GingerRoutes - Hill, Fell & Mountain Guided Walking

GingerRoutes - Hill, Fell & Mountain Guided Walking Guided Walks & Hill Skills. Join a network of Walking Women! Private events-mixed gender Hello there and welcome to GingerRoutes. Currently I am 54yrs !!

Big walks, little walks, 1st time walks, 'don't be afraid' walks, private walks - all sorts of walks!! I am Nicola (the one with lots of ginger hair, just check the pictures for evidence!!) and a MTA qualified Mountain Leader. I am privileged to live in Cumbria so this means the fells are my play ground. I have ben walking for some 40+ years at least. Of course, I haven't walked all that time as life takes over with family, children jobs etc but the hills have always been my passion any parents will vouch that I was born wearing walking boots on, and my daughter will voucher that she was also born with walking boots on well, but she insisted on taking them off at about age 16yrs much to my disappointment. I host a range of WOMEN ONLY events, be that private guiding, group walks, hill skills or wild camping experiences. My focus is ensuring that the walks cater to all levels of capabilities and fitness to ensure a great day out. Many, in-fact most, at least 85%, join my events alone, not knowing anyone but leave the event with a new set of walking buddies, friends or a new network. Please don't think that you need to be a super trained athlete to enjoy the hills, far from it, of course some fitness is required, but it is far more important in my view, to have a passion to want to get outdoors and breathe the fresh air. Certainly that is how I started! I am able to host many walks in Cumbria, including the very famous & favourite fells of Alfred Wainwright. If you have never heard of Alfred Wainwright, check out this link as he is a bit of an icon in Cumbria (and a bit of a favourite of mine) and you just may come away wanting to see all his favourite 214 fells in Cumbria. https://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/things-to-do/walking/wainwright. If you ever want to venture to our other National Parks, I could easily be persuaded to private guide you in Wales or Scotland for some of the other iconic mountains we have. Over in Snowdonia, we have the beautiful Snowdon, known locally as Yr Wyddfa. She is impressive at 1085metres (3,560 ft) & is the highest mountain in Wales. She is also the highest point in the British Isles outside the Scottish Highlands but don't be put off as there are at least 10 different routes up Snowdon so this beautiful mountain caters for everyone making the Welsh extremely proud of her.
.....and of course, the big brother to all the mountains in the UK, is Ben Nevis, standing very tall & proud in the Highlands of Scotland. To conquer 'the Ben' is for many to conquer their own Everest. This is a big day out, but with reasonable fitness, a fair wind on your side and a huge element of determination, you too can stand proud on top of The Ben! Whilst my events are focused on WOMEN ONLY, I am also able to take private groups, families, couples, little ones, big ones into the hills to have a fab day out - all based on your own requirements to create a great day out. I also offer bespoke corporate team & leadership development activities. Tailored & customised to business aspirations. I n my previous life, I was a HR director so fully engaged with Leadership development principles, team performance, and the power that engagement brings to a business. I made a very conscious life change post COVID to follow my love of the great outdoors with a huge life change and hence GingerRoutes was born. Even if you just want to have a chat about what may be possible, or simply to grab some local knowledge, please do get in touch and I can give you some ideas to think about. For your assurance, I hold a range of other relevant qualifications also so you are in very safe hands, along with full Liability Insurance, the required (and a bit more besides) Outdoors 1st Aid qualifications. I am also a Safe Guarding Specialist, Duke of Edinburgh Assessor and Mental health 1st Aid trained.

It's been a while...I know I haven't posted much over the last few months. Every now and then I think to myself that I r...
09/07/2026

It's been a while...

I know I haven't posted much over the last few months. Every now and then I think to myself that I really should be better at social media... perhaps a bit more like everyone else!

But the truth is, GingerRoutes has never been about the social media for me. It's always been about the walking, the conversations, the people I meet and the difference that time in the outdoors can make.

Having said that, as I sit here with my rucksack packed and ready to head to Bali, it felt like the right time to update everyone.

When I started GingerRoutes a few years ago, I had a simple vision. Yes, I wanted to take people into the hills, but more than that, I wanted to help women discover confidence, resilience and belief in themselves.

