@Prem51 during my early adolescent years, our community held an annual 26 mile walk as a fundraiser. Not sure how many times we did it, perhaps twice as a group. I weighed less than 100 pounds and wore proper footwear but it was a hard push toward the end. One of my friends chose to not wear socks, but we somehow we made it. At then end of the walk was a promised McDonald's meal, but they were gone by the time we finished. I must have crumpled into a heap of tears because my mother took me to McDonald's and insisted that they provide me that free meal.
I weigh 140 pounds today so not sure I'd attempt such a long walk again at this point, but losing weight again so will see what this summer brings.
I'm curious as to what it is about walking that you each enjoy, also what environments you choose to walk/hike.
I always liked walking. As a child I used to walk miles around our area, not something kids would do today with the increased traffic and dangers.
At school I switched from Geography to Geology, largely because I found physical landscapes more interesting than political and economic dimensions to a country, and also because it meant I got to go on field trips.
Although I have always lived in a city I liked getting out to walk in the countryside. I like the greenery and the feeling of being close to nature. I don't think I would like to live in the countryside though.
I have walked in Wales, Scotland, the Home Counties and the Lake District. And I've been on organised group walking holidays in Greece, Spain, Cyprus, Iceland and the US Rockies, around Denver, Colorado. I think Iceland was the best with varied spectacular scenery which was completely wild and free from human population.
I like walking more in upland mountainous areas, though I like coastal walking too.
I used to walk quite fast, and it felt like I was almost flying along, with my feet hardly touching the ground. It gave me a sense of exhilaration. I didn't know at the time that brisk exercise releases 'feel good' endorphins in our brain, a natural stimulant.
After my thyroid glands failing (hypothyroidism) I don't have the same energy. I could still walk 26 miles in a day and do about once a year, but 10-15 miles is usually enough for me now.
I don't go on walking holidays now, and I'm quite content to spend my holidays on a beach, something I never did when I was younger.