Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2019 i Trail

Sarah Ryan meets six individuals whose lives have been transformed by the mountains, in the launch of our new campaign – Mountains for the Mind p32 Jenna Maryniak discovers what might just be the best winter ridge walk in the Lakes, and also takes a lesson in hill weather from a Met Office expert p44 & p64 Nick Livesey reveals his favourite hidden spots in Snowdonia for the very best views p52 Instagram@ nickliveseymountainimages Graham Thompson heads into the Lakeland fells to find out which is the best mountain walking rucksack for you p74…

Glen Coe’s iconic Kingshouse Hotel is to re-open in February. Over a year ago the hotel, which sits just off the West Highland Way on the cusp of Rannoch Moor and Glen Coe, closed its doors to guests for a renovation. The plans were to increase the size of the hotel to accommodate more guests, the land agents arguing that the original limited capacity made the business “uneconomically viable”. The plans were met with objections from Mountaineering Scotland, the National Trust for Scotland and the John Muir Trust, but after revisions planning permission was granted by the Highland Council and work began in November 2017. The hotel was built around the 1750s alongside the military road that ran from Tyndrum to Fort William. It was extended in the 1960s, although…

Brand Davidson “I can’t get enough of the hills and mountains. Having completed over three Everests last year, I’m all signed up and aiming for four in 2019!” David Guenot “After 6.5 Everests in 2017 and 7 last year, I will just aim at doing a bit more this year, along with a Mountain Leader assessment!” Rebecca McCreadie “I love the hills and mountains. They ground me and give me so much joy and happiness. I hope that my main walking buddy will join me.” Brian Sinclair “For days like these. Completed the 2018 challenge twice. Will attempt three or four in 2019.” Jay Duncan “It’s a ‘boys’ day out’ kinda thing.” Neil Roberts “Me and Holly will give it a go this year, as we love the outdoors so…

Q What course of action would you recommend if I get into trouble on the hill? Jamie Williams, Hereford Paul says If you find yourself in a hill emergency, stop in a safe place and assess whether you can self-help or require emergency services. If in a group, ensure everyone is safe and give first aid to any casualties. Insulate the group using a survival shelter and establish your location, noting your grid reference and a description of your surroundings. If you decide you need help, dial 999 or 112, ask for police and then request mountain rescue for the area you are in. Provide the call handler with details of: your name, mobile number, location, number of people in your group (plus ages and gender), details of any casualties,…

Q I recently realised my beloved OL17 map for Snowdonia must be older than my 30-year-old daughter! How often would you recommend replacing paper maps? Brian Maidley, Anglesey Paul says Ideally, you should update your paper map every few years. We are lucky in the UK that Ordnance Survey mapping is very accurate, but if your map is years old you have to accept features may have changed. Contours never change but fences, walls and paths can, and if you come across a feature on the ground that doesn’t match your old map it can easily throw your confidence if you’re not a confident navigator. Of course, paying up to £15 for a waterproof paper map every few years can be expensive. So, if you regularly walk in different areas…

▲ Cirrocumulus High-level, scaly-looking ripples of cloudlets. Seen in fair weather, and can prelude storms. ▲ Cirrus clouds Short, white, whispy high-level clouds that don’t produce rain. Often occur in fine weather, but can indicate a change is on the way if seen in increasing amounts. ▲ Cirrostratus Thin veil of cloud. Again, no rain but can indicate rain or drizzle on the way. ▲ Altocumulus The cloudlets in rounded lumps occur in settled weather. Generally no rain, but if it forms small, castle-like turrets it can be a precursor to high-level thunderstorms. ▲ Lenticular A type of altocumulus cloud which forms over or downwind of hills when you have strong, stable airflow. They can sometimes indicate strong winds across the summits. They have been mistaken for UFOs! ▲ Stratocumulus…

