OS Champion

Sal Thornton

Meet Sal Thornton – Long distance hiker and lover of human powered adventures!

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

The outdoors is and has always been a place of happiness for me. A place I feel confident, relaxed
and a place I know others can also feel that happiness. I am passionate about human powered
adventures whether on foot or wheels, fast or slow, with or without support. By sharing these
adventures big and small I hope to show just how accessible they are.

At 41 years old I started
training towards and entering endurance events, a completely new challenge for me and one I am
excited to develop. In 2024 I finished the Winter Spine Challenger North and am signed up to the
Frontier 300 and the Northern Traverse, using long distance ways as my new training ground.
Embed a reel or tiktok here

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

Sal Thornton’s Favourite Hiking Route – Beinn Alligin Massif

An 11KM route featuring 2 Munros, views stretching over Torridon, Skye and the Northwest
Highlands, a grade 1-2 scramble, this half-day in the hills will take your breath away. The route can
be approached from either direction and should be undertaken by those with experience or with a
guide. It is my favourite of the Torridon Munros, but get there early, it’s a popular one for both
people and midges!

Beinn Alligin Massif

Want to find out more about how to start hiking?

Read our complete guide to Hiking for Beginners, everything you need to get started from essential equipment to fitness and safety advice – Hiking For Beginners

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

The Pathfinder Guidebooks are brilliant – I love a description as well as a paper map and these
books offer everything you need for some outstanding walks across the UK. There is even a
navigation skills book in the series for those that would like to develop their ability outside.

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A post shared by Sal Thornton (@sal_outside)

Find and follow Sal Thornton online:

Instagram: @sal_outside

All OS Champions

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hiking

Hiking

hiking advice

hiking for beginners

Beginner’s guides

hiking gear

Hiking for Beginners – A Complete Guide

June 18, 2024

13 min read

Hiking for beginners, a complete guide to hiking safety, hiking fitness and the best UK Routes for beginners

Read more

Map Reading

Beginner’s guides

A beginners guide to understanding map contour lines

June 5, 2022

2 min read

Learn the use and meaning of contour lines on a map and understand how to use them to when you’re out and about or planning routes. Understanding contours will improve your map reading skills.

Read more

Walking

8 Epic Lake District walks you need to do

July 30, 2017

5 min read

It’s no secret that the Lake District is one of the most beautiful places in England with some epic walks to boot. Walker and cyclist Jamie Knop has listed eight of the most epic Lake District walks you need to tick off your bucket list.