth, or head up the road to catch the 30 bus back to Lulworth Cove.

See the Lulworth to Preston route now on MapMyRun.

Top Tip: Stop to admire Durdle Door and Man o' War beach.
Pub Stop: The Smugglers Inn
Distance: 7.1 miles Start: Lulworth, End: Osmington Mills or Preston
Gain: 900ft

Happy Trails!

Walking Dorset's Coast: Sandbanks to Middle Beach

Over the summer we will be walking the c.100 miles of Dorset coast in training for our 4 day hike in Peru. Keep track and find inspiration in our Walking Dorset's Coast series, covering routes, handy pubs and fuss-free camping.

Mark and I have both run the 7 miles of Bournemouth and Poole's sea front countless times, so we're giving these miles a miss in favour of more challenging spots, and after braving Hengistbury Head a few weeks ago we took on the sandy shores of Studland.

Parking in Sandbanks and taking the ferry (£1 per person from Sandbanks to Studland, free on the return journey) across the mouth of Poole Harbour to Studland, we walked 3 miles to Middle Beach; the end of the sandy road. From here the South West Coastal Path continues up along the Jurassic Coast.

Studland is famous for it's nudist beach, but I think you'd have to be pretty ballsy to brave the sea on any March day, let along in the nuddy! The craziest thing we saw was a handful of ultra runners competing in the Jurassic Coast Challenge. They were in the last few miles of a marathon, having done 2 marathons in the two days before. I was glad we were spreading our challenge out this time! Being able to walk at a conversational pace, hand in hand with Mark makes such a difference from the strain of running, where we're often miles apart.

With the 3 mile walk back and a chilly wind in our minds, we re-fuelled at the National Trust Knoll Beach Cafe with hot tea and sumptuous slices of cake whilst warming our nipped fingers and dusting the sand from our boots.

On the return leg, the tide started to come and I spotted these little jelly droplets in the sea floor's ripples. If anyone has any idea what they are please share!

By the end of the walk I was ready to put my feet up (6 miles on sand will do that) but felt the sun's effects on my cheeks and am already looking forward to tackling more challenging walks over the coming months. 

Sandbanks to Middle Beach Walking Route Map

Family Fun at Moors Valley Country Park

With the return of the British spring weather, we spent a sunny Saturday in March with our family at Moors Valley Country Park, in Dorset.

Moors Valley has been home to countless picnics, muddy boots and steam train rides over the years for us, and today we got to re-live some of our childhood memories with the next generation.

Set in the beautiful woodlands of Ringwood Forest, Moors Valley is a great day out for all ages, with a nature trail speckled with huts, animals and climbing frames to get kids moving. Sure, there will be muddy knees and perhaps a few bumped heads, but all are soon forgotten as you move from stop to stop.

I can still remember the old home video's of me on the climbing frames, a little to short and relying on a helping hand from an adult to complete the courses, but there's nothing like taking a plunge and testing your limits. Year's later I still love watching those moments, even if I can't quite remember them myself!

Our nieces, Millie 6, Abigale 3, Hollie 1 and Isabel 0.4 had a great time playing in the parks and exploring in the woods and we made a short video with out GoPro Hero4 Session of our day.


The on site cafe serves hot drinks, Dorset Tea, cake and lunches but you're also welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy by the duck pond.

Find out more about Moors Valley and plan your trip online at moors-valley.co.uk