On Friday, 21 June, the Summer Solstice, intrepid people around the globe will throw off their clothes and celebrate World Naked Hiking Day. It’s a fantastic way for Naturists and those who want to experience the joy of being outside in the buff to cheer the arrival of summer. There is plenty of activity in the UK!
BN’s Eastern Region walks co-ordinator Andrew Roch said:
‘The aim of the campaign is to get people to realise that being naked is not abnormal. Much of the naked hiking we do is tied to the premise of supporting a charity but World Naked Hiking Day for me is to just get out there and enjoy being naked in nature for the sheer pleasure of doing so.
‘It has all sorts of benefits, including well being, the sense of freedom, taking exercise, and allowing the body to make up some of the vitamin D deficiency that so many people in the UK suffer from or take medication to correct. On one or two of the walks there is also the opportunity for the odd skinny dip!
Andrew Welch, spokesman for BN said:
‘In the UK, Naturists including BN and its members have worked hard to clarify the law and educate people to the simple fact that being naked in public is not illegal. The law is clear that a naked person must have the intention to cause alarm and distress. If they are unclothed simply to enjoy the health and well-being benefits and feel the warmth of the sun on their skin, no such intention exists. Experience shows that people encountering a group of naked walkers might be surprised or amused but also often intrigued, asking many questions.
Naked hikers in the UK can choose from a variety of walks today:
Cannock Chase, Staffs 11.00 am start
Levisham, North Yorks 11.00 start
Lake District, harder walk
Wickham Market, Suffolk. 12.00 start
Ashridge, Hertfordshire. 12.30 start
Cottered, Hertfordshire. 12.30 start
Little Brickhill/Woburn, Beds/Bucks border. 12.30 start
Framlingham, Suffolk evening walk. 5.30 pm start
Thetford, Norfolk. 12.30 start
Blackstone Edge, West Yorks/Greater Manchester