Due to these warmer summers, undergrowth may be especially dense and may sometimes seem to block your path completely with nettles, brambles, bracken and high grass. Our walks often choose obscure paths which few people use; so these paths often get choked. But a country walk is not a walk in the park: there's no maintenance service. No one is available to keep paths clear EXCEPT YOU! In high summer, bring a heavy stick or a strong hiking pole. If you find a path obstructed by nettles or brambles never give up! To help the walkers coming after you, get through somehow with a couple of swishes with the stick. If each walker could slash away just a little of the undergrowth, the path will gradually become unclogged! On the other hand, if everyone avoids the path the nettles and brambles will overwhelm it and the path may disappear completely.
Remember, the walk you are doing may have been are planned in the winter months when undergrowth had died back. Please persevere BUT always cover your legs, and possibly your arms, unless the walk is obviously on bare heath, wide chalky paths, etc. (read the description!).
Please be aware of the danger of ticks, some of which can spread lyme disease. (See the web literature about prompt action.) Early summer is a time for calving. Keep a good distance from cow and calf.
We cannot update all the guides whenever there is a general change in the weather or the season. We try to predict seasonal changes but it's not easy!
Even if you're not into 'Nordic hiking', a stick (trekking pole) or two can be a real benefit in overgrown terrain. You might feel a bit lumbered at first, but a pole can also help you over stiles and astride the occasional muddy patch. A pole need not be expensive.
All our guides give advice on clothing and footwear. BUT please remember, this advice is relative and conditions can change according to weather and season.