//sponsored post in collaboration with Mitsubishi//
Championing local adventures in the Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian X Auto pickup
We may all be exploring closer to home at the moment but there’s nothing better for curing the winter blues than planning future adventures yet to come. Where will you go on your first road trip once we’re allowed to venture a little further afield? There’s no need to travel far to make a day in the great outdoors feel special – read on for my guide to how to make a shorter road trip in your local area feel like a proper adventure.
This year I’ll be exploring wild spaces near me in the Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian X Auto truck. The pickup bed has tons of space for outdoor kit, so you can pack bikes, camping gear and surfing and SUP kit without breaking a sweat. Apple CarPlay makes navigation a breeze, so it’s easy to seek out new corners of the countryside or head to your nearest national park. And four-wheel drive means the Barbarian X Auto drives effortlessly over tough, uneven terrain, perfect if you’re heading off the beaten track.
Eight ways to make local adventures special
Catch the sunrise
Turn yourself into a morning person by getting up in time to catch a glorious sunrise. Pick a day with a clear weather forecast, check what time sunrise will be in your local area and do a recce to find a location with a clear view – a hill or a beach that faces east is ideal. Take a blanket and a thermos of coffee and get a big dose of nature before the rest of the world has properly woken up.
Have a tailgate party
There’s no need to go far for a grand day out when you’ve got a pickup truck – you can have your own tailgate party wherever you park by packing blankets, pillows and treats ready to lay out in the back. You could even bring along lanterns and fairy lights and park somewhere you can watch the sun set, or head out on a clear night to try learning to identify some of the most common constellations. BBC Sky At Night Magazine has a guide to what you can spot in the night sky right now.
Make a brew
One of my favourite ways to enjoy the great outdoors (and grab a little slice of peace and quiet) is to head for a beauty spot and make a hot cup of joe to enjoy the view with. Making coffee in the great outdoors is easier than you think – here’s my guide to how to do it with a portable stove.
Stop for a wild swim
There’s nothing better for the soul – or for making an otherwise humdrum day feel special – than a wild dip in the refreshing waters of your nearest lake, river or sea cove. Here are my safety tips for wild swimming beginners.
Plan a local road trip
Learn to see your home county with new eyes – use a guidebook such as the Wild Guides to plan an all-day road trip around it, ticking off places near you that you’ve never been to before. You could stop at a much-loved deli for picnic ingredients, visit ancient ruins, go for a walk in the grounds of a National Trust property and swing by a river by a swim.
Find a route that tells a story
Bring your next road trip to life by following a route steeped in history. You could drive a Roman road such as the Fosse Way, head out on a castle-bagging mission around Wales (which is home to 600 of them), hike a section of the prehistoric Ridgeway trail or seek out a stone circle. Or follow in the footsteps of your favourite fictional characters – anyone for a day out in Narnia or Hundred Acre Wood?
Grab your bike
Explore further and get fit while you do so on two wheels. Bring along your bike in the back of the car and see where pedal power can take you – Sustrans‘ routes and the Lost Lanes series of quiet, often traffic-free regional cycles are perfect for finding new rides close to home.
Use apps for inspiration
One of my favourite ways to explore new corners of my neighbourhood and the surrounding countryside is to find and follow tried-and-tested routes recommended by other hikers and cyclists. Komoot has a great Discover feature that allows you to search for hikes, cycles and other adventures that begin within a radius of a few miles from you.
