Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2019 i Trail

“Stretchy. Breathable. Waterproof. Choose Three.” That’s what Rab is inviting us to do with the Kinetic Alpine jacket. Acknowledging that the combination of these qualities is unusual in hardshells, Rab has nonetheless achieved the impossible with its Proflex fabric. The Kinetic Alpine has a tough, fully waterproof outer, a wicking breathable lining, a helmet-compatible hood with a laminated and stiffened peak, and adjustable cuffs and hem. “The Kinetic Alpine Jacket will change the way you dress for the mountains,” says Rab. One thing’s for certain: we’re a step closer to the perfect flaw-free waterproof. rab.equipment/uk…

VIEW WITH A ROOM We may have found the perfect way to escape to the mountains this summer, because Quirky Campers has some of the coolest campervans in Britain. The Scottish Highlands is the ideal destination with plenty of campsites, the highly popular NC500 road trip route, and the chance to park up in lay-bys with an epic new mountain view every morning. quirkycampers.co.uk MOUNTAIN GRUB On a recent walk up Snowdon we discovered Caffi Gwynant at the trail head of the Watkin Path. Housed within a converted chapel, you’d never guess the glorious cakes and meals served inside from 9am-5pm Wednesday ’til Sunday. It’s impossible to pick a favourite – but the Nutella cake’s gotta be a winner after a trek up Wales’ highest mountain! SOCIAL MEDIA BUZZ... Spoken…

Fancy a night under the stars in a Marmot Trestles Elite Eco 20 3-season sleeping bag worth £150? We’ve got one to give away, along with an #EverestAnywhere Mountain Cravat (£9.95), sew-on patch (£3.99) and your own Marmot Marv mascot (£18). Marmot’s sleeping bag has been designed for backpacking and will keep you warm down to 0°C. It packs down to just over 1kg, and is made from recycled and eco-friendly materials. • To enter and for T&Cs, go to lfto.com/everest-marmot…

“I LEFT BEHIND A LITTLE PIECE OF STRESS WITH EACH STEP” Heel, forefoot, toe, heel, forefoot, toe... Placing one foot in front of the other, a rhythm emerges that is effortless. I am travelling forward in space and time along an ancient path of pilgrimage that is clear and wide. I can see it stretching into the distance, gently curving and dipping here and there, as it traces the occasional contour through this otherwise broad and open landscape. I was walking the Camino Frances with my partner, Dawn. The route is one of a large network of paths collectively known as the Camino de Santiago, ancient pilgrim routes stretching across Europe and converging at the tomb of Saint James (Santiago in Spanish). The Camino Frances is the most popular route,…

■ Internal dimensions (LxWxH) 210x125x100cm ■ Packed size 15x43cm ■ Weight 1766g IT'S GOOD The instant appeal of this tent is the weight combined with a design that features two porches and two entrances, making it ideal for two campers. It is pitched inner first, with a skeletal frame of alloy poles forming a dome shape from which the inner is suspended. The flysheet then goes over the top and ladder lock adjustment at pegging points makes this easier to tension on uneven ground than others. It’s a relatively freestanding design too, so once up you can easily move it around if you find that the ground under your body is not quite ideal for a good night’s sleep. The entrances and 90cm-deep porches on each side are big, and…

16.3 km/ 10 miles 5½ hours Carving its way through the eastern fringes of the Cairngorms, Glen Esk is the longest and most easterly glen in Angus. Situated within the highest reaches of the glen, Mount Keen holds the title of Scotland’s most easterly Munro. This enjoyably varied walk warms up with some pleasant waterside trails, tracing the course of the Water of Lee upstream before skirting the wind-ruffled length of Loch Lee. It’s at the western end of the loch that the real adventure begins, with a climb up a narrow, rocky path alongside the inflowing Water of Lee that winds in a majestic curve right around Craig Maskeldie. Along the way you’ll pass first the Falls of Unich and then, further up and just before the path emerges…

