Hiking Campania

Small Business Owner, Mother, and Writer in Italy

Hiking Campania

Small Business Owner, Mother, and Writer in Italy

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I write about and lead beautiful and exhilarating walks in the hills, mountains and coasts of Campania, Italy.

Some of my earliest memories involve my mother walking through the countryside, my hand clasped firmly in hers, my brother in a sling on her back. She knows every contour of the area we grew up in, every plant and animal - flowers, leaves, berries, smells, calls or tracks, what you can eat and the influence of the seasons. Her love and respect for nature is unparalleled.

Holidays with my father always involved an adventure. They included him squeezing all four of us in a 7ft dinghy and rowing up the River Odette in France. Or paddling me, my brother and our two dogs (balanced precariously on his 80s windsurf board), to hidden coves along the Cornish coastline. He would set up a make-shift tent using a boat sail and we'd camp out and fish for mackrel for our supper. There was no such thing as getting lost, only finding a new route. If we came to a fork in the road he would almost always take the smaller, grassy and less well-travelled one 'just to see where it goes'. Maps and books are still the best present you can give any one of us.

Undoubtedly I've inherited this sense of adventure and curiosity about my surroundings. But it was only moving to Campania, Italy in 2014 that I realised how much I love exploring, and that I want to share the places I find with others.

Campania is especially interesting and unusual in Europe, because although it has miles of stunning hill country, mountains and coastline, very little is properly mapped or set up for hiking tourism. So I've made it my mission to find all the best walks in the region - both on and off the tourist trail. I write about them and lead friends, visitors and groups along the routes.

For me, walking is pure 'soul food'. As Diogenes said in the 4C BC, 'solvitur ambulando' - 'it is solved by walking' and it's true, there are few times when a long walk won't provide respite and perspective on life, renewed energy and a feeling of happiness.

On my travels I've found the authentic Campania; learnt about ancient traditions, hollered with joy at breathtaking vistas, visited historic villages, seen archaeological treasures and startling geological formations. But most importantly, I've met wonderful characters along the way. And it's talking to them that I've really started to understand this place I now call home.

I'd love you to join me...