Tag: Hiking

  • The quiet route to Wales busiest summit: Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) via the South Ridge – 9 miles – Eyriri (Snowdownia) Wales

    The South Ridge is often described as the “connoisseur’s route” up Snowdon – quieter, more rugged, and offering a genuine mountain day without the crowds. It’s an excellent choice if you want a balance between the challenge of Crib Goch and the simplicity of the Llanberis Path. It starts from the Rhyd-Ddu car park. The first 2.8 miles are gentle and pass by a beautiful waterfall and disused quarry. But then takes a very sharp ascent with sweeping views across to the Nantlle Ridge, Moel Hebog, and over to the Irish sea.
    It is not the most technical route but you will need a good head for height and best kept for dryer days with low winds. On the South Ridge, the route narrows and becomes rockier, with some light scrambling. The final stretch on Bwlch Main ridge is narrow with dramatic drops on either side. It gives a real sense of exposure, yet much easier than Crib Goch. The descend via the easier Rhyd-Ddu Path makes it a rewarding circular

  • France – Overlooking the azure of Salagou: 7 miles – A Dolomitic Detour to Lunch in Mourèze from Liausson

    This circular 7 miles hike from Liausson to Mourèze offers a rich blend of natural drama and quiet charm. Starting with panoramic views over the deep blue waters of Lac du Salagou, the route winds through the typical shrubland ecosystem of the Mediterranean region (la garrigue) before descending into the surreal dolomitic landscape of the Cirque de Mourèze. Here, twisted limestone towers rise like guardians of the garrigue and invite your to explore. Mid-way, you will find the village of Mourèze, where a home-cooked lunch at a family run restaurant awaits. Grab a table under the shade of plane trees and enjoy a perfect pause before making your way back towards Liausson, with ever-changing views of red earth, silver rock, and brilliant blue lake below.


  • Lake District – High Street – No shops here but 3 to 5 Wainwrights in the Far Eastern Fells

    This is a beautiful and lesser-trodden horseshoe in the Lake District. Ideal if you are looking to bag a few Wainwrights, it includes Mardale Ill Bell, High Street, and Kidsty Pike. If you are keen to maximise your numbers, you can also take a short detour to include The Knott and Rampsgill Head. If you simply want a scenic high-level route, this is a rewarding option that’s not overly demanding. Just be mindful, it can get quite windy up there, so it’s best saved for a clear, calm day. And for wild swimming fans: consider doing the loop in reverse so you can end with a refreshing dip in Small Water.

  • Uppergate Farm: farm animals, a car cafe, Sunday roast and two pints – 11 miles around Holmfirth, Yorkshire

    This 11 mile circular walk from Uppergate Farm to Holmfirth was the perfect blend of countryside charm and hearty hospitality. The day began with a gentle hello to the resident animals at the farm before setting off through rolling hills and winding country lanes straight out of Last of the Summer Wine. A mid-morning stop at the Carding Shed served up coffee, cake, and a nostalgic peek at classic cars. From there, the route dipped into woodland paths leading into Holmfirth, where Sunday lunch at The Pickled Pheasant offered a delicious reward. With plenty of hills to walk it off, I continued on to the Boshaw Trout for a well-earned pint of real ale, before one last woodland stretch through Morton Wood ended the day with a final stop at The Butcher’s Arms in Hepworth — the perfect toast to a classic Yorkshire wander.

    Rolling hills and winding country lanes straight out of Last of the Summer Wine. Click on the image to watch the video and full set of photographs
    Click on this picture to see the full set of picture and video
    Morton Wood, nestled near Hepworth in the Holme Valley, is an enchanting woodland and gorge. The bluebells carpeted the grass when we visited in early May.
The woodland stretches along a brook, with footpaths that often criss‑cross the water via stepping‑stones or small wooden bridges, offering a sense of being deeply immersed in nature. Click on this image to open the full route on Komoot
    Click on this picture to open the walk on Komoot

  • Pen-y-Ghent, the long way: a peak, a pint, a collapsed cavern and a French Patisserie – 16 miles from Austwick, Yorkshire Dales

    Pen-y-Ghent is one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, standing at 694 meters (2,277 feet), it the lowest of the three. Its distinctive shape and dramatic, tiered appearance makes it the most visually striking.
    As we were looking for a longer walk, without doing the three peaks; we started in the village of Austwick. Resulting in a 16 miles circular route combining wild limestone country, green fields with lambs, scars and caves (including Hull Pot) and a more solitary approach compared to the classic Horton circuit.

    Pen-y-Ghent is one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, standing at 694 meters (2,277 feet), it the lowest of the three. Its distinctive shape and dramatic, tiered appearance makes it the most visually striking. 
As we were looking for a longer walk, without doing the three peaks; we started in the village of Austwick. Resulting in a 16 miles circular route combining wild limestone country, green fields with lambs, scars and caves (including Hull Pot) and a more solitary approach compared to the classic Horton circuit.
    Click on the image above to see the walk-through video
    Pen-y-Ghent is one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, standing at 694 meters (2,277 feet), it the lowest of the three. Its distinctive shape and dramatic, tiered appearance makes it the most visually striking. 
As we were looking for a longer walk, without doing the three peaks; we started in the village of Austwick. Resulting in a 16 miles circular route combining wild limestone country, green fields with lambs, scars and caves (including Hull Pot) and a more solitary approach compared to the classic Horton circuit.
    Click on this picture to open the full route on Komoot