Yr Elen, Y Garn, Carnedd Llewelyn and Carnedd Gwenllian are just a few of the 15 peaks over 3000ft that make up the enigmatic ‘Welsh 3000s’. Any journey across the backbone of their lofty summits – with their varied human and natural history, geological qualities, shapely profiles and varying natural characters – has much to entice mountain wanderers, but this Ultimate Weekender also gives time for a natural valley overnight stop, between Tryfan and Pen yr Ole Wen. The mountain names here all exude personality and charm, so make sure you say hello to each one, on this far-reaching, classic mountain journey across three separate ranges from south to north: Yr Wyddfa, the Glyderau and the Carneddau. Bendigedig – wonderful! TRANSPORT Depending on your wider journey logistics, public transport and…

Tucked away in south-west Scotland, the Galloway Hills offers the best little hill range you haven’t been to yet. Yes the awkward trip to get there is rewarded with another awkward trip once you set off up the hill – rough bouldery paths or none at all, grassy tufts and bare granite slabs, and a couple of sparkly lochans lying right across your route – but plan in a bothy overnighter and a strenuous afternoon on Merrick or an evening walk in along Loch Trool sets you up for a rugged day out over the Dungeon range, and a gentle exit over the grassy Minnigaffs. Although the Galloway Hills aren’t very visited, the bothies below them do get busy. So this Ultimate Weekender could be even better in the off…

13.5 km/ 8½ miles 5½ hours 1 NX466774 After the rigours of Craignaw and the Dungeon, the two Minnigaffs are rather grassier. Head upstream from the bothy for 50m and take a path up-valley, running above a wall at first. It emerges from plantations beside White Laggan Burn. Turn up to the right, with rough grass easing quickly as the slope steepens. A wide grass spur leads up to a level shoulder called Gaharn. Head north-west for the short, final rise to the cairn on Curleywee. 2 NX454769 Descend on a small path to a wide saddle with a broken wall across. The rocky ridge ahead can be taken direct, but better is to ease right, to find a small path along the very top of the steep slope called…

Whether you’re sleeping in the wilderness at every opportunity, or are an occasional glamper, you can’t fail to have noticed how camping changes us for the better. It takes us back to a simpler state, stripping away the stresses of everyday life. We’re closer to nature, the seasons and the sounds, and we reconnect with our environment. Trail’s Ultimate Camping Guide is the gateway to finding your next perfect pitch this summer, and from our top picks of camping spots and kit you need, to campsite recipes, tips and stories, you’re sure to find inspiration right here. You can even win a fabulous tent for two to get you started – see below!…

GREAT LANGDALE CAMPSITE, LAKE DISTRICT Situated in the heart of the beautiful Langdale valley and surrounded by some of the most picturesque of Lake District fells, this National Trust campsite could get away with being nothing but a field – and it’d still be amazing. But it offers so much more. There’s a free low climbing wall and children’s play area, an orienteering route that tours around the site, and reception can even help you book onto scrambling, climbing, canoeing and raft building activities with local guides. There are also three classic pubs within walking distance, so mum and dad are kept happy too. GRANGE FARM CAMPSITE, ISLE OF WIGHT This is a cliff-top campsite, but a certain amount of parental supervision is well worth it for the benefits this…

DRAGON’S EYE, WALES Designed and featured as part of Channel 4’s Cabins in the Wild you can be part of Epic Retreats’ pop-up glamping experience. Each cabin design was inspired by Welsh legends. From observatory cabins with a fold-back view of the night sky, to staying in the eye of the Dragon, set your imagination wild with these super luxurious glamping cabins. Locations change, and booking is available through bestofwales.co.uk FARAWAY TREE HOUSE, CUMBRIA Who could fail to be spell-bound by the treehouse incarnation of Enid Blyton’s children’s books? Hidden away between the Lakes, the Dales and Northumberland, the Faraway Treehouse is just one of the magical properties offered by Canopy & Stars. Pushing glamping to the max, this luxurious abode has roll-top baths, solar-powered electricity and a wood burner.…

