TOG24 introduces Solo Season - a better way to venture outdoors solo

Published

Mar 11, 2026

Share on

TOG24 introduces Solo Season - a better way to venture outdoors solo

At a glance:

 

Life fills up fast. Between work, plans, and constant noise, time to yourself is usually the first thing to disappear. Yet stepping outside on your own, even briefly, can do wonders for your mental and physical wellbeing.
At TOG24, we created Solo Season to make solo time outdoors feel normal and accessible, not like a luxury or an afterthought. Shaped with input from a clinical psychologist, the campaign focuses on making space for quieter moments, however small, and on the idea that getting outside alone isn't indulgent - it's essential.

 

For the first Solo Season location, we’re heading somewhere perfect for getting outside on your own…

…The Peak District. 

The Peaks have a bit of everything: big, dramatic hills if you're after a challenge, gentle and flat reservoir loops if you just fancy some fresh air, and everything in between - all packed into one surprisingly compact corner of the country that's dead easy to get to and explore solo.

The other reason they work so well? Timing. Turn up outside the summer crush and school holiday chaos, and it's a completely different place - calmer, quieter, with trails that actually feel peaceful rather than like a queue for the checkout at Tesco. Perfect for Solo Season, basically.

We’ve partnered with Bike & Boot for Solo Season, alongside lifestyle creators and psychology experts who deeply understand the meaning of spending quality alone time outdoors. Bike & Boot are the go-to for outdoor-friendly places to stay and know Derbyshire better than most.

“(...)Solo Season fits so naturally with Bike & Boot”. As Simon Kershaw, Brand & Development Director at Bike & Boot, explains: “Independent, outdoors-led travel isn’t an add-on or a one-off here, it’s simply what we’re built for.”

Together, we've created a guide to the best solo-friendly bases, routes worth your time, and spots where you can actually park up, get out, and breathe - without half the Midlands tagging along.

But before we get into routes, profiles and places, it’s crucial to understand why spending time alone outdoors can be life-changing, and why it still feels so widely uncomfortable.

A headshot of Dr Charlotte Russell smiling

Solo Season is shaped around the psychological expertise and relevant research of Clinical Psychologist Dr Charlotte Russell, whose work focuses on travel, wellbeing and emotional regulation. Her insight provides the framework for everything that follows, helping to separate restorative, intentional solitude from loneliness, stigma, and avoidance.

“Quite simply, solitude is the state of being alone. On the whole, it’s our attitude to and interpretation of solitude that determines whether we experience this positively or negatively. Loneliness, on the other hand, is characterised by feelings of isolation and disconnection. This often happens when people spend more time alone than they want to, and so we might see this as ‘unwanted solitude’ rather than ‘intentional’. It’s also important to recognise that we can feel lonely even when we are with and around people. It’s the feeling of disconnection and isolation that defines loneliness, not the presence or absence of others.”

Dr Russell continues: “Recent research tells us that spending intentional time alone can reduce feelings of stress, and the intensity of negative emotions such as anger, fear or sadness. Moreover, spending intentional time alone can promote feelings of calm and tranquillity. The takeaway here is that intentional solitude is beneficial for us, and an important way of looking after our mental health in a world where many of us are busy and stressed. It’s not a passive process, though. It’s important to recognise that positive time alone is something that is good for us, in the same way as going to the gym is. The research tells us that spending as little as 15 minutes having positive time alone can be beneficial for us.”

That thinking is reflected in how Bike & Boot approach solo travel in practice, as Simon Kershaw explains:

“Travelling alone should feel freeing, yet sometimes it becomes complicated. At Bike & Boot, we believe in removing the practical hurdles that so often hold solo travellers back, whether that’s finding dog-friendly stays for your four-legged companions, secure space for bikes, or an accommodation that genuinely understands your outdoor gear as well as your muddy boots.”

Where should you base yourself in the Peak District for a solo trip?

Derbyshire’s perfect for Solo Season - stay put in a few key villages and you can head out into a new landscape each day.

Best for: Hills and big walking days

Highlights: Kinder Scout, Pennine Way, Edale Skyline

Best for: Big views plus village pubs and history

Highlights: Mam Tor, Great Ridge

Best for: Central base with cafés, pubs, shops

Highlights: Monsal Trail, High Peak Trail

Best for: Quieter days, dog walks, van-friendly pacing

Highlights: Stanage Edge, Padley Gorge

Travelling without a car? Buxton, Edale and Hope are the easiest jumping-off points, with public transport links and walks starting close by.

What type of solo traveller is the Peak District best for?

Not everyone wants to tackle The Peaks the same way, so we’ve built this guide around our Solo Season profiles - real people, real routes, real reasons. We’ll start with the keen beans, the mileage-watchers, elevation-addicts, folk who like their legs burning before breakfast, and then ease into the slower, softer ways to spend time out here.

Sport-Led Solo Travellers

Sport-led solo travellers who prioritise distance, elevation, and physical challenge will find Derbyshire ideal: ridges, long-distance trails and short climbs are all on your doorstep, so you can mix up the effort over a few days without moving base.

Big walking days 

 

On two wheels

 

Trail and fell running 

 

What to wear for hiking, cycling and running on your exercise packed solo season: 
Men - Brigsteer Waterproof Jacket | Amble Lightweight Performance Shorts
Women - Glyder Waterproof Performance Jacket | Haller Performance Leggings

 

 

Derbyshire makes it simple to link different runs, rides, or walks, so you can spend more time moving and less time planning. And when you’re done, Bike & Boot is the perfect base - comfy rooms, hearty breakfasts, and gear-friendly spaces for muddy boots. 

