The journey of a lifetime for adventurous Sheffield hiker

Nicola Hardy spent 15 days hiking from the site of the old Jessop Hospital for Women on Leavygreave Road, where she was born in August 1984, to her new home in Cockermouth in north-west Cumbria.

The adventurous 36-year-old, an ambassador for mapping app komoot, walked sections of the Pennine Way, Ribble Way, Dales High Way and Wainwright’s Coast to Coast trail during her 330km expedition.

She battled stormy weather, carried everything she needed in a backpack that weighed up to 18kg and slept nightly in her one-person tent as she journeyed through the rural parts of South Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire and Cumbria.

Nicola said: “What better way to undertake my first long distance hike than to walk the journey of my life so far - from my birthplace to where I am today – like a pilgrimage, a journey on foot between two places that are very special to me.

“This was a great form of escapism. The only thing I had to worry about for two weeks was putting one foot in front of the other – it was a nice way to shake up my daily routine. I went back to basics and carried everything I needed in my backpack. I left Sheffield to the west past the Botanical Gardens, through the gorgeous Endcliffe Park and out towards Redmires Reservoir before walking north through the Peak District National Park.

“I walked half of the journey alone, while friends and family joined me for the other half. My friend Becky joined me for the Pennine Way section of the hike through the Peak District and the Yorkshire Dales. Her enthusiasm and positivity was joyous. I love spending quality time outdoors with great friends.

“The best bit by far was the sunset on the last night. I was wild camping high in the Lake District mountains and I was treated to golden skies for an hour. It was such a special moment and I really savoured the experience.

Nicola set off on October 3 and made it home two weeks later on October 17, walking an average of 24km per day.