The gift of a long walk
The older I get, the more I’m intrigued by walking.
Or more specifically, what walking allows to unfold and bring into my life.
Last year, I shared my experience of hiking up to Slovenia’s second most prominent peak, Grintovec.
That trip reminded me of the obsession we tend to have on climbing tall mountains.
When walking becomes a vector for achievement or competition.
Now, I don’t wish to judge anyone who wants to climb tall mountains — I get it. All I’m saying is that the experience got me thinking on my actual motivations.
What was actually calling me to go out and walk?
To find out, a few weeks ago, I asked my friend Martin if he was up to doing another multi-day hike with me.
Only this time, rather than try to go high, we’d go long.
It didn’t really matter where. I just wanted to cover enough ground that I really felt like I’d transported myself through a landscape.
And so, last weekend, that’s exactly what we did:
On Friday after work, we took a bus from Ljubljana to Idrija, a town in Inner Carniola in western Slovenia.
From there, we then made our way over the weekend to Ajdovšina in the Slovene Littoral region — just under 50km and 2500m elevation away.
Reflecting on the trip a week later, the top things that stand out to me now are:
Walking through the change of two different climate zones (continental to Mediterranean) and seeing the gradual change in vegetation along the way.
The mixture of isolation during the day (we barely saw anyone on the trails) to the social activity of meeting strangers at mountain huts in the evening.
Coming across an array of wildlife, as if we had just stumbled into their world.
Experiencing the joy of eating when depleted and drinking when parched.
The intoxicating smell of the Mediteranean pines on top of Mali Golak (picture above).
Talking with my friend about nothing and everything for hours on end.
The thing I loved above all though was the complete unpredictability of it.
I found myself multiple times wondering, amusedly, when would the next eventful moment take place.
And what would it be?
Because, sure enough, new unpredictable things would happen, like pieces of a puzzle falling into place.
And it was never boring because I felt so present.
It taught me that walking (or maybe hiking is a better term here) is ultimately about movement.
It’s about going out into the unknown and embracing the unfolding adventure.
And adventure doesn’t need the highest mountain or the most extreme conditions.
An adventure just needs a willingness to actually do it and an openness to experience it, fully.
Till next time!
Ben
ps. Here are some photos of the trip, should you need inspiration for your next adventure!