As Simon Kershaw from Bike & Boot puts it:

"Our hotels are designed around the needs of solo travellers: our facilities include smaller rooms ideal for one. They can also dine informally at our Bareca. Bike & Boot provides relaxed spaces where arriving alone feels completely normal, not awkward and where staff will welcome you as warmly as any group, plus thoughtful details that make independent travel easy and comfortable.”

Joanna Shimwell is a Peak District local and outdoor content creator, followed by a large and highly engaged community. Through solo walking, wild swimming, and slower days outdoors, she tells us what spending time alone in nature actually looks and feels like in practice, especially for people who are curious about going solo but feel unsure where to begin.

 

 

“Being alone is magic. I can be present. I can focus on my surroundings and really notice things. I will sometimes do ‘walking meditation’ where I focus a lot on my immediate surroundings - what I can see, hear, smell and touch. It’s great to feel soft moss or a tree trunk. The sensory aspect of the outdoors seems to bring me into the moment and calm down any wandering or anxious thoughts. Even being able to just go at my own pace and not think about others is actually really nice.”

Pet lovers

Solo travellers with dogs will find the Peak District low-stress, with open ridgelines, quiet woodland paths, riverside trails for a splash and a sniff, and flat, traffic-free railway lines.

Some of the best dog-friendly routes and places across the Peaks include:

Together, they give you loads of flexibility depending on the weather, energy levels and how long you want to be out for.

For the slower days spent pottering

 

How to walk a dog comfortably with the right layers in the Peak District: 
Men - Revive Fleece Jacket | Hurstead Softshell Walking Trousers 
Women - Revive Fleece Jacket | Denver Walking Trousers
Pooches - Finny Fish Dog Toy | Fetch Padded Dog Coat | Thirsty Dog Bowl

 

Mostly city dwellers who don’t know where to start

City-based solo travellers new to the Peak District can use simple, signposted routes that start and finish near cafés, pubs and facilities, making them easy to enjoy.

Easy routes to ease into things


When you fancy stepping it up slightly

 

What to wear for hiking straight out of the city and off into the Peak’s beautiful countryside:
Men - North RDS Certified Down Gilet | Miles Microfleece Jacket
Women - Ranskill Long Insulated Gilet | Firan Microfleece Jacket

 

As Joanna Shimwell puts it, “I usually say to people it would be hard to get truly lost in most places around me because it’s not remote. You are never too far away from a building, a farm, a footpath sign or a village.”

 

 

Quintessentially “Peak District” places to wander between walks

City dwellers, this is your unmissable Peaks cheat sheet: wander cobbled Ashbourne streets, peek underground at Treak Cliff Cavern, soak up the picture-postcard vibes of Edensor, tick off historic Bakewell (tarts included!), nose around Eyam’s quaint stone cottages, and wander the grounds of Thornbridge, Chatsworth, or Hardwick - or, if you’d rather take it all in at a gentler pace, hop on a train journey through the Goyt Valley for gorgeous moorland and reservoir views. All the classic Peak District feels, none of the hassle.

Van travellers & campers

Solo van travellers and campers who want to wake up to hill views will find Derbyshire made for van life: park up, open the doors, stick t’kettle on and breathe in the Peaks.

Good base areas

Hathersage, Bamford, Hope and Edale make solid base camps. You’re close to ridgelines, valleys and plenty of walking routes, so you can park once and easily string together a few days of varied solo wandering without spending half your trip driving.

Scenic drives worth doing (even if you don’t stop)

 

What do you need to go camping in style on lazy van mornings and Solo Season nights in the Peaks:
Men - Denton 3-in-1 Waterproof Jacket | Silsden Waterproof Trousers
Women - Beverley 3-in-1 Waterproof Jacket | Wigton Waterproof Trousers

 

 

The reality check

Some spots have strict overnight rules, limited parking, or aren’t really van-friendly, and busy areas are cracking down on illegal parking and fly-tipping. Stick to signage and permitted sites, and leave no trace - not just to avoid a knock on the door, but because the Peaks only stay this good if people treat them properly.

Bookish / quiet-seeking solo travellers

Bookish, quiet-seeking solo travellers who prioritise peace over peaks will find Derbyshire rich in quiet paths, curious history and fab places to sit with a view - or a good book.

Walks with a sense of mystery

Places steeped in literary and historical lore

 

How to dress like you’ve wandered out of a Brontë novel (but with better waterproofing):
Men - Chester Waterproof Car Coat | Allento Herringbone Shorts
Women - Lila Gingham Shirt | Alva Waterproof Trench Coat

 

Villages made for slower, bookish stays

If you’re the type who reads plaques, lingers in churchyards, and always notices the date above a doorway, these villages will suit you down to the ground.

 

Film and location enthusiasts

Film and location‑obsessed solo travellers who want landscapes that feel straight out of a movie will find the Peak District has been a screen star many times. No need to hunt for the exact angles, just being here feels cinematic.

Recognisable filming locations

 

 Places that feel cinematic even without the credits

 

How to dress like you’re on location in a sweeping Peak District drama:
Men - Saloon Premium Supersoft T-Shirt | Adamson Shower Resistant Insulated Shacket
Women - Christina Wide Leg Lightweight Trousers | Helena 100% Cotton Long Sleeve Shirt

 

Get out there this Solo Season

Shaped by research on why solo time matters (with psychologists on board), brought to life by local influencers and creators sharing what makes their home turf special, and backed by outdoor-friendly partners like Bike & Boot, Solo Season is all about making time alone outside feel normal, accessible, and worth your while.

This article is part of TOG24’s Solo Season series, exploring solo-friendly outdoor destinations across the UK. We’re starting in the Peak District, with more regions and guides to follow throughout the year - so keep an eye on the TOG24 blog for the next instalment, which will be packed with even more outdoorsy adventures to enjoy on your own!

Back to blog
Previous article
Next article