Article by Jools Hill
A question that we get asked a lot is 'how fit do I need to be to come out walking with Phil?'.
It's a question that isn't necessarily easy to answer because there are so many variables that will affect your level of comfort or challenge on our walks. There's the obvious measure of the distance covered on each route, but 10km of Andalucian walking doesn't necessarily feel the same as the same distance walking in the Yorkshire Dales.
Single elements rarely serve as a reliable barometer of the fitness required, and many other considerations need to be factored into the fitness equation.
Firstly, walking in the warmer temperatures of Andalucia requires more exertion than in the typically cooler climes of the UK. More water needs to be carried to ensure that you stay hydrated, and every litre of water adds 1 kilogram to the weight of your rucksack.
The terrain itself is also a key factor, and whilst not necessarily considered an indicator of fitness, surefootedness and the ability to think carefully about boot placement are essential in the karstic limestone landscapes that typify the area. Levels of ascent and descent obviously play a role, and a prolonged period of ascent needs mental fortitude in addition to a good level of physical fitness.
Phil's regular clients are very familiar with the term 'undulating'!
One of our groups of loyal walkers from Yorkshire has its own barometer of fitness when recruiting new members for their trips to Andalucia. They jokingly say that if you can do the 'Ingleby Incline' walk up in the North Yorkshire Moors, you will be fit enough to tackle any of Phil's routes in Spain.
The Ingleby Incline was a self-acting railway incline constructed in the 1860s. It was used to transport iron ore from Rosedale to the iron works in Teeside. It played a crucial role in the ironstone mining industry in the North York Moors, connecting the mines to the wider railway network.
The route traverses a mix of woodlands and open moorland, and includes the infamous incline, which is 1.6 km long and features a gradient of 1 in 5 (20%).
It's a really simple way to test your own fitness levels, and when Phil had a fleeting trip over to the UK recently, Sue and her team thought that they'd put him through his paces on this iconic Yorkshire hiking route. He joined them on a beautiful spring day in May, and we are happy to report that he passed the fitness test with flying colours!
The title picture to this article captures our collective relief at reaching the top of the incline section of the walk.
If you're passing through the North York Moors area and fancy taking on the Ingleby Incline walk, please get in touch and we'll send you a link to the route map on OS Maps.