PRIEST’S HOLE, LAKE DISTRICT This is a classic Lakeland bivvying location, which means there’s no guarantee you’ll get it to yourself. It’s also tricky to find and very close to some fairly dangerous drops below Dove Crag, so it’s best to be shown the way by someone who knows where they’re going. But if you’re lucky enough to spend a night in this sheltered cave (which in truth is little more than a deep overhang, although one that offers protection from the elements) consider it a rite of passage in your wild sleeping CV. SGURR NA STRI, THE CUILLIN Mountaineers making a two-day crossing of the Cuillin Ridge are obliged to bivvy out on the spiteful peaks at the end of day one. It’s certainly a true mountaineering experience, but…

Upgrading your camping cuisine is a simple way to add a delicious bit of luxury to your time in the outdoors and can also heighten the experience overall. And the best thing? If you can cook at home, you can cook al fresco – it requires minimal effort and beats a dehydrated, freeze-dried meal any day of the week. Trail chef Harrison Ward, aka Fell Foodie, shares his top tips for cooking wild, and describes two of his favourite dishes to whip up on the hill. HAGGIS, NEEPS & WHISKY SAUCE INGREDIENTS Haggis (pre-cut into discs) 1 swede 300ml double cream Butter 2 tbsp whisky (blended will do, don’t waste a single malt here) 1 tbsp Dijon mustard Fresh cracked black pepper Sea salt Parsley METHOD Slice the haggis into…

Say the words Crib Goch to anyone who knows a thing or two about the British mountains and watch their eyes start to twinkle with mischief. Because if you have a taste for the more devilishly exposed of scrambling ridges, this is a place you can only avoid for so long. The ‘Red Ridge’ is what adrenaline junkie dreams are made of, with shattered crags, razor-edged walkways, wonky pinnacles and never-ending drops spinning away in every direction. It’s a long old ridge too, rippling for the best part of a kilometre until the drama finally starts to relent beneath the summit of Garnedd Ugain. Crib Goch is officially rated Grade 1, which is the most relaxed of all scrambling classifications, but the exposure is anything but. If you struggle with…

The futuristic Prima Vapour sleeping mat makes use of modern materials and clever design to provide comfort and warmth in a light and compact package. • Multiple air chambers enhance stability and maximise comfort. • External channels allow the sleeping bag base insulation to loft effectively. • The Robens Peak Valve with one-way technology speeds inflation and deflation. • A layer of PrimaLoft is bonded to the top inner surface for extra insulation. • The packed size is just 27x9cm with a weight of 575g, expanding to a full size of 190cm long, 55cm wide and 6cm deep. • The Prima Vapour has an R rating of 2.2 and a comfort rating of 2°C.…

Glyder Fach Snowdonia Michal Nepszil captured this stunning selfie on a sunny day in Snowdonia back in April. “The day was perfect for a solo adventure in the mountains, and the route I chose was both steep and a little snow-covered,” he tells us. “Glyder Fach is right in the middle of Tryfan and Glyder Fawr, and for me this is one of the most beautiful places I can think of.” Crib Goch Snowdonia “After a busy day in the office, nothing beats an after-work scramble up Crib Goch for sunset.” Gemma Davies, North Wales Helvellyn Lake District Matilda (11), Jimmy (6) and dad Andrew Bone, after climbing Helvellyn via Swirral Edge. Well done all! Grisedale Pike Lake District Nice headstand Christopher Parry. Honey’s not impressed! Llyn Bochlwyd Snowdonia “Fantastic…

It was a standard afternoon atop the highest mountain in England – clouded, crowded and wet. Walkers hunkered against the lee side of the memorial platform, chomping on sandwiches and pulling out woolly hats. Hopping up to the top, we gazed into the swirling mist. “There’s the sea!” I bellowed as a sliver of something distant and shiny came into view. Then “Nope, it’s gone again” as the cloud gulped us up. Luckily, we didn’t give a flying crisp packet. We’d already spent the day on a fully epic mountain traverse, creeping along the edge of the Scafell massif, beside deep valleys and giant mountains. And as we strolled back over the nearly 2km ridge to Esk Hause, the clouds did part, revealing a 360° panorama of the biggest and…

