Naked Rambling & Hiking

Naked hiking, or rambling is a subject that has become slightly controversial in naturist circles. On one hand what could be better than stripping off and enjoying the freedom of fresh air circulating around your body; that great one to one with nature?

Imagine roaming through countryside, fields and woods, clad in nothing but walking boots and a rucksack. The feeling is almost intoxicating as you temporarily opt out of ‘sensible daily life’ to embark on this episode of self-discovery.

Anyone who regularly walks any reasonable distance will tell you that after the first mile or two, your mind changes as the endorphins take over your system, leaving you in a calm, relaxed state, where any problems that you were facing in your day to day life seem to just disappear. Or magically, a solution to those problems appear.

Now imagine walking those couple of miles without clothes. Not only does your mind feel refreshed, but your body too.

By the end of your ramble you will have enjoyed the heady benefits of intertwining with nature, physically and mentally.

On the other hand, it’s not just what happens to you and your fellow ramblers, that’s important, it is also the effect on passing, clothed people or “Textiles” as they are known in naturist circles.

Imagine if you are a young, sensitive lady, perhaps with children, (You already know where I’m going with this) who happens to be walking through a wooded area, minding her own business, just out enjoying the natural beauty around her, and suddenly she turns a corner and is confronted by a naked man.

Whether the man gives her a friendly smile or not, the effect on the woman and the children could be horrific and frightening to say the least. From her point of view, for a few seconds she may believe that she and her children are under some sort of threat, which could result in a reaction, such as running to find a police officer, leaving the innocent naked rambler thinking ‘What did I do?’ The next thing is that he is hauled off and prosecuted under the indecent exposure act.

An unlikely scenario?

Just ask someone like Stephen Gough, who has been arrested countless times for nude rambling or just being naked in public. He and others believe that they literally have a God-given right to be naked,  people on the other side of the argument believe they have a right not to be confronted with anything that they may find offensive.

So who’s right?

The answer is both…and neither. Until society gets its head around the fact that naturism isn’t a weird cult that is to be derided and laughed at, but has genuine therapeutic qualities such as relaxation and can be an incentive to enjoy fresh air and exercise, then a compromise must be reached.

The key is respect.

Naturists, whether they be ramblers or otherwise, must get their head around the fact that their lifestyle can cause genuine offence. Don’t go anywhere where there may be other people who could feel compromised or threatened, such as the scenario with the lady in the woods. As a man, just imagine if your wife came home and said that she was accosted by a naked man in the forest, isn’t it possible that you may want to find this man and give him ‘a piece of your mind?’ (We don’t condone violence)

Stick to area’s where you can look out for textiles, go through fields where you can see well into the distance, and if you do bump into a textile, make it clear with your body language that you mean no harm. Cover up, apologise and move well out of the other persons way.

It’s all about respect for other human beings.

Stephen Gough is probably Britain’s most famous nudist, he seems to go where ever he likes naked, and that’s why, according to various news reports, he seems to be permanently under arrest. Unfairly? I don’t know, we are not in possession of the full facts of all the individual cases, and there are plenty.

But what we do know is that Stephen Gough was arrested after taking off his clothes on a flight from Southampton to Edinburgh.

Where’s the respect in that scenario? What about the rights of his fellow passengers, women, children, cabin staff…etc.

So, when naked rambling, enjoy the benefits of which there are many, but don’t ruin the day for anyone else.

Be mindful that different countries have different laws, some are comparatively draconian, some are more liberal.

We have some friends in America, who have a fabulous site all about hiking and the great outdoors, and they have a special section on naked rambling which we think you’ll find interesting and informative.

Effortlessoutdoors.com/naked-hiking

Happy rambling, keep safe!