The dominance of down insulation in outdoor clothing could be waning, thanks to recent developments by the manufacturers of synthetic insulation. One of the latest materials to compete for cold weather honours is Polartec Airloft, a synthetic insulation that eliminates the need for the material to be attached to a scrim or fabric layer to stabilise its movement. The result is a layer of synthetic insulation that is not only more efficient at trapping air to keep you warmer, but it’s also more flexible and more durable than other synthetic insulating materials. The first jacket to feature Polartec Airloft in the UK is Millet’s Elevation Airloft Hoody, which costs £150 and tips the scales at 357g (size medium). At this price and weight the jacket enters a competitive marketplace, as…

• Capacity 36 litres (Kyte 36) • Women’s Adjustable back length (Kyte 36) • Men’s S/M and M/L, plus adjustable back length (Kestrel 38) • Weight 1560g (inc 83g raincover) IT'S GOOD This pack comes in both women’s and men’s versions, with both boasting an Airscape back system that allows the shoulder straps to be raised or lowered for a more precise fit. The back panel is really comfortable too, with foam padding and lots of air channels that are covered with a mesh overlay for airflow. The hipbelt fins are also very well padded, so the overall effect is loads of comfort without being too hot. The main compartment is accessed through a quality fixed lid, so there’s no chance of water creeping under it, and there’s external zipped…

...A LOWER PRICE? Regatta Alkin II £90 • Men’s S-XXXL • Women’s n/a • Weight 541g (size L) Isotex 5000 polyester fabric makes this a soft and comfortable jacket to wear, but higher-priced fabrics perform better. The hood is very good and just lacks a stiffened peak, while access to the main pockets is obscured by rucksacks and the sleeves ride up too. 68% ...A LOW PRICE WITH BETTER HOOD? Sprayway Hergen £95 • Men’s XS-XXL • Women’s 8-18 • Weight 502g (size M) New for 2019, the Hergen has a hood with a wired peak, as well as a rear volume adjuster, which sets it apart from many jackets. The two main pockets are quite large but access is obscured with a rucksack on. Great at this price, but…

Robert Roy MacGregor was a soldier, outlaw and Scottish folk hero, widely regarded as a latter-day Robin Hood. The Trossachs have become known as Rob Roy Country; the 79-mile Rob Roy Way links places that featured in Rob Roy’s life and the tourist centre in Callander is called the Rob Roy and Trossachs Visitor Centre. Rob Roy, his wife, and two of their sons are buried in the picturesque Balquhidder kirkyard near Loch Voil (NN535209). Ignore the plaque which says he died at the age of 70 – he was actually 63. www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/balquhidder/balquhidderchurch…

21 km/ 13 miles 6½ hours Kinder Scout, at 636m, is the highest point in the Peak District. This plateau is also one of the most significant navigational challenges in Britain, especially if you do not want wet feet! Recent years have seen a major transformation in the landscape of the plateau, with many of the groughs – deep channels in the peat – blocked to retain water and regenerate the peat bog. There are few landmarks to act as reference points when traversing the area, so navigational skills, the use of map, compass and pacing need to be of a high standard. As such, this walk is a worthy test. The sense of isolation that Kinder Scout can bring to a walk is one of its defining characteristics. In…

Distance 10.2km (6 ¼ miles) Total ascent 370m Time 3½ hours Start/finish Access road to Grindleford Rail Station ( SK249784) Nearest town Bakewell Terrain Wooded river valley, leading past easy tracks to open moorland, faint paths through boggy sections, gritstone outcrops Maps OS Explorer (1:25,000) OL24 and OL1, Harvey British Mountain Maps (1:40, 000) Dark Peak Accommodation The Maynard, Grindleford 01433 630321, www.themaynard.co.uk Hathersage YHA, 0345 371 9021, www.yha.org.uk/hostel/yha-hathersage Wide choice of B&Bs in Hope Valley (Hathersage to Castleton) Public transport Trains to Grindleford station (Manchester-Sheffield line), www.traveline.info Guidebook Top 10 Walks: Peak District: Moor and Edges by Dennis Kelsall Tourist info Bakewell Visitor Centre, 01629 816558, www.visitpeakdistrict.com/visitor-information/bakewell-visitor-centre Best pub The Maynard, Grindleford 01433 630321, www.themaynard.co.uk GET THIS ROUTE ON YOUR PHONE! LFTO.COM/TRAILROUTES In association with…

8.7 km/ 5½ miles 4 hours Even on a cold, wind-snapped day, Cadair Idris is busy. If the skies are clear, the car park is full. Footprints muddy the snowy path leading up from Minffordd to Llyn Cau. Dogs dart up and down the track, and ruddy-cheeked, grinning walkers are everywhere. This can be great. But what can also be great is the tranquility that a moment at height in solitude brings, with nothing around you but snow, hills and sky. This is readily accessible even on a peak as popular as Cadair, a simple left turn taking you from the dramatic subsidiary summit of Craig Cwm Amarch to a broad ridge. Prepare here to break trail. This skywalk takes you out between cascading white peaks to a vision of…

To me, the photograph on the cover of this magazine sums up everything that’s great about being in the mountains. The adventure, the excitement, the challenge, the scenery, the solitude, the memories, and the realisation that nobody – anywhere in the world – is doing something cooler than you in that exact moment. The fact that you lot, the Trail readers, unanimously chose it as your Mountain Photo of the Year suggests you all feel the same. And it’s that shared passion that makes me so excited to announce the launch of Mountains for the Mind – a campaign to finally get mental health out in the open. One in four people in Britain experience mental health issues each year, but it’s been scientifically proven that spending time outdoors can…

“This image was taken in August last year, and I had been up Cul Mor the day before and camped on the top. The next morning, at about 7.30am, I was on my way down when I saw below me a tiny red tent and a small figure standing next to it with Cul Beag beyond. I dropped my bag, rushed to grab my camera and fired off a few shots. “I like the shot so much because you have all these huge, magnificent mountains in the backdrop and then this small outline of a human stood next to his tent to give the landscape a real sense of scale.” John McSporran, a former police officer living in Erskine near Glasgow, had been up early after a camp in the…

You’ve signed up to take on Britain’s mightiest challenge to climb the height of the world’s tallest mountain, but where do you start? We’ve selected some of Britain’s best mountain highs that combine to bag you the height of Everest (8848m) in a year. No ascent tracking, no calculations required – just pure hillwalking heaven! Here’s this month’s suggestion... High Cup Nick, North Pennines Metres of ascent: 576m Green and rolling, the drama of the North Pennines is hidden from view and easily by-passed on the way to more mountainous terrain. But stop off in the Cumbrian village of Dufton and collect 576m with a gradual climb that will ease you into your #EverestAnywhere challenge and reveal the delights of the spine of Britain. High Cup Nick is a jewel…

has found that the mountains have been a source of healing. “I remember in 1982 when we attempted the north-east ridge of Everest. There were four of us on that expedition: myself, Pete Boardman, Joe Tasker and Dick Renshaw. Both Pete and Joe lost their lives that day. Both were very close friends. Afterwards, Joe’s partner, Maria, and Pete’s wife, Hilary, came to stay. Maria and I set out together to climb Helvellyn by Striding Edge a little too late and had a mild epic on the way down. That shared experience on the mountain helped them immensely though. Afterwards they trekked to Everest Base Camp together to visit the memorial we put up for Pete and Joe.” Now 84, Chris has stepped back from big mountain expeditions, but the…

Q In an emergency, how could I deal with a dislocated shoulder on the hill before getting help? Sarah Wiseman, Sheffield Trail says Unfortunately accidents can happen in the mountains, and where an injury like a broken arm, dislocated shoulder or sprained wrist would otherwise be non-life threatening, in the hills it can prove debilitating and potentially lead to more serious consequences. As such, it is important to have some basic first aid knowledge and skills that might just save your life, or a fellow walker’s. Should you sustain a major arm injury, first of all remaining calm is key. Secondly, to stabilise your injured arm, ease pain, prevent further damage and free your other arm it is invaluable to have this emergency sling technique up your sleeve. All you…

