Why September Is One of the Best Months for Walking in the UK
September can be one of the best times of the year to get outside and explore the British countryside.
The school summer holidays are coming to an end, popular walking routes can start to become quieter and the intense heat of the hottest summer days is usually behind us. At the same time, there is still plenty of daylight and autumn has not yet given way to the short, cold days of winter. For walkers, that combination can make September something of a sweet spot.
Whether you're heading into the Peak District, walking a section of coastal path or simply spending a Sunday afternoon exploring your local countryside, there are plenty of reasons to keep the walking boots out once August is over.
Cooler Weather Can Make Walking More Comfortable
Warm, sunny weather might look perfect from the garden, but it isn't necessarily ideal for covering several miles on foot.
Walking generates a surprising amount of body heat, particularly when climbing hills or carrying a loaded rucksack. Add high summer temperatures and strong sunshine and you can quickly become hot and uncomfortable.
By September, daytime temperatures will generally start to moderate. You can still get some beautifully warm days, but longer walks can become much more comfortable than during a hot spell in July or August.
That doesn't mean heat can be ignored. An unusually warm September day can still leave you needing plenty of drinking water, sun protection and breathable clothing. The difference is that you're increasingly likely to encounter a much wider range of conditions. And that is where September walking gets interesting.
September Weather Can Change Quickly
One of the pleasures of early autumn is also one of its challenges. You might leave home on a cool morning, be walking in warm sunshine by lunchtime and find yourself pulling on a jacket as the temperature drops later in the afternoon. Rain and wind can transform conditions surprisingly quickly as well. It's a familiar problem for anyone who regularly walks in Britain, which we explore in more detail in our guide to What to wear for UK hiking weather? one day, four seasons.
Rather than dressing for the weather when you leave the house, think about the conditions you could encounter during the entire walk. This is where a simple layering system works particularly well. A moisture-managing base layer next to your skin can help move perspiration away from your body. A lightweight insulating layer can then be added when temperatures fall, while a windproof or waterproof outer layer provides protection if the weather deteriorates. The advantage is flexibility. Instead of relying on one thick item of clothing, you can add and remove layers as your activity level and the weather change.
Don't Dress Too Warmly at the Start
A cool September morning can tempt you into putting on everything you've brought with you before you've even started walking. Ten minutes later, you're climbing the first hill and overheating.
If you're going on an energetic walk, it can actually be better to feel slightly cool when you first set off. Your muscles will soon begin generating heat once you start moving. Overdressing from the beginning can make you sweat unnecessarily. That moisture then becomes a problem when you slow down, stop for lunch or encounter cooler weather.
Managing perspiration is an important part of staying comfortable outdoors, which is why technical clothing isn't just for mountains. Even on an ordinary countryside walk, clothing designed to manage moisture and changing temperatures can make a noticeable difference to comfort.
The Countryside Is Beginning to Change
September also marks the beginning of one of the most attractive periods for walking in Britain. The landscape doesn't suddenly turn orange on the first day of autumn. Instead, the change happens gradually. Leaves begin to turn, hedgerows become heavy with autumn fruits and the countryside starts transitioning from the bright greens of summer towards the colours associated with October and November. Woodland walks can be particularly rewarding as the month progresses.
It is also a good time to simply slow down and notice what is around you rather than treating every walk as a challenge that needs to be completed as quickly as possible.
Popular Routes Can Become Quieter
The British countryside can become extremely busy during the main summer holiday period. Popular destinations, car parks and well-known trails often attract large numbers of visitors during July and August. September can provide a little more breathing room.
That doesn't mean you'll have places such as the Lake District, Peak District or Eryri (Snowdonia) to yourself, particularly at weekends, but walking outside the peak school holiday period can make popular areas feel considerably less hectic. If you have the flexibility to walk during the week, even better.
Of course, you don't need to travel to one of Britain's national parks to enjoy a good walk. Local footpaths, country parks, canals, forests and rights of way can provide excellent walking opportunities close to home. Sometimes the best walk is simply the one you can actually fit into your day.
Footwear Still Matters
September paths can be very different from the hard, dry ground you may have become accustomed to during summer. Increasing rainfall can quickly create mud, slippery grass and wet vegetation. Walking boots or suitable walking shoes with a good grip therefore become increasingly important as autumn progresses.
Your socks deserve some thought too. A purpose-designed walking sock provides cushioning between your foot and footwear while helping manage the moisture generated during several hours of walking.
Don't automatically reach for your thickest winter socks just because summer is ending. On a mild September day they may simply make your feet unnecessarily hot. Our guide Wool Socks in Summer? Here's Why It Works explains why choosing walking socks is about much more than simply picking the thickest pair for cold weather.
As conditions become wetter, you may also be wondering whether waterproof socks really work and when they're worth wearing.
Carry a Waterproof Even When the Forecast Looks Good
Anyone who regularly walks in Britain will already know the problem with relying too heavily on a weather forecast. Conditions can change.
A lightweight waterproof jacket doesn't take up much room in a rucksack and can make the difference between a passing shower being a minor inconvenience and the rest of your walk becoming thoroughly unpleasant.
Getting wet isn't just uncomfortable either. Wet clothing combined with wind and falling temperatures can cause you to lose body heat much more rapidly than you might expect. This becomes increasingly relevant as we move further into autumn.
And if the inevitable eventually happens and your footwear comes home soaked, follow our step-by-step guide to drying wet walking boots and shoes properly rather than putting them directly against a strong heat source.
Remember That the Days Are Getting Shorter
At the beginning of summer it can feel as though you've got almost unlimited daylight for an evening walk. September is different. Daylight hours are decreasing noticeably, and sunset gets progressively earlier as the month continues. It's therefore worth checking sunset times when planning a longer walk, particularly if you're heading somewhere unfamiliar.
Allow more time than you think you'll need. A wrong turn, longer lunch stop, tired child, muddy section of path or interesting pub can all delay your return. Carrying a small torch or head torch in your rucksack is also sensible. It weighs very little and means an unexpectedly late finish doesn't have to become an emergency.
Your Rucksack Doesn't Need to Be Huge
One of the easiest mistakes when getting into walking is believing you need to carry half an outdoor shop with you. For an ordinary UK day walk, you generally don't.
What you carry should depend on the route, weather, distance and remoteness, but a sensible day pack might include water, food, spare clothing, waterproof protection, a basic first aid kit, navigation equipment, a charged phone and any medication you require. On longer or more remote walks, additional emergency equipment may be appropriate.
The important thing is to plan for realistic problems without carrying so much unnecessary equipment that your rucksack makes the walk miserable. If you're unsure where to start, we've put together the essential UK day-hike packing list, covering the things worth carrying as well as some of the equipment you probably don't need.
September Is a Great Time to Start Walking
You don't have to be an experienced hiker to take advantage of September. In fact, it can be an excellent time to start. Choose a manageable local route, check the weather, take a small rucksack with the essentials and give yourself plenty of time.
You don't need expensive expedition equipment and you certainly don't need to climb a mountain. A few miles through the countryside counts. As your confidence and fitness improve, you can gradually tackle longer or more challenging routes.
Make the Most of Early Autumn
September sits in a useful middle ground. There can still be warmth and sunshine left over from summer, but the cooler temperatures and changing countryside give you the first taste of autumn. The trick is being prepared for both.
Dress in adaptable layers, carry some protection from the weather, keep an eye on the daylight and don't assume conditions will remain the same throughout the day. Do that and September might just become your favourite month for walking.
After all, the end of summer doesn't mean the end of getting outdoors. For many walkers, it's when some of the best days begin.
Further Reading
Planning more autumn walks? You may also find these useful: