From hiking to birdwatching to early nights – gen Z are coming for my hobbies, and they’re much better at them | Emma Beddington

I love the idea that the countryside is full of happy young people in Gore-Tex, finding community in beautiful places

Of all the weird gen Z behaviours Ihave read about, this latest trend may be the most surprising: they are rambling. Yup, sturdy boots, waterproofs and Kendal mint cake (it's vegan!). What next? Alfred Wainwright memes? Plastic map pouches as summer's hottest gorpcore accessory?

I have some experience of this: my younger son has gone on two serious hiking trips in the past year. Who are you?" I whispered, baffled, at his retreating, cagoule-clad back, from the comfort of my sofa. I enjoy a modest country walk as much as the next middle-aged person, but wild horses couldn't have dragged me up a hill in my teens or 20s. (OK, possibly a very strong wild horse could have.)