Q What exactly is Gore-Tex, and how does it work? Susie Bannerman, via email Trail says Put simply, if it’s raining cats and dogs outside, Gore-Tex does a great job of keeping you dry. This technical fabric is widely regarded as the ultimate defender against wet weather. And not only does Gore-Tex offer supreme waterproofness, it’s also capable of being highly breathable and durable – which is why it’s found in so many garments and boots. Invented in 1978, Gore-Tex achieves its high performance by, typically, melding three layers of membrane, each with different waterproof-breathable properties. Critically, these layers act as a barrier to rain from the outside in but also allow water vapour (sweat) to escape, meaning you don’t get clammy and uncomfortable while wearing it. The real secret…

• Check the mountain weather report in the week before and on the day of your trip. See both www.metoffice.gov.uk and www.lakedistrictweatherline.co.uk (for daily fell top conditions on Helvellyn). Also check www.sais.gov.uk for any avalanche risk in Scotland. • Make sure you’re fully equipped for all conditions, whatever the forecast, with sufficient extra layers, full waterproofs, a mountain shelter, spare gloves, ice axe and crampons – and the skills to use them. Goggles are handy in snowy conditions. • Watch the clouds and be aware of changing weather conditions. • Always be prepared to turn back.…

Polartec Airloft raises the standards possible with synthetic insulation, and even uses 80% recycled content. But as always it is how brands use materials that really sets them apart when hillwalking. The Millet Elevation Airloft Hoody is soft and lightweight with a good packed size, but it lacks features that could be deal-breakers, making it one to consider but perhaps not the hot ticket most hillwalkers would desire. • Outer Pertex Quantum nylon • Insulation Polartec Airloft synthetic insulation with 80% recycled content • Men’s XS-XXL • Women’s n/a • Weight 357g (size M)…

Berghaus Freeflow 35 £100 Tester Jon Bennett • Capacity 35 litres • Men’s One size • Women’s One size • Weight 1240g (inc 71g raincover) Body contact is kept to a minimum, thanks to Berghaus’s trampoline-style Freeflow back system. The main compartment is accessed via a well-designed fixed lid and by a shorter side zip towards the base of the pack, so you can stuff waterproofs or other items in the base of the main compartment if desired. There are four zipped pockets – a generous one on top of the lid, a smaller one on the inside of the lid, one on the front of the pack and one on the hipbelt. If using trekking poles, some may prefer the side compression straps to have had quick-release buckles for…

Conquered Cadair or one of its less explored subsidiary summits? Then treat yourself to a feast fit for an adventurer like you at the Cross Foxes. The 5-star award-winning grill and bar is situated in a Grade 2-listed building at the eastern toe of Cadair Idris, and serves delicious local, seasonal produce worthy of inclusion in The Good Food Guide . If the weather’s warm and the sun shining, the outside terrace is a particularly fine place to dine. www.crossfoxes.co.uk…

Distance 21km (13 miles) Total ascent 625m Time 6½ hours Start/finish Grindsbrook Booth ( SK122859) Nearest town Edale Terrain Footpath, open moorland, boggy terrain, rocky ascent and descent Map OS Explorer (1:25,000) OL1, Harvey British Mountain Maps (1:40,000) Dark Peak Accommodation YHA Edale, 0345 371 9514, www.yha.org.uk/hostel/castletonlosehill-hall Also see www.visitpeakdistrict.com/accommodation Public transport By bus or train, www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/visitor-centres/edale Guidebook Dark Peak Walks by Paul Besley Tourist info Peak District National Park, www.peakdistrict.gov.uk Best pubs The Old Nags Head, Edale, www.dorbiere.co.uk/the-old-nags-head/The Rambler Inn, Edale, www.dorbiere.co.uk/the-rambler-inn/# GET THIS ROUTE ON YOUR PHONE! LFTO.COM/TRAILROUTES In association with…