“A WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE SO INTENSE IT’LL BE DRIPPING OUT OF YOUR SOCKS FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE” One of the finest three-day walks in Scotland starts from the small crofting community of Elphin in south-west Sutherland, then heads north. It climbs Foinaven, a long, steep-sided ridge of a mountain made from off-white quartzite, with half a dozen tops and a scrambly descent halfway along. It’s all the better for being three metres too low for Munro status, and 200 miles too far north for most hill folk. Between the main top and the northern one you come off the quartzite and onto the grassy bits and gneiss. Spread out below is moorland, with bare rock and bog grass and dozens of sparkly lochans. At its edge, loch-sprinkled land gives…

The waterproof, breathable, Hydri-Fuse moisture-wicking bootie lining wicks away moisture and provides a comfortable feel, keeping feet warm and dry. The Vibram RollinGait sole unit curves along the foot to generate maximum movement and impact. It’s a hit among mountain hikers and Nordic walkers, adding more bounce and comfort to their step. Lightweight fused overlays protect the toes and reinforce stress points, keeping your feet comfortable throughout any activity. Available in Charcoal/Black and Black/Burst in sizes 3-13, and in Fuschia/Mint (pictured) in sizes 3-8. For more about the Discover, see grubswarehouse.com/ product-page/discover 25% OFF DISCOVER SHOES grubsboot.com…

Q I’m a hillwalking newbie, so can someone please explain what a leg is when navigating? Charlie Waterman, Aberdeen Paul says: A leg is simply a stage or small part of your chosen route. By splitting your route into manageable bite-sized legs, navigation is made easier and you can take stock of your progress, the group’s condition, weather, time of remaining daylight and generally how you’re doing. Legs can be as long as 1-2km on clear days when walking along well-marked trails, or only be a few hundred metres long in poor visibility with clag, snow or strong wind. That doesn’t mean you stop navigating between that distance though – pick out features along the leg to confirm progress. At the end of a leg have an attack point to…

How to strap up an ankle Ankle strains and sprains are common on rough, mountainous terrain. A temporary support can enable enough mobility to allow you to descend from the hill without having to call for the emergency services. 1 Carefully remove boot and sock from injured foot. 2 Lift the toes until the ankle is fully flexed and at a right-angle to the shin. 3 Run a length of tape down the inside of the lower calf, under the heel, and up the outside of the calf (gaffer tape will work for this!). Pull tight and repeat if additional support is required. 4 Wrap a strip of tape around the calf to hold the heel-lock tape in place. 5 Starting under the foot, begin to wrap the tape in…

COLUMBIA ZERO RULES SHORT SLEEVE SHIRT £30 Climbing mountains in summer is a sweaty business. And no-one likes the whiffs of body odour, so combat the pongs of perspiration with a T-shirt that is actively anti-sweat. The Zero Rules top features ultra-wicking Omni-Freeze fabrics that react with sweat to lower the material’s temperature, thus keeping you cooler and, ultimately, less sweaty. It also has UPF 30 sun protection. Clever, eh? TILLEY MASH-UP AIRFLO £75 Keeping a cool head on the hill is essential, and nobody helps you do it better than Tilley. The wide-brimmed Mash-Up Airflo offers the highest level of UPF sun protection (50+), a mesh lining around the crown provides extra ventilation and a sweatband wicks away moisture. Made from recycled materials, the hat…

■ Internal dimensions (LxWxH) 220x120x100cm ■ Packed size 16x47cm ■ Weight 2223g IT'S GOOD This tent has many advantages for wilder British mountain weather, including a more weather-proof design, as it is outer pitched first and the fly reaches the ground, while twin porches and entrances provide a great living area for two. Pitching is very easy, with a skeletal pole system being located into eyelets on the four corners of the tent from which the fly and inner are suspended. An additional cross pole is slipped through a sleeve on the outer to create more width at the porches. The structure is very stable and I could move it around with ease to find the perfect sleeping area. I loved the twin entrances, and the 70cm deep porch was…

15 km/ 9½ miles 6 hours The heath around Mynydd Mawr is as rich in history as it is beautiful, and has a rugged and less trodden feel. From the steep start on ‘Y Lon Wen’ to the understated character of Moel Tryfan, there is so much to appreciate in the vicinity. The route passes by an old Tyddyn (smallholding) and along winding tracks through the deep purple of the heath in summer bloom, all the time with your eyes on the awaiting prize – Mynydd Mawr. There was an old tradition on the common land whereby if smoke was rising from the hearth after one day and night of building, you were entitled to keep the house. And your boundary walls were as far as you could throw an…

