Skip to content
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Kayak Trips
  • Hiking Trips
  • Wild Camping Advice
  • Kayaking Advice
  • Gear Talk
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Kayak Trips
  • Hiking Trips
  • Wild Camping Advice
  • Kayaking Advice
  • Gear Talk

Kayaking Advice

Greenland Paddles vs. Euro Blades: Which is Right for You?

Let’s compare their history, benefits, and drawbacks to help you choose.

Wild Camping Advice

Is Solo Wild Camping Safe?

Feeling nervous about camping alone? Here are some tips to help you get out there.

Gear Talk / Kayaking Advice

Segla Gear Paddles

Following a year of heavy use, I’ve become an ambassador for Segla Gear kayak paddles!

Hiking Trips

The Lake District: A Return to Mickleden

A calming hike and overnight camp in Mickleden in Greater Langdale in the Lake District.

Kayak Trips

Northern Scotland: Neave Island, Eilean nan Ròn and the Rabbit Islands

A windy afternoon exploring several islands along the northern Scottish coast.

Kayak Trips

Northern Scotland: Strathy Point

A fabulous day exploring the large Strathy headland near Thurso in northern Scotland.

Gear Talk / Wild Camping Advice

My Summer Camping Gear

An overview of a typical lightweight camping setup that I’ll use for camping in the hills throughout the summer.

Kayaking Advice

Should you get a drysuit or a wetsuit for kayaking?

If you spend any time kayaking in cooler conditions, you’ve probably wondered whether you’d be better off in a wetsuit or a drysuit.

Kayak Trips

Northern Scotland: Duncansby Head

A rather exciting trip exploring the stretch of coast from Skirza to John O’Groats in the most northeastern corner of mainland Scotland.

Hiking Trips / Wild Camping Advice

Scotland: The Affric Kintail Way

A journey along the wonderful Affric Kintail Way in the Scottish Highlands.

  • « Previous Page
  • Next Page »

Hi, I'm Leigh and I love the outdoors! I'm a keen hiker and kayaker, as well as a BCU certified kayaking instructor and Level 3 Outdoor First Aider here in the UK.

I am an ambassador for Segla Gear kayaking paddles, and am also supported by Level Six paddling gear.

I love making outdoor videos of hiking and kayaking trips, and am also a bit of an outdoors gear nerd.

If you found anything on my site particularly useful and want to show some appreciation, feel free to Buy Me A Coffee!

