I've recently joined a few naked hiking groups on Facebook, here in the UK, and it seems to me there is a strong growth in this pastime. Group members flag up that they are going on naked hikes, inviting others to join them, often with less than a day's notice, but every day there will be a least 5 or 6 separate individuals or groups going for naked walks in the countryside of Southern England.
I think this is the tip of the iceberg, since most people probably keep their walks and locations private so as not to attract attention. Since very few women get involved in nude hiking, or so it seems, and I personally don't wish to join groups of naked men wandering the fields and lanes, I'm forced to walk alone, which has its own dangers and issues. A few weeks ago I was walking on a route I use a lot and a female runner caught up with me just as I was turning a bend. We exchanged greetings and she was happy to chat with me for a couple of minutes before carrying on her run. A minute or so after she was gone a couple of male hikers came by and gave me a very aggressive look which made me feel quite threatened. They carried on, but it got me wondering how safe it is for a naked singleton to be out in the middle of nowhere. Who knows, the runner may have made a comment to the hikers about me, although our interaction was very amicable and brief. People still react in different ways, so maybe, sadly, when
I'm alone, I need to cover up if anybody appears. I would like to find a way to overcome this potential threat, but intolerance towards public nudity still exists quite strongly in our society, so I fear there is still a long way to go before it's completely safe to enjoy nature how we wish to.
Great blog. Stay safe, and consider getting over your issue about hiking with other guys. Guys are great. I hang out with naked guys all the time, and even do yoga with them. Nothing sexual about it at all. Just great community-building!
I suspect the discomfort you felt meeting some clothed men while hiking is exactly what keeps gals from enjoying this activity, which is a sad statement about toxic masculinity.
I am very free and open about my nudity. But I only go naked in places where I know there are many other naked people of mixed genders, beaches, resorts, clubs, etc. Naked hiking would be so awesome but I can't imagine feeling safe. Unless I had a group of people I knew and trusted to go with, I would never consider it. Thats why the ladies aren't doing it.
I walk a lot naked and it is mostly spur of the moment ie when I have the time. I have never had a real bad incident and find people willing to stop and chat. Failing that they give me a wide berth and carry on.
In what country do you hike?
I would like to join a naked hiking group but I'm a FT carer for wife but I sometimes get time to get out in our lovely countryside naked, which is now quite legal so I don't bother covering up if I encounter someone, I've only had a couple of ad
verse reactions!
Where do you live where it is legal?
@Naked & Unashamed It is quite legal in UK see police guidelines on public nudity http://naturistactiongroup.org/wp-content/uploads/College-of-Policing-statement-on-nudity.pdf
@mikeian47 Thanks - definitely worth keeping a copy of the guidelines with you when walking... just in case you need to educate!
It's not illegal in the UK, as long as you meet certain criteria... although there is still a lot of confusion amongst the general public - and the Police for that matter. If you're naked and jump out of a bush, or from behind a tree, then chances are you've broken the law and you could be arrested and imprisoned or fined. If you're walking in the High Street doing your shopping - you're legal, but the Police will almost certainly tell you to cover up to avoid alarming people... and if you refuse you'd probably be arrested... However, if you're somewhere relatively remote, going about your business and not pestering or causing anybody distress, then there's no problem. If in those circumstances somebody called the police and reported you for, let's say "public indecency" - they (the Police) would tell that person that you are not breaking the law and they will not take it any further. There are very recently published new legal guidelines for this and therefore still some confusion - even amongst the Police! mikeian47, if he lives in England, which I think he does judging by the background in his very nice photo, is correct to say it is legal (or better, not illegal) to walk naked in public in the UK.. except Scotland, where it may be more problematic as they have a different legal system - and it's usually too cold there anyway!
Yes not illegal, and I think in Scotland now as there have been several organised walks by BN and other nude events there where it's been publicised by the Press and noted that it is legal! they are hardy souls up there in the Trossachs!