12.5 km/ 7¾ miles 4½ hours Standing proud at the heart of the Trossachs, Queens, Dukes, poets and outlaws have all paid homage to the small but majestic peak of Ben Venue. Surrounded by Loch Katrine, Loch Achray and Loch Ard, its prominent position belies its 727m height. Ben Venue is part of the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, whose 41,500 acres were designated a National Forest Park to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation. In 2002, it became part of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, Scotland’s first National Park. Prior to that, Queen Victoria, possibly inspired by Sir Walter Scott’s poem based in the Trossachs, had a holiday house overlooking Loch Katrine, visiting in 1859 and 1869. The legendary outlaw Rob Roy Macgregor was born at Glengyle on the…

Distance 8.7km (5½ miles) Total ascent 856m Time 4 hours Start/finish Minffordd pay and display car park ( SH731116) Nearest town Dolgellau Terrain Easy path to the lake, good mountain path to Craig Cwm Amarch. Weaker path may be entirely obscured by snow along the ridge. Steep, grassy descent and a roadside finish for which a back red light would be wise Maps OS Explorer (1:25,000) OL23, OS Landranger (1:50,000) 124, Harvey Ultramap (1:40,000) Snowdonia South Accommodation/ best pub Gwesty Minffordd Hotel, Tywyn, 01654 761665, www.minffordd.comCross Foxes, Dolgellau, 01341 421001, www.crossfoxes.co.uk Public transport Nearest train station is Machynlleth, from which the T2/T3 bus can be caught to Dolgellau. The no. 30 bus stops at Cadair Minffordd car park on request, www.traveline.info Guidebook n/a Tourist info Cadair Idris Visitor Centre, Minffordd,…

“2019 could see the little hills and ridges of Ullswater even less busy than usual...” “At the heart of Assynt, arguably one of Europe’s greatest landscapes...” Climbing Quinag is an expedition of the sublime. This island peak with its dead straight spine and twin corries cloaked in verdant green and glistening quartzite is an unforgettable sight from any direction. To tread its ridges and summits would be a joyful enterprise even if it were located at the edge of a grim urban landscape. The fact that it stands tall as the last great peak of the Torridian chain at the heart of Assynt, arguably one of Europe’s greatest landscapes, lifts this mountain to a whole new dimension. People tend to go misty-eyed when they talk about the North West Highlands,…

The head wall of Cwm Bochlwyd is made up of a long sweep of buttresses and gullies. Viewed from below they take on a rather skewed perspective that makes them look considerably steeper than they actually are. This visual trick is down to the vertically fractured nature of their rocks that in turn have been weathered into tapering columns. Any West End stage designer would be mightily proud of the end result! Once you get over this rather daunting initial impact though, you soon realise that the whole cliff is actually very user-friendly and is packed to the gunwale in a fantastic array of climbing and scrambling possibilities. So with an exciting atmosphere and lots of top-quality climbing lines, it’s not surprising that you will find one of Wales’ best…

Share a mountain top Robert Knight sang about ‘Love on a mountain top’. Alan Partridge’s son, Fernando, was conceived on Helvellyn. We’d suggest sitting arm-in-arm and enjoying the view is enough. We’re a family publication. Love rocks Keep an eye out for heart-shaped rocks dotted around the mountains. Whether they’re fortuitously eroded pebbles or large blocks in constructed paths, you’ll find a few on any hill walk. A decent proposal You can keep the Eiffel Tower, fancy restaurant or Venetian gondola – the summit of a mountain, a secluded glen, or tarn-side beach are all far more romantic locations to get down on one knee. Just don’t drop the ring. Get smitten Gloves keep your hands warm, but they do rather spoil a hand-in-hand stroll. ‘Smittens’ on the other hand…