Over the last six months, I genuinely feel like GingerRoutes has become exactly what I always hoped it would be.

I've had the privilege of working alongside a number of incredible women's charities, including Women's Aid and local women's refuges, supporting more than 100 women on walks and mountain days across the UK.

Some women have joined me for just a few hours, others for several days. Some have grown in confidence and are now heading into the hills independently. Others simply needed some time away from the noise of everyday life. A chance to breathe. To laugh. To think. To begin repairing. Or simply to remember who they are.

Not every walk is about reaching the summit.
Sometimes it's about helping someone believe in themselves again.

Watching that happen has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. I honestly feel incredibly lucky that GingerRoutes has become a small part of so many women's journeys.
But now... it's my turn for an adventure.

Today I'm heading off to Bali guiding a group of young adults before spending a few weeks backpacking around Indonesia.

Just as the mountains help so many of the women I walk with, this adventure is my chance to refill my own cup, find a little perspective and return in the autumn ready for another season with GingerRoutes.

I'll be a little quieter over the next couple of months, although I'll share the odd story from Indonesia along the way. Then, no doubt, I'll return with plenty of adventures to tell.

Thank you to everyone who has supported GingerRoutes, walked with me, trusted me or simply followed the journey.

It means more than you'll ever know.

Here's to the next adventure... for all of us. 💚🥾🌿

✨ Season Wrap-Up 2025 ✨And just like that, another season draws to a close. 🍂In September I’ve had the privilege of guid...
18/10/2025

✨ Season Wrap-Up 2025 ✨

And just like that, another season draws to a close. 🍂

In September I’ve had the privilege of guiding two very special journeys:

🌿 Highlights of Northern England – from the limestone pavements of Malham to the fells of the Lake District, through the charm of the Peaks and stately grandeur of Chatsworth, finishing on the wild gritstone edge of Stanage.

🌊 England Coast-to-Coast – a classic Wainwright adventure from the Irish Sea to the North Sea, across the Lakes, Dales and Moors. Ten days of spectacular trails, poetry paths, windswept ridges, cream teas, steam trains, and finally dipping toes into the surf at Robin Hood’s Bay.

Both trips brought together wonderful groups of walkers, each with their own stories, laughter and determination. I feel incredibly lucky to share these landscapes and watch people discover just how much they are capable of. 💚

For me, 2025 has been about red-hair trails, rain showers, sunshine breaks, and countless miles of gritstone, heather and rolling green fields. Each step has reminded me why I chose this path.

Now it’s time to pause, reflect, and start planning what’s ahead for GingerRoutes 2026 – new adventures, new friendships, and more trails waiting to be walked.

Thank you to everyone who joined me this season, supported me, and followed along. Your encouragement means the world. 🙏

Here’s to the road (and ridge!) ahead… 🥾✨

Nicola
GingerRoutes – Her time. Her trail. Her triumph.

🚐✨ From Bella to WinstonFor the past few years, Bella’Van has been my loyal adventure companion — a little scruffy, full...
17/08/2025

🚐✨ From Bella to Winston

For the past few years, Bella’Van has been my loyal adventure companion — a little scruffy, full of quirks, and the heart of so many of my adventures and memories. She’s been there through rainstorms, early trail starts, and countless cups of tea & coffee.

But every chapter has its ending… and its beginning.

Next Friday, I collect "Winston" who is a swish, smooth and slightly smug and quite the upgrade with home comforts in abundance. It’s really a massive step up for me: more comfort, more capability, and a proper mobile HQ for future GingerRoutes adventures.

I’ll always be grateful for everything Bella’Van gave me, and she will always hold my heart but I can’t wait to make new memories with Winston (and yes, it won’t be long before the mud finds him!).

📍 So… where should we go on his very first trip? Drop your suggestions in the comments — I want to hear your best UK spots!

Jungle Tested. Jungle Triumphant.Five days in the Malaysian jungle.Torrential rain (rain storms do seem to follow me, me...
11/08/2025

Jungle Tested. Jungle Triumphant.

Five days in the Malaysian jungle.
Torrential rain (rain storms do seem to follow me, memories of the Pyrenees 😆)
Thunder that shook the trees.
Boots sloshing. Tents soggy. Clothes never quite dry.
And leeches — so many leeches — thanks to the tropical storm that sent rivers surging and trails disappearing under water.

