Tales From The Trails: “People are shocked to see a disabled hiker walking on Scafell Pike – that needs to change”

Sarah Ann Curran walking

Credit: Sarah Ann Curran

Strong Women


Tales From The Trails: “People are shocked to see a disabled hiker walking on Scafell Pike – that needs to change”

By Miranda Larbi

2 years ago

4 min read

Tales from the Trails is Strong Women’s mini walking series, celebrating the brilliant women doing bits in the great outdoors. 


Sarah Ann Curran is a disabled hiker and Acai Outdoors ambassador.

Hiya, Sarah! Let’s start at the beginning: how did you first get into walking?

It all started with family trips to the Lake District as a teenager. Those trips really sparked a love for the area and getting outdoors in general. Before my injury, I was an avid runner and when I was told that I’d never be able to run again, I was devastated. I sank into a depression and put on a lot of weight.

I returned to the Lake District with my parents in early 2017 and it was then that they encouraged me to walk up Loughrigg Fell - one of the smaller peaks that form the Wainwright fells (there are 214 of them in the area). 

I honestly didn’t think that I could do it (I was still using two crutches at the time), but I managed to make it to the top, and that felt amazing. That was the moment that I decided to focus on hiking.

That’s an incredible story! And you now hike with a crutch – how does this help you?

Back in 2015 I was doing a bleep test as part of my RAF service, when I rolled my ankle and damaged the talus. That injury resulted in an osteochondral defect. Over the past eight years, I’ve had two surgeries, numerous injections and intensive rehabilitation, but have been left with chronic pain. My most recent scan suggests that I’ve now developed osteoarthritis. 

Now I walk with a crutch, and that’s vital for keeping me stable while walking. My crutch is such an important tool, I call it ‘my extra limb’. 

It sounds like your crutch is a lifeline on the trails. What do you think is the biggest challenge that differently abled hikers face out there?

When it comes to accessibility, the outdoors – to some extent - can be modified. Walking groups like Miles Without Stiles, for example, create accessible, well-surfaced, flatter routes that allow wheelchair users, pushchairs and visually impaired walkers (to name but a few) to experience the outdoors. But the biggest challenge, in my opinion, is learning how to overcome self-imposed limits.

It can be really scary to push past our boundaries, but you just have to believe in yourself, take it slow, and plan properly.

Look at the route in advance and try to identify any concerns. Alter the route if necessary and have contingency plans in place in case you need to head back early. That’s essential for differently abled people like me. 

That’s brilliant advice, whether you’re hiking or not. Do you prefer to hike solo or with a group?

I’ve been focusing on my own Wainwrights challenge recently, but I do have a group of friends that I regularly walk with, and it’s great having friends that share the same passion.

I also love ACAI Outdoorwear, which runs its own walking group events. I’ve not actually led any of their outings yet, but their ethos is something I really believe in: putting women first in the outdoors.

Sarah Ann Curran on top of a mountain
Sarah Ann Curran trekking on snow

Ahh, sounds like a walking group after our own hearts! Lastly, what’s been your favourite hiking experience so far?

There are too many to narrow it down, but the three I’m most proud of are the multi-day, 71-mile Cumbria Way, a marathon hike around Ullswater and an ultra-marathon (50km) hike in Yorkshire – all completed on my crutch. 

I’ve now hiked all the 214 Wainwrights routes, my favourite being Great Gable, but I’m hiking them all again within a six-month window to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society. 

Sarah in the wet on a hill top

Credit: Sarah Ann Curran

Some people believe that walking can be transformation. Has it been so for you?

I 100% agree with that statement. I genuinely believe that everyone needs to pencil in a daily walk, even if it’s just a mile during your lunch hour. It’s great for us, both mentally and physically. When I’m out walking, especially in the fells, I’m wholly focused on putting one foot in front of the other – which allows me to momentarily forget about my pain and stresses.

What do you think people get wrong about walking/hiking?

I think some people have misconceptions about what a ‘walker’ should look like, but walking and hiking is for everyone. I’ve felt judged when hiking in the fells in the past, and more people than you would think ask me why I’m using a crutch.

While its hard to come up with a single solution, we do need to see more differently abled hikers being promoted, so that people aren’t as shocked when they see someone up Scafell Pike on a crutch.  


Images: Sarah Ann Curran

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