Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just starting out, Chloe’s message is clear: getting outside can transform both body and mind.
For personal trainer and nutritionist Chloe Thomas, hiking isn’t just a hobby — it’s a lifestyle that’s inspired her career, social media and even her relationship.
Growing up with East Sussex’s vast Ashdown Forest as her back garden, Chloe has a deep-rooted connection to nature.
She shares with L360 how her love for hiking has evolved, the role it plays in her fitness philosophy, and why she believes anyone can benefit from the outdoors.
So grab your boots, plan a trail and embrace the joys of walking — your health, relationships and creativity might just thank you.
Read more: The top 10 destinations for colourful autumn walks in the UK
‘Hiking has been part of my life for as long as I can remember’
Chloe’s passion started young. She was raised on the outskirts of the Ashdown Forest, home of Pooh Corner and the real life setting and inspiration for the Hundred Acre Wood from the Winnie the Pooh stories, so weekend family walks and hiking holidays were part of her upbringing.
She explains: “My parents would make us do family walks every Sunday, and I even did the Duke of Edinburgh Award, which taught me to read maps and navigate outdoors.”
Even a stint in busy London couldn’t dampen her love for the countryside. “As soon as I moved to Tunbridge Wells, I couldn’t wait to dive back into the Kent and Sussex countryside.”
Why walking should be part of your fitness routine
When it comes to fitness, Chloe is a huge advocate for incorporating walking, even for clients short on time.
“Walking is an easy, accessible way to move more,” she explains. “It’s a low-pressure exercise that can fit into almost any schedule.”
Her clients have seen great results, not just physically but mentally, from daily walks.
“I set them step goals tailored to their lifestyle,” she says. A GP working 12 hours a day likely doesn’t have time to fit in 10,000 steps, so Chloe ensures her client’s goals are achievable.
For added motivation, Chloe organises step challenges with prizes on WhatsApp that create camaraderie among her clients and help them form lasting habits.
Read more: Solo hiking is the ultimate active meditation activity — here’s how to do it safely as a woman
Walking for weight loss
According to Chloe, walking is one of the most underappreciated tools for weight loss.
“I tell my clients to swap an hour of gym time for an hour of walking. Depending on the incline, speed and personal physiology, you can burn between 300 and 800 calories in an hour,” she says.
Doing that multiple times per week easily puts you in a good calorie deficit, without even having to diet or restrict yourself.
Walking offers a less intimidating, equipment-free exercise option that still delivers results. “It’s easier than telling clients to go for a run, and it’s totally free.”
Building a hiking community
Chloe’s hiking journey took a new turn during the pandemic, thanks to her and her partner Tris’s Instagram page, @KentAndSussexWalks.
“During lockdown, we started filming clips of our hikes and sharing them on social media,” she recalls. Their audience quickly grew, eager for trail tips and fresh views of England’s most scenic paths.
“It’s been a year of posting weekly walks, and seeing the community grow has been so rewarding,” she says.
Their page now features favourite trails, scenic views and tips for experienced hikers and beginners alike.
Chloe hopes to one day be able to lead a group hike with her followers, so watch this space.
Read more: How to start hiking with your dog
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Hiking as a bonding experience
For Chloe and her partner, hiking is more than just exercise; it’s quality time.
“Our favourite way to spend time together is on a hike,” she says, adding that the long hours spent on trails spark meaningful conversations.
“The Instagram page has also brought us closer. We’re always planning our next hike and figuring out new ways to share it with our followers.”
She added that she loves taking her friends on hikes, as it’s a great way of catching up.
Chloe recounts recently walking with a friend for three hours as they discussed and dissected everything going on in their lives, and that the time just flew by.
Unplugged walking as a mental health boost
For Chloe, the mental health benefits of being outdoors are just as powerful as the physical ones.
“Just being out in nature has a calming effect — it really helps clear your mind of all the noise,” she says. In the winter months, she emphasises getting as much natural light as possible to boost vitamin D levels.
Chloe also practices a ‘digital detox’ on her morning walks, keeping her phone in airplane mode and tuning out from screens and notifications.
“We’re so overloaded with information that even listening to music or a podcast can take you out of the present moment,” she explains. “Walking without distractions helps me think clearly and is my most creative time. I get ideas for my coaching and social media, and even find solutions to problems I’ve been stuck on.”
Chloe Thomas’s tips for hiking beginners
If you’re new to hiking, Chloe has a few expert tips to ease your journey into the wild. For beginners, she recommends starting with the OS Maps app, which helps users find public footpaths across the UK.
“It’s perfect for finding new areas to explore without getting lost, and you can download trails for offline use,” she explains.
Safety is also key, and she suggests using the Locate Me feature, which shares your live location to any chosen contact.
Her other essentials? Invest in quality hiking boots — she’s a fan of Merrell — and always carry water, snacks and fruit such as dates, and a raincoat if the weather looks unpredictable.
Chloe also suggests timing hikes with sunset in mind. “In winter, you don’t want to be caught out after dark.”
For an added experience, Chloe recommends choosing routes that include a charming pub or cafe along the way.
“Stopping for a cosy tea or a quick snack halfway through a hike is a great way to break up the journey and make it more enjoyable,” she says. “We’ve found some adorable little spots we’d never have known about if we hadn’t hiked to them.”
The routes Chloe shares on her Instagram page always include a pub or cafe on the circuit.
Chloe’s favourite trails for beginners
Discover Chloe’s top routes for beginners, with links to the OS Map site so you can easily follow them yourself.
Bewl Water, Kent and East Sussex
OS Map link: Here
Distance: 5.94km
Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
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Penshurst, Kent
OS Map link: Here
Distance: 8.53km
Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
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Wilmington, Kent
OS Map link: Here
Distance: 8.41km
Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
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Knole Park, Kent
OS Map link: Here
Distance: 6.96km
Time: 2 hours
For Knole Park, you can get the train directly from London, and don’t need to be a National Trust member to visit.
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