Innholdsfortegnelse for Spring 2019 i Trail

Cicerone is renowned for its great walking guidebooks that range from the Lakeland fells to the mountains of Japan, which is why we were so excited to see the new limited-edition coffee-table book Fifty Years of Adventure land in the Trail office. To celebrate reaching its half-century, Cicerone has pulled together a collection of mini-essays and mountain adventures from all over the world, which is a great place to start if you need bucket-list inspiration. In its anniversary year, Cicerone is also holding a major competition offering a range of prizes from an overseas trip to outdoor gear, and will donate £1 to charity from every book sold through its website in 2019. www.cicerone.co.uk…

AKU TREKKER LITE III GTX £170 What do we know about Italians? Well, at the risk of making sweeping generalisations, we know they design and craft beautiful things and have an exemplary sense of style. And what do we know about Germans? Using the same broad brushstrokes it’s fair to say they have a reputation for precision, accuracy and reliability. If you’re wondering where all this stereotyping is headed, it’s here: The Trekker Lite III GTX from Italian footwear brand AKU was recognised in Germany as the best and safest product in the trekking footwear category by a consumer product-testing panel set up by the German Parliament. And that sums up this boot better than we can. With its suede upper, Gore-Tex lining, AKU’s Air8000 technology, and performance fit, the…

I got married at the Wasdale Head Inn. That would justify its place on the trail for me, but might not be enough for everybody else. However, the Wasdale Head Inn is perhaps the most famous pub in the Lake District, regularly heralded as the birthplace of British rock climbing. Old black & white photos of the original Lakeland pioneers adorn the wood panelled walls of the hotel, along with displays of antique climbing gear. Ritson’s Bar is nearly always busy, full of steaming climbers drying off and refuelling. England’s highest peaks tower over it, and the country’s deepest lake is a short walk away. Its position at the head of the remote Wasdale valley makes it a mission to get to, but the fact that so many make the…

The Traveller’s Rest is an absolute gem. It can trace its origins back to a 16th century coaching inn, and inside you’ll find open fires, exposed beams, and quiet little nooks to tuck yourself away in. The food is good with plenty of local fare on offer, and the drink options are plentiful regardless of whether it’s a real ale, a malt whisky, a fine wine or something softer. If you’re lucky enough to be staying, the bedrooms are cosy and immaculate, and some are dog-friendly too. From the cosy warmth of the interior the views through the windows are impressive, and only become more so from the beer garden. Wi-Fi is available in the bar and lounge, but, frankly, who cares? www.lakedistrictinns.co.uk…

On a summer night in Colorado, candlelight shivers through a stained wine glass and pirouettes towards the wall. “Okay. So. Money is tight for a multitude of reasons…” the text message reads. My friend can’t make our trip to Italy. She’s in London, and my flight is already paid for. In the marine glow of a laptop screen, I examine a map of the British Isles. My fingers trace a path through the south of England, and a wistful memory flares. It’s of a warm inn with a low ceiling, a pint of Guinness, and a local girl I first met in Morocco. Her eyes sparkle. On that trip I fell in love with the countryside. As I pinch the touchscreen, all four countries swim into view. England, Ireland, Scotland,…

3 YOUR CUT-OUT-AND-KEEP #EVERESTANYWHERE ROUTE You’ve signed up to take on Britain’s mightiest challenge to climb the height of the world’s highest 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... The Wool Packs, Peak District Metres of ascent 590m Distance 7km / 4 miles Your #EverestAnywhere adventure wouldn’t be complete without at least one visit to Kinder Scout in the Peak District, where in 1932 a mass trespass by hillwalkers took place to reclaim the countryside for all. This route takes in a scramble up Crowden Clough, the amazing Wool Packs rock formations on the edge…

Q I’m quite aware of the risk of ticks in the UK but I’m planning an overseas walking holiday this year. Are there still dangers abroad? Jim Benson, Hartlepool Trail says: In the UK, ticks are most active – thus the risk of being bitten is highest – between the warmer months of March and October, as ticks generally become active around 8°C. UK-based ticks are commonly known to spread Lyme disease. Less well-known, though, is the TBE (tick-borne encephalitis) virus – an infection of the central nervous system that can cause inflammation of the brain and meningitis, and which ticks can also transmit. Luckily for us, TBE is not currently found in Great Britain. It does, however, occur in popular European hillwalking holiday destinations including Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Poland,…

• Lower comfort limit -6°C • Insulation 800 fill power Russian goose down • Size 215x65cm (Regular and Long available) • Women’s equivalent n/a • Packed size 21 x 21cm (size Long) • Weight 866g (Long, inc 59g stuffsack) IT'S GOOD Designed for ultralight backpacking and high mountain use, this bag certainly meets its brief. At just 866g and a tiny packed size, this was a doddle to pack into my rucksack and it left plenty of space for other camping equipment. The bag comes in two sizes, and I tested the Long version given my 198cm height. The width is closer fitting than other bags, but this bag features stretch baffles, so it can expand with your body, but also more loft space is created for the insulation when…

LIGHTWEIGHT WITH PIEZO IGNITION Kovea Spider £44 • Burner diameter 3cm • Pan support diameter 15cm • Packed size 11x9x4.5cm • Weight 187g The piezo ignitor is handheld, and serrated pan supports angle into the burner, while flame control is via the valve on the gas canister-end of the hose. EXCELLENT BUDGET OPTION Vango Folding Gas Stove £30 • Burner diameter 5cm • Pan support diameter 17cm • Packed size 9x9x6cm • Weight 236g The gas canister is linked via a hose, so pans are more stable and flame control is further from the burner. Piezo ignition for ease of use and folds for easy packing. LIGHTWEIGHT WITH WIDE BURNER GoSystem Fly Ti £47 • Burner diameter 5cm • Pan support diameter 11cm • Packed size 7x7x6cm • Weight 48g…

Distance 22.5km (14 miles) Total ascent 850m Time 8 hours Start/finish Waterfalls Walk entrance ( SD693732) Or pay and display car parking in Ingleton Nearest town Kirkby Lonsdale Terrain Well-made waterfalls path, hill paths and limestone pavement Maps OS Explorer (1:25,000) OL2, OS Landranger (1:50,000) 98, Harvey Superwalker (1:25,000) Yorkshire Dales Three Peaks Accommodation YHA Ingleton, 0345 260 2752, www.yha.org.ukMeadow Falls camping and pods, Ingleton, 07894 596523, www.meadowfalls.co.uk Public transport Bus 80/81 from High Bentham (train station) or from Lancaster, 0871 200 22 33, www.traveline.info Tourist info Ingleton TIC, 01524 241701, www.ingleton.co.ukWaterfalls Walk, 01524 241930, www.ingletonwaterfalls trail.co.uk Best pub The Wheatsheaf, Ingleton, 015242 41275, www.thewheatsheafingleton.co.uk GET THIS ROUTE ON YOUR PHONE! LFTO.COM/TRAILROUTES In association with…

8.3 km/ 5.2 miles 4-5 hours On paper the horseshoe of ridges which cradle Marchlyn Mawr is an unattractive prospect for a hill walk. At the foot of Carnedd y Filiast is Penrhyn and on the south-western flank of Elidir Fawr is Dinorwig which, in the late 19th century, were the two largest slate quarries in the world. Whole mountainsides were decimated by tiered galleries, gigantic holes and vast slate tips which remain to this day as a tribute to generations of Welshmen who worked in often appalling conditions for unscrupulous landowners. In 1974, to add further insult to Elidir’s injuries, work began on the Dinorwig pumped storage scheme which disembowelled the mountain and irrevocably changed the nature of Llyn Peris and Marchlyn Mawr. A rather disturbing picture you might…

Distance 10km (6¼ miles) Total ascent 744m Time 4-5 hours Start/finish Car park at the end of a minor road off the A84, on the western bank of Garbh Uisge, 3km west of Kilmahog ( NN587091) Nearest town Callander Terrain Clear path all along the ascent of Ben Ledi, path becomes fainter on the descent into Stank Glen, after which firm paths and minor road returns to the start Maps OS Explorer (1:25,000) OL46, OS Landranger (1:50,000) 57 Accommodation (All in Callander) The Crown Hotel, 01877 330040, www.crownhotelcallander.co.uk Invernente B+B, 01877 339924, www.invernente.comCallander Woods Holiday Park, 01250 878123, www.woodleisure.co.uk Public transport Bus C60 from Callander and Killin to the minor road end on the A84, leaving short walk to the start Guidebook Top 10 Mountain Walks: Loch Lomond &…

21.6 km/ 13.4 miles 9-10 hours Crummock Water is all too often ignored – regularly bypassed by walkers mesmerised instead by the splendour of Buttermere. But Crummock Water is definitely worthy of your attention. Flanked by the sweeping, shapely outline of Mellbreak to the west and the towering, domineering bulk of Grasmoor to the east, Crummock Water is a place of beauty. It serves up superb views, is home to Scale Force – the tallest single-drop waterfall in Lakeland – and offers an escape from the crowds that plague other lakes. Of course, you can get up close and personal with Crummock Water by walking around its shore paths, but where is the fun in that? Instead, why not complete a high-level circumnavigation over the glorious fells surrounding the lake?…

16.4 km/ 10.2 miles 7 hours 1 SH656602 Head west along the A5. Pass Ogwen Cottage and, after the road bears north-west over a bridge, turn right at a fingerpost sign. Fork left and scramble north-north-east over rocky outcrops. Emerge onto a clear path with sections of stone pitching. The ascent ahead is steep with some easy scrambling. Cross a flat, boggy section on stepping stones before resuming the steep climb. Take the trod ahead over loose scree, aiming to the left of a huge crag. Continue ascending just east of north and scramble up a gully-like groove between jagged rocks, negotiating a few awkward rocky steps. Emerge to gentler terrain at the 750m contour line. Ascend to the right of the western cliffs, maintaining the same bearing. Pick a…

Yarrow Water, in the heart of the Scottish Borders, was full of romance and action back in the 16th century. Faeries lived in every grassy mound, shepherds and poets wandered the hilltops, and King James might swing by his hunting lodge. Back in the day, Yarrow was equipped with cosy villages, far-ranging drove roads, and useful pele towers for when the neighbours came raiding. These days the valley lies green and empty below its wide skies. The historic Tibbie Shiels Inn has closed its doors, and instead of sturdy cattle thieves in their blue bonnets, a few Southern Upland Wayfarers limp gamely above the grey waters of St Mary’s Loch. When you can’t stand the loneliness any longer, head west to the Grey Mare’s Tail and White Coomb, where there’s…

The dark and perennially damp crags of Great End provide the most reliable winter climbing conditions in England and Wales. Their high altitude and lack of sun through a north-easterly aspect ensures any white stuff that falls from the sky generally sticks and forms a winter climbing haven. This cold appearance extends into all seasons and can for all but the most ardent climbers be a bit off-putting. The intriguing deep cut of Cust’s Gully attracts the odd summer scrambler to see close up the perched boulder jammed between its walls, but beyond that most scramblers give the place a wide berth! This avoidance is a bit surprising, as ‘The Band’ – a rounded ridge that demarcates the western edge of the crags – provides a brilliant and easy scramble.…

This intrepid lady is Vicky Welsh, who’s gearing up to walk 52 miles in 24 hours on the Ridgeway trail through Oxfordshire and Wiltshire in June. Vicky won our RidgeWalk competition with Sense, which supports people who are deafblind or have complex disabilities, and you can read her blogs about the challenge at www.livefortheoutdoors.com/ridgewalk. If you’d like to join the RidgeWalk challenge this summer, search online for ‘Sense RidgeWalk’ to sign up and save 50% on your registration fee using the code SAVE50.…

Does anything beat that feeling of walking off a big mountain at the end of a long day, then putting your feet up in a warm pub by a roaring fire with a cold drink and a plate of hot food? We certainly don’t think so, which is where the inspiration for our brand new Lake District Peak to Pub Trail came from. Hopefully you noticed the beautiful fold-out map inside the front cover of this issue, which details the epic 124km journey, the peaks, the pubs and the many highlights you’ll discover along the way. Here’s how to go and walk it... For us hillwalkers, peaks and pubs go together like bangers and mash, fish and chips, bacon and eggs – each brilliant on their own, but put them…

The Woolpack is ‘one of Cumbria’s most historic inns’. This makes the sight of a huge widescreen TV hanging on the wall something of a surprise. Indeed, the whole interior of the bar is extremely modern; a thoroughly pleasant place to be, just unexpected in an old pub building surrounded by rolling fells and sheep. The little snug next door has a woodburning stove and big, hard-to-get-out-of sofas, if you prefer a more traditional feel, but both are welcoming and the stone-baked pizzas from the main bar are something special. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building, but, frankly, who cares? www.woolpack.co.uk…

Now this place is a bit special. True, that might be in part because Tony and I were put up in what very much looked like it could have been the honeymoon suite (twin beds, you understand), but regardless, it’s clear that a lot of time and money has gone into making the Horse & Farrier an unrivalled placed to stay. It has, however, still retained its old-world charm and knows what walkers want from an inn; you’ll find a drying room for guests and the main bar is dog-friendly. Alas, furry friends can’t stay here, but the H&F’s sister pub, The Sally, is just 50m down the road and will accommodate pooches. The food is great, the welcome exceptionally friendly, and all this at the foot of Blencathra. Free…

Q As a mountain leader, what should you look out for in terms of wind speeds before taking a group out? Sabrina Cookson, via Facebook Rob says: Weather forecasts are something I refer to on a daily basis ahead of leading groups onto the mountains. They’re an essential tool that help me understand what weather we’re likely to experience over the next few days. And I’ll always look at what the wind is doing, as this often has the biggest influence on my plans for the day. Generally, if the wind is less than 15mph I know it will have a negligible effect on walking on the hill. In winter, once wind speeds exceed 15mph it’s strong enough to pick up and relocate snow, which is valuable knowledge as snow…

When Zamberlan announced its new ‘Epic Women’ range – totally designed and tested for the needs of the feminine fit, weight, performance and aesthetics, by an almost all-female team – my initial reaction was surprise. It made me wonder whether, until now, women’s gear hadn’t been made with actual women in mind after all. When it comes to gear, though, it’s often a case of you don’t know what you’re missing. I remember a time many years ago when I used to walk in a baggy cotton T-shirt, a hand-me-down men’s rucksack, and a pair of cheap and cheerful walking boots. But now I’m spoiled with female-fit wicking base layers, a short-backed women-specific rucksack and custom-fit boots… The female-fit debate When the most technical boot in the Epic Women range…

• Lower comfort limit -6°C • Insulation Thermo Proloft synthetic • Size (Length x shoulder width) 205x68cm (Regular and Large available) • Women’s equivalent Deuter Exosphere -6° SL (one size) • Packed size 20x23cm • Weight 1319g (inc 88g stuffsack) IT'S GOOD This sleeping bag uses synthetic insulation, so is available at a much lower price than an equivalent down insulated bag. But the weight, packed size and temperature rating are exceptionally impressive, even compared to down-filled bags. Elasticated construction allows the whole bag to expand in width by 25%. The elastication also holds the insulation closer to the body, resulting in increased efficiency as there are less cold air pockets, so the bag warms up faster and needs less insulation. In addition the foot and head have been treated…

Mammut Kompakt MTI 3-Season (Women) £159 TESTER Anna Humphries • Lower comfort limit -10°C • Insulation Ajungilak MTI Pro polyester • Size 205x80cm (Regular and Short available) • Men’s equivalent Kompakt MTI 3-Season (Regular, Large and Wide available) • Packed size 21 x 30cm • Weight 1851g (inc 100g stuffsack) This well-priced bag is warmer than other 3-season bags, with a temperature rating of -10°C, while others are -4°C, -6°C or -8.5°C. So not surprisingly, it’s also a little heavier and more bulky when in its stuffsack. Synthetic insulation means it is less compact but does feel warm instantly, which was a welcome benefit over the down bag I tried, which took more time to become cosy. The hood, shoulder baffle and zip are all well designed, and there are…

GREAT BUDGET OPTION Vango Cargo 60 £40 The 60-litre Cargo has all the basic features you need when packing hillwalking gear for a trip away. The capacity is great, but there are bigger options if required and they all use a reasonably robust material. This duffel has a top-opening design with a useful zipped mesh pocket inside. For travel, there’s the normal shoulder strap and grab handle, but you also get a pair of stow-away shoulder straps so you can wear the holdall like a rucksack, which is useful over short distances. Pay more and you’ll get more features and tougher materials, but this is great for UK trips and occasional trips abroad. Material Protex 4.2 20D ripstop polyester with PU coating Sizes 60L, 80L, 100L, 120L Weight 927g (60L)…

Ronald Turnbull Creator of a whopping 30 guidebooks and 18 unique coast-to-coasts. Jen & Sim Benson Writers of adventure guides, and passionate about our wild places. Nick Livesey Acclaimed Snowdoniabased photographer and rarely off the hill. Keith Fergus Author of 15 guidebooks to Scotland’s isles and coastline walks. James Forrest Former newspaper journalist turned adventure travel writer. Jeremy Ashcroft Trail’s mountaineering editor and a veteran of every classic UK route. 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…

From the high ground at Haytor Down, the eastern fringes of Dartmoor give way to rolling Devon countryside, the land and its network of rivers and tributaries sweeping down to meet the Channel at the English Riviera. On a clear day you can even see the sea, sparklingly blue on the horizon. This side of Dartmoor National Park’s 368 square miles is one of its most popular, being both relatively easy to get to and home to many great walks, from family ascents of tor-topped mini mountains to longer walks that make the most of its great variety of features and terrain. It is also a place where local myths and legends lie side-by-side with a fascinating catalogue of human history; where the ghostly sightings of Roman legionaries and the…

Distance 8.3km (5.2 miles) Total ascent 748m Time 4-5 hours Start/finish SH597630 Nearest town Llanberis Terrain Tarmac access road, steep, loose paths, narrow ridge, rocky summits Map OS Explorer (1:25,000) OL17 Accommodation YHA Snowdon Llanberis, 0345 371 9645 Public transport A regular bus service passes through the nearby villages of Deiniolen and Dinorwig, 0800 464 0000, www.traveline.cymru Guidebook Photographing the Snowdonia Mountains by Nick Livesey Tourist info Betws-y-Coed TIC, 01690 710426 Best pub The Heights, Llanberis, 01286 238235 GET THIS ROUTE ON YOUR PHONE! LFTO.COM/TRAILROUTES In association with…

15.4 km/ 9.6 miles 5½ hours The summit of High Raise offers one of the best panoramic views in the Lakes. On a clear day, an ascent to the highest point in the central fells is rewarded with views across Derwent Water to Skiddaw in the north, Helvellyn to the north-east, the Langdale Pikes to the south and the Scafell range, just visible above Esk Fell, to the south-west. This walk is not all about the views though. Sour Milk Gill makes its way down the peaceful valley of Easedale in a series of foaming, tumbling falls, strewn with large boulders and rocky shelves, perfect for a spot of summer scrambling and an enjoyable way to begin this walk. Easedale Tarn at the top is also a great spot for…

Distance 21.6km (13.4 miles) Total ascent 1897m Time 9-10 hours Start/finish Space for a few cars at Church Bridge, Loweswater ( NY140208) Nearest town Cockermouth Terrain Generally good fell paths throughout, except for a steep ascent over loose scree on Mellbreak and a slightly tricky descent along Gasgale Gill Maps OS Explorer (1:25,000) OL4, Harvey Superwalker (1:25,000) Lake District North Accommodation Kirkstile Inn, Loweswater, 01900 85219 Damson Ghyll B&B, Thackthwaite, 01900 85609 Looking Stead B&B, Loweswater, 01900 85147 Syke Farm campsite, Buttermere, 01768 770222 Public transport No bus services to the start of the walk, but the 77/77A Honister Rambler connects Keswick with Lorton, Lanthwaite Green and Buttermere during the summer season only Guidebook A Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells: Book Six, and Book Seven, by Alfred Wainwright…

24 km/ 15 miles 8½ hours 1 NT238204 The route will bag two of the minor summits called Marilyns. Between them, the Southern Upland Way shortcuts back to Tibbie Shiels, allowing two separate shorter days. Take the lane between the two lochs across Yarrow Water, and at once turn right through a gate. Cross the field to a footbridge and the north-east corner of Loch of Lowes. Follow the loch shore for 400m to a grassy cone, the outflow of a former stream. 2 NT238195 Head up the stream, which becomes a groove slanting right. When it fades, contour across grass to meet a rough track running uphill. Follow it around the flank of Peat Hill, then south to a small saddle on Pikestone Rig. Ignore SU Way markers here,…

“An adventurous approach to the main Scafell Pike ridge via the terminal peak of Great End.” Jeremy Ashcroft , Britain’s Highest Mountain Walks “This large crag forms the north-eastern end of the Scafell Group. Its northerly aspect and high altitude mean it is in winter climbing condition more often than any other crag in the Lake District.” Brian Davison , Lake District Winter Climbs “Subject to the qualification that the last section is a very rough climb, this is an excellent ascent.” A Wainwright , Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells – The Southern Fells…