Being the first British woman to climb Everest and complete the 7 Summits has changed my life a lot more than I would have admitted when I first climbed them. Climbing was a hobby really, but people were excited by the idea of the first British woman, and the label has kind of stuck. The fact is that women are just as able to climb Everest as men, but culturally we came to the game much later. I think I was pretty lucky in that it never occurred to me that I couldn’t do something because I was a woman – why would one think that? That moment high on Everest’s south-east ridge, kicking steps in newly-fallen snow, stays with me still. Sherpas Ang Passang (a pace in front of…

Mountains for the Mind supporter and leading outdoor clothing brand Berghaus understands the importance of getting out into the hills for your mental wellbeing. With more than 50 years’ experience creating outdoor gear that’s beautifully designed and built to last, Berghaus helps you to get out more. To make sure you stay warm enough to enjoy your time outdoors, Berghaus is giving away two Tephra Stretch Reflect Down Insulated Jackets, worth a combined £340 – one for you and one for a friend! Designed to never let the cold keep you in again, the jacket features a technically-advanced ultra-light inner reflective mesh, which directs body heat back to your core and boosts warmth by up to 20% over jackets without Reflect, so it’s ideal for frosty summit-top brews or cosy…

“Moel y Ci, or Bare Hill of the Dog as it’s otherwise known, is another ‘boring’ peak that no one except local dog walkers ever bothers with. It’s such a shame as on its broad heather-clad top you can take in a vast panorama, which includes Anglesey in its entirety as if seen from an aeroplane. Looking inland reveals the Carneddau, northern Glyderau and Snowdon to perfection. In my experience Moel y Ci is the perfect place to take a bottle of wine on a summer evening and enjoy the decadence of a pleasant drink in the hills.”…

Trail says Compared to all other seasons, walking the British hills in winter is a completely different ball game. Mountain weather is transformed entirely, specific equipment is needed and a more advanced skill-set is required. And with all that comes a whole new dictionary of terms. Some such hill words specific to winter have little practical use, other than to make yourself sound learned. Others, though, can provide vital meteorological, topographical or technical know-how that can boost your depth of interest in the landscape around you, and even improve your expertise and safety within it. Here’s a selection of wintry mountain terminology every hillwalker should know. Adze The flat, wide end of an ice axe head, opposite the pick, predominately used to cut steps or seats in snow or ice.…

Weather is caused by the rotation of the Earth and the heating of the sun. Different parts of the Earth heat up differently due to curvature, polar ice, snow, clouds and so on. These differences cause jet streams and prevailing winds that move areas of warm air and the more dense cold atmosphere around the planet, stopping the polar regions becoming ever colder and the equator becoming hotter. The UK is positioned right where dry polar air and warmer moist tropical air often meet, creating lots of ‘fronts’. The polar air is driven (usually west to east) by the jet stream, creating a low pressure system that forces the warm damp air up, creating rain and unsettled conditions. In summer the position of the jet stream is usually just north…

• Capacity 30 litres (Brenta 30) • Men’s Adjustable back length (Brenta 30) • Women’s Adjustable back length (Maremma 32) • Weight 1130g (inc 78g raincover) IT'S GOOD The Aeroflex Easy Adjust back system combines back length adjustment with adaptable tensioning of the trampoline-style back system to offer far more airflow control than most rucksacks. You can even adjust the back system while wearing it. I found playing with the adjustment options worthwhile, as on cold days it’s nice to have less airflow to help stay warm! In terms of loading it up, the top of the main compartment is accessed through a fixed lid and the bottom via a short zip on the front of the pack. Externally, there are two zipped pockets – one on the lid and…

