7 Things I Learned Walking John O’Groats to Land’s End

7 Things I Learned Walking John O’Groats to Land’s End

This post contains affiliate links and mentions sponsorships. That means if you click through and make a purchase or booking, I may earn a small commission, at absolutely no extra cost to you. It’s a simple way to support my blog and the free content I create. Thank you.

When You Walk 950 Miles, You Learn a Few Things…

When I stepped out of the car to head to Glasgow train station for a day’s ride to Thurso to begin my walk from John O’Groats to Lands End, I didn’t anticipate the impact this event would truly have on me.

Here is a list of what I learnt from walking from one end of the UK to the other. If you’re planning your own walk, curious about the challenge, or just here for the stories, I hope you find something that resonates.

1. Walking Sticks Are One of Humanity’s Best Inventions

I am not going to lie, I used to be a person that didn’t understand why people would use walking sticks for hiking. How naïve I was! By the end of day two, my knees had a new appreciation for them.

Using walking sticks really took the strain off my joints, you don’t realise how much pressure you are putting on your body when you are constantly carrying an approx. 12kg backpack!

They certainly improve your posture, help with balancing – especially when scrambling and I found my hands never got swelly because your hands are always in circulation when using the sticks.

I’m probably going to sound dramatic here but walking sticks saved my life and that isn’t a metaphor. One day I fell waist deep into a bog! Luckily I had my walking sticks in my hands and were able to use them like picks to climb out.

Walking sticks give you something to lean on – literally and mentally.

I used these The Fit Life ultralight carbon fibre trekking poles as a budget friendly option.

2. People Are Kind. Really Kind.

I lost count of how many strangers offered me snacks, bottles of water, directions, or even lifts into towns when I looked absolutely done in.

3. It’s More Mental Than Physical

Your body adapts. Your feet toughen. You get physically stronger!

But mentally? That is the real challenge.

Plenty of times I hit the wall convincing myself I couldn’t go on, or even feeling like I wasn’t worthy to be having this experience.

Most days you are alone with your thoughts and I hadn’t quite realised how much stuff I needed to work through until everything slowed down and was extremely quiet.

In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.

John Muir

4. Rest Days Are a Survival Strategy, Not a Luxury

It is so easy to feel guilty about taking a rest day, like you should be out there conquering the miles or convincing yourself that you are just being lazy!

But you need to take the time to recharge.

I did a mixture of rest days chilling in my tent at campsites or finding the cheapest hostel to just lay in a bed avoiding leg cramps and bingeing on Jaffa Cakes.

5. You Don’t Need as Much as You Think You Do

I started with far too much kit. Over time, I ditched, posted home, or gave away what I didn’t use.

I still laugh at myself for taking my DSLR camera excited at the fact I would be able to get amazing photos along the way but I soon realised carrying this weight and trying to protect it from all the elements was just more trouble than it was worth.

I posted my camera back immediately and I had luckily bought a phone specifically to do all my filming on. The Samsung Galaxy S22 produces high quality video and with 128 GB of storage you can document your journey confidently.

I preferred having two phones for the journey. One to act as my camera and the other to use for communications and navigation.

However, for the stuff you do have, to keep all your belongings organised in your backpack and to also protect from the rain (I walked during an incredibly wet summer) I recommend getting yourself some drybags! I would have drove myself crazy without these!

6. You’ll Cry For No Reason

I actually got to a certain point where I was quite proud of myself for not crying (yet). I had endured a few obstacles that I was certain I would have a good cry – I didn’t even cry after falling into the bog, but I think that is because I was in utter shock!

But eventually I did cry!

Sometimes it’s the views. Sometimes it’s the tiredness. Sometimes its just appreciating the food and water you have for that day.

Let it out. No one walks this far without breaking down a bit.

Watch one of my YouTube videos below to see the moment I nearly quit walking John O’Groats to Lands End. In the first moments of the video you can hear the tremble!

7. You’ll Romanticise This Walk For the Rest of Your Life

Something about the simplicity of life on the trail makes everything else feel…noisy.

All I had to worry about on this walk was getting from A to B and making sure I had food, water and shelter.

I still stand by the fact that is how we should all be living. Back to basics.

I even still romanticise the moment I fell into the bog, purely because it was a huge lesson to be learnt but also it gave me such resilience that I believe it prepared me for the rest of the trip but also for times that are tough in my ‘real life’.

This was the trip of a lifetime and I will never forget it. One of the best things I have ever done.

If you’re thinking of doing a walk like this, just go do it!

A thank you to my sponsors that helped make it possible!

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my sponsors who helped contribute to making sure I was either fed, hydrated or sheltered.

After this walk I certainly think I should treat myself to something a little bit more on the relaxing side such as a cruise! Speakmans Travel at Not Just Travel, your very own Personal Travel Consultant.

And without Loving My Socials I would have been quite lost! Thank you so much for all your hard work in making sure I had accommodation and helping me with my content whilst I was out in the hills with no signal!

If you’ve done a long-distance walk or are planning one, I’d love to hear what you’ve learned. Leave a comment below or come say hi on my socials @LeahInWanderlust

If you found the blog content enjoyable and valuable, consider supporting my work by contributing.

Your generosity helps me continue creating insightful and engaging content for you to enjoy.

Thank you for being a part of my community!

If you would like to watch the full journey, subscribe on Youtube!