“ In 2017, I was diagnosed with cancer of the anus. In 2018 I had my anus, rectum and surrounding area removed. I lay on the sofa for nine weeks. For the first time in my life I was unable to get out, unable to enjoy the outdoor activities that have always been such a major part of my life. I had no idea how well I might recover. I just lay there. Mentally, I knew I was in danger. “I stared out of the window, researched walks and runs that I would do if I recovered well enough, and researched Himalayan objectives that I might never be able to do. But just reading, even with targets in mind, wasn’t the same as actually getting out there breathing in the…

The hotel sits on the bank of Mill Beck – you could fish out of the dining room window. The interior has a polite country decor that seems a little well-to-do for the muddy-booted walker. But not only is the Bridge Hotel walker-friendly (with a wonderfully effective drying room), it’s also dog-friendly. You can even stay in the Wainwright Room; the author whose name is synonymous with the Lakeland fells wrote some of his beloved walking guides while staying here. Out back is the Bridge Inn, and its flagstone floored, exposed beamed Walker’s Bar could not have a more appropriate name, even if it was taken from its founder, Reverend Robert Walker, rather than its clientele. The Bridge Signature Burger is worth the walk from Keswick, and the views out…

While not as characterful as its older neighbour up the valley, the New Dungeon Ghyll is arguably a nicer place to stay. If all you’ve seen of it is the Walker’s Bar out front, you might not be aware that behind this cosy-looking pub is a 22-bedroom Victorian hotel set in 6 acres of gardens. But it’s in the aforementioned bar that the walkers gather to eat, drink and socialise. And, if you run out of people to chat to, you can always nip over the road to the Sticklebarn tavern for a change of scenery. Chances are, though, that once you’ve settled yourself in with a pint of Hardy Tup and a homemade pie, you won’t want to be going anywhere. There’s also free Wi-Fi in all the public…

The George Hotel is the oldest coaching inn in Keswick and one of the oldest hotels in the Lakes. It’s a cosy and welcoming place to be at the end of a day (let alone seven). One item on the menu has reached legendary status in its own right: the George Cow Pie. Thick short-crust pastry crammed full of even thicker chunks of beef, it’s a challenge to eat the half portion, and only a fool would attempt a whole serving (after seven days walking I thought I’d try; I failed miserably). Free Wi-Fi is available, albeit sporadically due to the thickness of the walls, but, frankly, who cares? www.georgehotelkeswick.co.uk…

Sgurr na Stri Isle of Skye Less than 500m high with a view that stretches down Loch Coruisk into the guts of Skye’s mighty Black Cuillin mountains. There isn’t a view to match it in Britain. Walla Crag Lake District More of a crag-top than a peak in its own right, Walla Crag is perched above Keswick, with Derwent Water and the Lake District’s shapely northern fells unfolding all around you. Lose Hill Peak District Just a short pull up from Hope, Lose Hill delivers knockout views along the Great Ridge to Mam Tor, north to Kinder Scout, and across the Derwent valley to Win Hill and Stanage Edge. Sugar Loaf Brecon Beacons The fact you can drive to within a few hundred metres of Sugar Loaf’s 598m summit says…

• GUIDEBOOK Trekking in the Dolomites, published by Cicerone and written by Gillian Price, is indispensable (£16.95, www.cicerone.co.uk), full of top advice on everything from terrain and weather to when to go. • KIT Other than packing light, I have two main tips. I figured my feet would overheat in my leather Scarpas, so opted for Salomon’s Quest 4D 3 Gore-Tex (£180) and they were terrific, cool yet sturdy. And I decided to upgrade my North Face Hyvent jacket to Gore-Tex, so got the Apex Flex 2.0 (£250). It kept me bone-dry but took up twice the bag space and was hot on hills. I’d take the lighter Hyvent next time. • MAPS The three Tabacco maps - 031, 03, 025 - can be bought at Stanfords, London, WC2 (www.stanfords.co.uk),…

OSPREY TEMPEST 30 £100 Osprey is keen to show that women have been at the heart of its design for a quarter of a century, as it celebrates 25 years of women’s specific fit packs this month. New for spring 2019 is the launch of the old classic Tempest 30 in a distinctly non-girly green. Tested by female Trail staffers who struggle to find a rucksack to accommodate shorter backs and ponytails, this pack is a favourite for fit and freedom of movement. www.ospreyeurope.com SMITH EMBER £139 For women wanting performance sunglasses that look good on and off the hill, Smith’s Ember sunglasses feature ChromoPop lenses that are designed to enhance clarity and natural colour to define the terrain ahead. Available in a range of mix-and-match colourways, including the Ice…