peakandpaddleuk

Is this heaven? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 #seakayaking #kayaking #ou Is this heaven? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 #seakayaking #kayaking #outdoors #phseakayaks
HAPPY NEW YEAR! I’d like to wish each and every on HAPPY NEW YEAR! I’d like to wish each and every one of you a wonderful 2026. Thanks to @seglagear @levelsix and @phseakayaks for being awesome 🙌
Let’s go adventuring 🥳 Here are a few highlights from 2025 #kayaking #wildcamping #hiking #outdoorlife
The incredible winter colour palette of Greater La The incredible winter colour palette of Greater Langdale in the Lake District #lakedistrictuk #hiking #outdoors #landscape #outdoorlover
Another gorgeous night in the fells 🥰 #wildcamping Another gorgeous night in the fells 🥰 #wildcamping #lakedistrict #hiking #outdoorisfree
Mornings like these 😍 #wildcamping #outdoors #hiki Mornings like these 😍 #wildcamping #outdoors #hiking
Not a bad view this morning 😍 #wildcamping #outdoo Not a bad view this morning 😍 #wildcamping #outdoorlovers #adventuretime #lakedistrictphotography
Gorgeous weather for my lunch time paddle on my lo Gorgeous weather for my lunch time paddle on my local river today 🥰 #paddling #kayaklove #shepaddles #kayaking #onthewater #outdoors #outdoorlover #kayaklife #getonthewater #gooutside #kayaklifestyle #kayakadventures #kayaker #kayakgram #outdoorlife #paddlelove #adventure #seakayaks #phseakayaks #pandhkayaks #getoutdostuff #levelsix #seglagear
The end of autumn #wildcamping #outdoorlife #adven The end of autumn #wildcamping #outdoorlife #adventuretime #outdoors #nature #adventure #hiking #explore #landscape #camping #naturelovers #outdoor #wanderlust #getoutside #leavenotrace #microadventure #wildcampinguk #getoutdostuff #womenoutdoors #naturetherapy #outdoorswomen #hikersuk #ukwildcamping #hillwalking #loveoutdoors #hikemore #freshair🍃 #hikersofinstagram #hilleberg #myultralightadventure
A wet and windy day in the woods #wildcamping #out A wet and windy day in the woods #wildcamping #outdoorlife #adventuretime #outdoors #nature #adventure #hiking #explore #landscape #naturelovers #outdoor #wanderlust #getoutside #outside #leavenotrace #microadventure #getoutdostuff #womenoutdoors #naturetherapy #outdoorswomen #hikersuk #hillwalking #loveoutdoors #hikemore #freshair🍃 #womenwhohike #womenofadventure #hikersofinstagram #outdoorsgear
Obligatory “I can’t believe it’s December” post. I Obligatory “I can’t believe it’s December” post. It’s been a full year of me stepping onto the other side of the camera, showing that even a dorky middle aged woman with a dodgy hip and a heart condition can get out and have adventures! Here are some highlights that I cut to an overblown soundtrack that feels more like a send off reel for a dead 90s rock star than a borderline crone playing Outdoor Adventure Barbie #wildcamping #outdoorlife #adventuretime #outdoors #nature #adventure #hiking #explore #camping #naturelovers #outdoor #wanderlust #getoutside #leavenotrace #microadventure #wildcampinguk #getoutdostuff #womenoutdoors #naturetherapy #outdoorswomen #ukwildcamping #hillwalking #loveoutdoors #womenwhohike #womenofadventure #hikersofinstagram #outdoorsgear #kayaking #seakayaking #kayakingadventures
Sometimes the finest days are the ones cloaked in Sometimes the finest days are the ones cloaked in poor weather. The river thundered its way downstream, each surge broken by spiky, wind driven rain, while a low band of cloud lingered on the horizon #wildcamping #outdoorlife #adventuretime #outdoors #nature #adventure #hiking #explore #landscape #camping #naturelovers #outdoor #wanderlust #getoutside #outside #leavenotrace #microadventure #wildcampinguk #getoutdostuff #womenoutdoors #naturetherapy #outdoorswomen #hikersuk #ukwildcamping #hillwalking #loveoutdoors #hikemore #freshair🍃
A love letter to Mickleden in Langdale, my second A love letter to Mickleden in Langdale, my second favourite valley in the Lake District (second favourite only because nothing will ever beat Eskdale) #wildcamping #outdoorlife #adventuretime #outdoors #nature #adventure #hiking #explore #landscape #camping #naturelovers #outdoor #wanderlust #getoutside #outside #leavenotrace #microadventure #wildcampinguk #getoutdostuff #womenoutdoors #naturetherapy #outdoorswomen #hikersuk #ukwildcamping #hillwalking #loveoutdoors #hikemore #freshair🍃
And breathe ☺️ #wildcamping #outdoorlife #adventur And breathe ☺️ #wildcamping #outdoorlife #adventuretime #outdoors #nature #adventure #hiking #explore #landscape #camping #naturelovers #outdoor #wanderlust #getoutside #outside #leavenotrace #microadventure #wildcampinguk #getoutdostuff #womenoutdoors #naturetherapy #outdoorswomen #hikersuk #ukwildcamping #hillwalking #loveoutdoors #hikemore #freshair🍃 #myultralightadventure
Some more pictures from last weekend. These are sn Some more pictures from last weekend. These are snapshots from the video I’m putting together #wildcamping #outdoorlife #adventuretime #outdoors #nature #adventure #hiking #explore #landscape #camping #naturelovers #outdoor #wanderlust #getoutside #outside #leavenotrace #microadventure #wildcampinguk #getoutdostuff #myultralightadventure
Langdale ❤️ #wildcamping #outdoorlife #adventureti Langdale ❤️ #wildcamping #outdoorlife #adventuretime #outdoors #nature #adventure #hiking #explore #landscape #camping #naturelovers #outdoor #wanderlust #getoutside #outside #leavenotrace #microadventure #wildcampinguk #getoutdostuff
Saturday evening #wildcamping #outdoorlife #advent Saturday evening #wildcamping #outdoorlife #adventuretime #outdoors #nature #adventure #hiking #explore #landscape #camping #naturelovers #outdoor #wanderlust #getoutside #outside #leavenotrace #microadventure #wildcampinguk #getoutdostuff
One of those absolutely sublime Lake District days One of those absolutely sublime Lake District days yesterday. A full day of strolling Oxendale and Mickleden followed by a night higher up. Gusty conditions and torrential rain necessitated a frantic repositioning of my tent around 9pm in between the gusts to better shed the wind, after which a mostly peaceful night was had. This morning the roar of the water in the now swollen rivers filled the valley and low cloud made for an atmospheric hike back down into Langdale #wildcamping #outdoorlife #adventuretime #outdoors #nature #adventure #hiking #explore #landscape #camping #naturelovers #outdoor #wanderlust #getoutside #outside #leavenotrace #microadventure #wildcampinguk #getoutdostuff #myultralightadventure
I recently headed out with @ian.the.squid in some I recently headed out with @ian.the.squid in some lumpy stuff in Solva, Pembrokeshire to make this little promo for @seglagear paddles. Unable to focus on both the swell and camera handling, I headed back to land to launch my drone after sticking GoPros onto Ian’s kayak to film him close up. My drone controller was constantly screaming at me to land as the wind was pretty gusty but in the end we got some slick shots despite the poor weather! #paddling #kayaklove #shepaddles #kayaking #onthewater #outdoors #outdoorlover #kayaklife #getonthewater #gooutside #kayaklifestyle #kayakadventures #kayaker #kayakgram #outdoorlife #paddlelove #adventure #seakayaks #seakayaking #phseakayaks #pandhkayaks #getoutdostuff #seglagear
Some stills from my latest kayaking video. A perfe Some stills from my latest kayaking video. A perfect day out amongst the cliffs and rocks of Newport Bay in Pembrokeshire #paddling #kayaklove #shepaddles #kayaking #onthewater #outdoors #outdoorlover #kayaklife #getonthewater #gooutside #kayaklifestyle #kayakadventures #kayaker #kayakgram #outdoorlife #paddlelove #adventure #seakayaks #seakayaking #phseakayaks #pandhkayaks #getoutdostuff
Another photo from my night out on the Pembrokeshi Another photo from my night out on the Pembrokeshire cliffs last week. Definitely one of the coolest wild camps I’ve done recently! The waves breaking below me all night was the perfect soundtrack to a restful night 🥰 #wildcamping #outdoorlife #adventuretime #outdoors #nature #adventure #hiking #explore #landscape #camping #naturelovers #outdoor #wanderlust #getoutside #outside #leavenotrace #microadventure #wildcampinguk #getoutdostuff #durstongear
Follow on Instagram
With the last of autumn's colours fading into winter, I found myself strolling and enjoying the textures, smells and sounds of the woodland here in the Chilterns, where I live, its mixture of coniferous and broad-leafed trees a vibrant contrast of reds and greens, the snap of twigs and crunch of dead leaves deeply satisfying underfoot.