20 km/ 12½ miles 7 hours The Central Cairngorms is one part of the largest continuous area above 1000m in Britain, and includes Ben Macdui, which at 1309m above sea-level is the second highest peak in Britain. Its vast summit plateau is littered with huge boulders and several magnificent views which, combined with an excellent path almost all the way to the top, means Ben Macdui is a very busy mountain. Which is fine, but it is sometimes nice to remove yourself from the Cairngorm hustle and bustle and find a quieter place. This is where Creag an Leth-choin hits the spot. Although not classed as a Munro, it still rises to 1053m and consequently offers a magnificent point to survey much of the National Park and beyond. Creag an…

16 km/ 10 miles 6 hours The Mungrisdale valley is currently a quiet, unassuming and oft-forgotten part of the north-eastern Lake District. Yet in Victorian times, Bowscale Tarn was a popular attraction on many ‘Grand Tours’ of the Lakes, with visitors taking a pony trek up to the north-facing corrie and tarn, hoping to see the pair of immortal talking fish living in the tarn – an ancient tale re-popularised by a Wordsworth poem. The fish were shy when I visited, with no sign of their presence. However, the imposing crags forming a northern corrie above the tarn have a definite presence, as do those above Bannerdale. The views are fabulous down into the glaciated U-shaped Bullsfell Beck valley, and on the descent from Blencathra there’s a great view across…

First, a few options: From a bus at Bargrennan, cross River Cree to a signpost and step over crash barrier for the path downstream to left of the river. After 2km, the path turns up left, working east through plantations to reach Water of Minnoch. Follow it upstream, and after crossing a track bridge near Holm, the path continues upstream to right of the stream, then of the tributary Water of Trool, to a track just before the former Caldons campsite. Turn left over the river to the start of the main route. From Glentrool Village, take a path east, to right of a road, to Stroan Bridge (café and car parking). A path downstream to left of Water of Minnoch becomes one upstream to left of Water of Trool.…

There’s an elephant in the dale, or rather a mountain. For when it comes to Langdale I’ll bet you think of the Pikes or Crinkle Crags before your mind turns to Bow Fell, which, let’s face it, is the elephant of Langdale when size is the deciding factor. For this is one chunky hill. All too often it’s included in longer routes, which diminish its glory. Of the Langdale clan, Bow Fell is undoubtedly the chief, and a chief needs to be shown respect. So do this walk, revel in it and pay your dues. Parking at the Old Dungeon Ghyll (map point 1, grid ref NY286061 ), let’s accept the hand that Bow Fell, the sixth highest mountain in the Lakes, has laid down for us. Not quite a…

For many campers, this will be their first – and possibly only – experience of camping. It’s easy to see the appeal. In the UK we are blessed with an overwhelming array of campsites across the length and breadth of the country. If there’s somewhere worth visiting, it’ll be served by at least one, and quite probably several, excellent campsites. These will vary in what they offer – some may be little more than a farmer’s field with a toilet block, while others will provide electricity for your pitch, an on-site shop for all your essentials, and even organised events or entertainment. But at the very least you know you’ll have a flat spot on which to pitch your tent without having to worry about whether or not you should…

Fresh air, wide open spaces, and relatively cheap as far as holiday accommodation goes. Is it any wonder that camping is so popular with families? And in the 21st century, at a time where we’re increasingly recognising the importance of spending time away from screens and technology and reconnecting with nature and the outdoors, camping has an important role to play. But you can’t just make kids go cold turkey from YouTube and online gaming, plunge them into a wilderness where they have to whittle their own dinner, and expect it to all go smoothly. It may require some forward planning. Choosing the right destination can play a huge part in that. Campsites are usually in areas surrounded by activities and attractions. The campsites themselves may even offer more than…