We crossed rapids where footpaths used to be.
Slept in a jungle camp — and later under a cave overhang alive with spiders — with the rainforest humming all around us.
One night, I was brave enough to shower under a downpour cascading from the buttress roots of a towering tree. Nature’s plumbing. Pure magic.

It was hard. Really hard. Harder than I expected 😭.
But it was real and it bonded the team.
There were moments of exhaustion and doubt, but also grit, humour, and incredible team spirit.

Now, with the jungle behind us and a few days of R&R in Kuala Lumpur, I know this adventure will stay with me for a lifetime.
Not every journey is glossy. Some are muddy, messy, and utterly unforgettable.









For Bailey — The Original Trail BossBefore Paddy… there was Bailey.My first mountain dog. My original trail buddy. The o...
23/07/2025

For Bailey — The Original Trail Boss

Before Paddy… there was Bailey.

My first mountain dog. My original trail buddy. The one who walked every step with me as GingerRoutes first came to life.

Bailey is now almost 17. His legs are a little wobbly, his eyes a little cloudy, and his ears not quite as sharp as they once were. Swimming’s off the cards these days, and our hikes have turned into slow garden wanders and warm patch naps. But he’s still here. Still the boss. Still loved beyond measure.

And Paddy — full of bounce and cheek — knows it. He snuggles up to Bailey with the kind of devotion that says, “You came before me. I get it.”

There’s something sacred about a dog who’s been with you from the start. Bailey taught me to slow down. To pay attention. To feel joy in the simple act of being outside with a friend.

He won’t feature often now — and that’s okay. He’s earned his rest. But his pawprints are forever on the trails we walked, and on everything GingerRoutes has become.

Thank you, Bailey. Always 🐾


Missing My Trail Buddy & Business PartnerThis is Paddy.Cocker spaniel. Trail companion. Unofficial morale officer.Expert...
23/07/2025

Missing My Trail Buddy & Business Partner

This is Paddy.
Cocker spaniel. Trail companion. Unofficial morale officer.
Expert in puddle navigation, stick carrying and demanding snacks at elevation.

Right now, I’m thousands of miles away — guiding in the jungles of Malaysia.
It’s abit wild, humid, intense… but full of purpose.
But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t missing the sound of his paws padding alongside me on a misty Lakeland morning.

Paddy has walked with me through so many miles — soggy, sunny, sideways-rain ones.
And come autumn, he’ll be back on the trail by my side. Ears flying. Tongue out. Fully in his element.

Because GingerRoutes isn’t just about summits and epic scenery.
It’s about joy. Companionship.
And walking yourself home — however that looks.

🐾 More Paddy tales to come.
He’s got opinions. And a entire stick carrying fun rating system (that was a mouthful to write 😆).



The Magic and the MessJust a few days ago I stood on a Malaysian beach at nearly midnight, and watched a sea turtle haul...
20/07/2025

The Magic and the Mess

Just a few days ago I stood on a Malaysian beach at nearly midnight, and watched a sea turtle haul herself out of the water, find her spot in the sand, and begin to lay her eggs.

It’s the kind of thing you think you’ll only ever see in a documentary.
And yet — there I was. Quiet, barefoot, watching it happen under a blanket of stars.
One of the most powerful things I’ve ever witnessed.

But that’s only half the story.

Earlier in the day, myself and the group took part in a conservation beach clean-up, clearing literally bags and bags of plastic waste washed up on the shoreline.
It was sweaty, repetitive, and emotionally heavy.
To see that much plastic on what should be a paradise beach… was sobering.

And it reminded me that protecting these moments of magic — the turtles, the sea, the planet — takes work.
Hard, hands-dirty, sand-under-your-fingernails kind of work.

We also helped release hatchlings back into the ocean. Tiny lives. Palm-sized hope.
And as they scuttled toward the waves, I felt this quiet urgency inside me…
To do better. To waste less.
To carry this feeling home — not just the memory, but the responsibility.

🐢 Turtle fact I learned?
Only 1 in 1,000 sea turtle hatchlings survives to adulthood.
And plastic pollution is one of the biggest threats they face.