If you enjoy my videos, you can buy me a coffee to support me! 🙂
https://buymeacoffee.com/peakandpaddleuk

#silenthiking #wildcamping #outdoors #hiking
Calming, Silent Hiking in the Chiltern Hills | Buckinghamshire, England
When I made my first video last summer, I never would have thought that many people would want to watch a shy, 40-something woman paddling and ambling around, so thank you to everyone who tuned in to watch in 2025! Here is my end of year highlight reel.

I used to think you had to go off on big expeditions to have adventures, but anyone can have a micro adventure. Just plan your route, pack your bag, and go out there. Disconnect from the hustle and bustle, and go find yourself again 😄
Stop Scrolling and Go Outside #microadventures #wildcamping #kayaking
A quiet, gentle weekend enjoying the two western valleys of Great Langdale, following the paths through Oxendale and Mickleden, hiking amidst autumn colours, the sound of the rivers and the shifting clouds. 

Conditions on the first day sadly cut filming short in the late afternoon, and persistently poor weather for the rest of the weekend presented some challenges, but I hope that this video will fill you with a sense of peace and calm. Mickleden, in particular, is one of my favourite parts of the Lake District, and the atmospheric conditions throughout the Saturday were absolutely wonderful, really showcasing the last days of autumn.

If you enjoy my videos, you can buy me a coffee to support me! 🙂
https://buymeacoffee.com/peakandpaddleuk

#hiking #thelakedistrict #wildcamping
Gentle, Silent Hiking in the Lake District | Great Langdale
A gentle sea kayaking outing along one of my favourite sections of the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast, launching from Cwm-Yr-Eglwys and paddling into Newport Bay. Calm swells, rugged cliffs, and good company made for a perfect day on the water.

