Pick your pathway pals wisely and you’ll never walk alone

Continuing his series about memorable walks and pathways, Will Gore considers the competing merits of solo trekking and group hikes

Hadrian’s Wall accompanied by friends and cricket is a treat (Getty)

Taking inspiration from the world’s worst job application platitude, I like to think I walk well on my own and as part of a team.

On a childhood holiday in Austria, we joined other tourists on guided hikes in the Tyrolean Alps. We were strangers to each other, yet bonded over feeling knackered on the steep ascents and – for the adults – over schnapps when summits were reached.

Our local guide and purveyor of alcohol, Werner, could have run up the mountains in half the time we took: but he encouraged and cajoled and made us feel like winners.