When I get home, I’ll be making some changes.
Less plastic. More purpose.

Because once you’ve seen it — once you’ve really felt it — you can’t un-know it.

Wander Often, Wonder AlwaysOver the last few months, I’ve wandered through a lot of landscapes.The rocky ridgelines of t...
17/07/2025

Wander Often, Wonder Always

Over the last few months, I’ve wandered through a lot of landscapes.
The rocky ridgelines of the Pyrenees.
The humid trails of Malaysia, albeit, I'm only on day 7 with another 21 to go still 🚶‍♀️⛰️🥾
And all the quiet, curious spaces in between.

But what’s really struck me this season isn’t the places — it’s the feeling.
That sense of wonder.
The simple joy of being somewhere new.
Of pausing to take it in. Of noticing.

In the Pyrenees, I saw women rediscover their strength in shared challenge.
In Malaysia, I’m watching young adults grow braver with every sweaty and muddy mile.

And in all of it, one quiet truth keeps showing up:
You don’t have to know exactly where you’re going… to be changed by the journey.

🧭 Wander often. Wonder always.

More reflections to come soon — but for now, I just wanted to share this moment and a little reminder that it’s never too late to go looking for something new.


What the Trail is Teaching Me (Again)I’m writing this from Malaysia, where I’m guiding a group of young adults on an exp...
17/07/2025

What the Trail is Teaching Me (Again)

I’m writing this from Malaysia, where I’m guiding a group of young adults on an expedition. We’re now on day 7 — and I’m watching them discover, in real time, just how capable they really are.

They’ve faced heat (34 degrees😭) , discomfort(mostly blisters👣 and insect bites 🦟) and the kind of uncertainty 😒 that you can’t plan for.
And they’re meeting it with humour 😆, grit 💪, and a growing sense of belief in themselves 😊

And it’s reminded me of something I see all the time on my GingerRoutes trips too:

It’s never too late to surprise yourself.
To grow, to adapt, to push your own boundaries.
To start a new chapter, even when the world expects you to slow down.

The mountains in France. The jungle trails of Malaysia.
Different places — same truth:
Courage doesn’t have an age.

If you’ve been thinking “maybe next year” or “maybe I’ve missed the moment” —
you haven’t. And I’d love to walk that next stretch with you.

Absolutely 💯 make sure that you take THIS moment, YOUR moment, to REALLY LIVE & LOVE your life! Its absolutely never ever too late 💯

🧭 2026 GingerRoutes plans are already brewing.
Watch this space…

🌄 Wrapping Up the Pyrenees Activity – and Looking Ahead…Three incredible groups.Three very different journeys.And one su...
10/07/2025

🌄 Wrapping Up the Pyrenees Activity – and Looking Ahead…

Three incredible groups.
Three very different journeys.
And one summer I won’t forget.

Over the past six weeks, I’ve had the absolute privilege of supporting 28 walkers through the wild trails and quiet refuges of the French & Spanish Pyrenees. From thunder and lightning storms to sunset swims in glacier lakes, we’ve seen it all.

Each group brought something very different — laughter, chatter, tears, endless snacks, and a beautiful kind of resilience that only comes from being stretched outside your comfort zone. All walked with courage, curiosity, and kindness. They supported each other. And they reminded me — again — why I created GingerRoutes in the first place.

This was my first full season going into mainland Europe. It’s been a leap. And I’m so glad I took it.

✨ So what’s next?

Next week I head to Malaysia to guide a youth expedition with a wonderful charity (a slightly different pace — but just as rewarding!).

And as for 2026… my head is already buzzing with ideas. I’ll definitely be returning to the mountains. Hut-to-hut walking. Summit moments. Group laughter. Space to reset. The kind of trips that feed the soul.

If you’ve ever thought “Could I do that?” — the answer is yes.
And I’d love to help you prove it.

🧭 Interested? I’ll be sharing a poll soon for those keen on next year’s trips. Keep your eyes peeled — or message me directly to stay in the loop.

Thank you to everyone who made this season so far what it is. I’m heading into this next chapter feeling very excited, possibly a little tired 😆… but very, very grateful. 💛

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