This blog follows one dog, one woman, and the friends who saw what we were up to and wanted to join the pack. It’s for anyone curious about wild camping, multi‑day treks, hikes, cani-cross, cold swims, and microadventures. I write about the routes we take, the gear that survives them, and the swims we find along the way — all to nudge others a little further beyond the familiar. And for the dog owners out there – take them with you. Grow together. The adventure gets better when the dog comes too.
What You’ll Find Here
🥾 Hiking – Routes of all kinds, from easy local miles to longer routes on rougher ground that keep us both focused
🗺️ Multi‑Day Trekking – Interesting routes and the practical side of travelling with a dog over varied terrain.
⛺ Wild Camping – Picturesque overnight spots, quiet mornings, and how we make camping work with a four‑legged teammate.
🐕🦺 Canicross – Running together and building fitness for longer days out.
🌊 Wild Swimming – Cold‑water dips in lakes, rivers, and the sea.
🛠️ Gear Locker – What works well and what doesn’t. Straightforward looks at the kit we use: harnesses, packs, clothing, and dog gear that holds up on real trails.
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How I Built My Dog’s Fitness for All‑Day Days Out
Taking your dog on an all-day hike sounds simple – clip the lead on, grab a snack, and off you go.
In reality, a brilliant day out usually starts a few weeks earlier.
Dogs are enthusiastic to the point of recklessness. They’ll happily power on long after they should’ve stopped, which is why preparing them properly is the difference between a great memory… and a very sore, unimpressed dog who suddenly “doesn’t like walking anymore.”
Here’s how to build your dog up for longer days out on UK trails – sensibly, safely, and without overthinking it.
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Rhinogydd Traverse: A Wild Trek Through Wales’ Roughest Ridge
The Rhinogydd, often anglicised as Rhinogs or Rhinog Traverse, take their name from the two principal peaks Rhinog Fawr and Rhinog Fach and form one of the most uncompromising parts of the Cambrian Way. Rocky, steep and frequently pathless, they reward careful route-finding rather than speed. The Cambrian Way crosses the range as a distinct stage linking lowland approaches with the higher Snowdonia ridges, and the section is used by major mountain races such as the Dragon’s Back and Dragon’s Fire. Key summits to know are Y Llethr (756m), Rhinog Fawr (720m) and Rhinog Fach (712m), and features such as the well-preserved Roman Steps, a medieval packhorse trail, lead you into the heart of the range.