If you enjoy my videos, you can buy me a coffee to support me! 🙂
https://buymeacoffee.com/peakandpaddleuk

#seakayaking #pembrokeshire #kayaking
Sea Kayaking from Cwm-Yr-Eglwys in Newport Bay | Pembrokeshire Coast, Wales
A memorable night and morning in Eryri, Wales
Moments Like These #wildcamping #hiking #clouds
Just down the road from the heaving peaks of the Glyders and the Carneddau lies a quieter, often overlooked mountain, Crimpiau. Though modest in size, it more than makes up for it with breathtaking 360º views across the Eryri skyline. 

From Capel Curig, I took the long, winding way up, following part of the Snowdonia Slate Trail as it wandered through the undulating landscape before the short, steep climb to the summit. A calm night alone at the top gave way to an unforgettable morning, as the valleys below filled with a sea of cloud. A truly unforgettable autumn trip.

If you enjoy my videos, you can buy me a coffee to support me! 🙂
https://buymeacoffee.com/peakandpaddleuk

#wildcamping #silenthiking #hiking
Peaceful, Silent Hiking in Eryri/Snowdonia | Incredible Cloud Inversion
"Cinematic" isn't about the camera or settings you use, it's about the way you create your video. Thinking about composition, timing and your surroundings is crucial. You want to convey to the viewer exactly how it felt to be there. When filming hiking videos, we don't have the luxury of waiting for the ideal lighting, as we have to progress with the journey, but here are a few tips to consider when you're out filming your adventures.
Five Tips for Cinematic Hiking Videos #cinematic #outdoors #hikingadventures
Come along for the ride as we paddle around Neave Island, Eilean nan Ròn and the Rabbit Islands in Northern Scotland. Launching from Skerray, we paddle across to the islands one by one, and explore caves, sandy beaches, arches, a ruined harbour, and plenty of impressive cliffs, before finishing at Talmine Bay. 

This is a fabulous area with incredibly geology and an abundance of sea life. Definitely a top destination for sea kayakers!

00:00 Intro and route map
00:35 Neave Island cave
01:17 Port Gaineamhach
02:21 Srón à Bhàgh
04:15 Poll Tuaireapach
04:36 Back along the mainland
05:54 Rubha Geal
06:14 Eilean Nan Ròn, Mol Na Coinnle
06:59 Port Na H-Uaille
07:46 Cnoc Na Caillich
08:36 Càrn Talmhuinn
10:51 Mol Mòr
11:23 Port Na H-Innse
11:55 Sgeir An Òir
13:17 Talmine

This is a classic Scottish paddling trip outlined in Doug Cooper's excellent Scottish Sea Kayaking book.

I've created subtitles for those who, like me, don't hear as well as we used to! 

If you enjoy my videos, you can buy me a coffee to support me! 🙂
https://buymeacoffee.com/peakandpaddleuk

#seakayaking #kayak #kayakadventures
Sea Kayaking Eilean Nan Ron in Northern Scotland (Narrated)
Join us on a beautiful, relaxed paddle exploring the headland of Strathy Point in Northern Scotland. Launching into some lively surf at Strathy Beach, we head north along the headland, rounding Strathy Point and exploring the caves and geos along the western side of the headland before landing at Port a' Chinn near Armadale.

The north coast is one of the best places in Scotland to explore by kayak. The very exposed coastline here demands respect and careful tidal planning, but rewards paddlers with some of the most dramatic and beautiful coastal features in the UK.

00:00 Strathy Beach
00:15 Route map
00:37 Launch into surf
01:40 Strathy Point
03:04 Glas-Eilean Mòr
03:56 Geodh' Nam Muc
05:10 Boursa
06:21 Cléit A' Geode Ruaidh
07:40 Glupie Bhraél
08:42 Eilean Eiglei

If you enjoy my videos, you can buy me a coffee to support me! 🙂
https://buymeacoffee.com/peakandpaddleuk

#seakayaking #kayaking #kayakadventures
Sea Kayaking Strathy Point in Northern Scotland (Narrated)
Subscribe

Peaks And Paddles | Kayaking, Hiking & Wild Camping © 2026. All Rights Reserved.