Go on, admit it. Your enthusiasm for sleeping on a 4cm-thick airbed for every holiday has waned just a little as you’ve got older. You’ve had a taste of the good life, and as satisfying as it is to regularly get back to the way nature intended, there is room in your life for a touch of luxury. But if fancy hotels and modern interiors are not your thing, there is a way you can combine the best of the great outdoors with comfort... Glamping is BIG business these days, and the choices are as wide as your imagination. From basic and cheap pods with a bed and not a lot else, to eccentric shelters with all the charm of a boutique hotel, glamping has opened up a whole other…

If you have wild camped before you’ll know it’s just about the best thing ever. If you have never wild camped, everyone who has will be jealous as you still have the feeling of pure ecstasy that comes with your first time. Whether it’s drifting off to the mellifluous tones of a tinkling stream, waking to a forest booming with the birds’ dawn chorus, or peeling back your tent door on a lonely summit to reveal a heavenly sunrise – wild camping offers the ultimate bliss for the outdoor lover. Sleeping on top of a mountain allows you to revel in the environment at its most enchanting time (dusk and dawn), likely in solitude and, best of all, when you wake you are already exactly where you want to be…

What exactly is bivvying? The dictionary defines it as ‘a temporary camp without cover’. It’s certainly something you can do in locations that would otherwise be unsuitable or impossible for overnighting. Most bivviers are unlikely to want to suffer the kind of discomfort that simply sleeping out in the open entails though, instead utilising some form of shelter to keep the worst of the elements off. So how does bivvying differ from wild camping? Perhaps the easiest way to get a handle on it is to regard bivvying as sleeping out in the open without a tent. Bivviers may use a simple bivvy bag, or a tarp, and almost definitely a sleeping bag to provide warmth and shelter. But as there’s no tent, you don’t have to overcome the difficulties…

Four years ago, the team at Lakeland Mountain Guides started using their passion for the mountains to deliver memorable outdoor experiences that raise funds for charity. It all started in 2015 with Striding Edge by Torchlight, when seven people tackled Helvellyn’s legendary ridge at night in aid of Mountain Rescue. Blencathra by Moonlight followed later that year, then the Cat Bells Festival of Light in 2016, before the first ever Lakeland Festival of Light in 2017. The latter festival has exploded in popularity, inspiring more than 3600 people to take part and raising tens of thousands of pounds for charity. The 2019 Festival of Light took place in May, with an incredible 2000 people stringing out along the main path from Hawse End to the summit of Cat Bells, lighting…

The next event in the Festival of Light series will be Striding Edge by Torchlight, taking place in the Lake District on Saturday 19 October. It will be a fully guided event, due to the exposed scrambling terrain participants will cross on Helvellyn under the cloak of darkness, with a cost of £50 per person. All profits will be donated to the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association. Full details at lakeland mountainguides.co.uk…

Bavarian shoe brand Hanwag has created these boots to tackle long days on the rock, and via ferrata routes in the Alps. So you get durable fabrics for tough terrain, a supportive ankle, and crampon compatibility for the lingering alpine summer snow. But the highlight of these new boots is Hanwag’s advanced TubeTec Rock sole, which offers significant underfoot cushioning for comfortable hiking but still enough precision for climbing. The Alps may be their inspiration, but the Isle of Skye’s Cuillin Ridge is an equally ideal playground for the new Ferratas.…

A few months ago I was at a press event where a big name outdoor brand had gathered a bunch of journalists together to launch a new campaign. Ultimately, they want to shift more rucksacks and waterproofs (forgive me if I’m being cynical), but the stated aim of the evening was to help celebrate the power of the outdoors. It was time, we were told, to embrace the digital detox. No more emojis, no more box sets. Want to be happier and healthier? Then go outside. Admittedly, they’re not wrong. “US ORDINARY FOLK ARE THE GATEWAY TO THE OUTDOORS, SO INVITE A CHUM OUT FOR A WALK” You know this – getting outside helps us connect with ourselves, each other and the natural world. It’s an opportunity to move and…

