Walk the walk with Paul

Some people are just out there for the instagramable picture. This Celt reporter was bewildered by an observation she made recently, trotting down Tonelagee in the soupy Wicklow mountains. A tourbus stopped at the side of the road, emptying droves of sun-spectacled people onto the murky grass.

They scampered up the hill in sandals, the mud squelching between their toes – making some reconsider their choice. Some, more confident in their white runners, rolled up their flared jeans, selfie stick in hand and the mind set to emulate that Social Media shot they had seen of Lough Ouler or as TikTok calls it ‘heartshaped lake’.

Paul Hughes just chuckles a bit at this description. Now, he would never been seen wearing jeans on a hike “once they get wet, they just bog you down”. But fog? Paul never has a problem with the weather. He always trudges on. Raincoat on, phone charged, compass and map stowed safely. Flask of tea and sandwiches zipped in the backpack, medical kit clipped on the shoulder strap.

Part of the preparation is bringing the right gear. Footwear being the most important. Always hiking boots, sometimes waterproof socks, never runners. And: “You have to have your wits about you all the time.”

Paul Hughes from Mullagh is out at least every other weekend - around 30 hikes a year - exploring the Irish hills and mountains. He has started a Youtube channel “Walk the Walks with Paul” - he loves filming and editing and revisiting the footage. From own experience, he knows it is important to be acquainted with trails you are planning on taking – and unfortunately, Irish hiking spots often lack proper signage. Incidentally something that happened to him on one of his first hikes: “We were in Powerscourt, there was poor signage, and we couldn’t find our way back to the carpark, walking around for hours.”

While he believes hiking is for everyone, being in his 60s himself, he is aware of the challenges for all ages.

“Unless you’re experienced, there’s no point in doing any of the big ones, and that’s why you have to start small, even starting on the flat like in Carlingford. Even get the distance first, do a 20km walk.”

In his videos he gives recommendations on gear, points out nearby facilities, layout, terrain and difficulty and is very honest about when to turn back or stop.

“If people were going down to Powerscourt, they can see in the video now, where the carpark is and what to look out for and where to go. They know the distance, or you tell them what they can bring, what they can’t bring, if it’s for dogs, if it is good for families and all that type of stuff.” This way they would get an idea what to expect.

Paul has met challenging situations before. Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains as he and his hiking partner Ray Rowan know well: “We are fairly experienced now at this stage. Last April myself and Ray went up Carrantuohill, it started to pour from the heavens. We were climbing Devil’s Ladder, it was like a waterfall coming down, and when we looked at the top, you couldn't see anything. We eventually spotted a group, they were there with a leader, and we ducked in behind them and followed them.”

In addition to his twice-weekly pickleball sessions, Paul’s heart belongs to the hills. His love for hiking began about four and a half years ago, looking for a stress relief and to boost his mental health. What started as a solitary walk up Bray Head with an ex-army-friend with “wonky knees” - quickly grew into a walking circle of fellow veterans, friends, and family. Now, from Errigal to Wicklow to the Mourne Mountains, “Walk the Walk with Paul” draws companions from Enniskillen and Athy and beyond, proving that one good walk can set a whole community in motion.

Being a bit older, potentially slower and in need of regular breaks actually comes with a great advantage, Paul has figured out: “You can sit down, have a cup of tea and take in the scenery.” And then later sitting at his desk, he will post something on social media, wearing jeans and runners.