OS Champion

Melissa Jones

Meet Melissa, she loves exploring the healing powers of nature, whether hiking, climbing or unzipping her tent to a beautiful sunrise.

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you like to get outside?

I found my love for the outdoors in order to heal and it has been my happy place ever since. I love to hike, climb and wild camp. My favourite thing in the world is zipping open my tent to a beautiful sunrise and having a coffee in nature. Scotland is my favourite place on earth, I just wish I lived a little closer.

Melissa Jones Hiking in the Lake District

I live in the north east so the Lake District is the most accessible place for me, however there are lots of great places here in Northumberland that I would really like to explore sometime and get out closer to home.

@melissa_adventures When life gets overwhelming, get outside. Nothing hits reset like some time spent in nature ☺️👌 #getoutside #naturetherapy🌿 #outdooradventures #getoutdoors #gooutside #hikinglife #outdoorslife #womenwhohike #hikingculture #hikemoreworryless #sheexplores #thegreatoutdoors #hikemore #outdooradventure #takeahike #mountainlife #womenwhoexplore #hikelife #mountainadventures #outdoorsygirl ♬ Home – Good Neighbours

What’s your favourite route or place to go and why?

Melissa Jones’ Favourite Hiking Route – Blencathra via Sharp Edge, Lake District

Blencathra is one of my favourites because it is very sentimental. This was the first mountain I wild-camped on for the very first time. Wild camping on a mountain was something I really wanted to do but I had no clue where to start and I had no one to go with. I put a post into a wild camping Facebook group and asked if there were any girls who had experience who could take me under their wing and help me fulfil this experience. 3 weeks later I met 3 complete strangers and wild camped by the tarn, they supported me and helped me when I had zero experience! It was the most life-changing event and kickstarted my passion and I’ve never stopped learning and sharing since.

Get Melissa's Favourite Route – Blencathra via Sharp Edge, Lake District

Keen To Start Hiking?

Take a look at our Complete Guide to Hiking for Beginners

What’s your fave bit of kit available on the OS Shop?

This is the biggest game changer for camping, having a lightweight packable chair, something to sit back and relax in because after I’ve carried a heavy backpack up a mountain being able to sit back and rest the old spine is such a treat.