Q I’m doing a multi-day backpacking trip in Scotland this year, but taking only one spare change of clothes to keep my pack light. How do I best dry wet kit overnight? Paddy Colson, Leicester Trail says: Camping in the mountains can be a pongy affair. For all of its idyllic and mind-cleansing credentials, you will never come away from it smelling of roses – fact. And wet clothes, drenched from rain or sweat, don’t tend to dry well inside a tent. So, if you’re keen to wash your dirty clothes on the trail but avoid your tent becoming an inescapable vacuum of whiffy dampness, try this handy hack. Loop or tie the end of a guy rope from your tent around the handle of a trekking pole driven into…

From an idea hatched in a car park in France, Decathlon has grown into a pioneering outdoor brand, with a global network of stores selling great kit that has been designed entirely in-house. Decathlon’s sub-brands – including walking label Quechua and trekking brand Forclaz – are perfect for those us who love life on the hill. Here we tell the story of where Decathlon came from, and how its unique business model produces high-performance outdoor gear that everyone can afford. The origin story Decathlon began with a meeting in a car park in Englos, near Lille, in 1975. Seven outdoor enthusiasts and budding entrepreneurs came together and resolved to change the way sports products and gear were made and sold. The idea was simple: to offer the highest quality outdoor…

QUECHUA MH500 BACKPACK RANGE AVAILABLE IN 20L (Khaki, Black & Purple) at £40 30L (Khaki, Black, Blue) at £50 40L (Grey, Black) at £60 Designed for those whose sense of adventure draws them towards the mountains, the new range of Quechua MH500 backpacks are perfectly suited to every hike. Comprehensive product development, component selection and testing has resulted in a pack that is built to last. Adjustable compression straps, stash pocket straps, lid adjusters and gear loops are all included to ensure you have an easily adaptable and well-balanced load. Plus there’s an inbuilt raincover to fend off bad weather. Finally, Quechua are so proud of their backpacks that they all come with a ten-year warranty. FORCLAZ TREK500 SHORT-SLEEVE MERINO TREKKING T-SHIRT AVAILABLE IN men’s (blue, green, orange) and women’s…

If you’re considering a night on the hill with a mate, and you don’t mind bunking down together, then a two-person tent’s definitely the way to go. Preparation, planning and carrying your gear becomes so much easier without two tents to lug, as just the one tent between two means you can both take smaller rucksacks, have less load to carry overall and can move much more easily through the mountains. To find out which two-person tents perform best, I headed off to a remote corner of the Lakes, joined by hostel manager Tim Butcher and outdoor instructor Anna Humphries. Location reached, we scoured the open fell for a spot under a deep blue sky with little wind. Finding a small pitch for just one tent, instead of the larger…

• Internal dimensions (LxWxH) 220x130x95cm • Packed size 16x43cm • Weight 1793g IT'S GOOD Like all Hilleberg tents, the Anjan uses top-quality components that make it an ideal and reliable workhorse for regular hard users of their gear. A quick glance at the outside swiftly reveals how robust this tent is, with metal ladder lock buckles, robust pole sleeves, chunky pegs with cords for easy removal, huge zip pulls, and an extremely weather-resistant external stormflap over the zips all pointing to a top-notch construction. The main material is very light too, which helps keep the weight down. Pitching is easy, with just the two poles needing to be slipped through the sleeves, and the ends locate in very durable pockets. The porch is as huge as the inner, offering more…

Welcome to Trail’s routes section: your cut-out-and-keep guide to the best days in the UK hills. Whether it’s an airy mountain scramble, a classic Lakeland fellwalk or a multi-day backpacking epic, you’ll find it here... written by experts, walked by you. TRAIL ROUTES use OS mapping and gradient profiles, and are available to download at lfto.com/routes WALK HERE THIS WEEKEND High above the clouds on the summit of Ben Macdui p97…

6 km/ 3¾ miles 4 hours If you’re looking for a picturesque location in Wales, the Ogwen Valley has it all – dramatic landscapes, towering mountains and an abundance of places to explore. And of all the peaks in this area, Tryfan is arguably the most impressive, looming over the roadside below like a guardian of the valley. It has a prehistoric presence, with plenty of jutting rocks and defined ridges, and if the mountain itself wasn’t aesthetically pleasing enough, the route up the North Ridge is one of the finest days out in Wales, offering a sustained Grade 1 scramble with views to justify the excursion. If the journey to the top still isn’t enough, the leap between Adam and Eve will test the nerves of most climbers! The…

