Get back to nature — London Escapes by VIVObarefoot

For us, escaping the city for the great outdoors is the best possible way to spend any given day. As you breathe in the crisp country air, listen to the sounds of nature and feel the trail beneath your feet, your cares soon slip away. Frequently getting away from the cushioned existence of life in the city and reconnecting with the planet is essential. At VIVObarefoot, we believe that the closer people are to nature, the more they will protect it. That’s why we’ve created this hiking Collection.

We’ve selected eight escapes from London that take you into the stunning countryside of southern England, perfect for experiencing the joys of wearing a pair of VIVObarefoot shoes. Each route starts and ends less than a two-hour train ride from London’s central stations, making them easily achievable as day trips or as the centrepiece of a weekend away. You’ll discover a wealth of wildlife, vibrant history, superb natural sights, picture-postcard villages, magnificent cathedral cities and astonishing vistas from some of the south’s most treasured viewpoints.

The hikes range from 4 to 15 miles (7 to 24 km) in length and each one gives you a taste of at least one long-distance hiking route, such as the ancient Ridgeway from Princes Risborough or the Wealdway through the heathland of Ashdown Forest. There’s something for everyone: from flat, riverside ambles on the Thames and the Great Ouse, to the spectacular chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters and more strenuous routes across the hills of the South Downs, the High Weald, the Cotswolds and the Chilterns. The Tours are ordered in terms of difficulty, with the easier routes coming first.

Whether it’s an ancient trade route, a forest track, a drovers’ road, or chalk grassland beneath your feet, these are trails that connect you to the landscape, its nature, geology and history. At VIVObarefoot, we are passionate about the sensory connection between the feet and the brain and thus, our movement and place in the world. That’s why all VIVObarefoot footwear is designed to be Wide, Thin and Flexible: as close to barefoot as possible. This promotes your foot’s natural strength, brings you closer to nature and enhances your hiking experience.

When you hike these routes, we want you to feel the ground beneath your feet just as much as you taste the salty tang of the sea air, smell the earthy scent of woodland after rainfall or hear the evocative song of the ascending skylark. All these sensations ground us to – and give a heightened appreciation for – the world around us. Our vision is to reconnect people and planet. If you want to lear more about the science behind it, check here: vivobarefoot.com/uk/our-materials.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your backpack, waterproofs (this is England, after all) and your VIVObarefoot shoes and head for the trails. An escape into glorious nature might be quicker and easier than you think.