HOODS The hood should fit your head snugly so it does not blow off, but also it must move with your head so you can see where you are going. The hood peak may become bent when the jacket is stashed in a rucksack, so look for a wired peak that can be easily reshaped to allow good vision even in the wind. Lower-priced jackets generally have hoods that don’t fit or move so well with the head, and often lack wired or stiffened peaks. FABRICS On high-priced jackets you can expect to find the most waterproof and breathable fabrics. In contrast lower-priced jackets generally use fabrics that are less breathable and may be less durably waterproof in the long-term too. Materials described as 2-layer will be more clammy than…

You want the best for a low budget... Vango Inca £13.50 (each) This low-priced pole is sold as a single pole, rather than a pair like other poles here, but if you buy two to create a pair they are still a bargain. They feature external locking cams, so are easy to adjust. They can also be tightened easily with your fingers rather than needing a screwdriver or similar as others often require. The extra-long foam handle grip makes them ideal for crossing rockier ground or traversing slopes, as you can vary your grip easily. You also get a padded wrist loop. The drawbacks are these are a little heavier than others and also less compact than the folding designs. For most walkers this provides all you need, but pay…

Cost From £50 per room per night including breakfast Where 1 Cross Street, Castleton, Hope Valley Food and drink Yes Bedrooms 9 Wi-Fi Yes Parking Yes Dogs Yes in the bar, no in the rooms and restaurant Walks Try Route 1 for starters – Castleton is widely regarded as the walking capital of the Peak District National Park Contact 01433 620248 www.yeoldenagshead.co.uk…

STRENUOUSNESS How tired will this route make me? The times quoted for Trail Routes are based on estimates of 4km per hour, plus 30 minutes for every 300m of ascent, with another hour for rests every 8 hours. The blocks give you an at-a-glance guide: • Quickie •• Short day ••• Full day •••• Very full day ••••• Endurance test NAVIGATION How tricky is this route to follow? • Clear, well-marked paths in a valley or following a linear feature like Hadrian’s Wall •• Valley, moor or mountain paths that are normally clear but low cloud could affect your ability to follow ••• Almost pathless in valleys; less clear paths on moors and mountains, but generally following clearly defined hill shapes •••• Some paths but not clear, not well used…

Distance 16km (10 miles) Total ascent 585m Time 5 hours Start/finish Wyming Brook ( SK269858) Nearest town Sheffield Terrain Footpath, trail, open moorland. Parts of the walk are along access land so check for restrictions before setting off. Go to https://tinyurl.com/ohr2kzz Map OS Explorer (1:25,000) OL1, Harvey British Mountain Maps (1:40,000) Dark Peak Accommodation YHA Hathersage, 0345 371 9021, www.yha.org.uk/hostel/yha-hathersageAlso try www.welcometosheffield.co.uk/visit/stay Public transport Bus or train, www.travelsouthyorkshire.com Guidebook Dark Peak Walks by Paul Besley Tourist info Peak District National Park, www.peakdistrict.gov.uk Wyming Brook Nature Reserve, www.wildsheffield.com/reserves/wymingbrook/ Best pub The Three Merry Lads, Redmires, www.thethreemerryladspub.com GET THIS ROUTE ON YOUR PHONE! LFTO.COM/TRAILROUTES In association with…

10.2 km/ 6¼ miles 3½ hours Way back in geological times, 150 million years before dinosaurs roamed the Earth, the area that is now the Peak District was underwater. It was part of a large tropical lagoon, the waters of which contained the sea creatures whose skeletons formed limestone. Fast-forward 50 million years and the lagoon was closing, a giant river delta now covered the Peak District. This formed shifting sandstone bars, which became the millstone grits of the rocky Peak District Edges,and now form the fabulous viewpoints of Higger Tor, Carl Wark and Over Owler Tor. Skip over the dinosaurs to human times, specifically Bronze and Iron Ages (about 2500BC to 100AD). The tropical sea/delta was long gone and the land mass roughly in its current position. At this…

