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Home
About Me
Kayak Trips
Hiking Trips
Wild Camping Advice
Kayaking Advice
Gear Talk

winter hiking and camping

Gearing Up For Winter Camping in the UK

Let’s take a look at the considerations we need to make when choosing gear for a winter adventure in the hills in the UK.

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

My latest video is up on YouTube ☺️ Come along on

My latest video is up on YouTube ☺️ Come along on a wee paddling adventure on Loch Lomond, exploring some of the islands and camping on one of them for a couple of days in some very rainy weather! I geared up with @phseakayaks again, this time borrowing a fabulous lightweight carbon Kevlar infusion Cetus MV in a striking colour scheme, very important because the first rule of kayaking is that you have to look cool 💁‍♀️ #kayaking #wildcamping #explorescotland #kayakcamping

More shots from my Loch Lomond video! One of those

More shots from my Loch Lomond video! One of those perfect “getting away from it all” trips 🥰 #kayaking #kayakcamping #lochlomond #solokayaking

Some shots from my latest YouTube video of two day

Some shots from my latest YouTube video of two days of rainy, peaceful camping on Inchconnachan, an island on Loch Lomond #lochlomond #kayaking #kayakcamping #wildcamping

A stunning temperature inversion over Loch Awe las

A stunning temperature inversion over Loch Awe last weekend #lochawe #cloudinversion #outdoors

Some highlights from a fabulous overnight trip on

Some highlights from a fabulous overnight trip on Loch Awe #kayaking #kayakcamping #wildcamping

Some highlights from a week in wonderful Scotland

Some highlights from a week in wonderful Scotland #kayaking #lochlomond #lochawe #wildcamping #explorescotland

An astonishing morning to wake up to today on Loch

An astonishing morning to wake up to today on Loch Awe 😍 #kayaking #wildcamping #cloudinversion #lochawe

At atmospheric afternoon! I was followed by two cu

At atmospheric afternoon! I was followed by two curious seals too #seakayaking #outdoorlife #paddling #seakayakingscotland

Snippets from the past few days 🥰 #kayaking #kayak

Snippets from the past few days 🥰 #kayaking #kayakcamping #wildcamping #seakayaks

Yesterday was a beautifully calm day spent cruisin

Yesterday was a beautifully calm day spent cruising around the many islands here in the south of the loch #kayaking #phseakayaks #paddling #kayakadventure

Home for the next day or two! #kayakcamping #wildc

Home for the next day or two! #kayakcamping #wildcamping #hilleberg

A grand wintry day out on the water in the English

A grand wintry day out on the water in the English Lake District with my new Segla Gear Narwhal paddle, which has unexpectedly taken over my Ikigai as my favourite paddle 😍 #kayaking #paddling #seakayaks #outdoorlife

Bliss! I know this looks like AI but it’s real! He

Bliss! I know this looks like AI but it’s real! Heading back down towards the southern shoreline of the loch from Aird Trilleachan #seakayaking #kayaking #outdoors #outdoorlife #visitscotland

The most perfect weekend and the ultimate weekend

The most perfect weekend and the ultimate weekend kayak #seakayaking #outdoorlife #kayakadventures #wildcamping #visitscotland @phseakayaks @seglagear @levelsix

Yesterday I released my latest short film, a weeke

Yesterday I released my latest short film, a weekend trip of gentle paddling, sightseeing and camping on beautiful Loch Etive, a sea loch in western Scotland. The film focuses on the area, as well as the way that places like this make us feel. I hope you’ll take some time out of your day to watch it (my channel is linked from my Insta page) #seakayaking #adventure #wildcamping #kayaking

Shots from a perfect weekend #seakayaking #locheti

Shots from a perfect weekend #seakayaking #lochetive #wildcamping #kayakadventure #kayaking

A trailer of sorts for my upcoming video 🙂 #seakay

A trailer of sorts for my upcoming video 🙂 #seakayaking #wildcamping #kayaking

I’m almost finished editing my short film of a per

I’m almost finished editing my short film of a perfect weekend in Scotland! #seakayaking #wildcamping #outdoorlife

Some stills from my next video, of an absolutely p

Some stills from my next video, of an absolutely perfect long weekend in Scotland. And a very special collaboration! #seakayaking #phseakayaks #wildcamping #kayakcamping

A sublime day on Loch Etive #seakayaking #kayaking

A sublime day on Loch Etive #seakayaking #kayaking #paddling #outdoorlife

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Come along with me for a bit of exploring around the islands in the south of Loch Lomond, followed by a couple of days of rather rainy camping on Inchconnachan, otherwise known as "Wallaby Island”.

This is what I’d call a very slow adventure. We all need one from time to time.

Thanks to P&H Sea Kayaks for the loan of this gorgeous Cetus MV in Lightweight Kevlar Carbon Infusion layup. The very low weight of this high performance kayak makes solo trips like this a lot easier!

Recording of The Bonnie Banks Of Loch Lomond sung by Barbara Ann Macdonald, used with permission.

I use @segla-gear paddles and @LevelSixInc paddling gear.

#kayakadventure #kayakcamping #wildcamping #lochlomond

My Own Island: Winter Kayak Camping On Loch Lomond

Come along on an absolutely perfect weekend of paddling and camping in one of my favourite places, the beautiful Loch Etive in western Scotland. This film is a love letter to both kayaking, as well as the outdoors and how it makes me feel, and I hope it resonates with all of you.

I was joined on this trip by @donnywilcox and you can watch his video of the trip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJL3buRzBts

I paddled the P&H Volan 158 sea kayak for this trip, a perfect weekender kayak for the mid sized paddler.

1:00 Taynuilt
4:50 Rubha Barr
6:24 Day Two
7:17 Walk Up The Glen
8:40 Heading Up The Loch
11:37 Aird Trilleachan
13:48 Ruins at Inverghiusachan
14:43 Evening Light
16:20 Day Three
17:45 Heading Back Down The Loch
19:00 The Seals Of Inverliver

#seakayaking #wildcamping #kayakadventure

Being Here: Winter Sea Kayaking and Camping in the Scottish Highlands

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 around 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

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