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Daily Exercise With Keen
We try to get out every day for our daily exercise during lockdown. I think it’s only been a handful of times where we haven’t made it out! To begin with we were restricted to places within a 1-2 mile radius of our home, but now we are able to go as far as 5 miles, which meant we could visit some areas a bit further from home. It also meant the first time out in the car for the kids in almost 10 weeks!
Our first walk involved a climb up a local hill, which was hard work on a hot day. But the kids both had their new Keen hiking boots on and raced up the hill!
Our other walks have taken us through woodlands and along gravel paths. Visiting little streams and huge rivers to paddle along the edge. The favourite walks are definitely the ones that have some water along the way, our two are obsessed with getting into the water! I always carry spare t-shirts and pants with us now, as even with taking off trousers and socks, at least one child inevitably falls into the water!
Keen Walking Boots
They were previously wearing wellies for our short walks around home. But now with the Keen hiking boots it’s been easier for them to walk further without complaining. Our 6 year old loves bright colours and especially pink, so he chose the Terradora waterproof hiking boots. They are easy for him to slip on by loosening the elastic and then velcro at the top.
As you can see in these pictures his shoes have been well used since we received them! He was extremely excited to have his own walking boots, as previously his older brother had a pair and he didn’t! They seem very good quality and have been worn through wet grass without his feet getting soaked through too.
His older brother is 8 years old and chose the Targhee waterproof hiking boots. They don’t have velcro and took a little time from him to work out how to loosen the elastic to get them on and re-tighten afterward.
His arrived a little earlier than the littlest’s and have been well used. Perfect for going through muddy bogs and at the edge of rivers. Although I did make them take the shoes off when they decided to wade into the river and sit in it! The design is great, sturdy and supportive, giving the kids a chance to climb up and down slopes without hurting ankles or slipping.
Walks Around Stirling
There are lots of great walks around Stirling (missing out those that we can’t get to due to car park closures!). Our favourites have been on Sherrifmuir (Dumayat is not possible as the car parks are closed) to the Gathering Stone. Another nearby walk across the Lade path (dragonflies everywhere when the conditions are right) and we are hoping to visit the Atlantic Wall soon too.
On the other side of Stirling there are the walks around North Third reservoir, Garshellach Forest and Gillies Hillfort. I’m sure there are lots of other great walks that make it easy to social distance. Let me know if you have any other good daily exercise walksin the area!
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Jennifer Harkins says
Hi there, thanks for this interesting piece about walks around stirling.
I was interested in Garshellach Forest. Is there a loop up the hill and back down or do you get to the top and return the way you went up?
I’m off to Google Gillies Hillfort now, we are always looking for new places to walk our pup.
Thanks again.
Stay safe.
Jenny Eaves says
Hi Jennifer, Thanks for the message. I’m afraid this is one we still haven’t made it to yet. There are no obvious walk routes online to find the answer, however it is a forestry commission woodland, which are usually loop walks. I’ll update this as soon as I’ve got round to visiting. I’m in the process of writing another blog post with different walks around Stirlingshire (hopefully going live next week sometime). Maybe that will be of some use to you too? Thanks, Jenny