Distance 12.5km (7¾ miles) Total ascent 740m Time 4½ hours Start/finish ( NN505068) Nearest town Aberfoyle Terrain Straightforward route following well-signed paths all the way to the summit, top section muddy in places with rocky summit Maps OS Explorer (1:25,000) 365, OS Landranger (1:50,000) 57 Accommodation In Aberfoyle both The Rob Roy Hotel, 01877 382245, www.robroyhotel.co.uk and The Forth Inn, 01877 382372, www.forthinn.comAlso numerous guest houses, B&Bs and self-catering options Public transport None to start Guidebook Scotland’s Best Small Mountains by K Shirra Tourist info Aberfoyle iCentre, 01877 381221, www.visitscotland.com/info/services/aberfoyleicentre-p234571 Best pub The Byre Inn, Brig o’Turk, 01877 376292, www.restaurantstirling.co.uk GET THIS ROUTE ON YOUR PHONE! LFTO.COM/TRAILROUTES In association with…

The small spa town of Buxton is a beautiful place to base yourself for a foray into some of the UK’s loveliest hills. Of an evening you can wander around the iconic Georgian and Victorian buildings, and admire the famous Buxton Opera House. You can even fill up your water bottle from St Ann’s Well in front of the Grade I listed Crescent building which first put Buxton on the map as a spa town in the 18th century. And during the day you can climb the area’s steepest hills on good, clear paths, a couple of which host fascinating architecture, weird rock formations or interesting folk tales themselves. Sheep-dotted fields and rolling green/brown moorland stretches to the horizon in all directions, and you’ll follow fast-flowing rivers down into deep…

12.5 km/ 7 miles 5 hours 1 NY435191 Turn south-west down the road, keeping ahead when the dead-end road up Bannerdale turns off left. In another 500m, fork down right on a track alongside a stream. (Slightly longer but with wider outlook is to stay on the very quiet road, turning sharp down right at the junction for Boardale – or Boredale, spelled either way on maps and signposts.) Pass down to the edge of Sandwick, where a signposted green track forks off left beside a wall. 2 NY423195 Head up this for 100m then turn up a grassy path past an iron bench, all the way up to the crestline above. The path heads southwest along Sleet Fell, then slants up the right-hand side of High Dodd to cross…

Distance 13.3km (7¼ miles) Total ascent 1170m Time 6½ hours Start/finish A894 car park ( NC232273) Nearest town Ullapool Terrain High road pass, moorland, broad rocky ridge, rocky summit ridges, exposed cols, hanging corrie and stalkers’ path Maps OS Explorer (1:25,000) 442, OS Landranger (1:50,000) 15, Harvey British Mountain Maps (1:40,000) Assynt Accommodation SYHA Ullapool Youth Hostel, 01854 612254. SYHA Achmelvich Beach Youth Hostel, 01561 844 480, www.hostellingscotland.org.uk Hotel and B&B in Kylesku. Inchnadamph Lodge offers B&B, bunkhouse and self-catering, 01571 822218, www.inch-lodge.co.uk Scourie Caravan and Camping, 01971 502060, www.scouriecampsite sutherland.co.uk Transport Trains to Lairg then 804 & 806 bus to Durness passes close by (check first, as some services only operate during the school holidays) Buses, 0871 200 2233 Trains, 0845 748 4950 Guidebook The Corbetts , Scottish…

“A long right-to-left climbing traverse of the north-west cliff-face beneath Glyder Fach.” Graham Thompson, Classic Mountain Scrambles in England and Wales “An outstanding route that meanders through impressive mountain terrain without ever being unduly difficult.” Garry Smith, North Wales Scrambles “A thrilling trip with a real mountaineering ambience... ticks all the classic ridge-climbing boxes”. Dan Bailey, The Ridges of England, Wales and Ireland “A long, classic and much-loved scramble with a memorable steep section. Interest and challenges sustained throughout” Steve Ashton, Scrambles in Snowdonia…