16 km/ 10 miles 4½ hours The Scottish border runs through the remote Cheviot Hills, making them England’s most northerly mountain range. You’re also likely to see far less walkers here than in other outdoor locations, which is one of the main attractions. The Cheviot summits are high and rounded, offering tough, strenuous walking over rough grass and heather moorland where bilberrys and huge open skies are the order of the day. The tops rise from hidden, narrow, deep valleys, and it’s not uncommon to get that ‘middle of nowhere’ feeling from the moment you park your car. This route heads into the heart of this wilderness using tracks and paths that work ways along ridges and through peat hags to visit the summits of The Cheviot (815m), Comb Fell…

28 km/ 17 miles 9½ hours 1 NX466774 Take the path downhill to the wide forest track. Follow this left (back towards Loch Trool) for 2km to its high point, where there’s a fence gate on its right. Head north over rough moorland, then northeast up the wide spur of Craiglee, scrambling up low granite outcrops or bypassing them to right. 2 NX461801 From Craiglee’s rock-mounted trig point, head down north-west for 800m. The tiny Dow Loch is just down right of the crest line. From its outflow, work your way down the steep slope and cross the rough valley floor of Cornarroch Strand. On the right is the steep south-east spur of Snibe Hill. Work a way up this, on slabby granite outcrops or the steep grass between them,…

12.3km DISTANCE 839m ASCENT 5-6hrs ON THE HILL WHERE DO I START? This walk starts from the car park beside the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, near the head of the Great Langdale valley. The nearest town is Ambleside, 8 miles away by car on the shore of Lake Windermere. WHAT TERRAIN CAN I EXPECT? This is a proper mountain route with a mixture of valley paths, steep rocky trails, rocky gullies, boulder fields, exposed cols and a broad, high mountain ridge. HOW HARD IS THE WALK? Technically not too difficult – it’s a rough walk rather than a scramble. The Great Slab is best avoided in very wet or icy conditions, because it can get slippy and isn’t something you want to start sliding down. WHICH MAP? The OS Explorer…

On paper, the notion of sleeping in a derelict old building in the middle of nowhere with zero facilities and a wooden platform for a bed (if you’re lucky), and (potentially) strangers for house-mates and rat droppings in the corner might struggle to appeal to the masses. But for those in the know, spending a night in a bothy is a special, ethereal experience that can happily remain a secret to the hoards. These mountain huts are typically dilapidated farming shelters that have been restored and maintained, largely by volunteers for the Mountain Bothies Association (MBA). The MBA has been providing refuges for roaming hillwalkers for over 50 years, with its collection of shelters now numbering over 100. Such bothies are found all over the UK, with a sprinkling of…

£ 2000 flights to Australasia. A 24-hour journey. +10,000 miles. That’s the lengths many people go to for their first experience of campervanning. But you don’t have to travel all the way to the other side of the world to experience a country to the full and new destinations as often as you please... Far cheaper and right here on our doorstep is a campervanning adventure just waiting to be discovered, so this year why not be a tourist right here in the UK and take one big road trip? Britain’s national parks are littered with campsites galore, and Scotland allows wild camping with certain restrictions. So whether you decide to do a whistle-stop tour of England, Ireland, Scotland or Wales – or, if time is on your side, all…

NORTH COAST 500, SCOTLAND No campervanning feature would be complete without mentioning Scotland’s answer to Route 66. The relatively new North Coast 500 road trip was conceived to bring tourism to the far-flung reaches of Scotland, and introduce the uninitiated to the scenic paradise found in Scotland. Starting from Inverness the route tracks the coast, taking in some of the best walking areas found in the UK, including Torridon, Applecross and Assynt. You’ll find Caribbean-white sandy beaches, castles, wildlife and gourmet food. If the sun’s out, this is a trip of a lifetime! TOUR OF SOUTH WALES Combine a tour of the Brecon Beacons, Carmarthenshire and the Pembrokeshire coast for a taste of what south Wales has to offer. Heading west from Abergavenny, tick off the hit-list of Brecon Beacons…