Lower comfort limit -8.5°C Insulation Nikwax Hydrophobic 650 fill power European duck down Size 205x70cm (one size, women’s) Men’s equivalent Rab Ascent 700 (Regular and Extra Long available) Packed size 24x18cm Weight 1325g (inc 66g stuffsack) IT'S GOOD This is relatively well-priced for a down insulated bag. It uses 650 fill power down (rather than 800 fill power down) to reduce costs, but still has a very reasonable packed size and weight. It also gives you a few extra degrees of warmth compared to some bags, which makes it more suitable for women, who on average feel the cold more than men. This spacious bag had plenty of room for my hips and legs without feeling tight when I turned over. The side zip extends a good way down to…

BERGHAUS FELLMASTER INTERACTIVE JACKET £165 USED BY Louise Parker, (extremely) demanding Trail designer USED FOR a couple of mixed outings in Snowdonia When this new Berghaus jacket turned up in the Trail office, I quickly nabbed it for my upcoming trip to Wales. Sure, it felt heavier than my usual jacket, but it was February after all, and the elements can throw anything at you at this time of year. The soft, cotton-looking Gore-Tex material appealed, as did the good depth of the external pockets and the massive inside pocket. The slim, long fit revealed itself as a perfect bum-coverer too, while the high zip promised a super-soft mouth/chinguard. The jacket also comes with an internal interactive zip, so you can add a fleece mid-layer if the temperature drops. It…

22.5 km/ 14 miles 8 hours At 724m, Ingleborough’s about as big as it gets in poor old Yorkshire. That’s two metres lower than Ullscarf above the Thirlmere reservoir, and two metres lower than Moel Eilio above Llanberis. Now nobody would consider Ullscarf or Eilio as a full day out, but Ingleborough is big – stretching 15km from Settle to Chapel-le-Dale. And a full day of Ingleborough means waterfalls and caves, limestone pavement and gritstone edge. Except... those waterfalls come at a price. And not just a price in sweat or effort. A price, if you’re aged 16 and over, of six quid in cold cash. Paying for car parks? With a lot of grumbling we can just about put up with that. But paying for paths? We don’t pay…

Distance 19.1km (11.9 miles) Total ascent 703m Time 6 hours Start/finish Haytor Visitor Centre car park ( SX765771) Nearest town Bovey Tracey Terrain Reasonably clear paths but can get wet and boggy, short sections of lane Maps OS Explorer (1:25,000) OL28, OS Landranger (1:50,000) 191 Accommodation You can legally wild camp in many parts of Dartmoor; check where you are allowed at www.dartmoor.gov.uk/about-us/about-us-maps/new-camping-map Basic, good value riverside camping at Cockingford Farm, Widecombe, 01364 621258. B&B and self-catering options at The Rugglestone Inn (below) Public transport Trains to Newton Abbot but the Haytor Hoppa bus operates on Saturdays from May to September. Outside of these times it’s a taxi or a lovely but longer walk up the Templer Way path Guidebook Day walks in Devon by Jen and Sim Benson…

10 km/ 6¼ miles 4-5 hours Although there are bigger mountains within the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, there aren’t many as popular as Ben Ledi, and with good reason. This route is a Scottish classic, with good paths, huge panoramas and a secluded glen all combining for a superb walk. The ascent of Ben Ledi is along a well-constructed path with some steepish pulls, particularly up the mountain’s lower reaches. A gradual then steep rise leads over Meall Odhar to Ben Ledi’s summit. The path can be a little vague at points on the descent to Bealach nan Corp, although it improves as it drops through Stank Glen, which adds a nice contrast to the walk. A final section of minor road leads back to the start.…

Distance 15.4km (9.6 miles) Total ascent 979m Time 5½ hours Start/finish Red Bank Road car park ( NY335073) Nearest town Grasmere or Ambleside Terrain Lanes, bridleways and footpaths, higher ground is open fell Map OS Explorer (1:25,000) OL6 and OL7, OS Landranger (1:50,000) 90 Accommodation Great Langdale campsite (National Trust) is a great base offering glamping or camping, 01539 432733. YHA Grasmere Butharlyp Howe is very well-placed for this route, 0345 371 9319. Or the Langdale Hotel, Chapel Stile, 01539 438014 Public transport Trains to Windermere then a regular bus via Ambleside to Grasmere which takes about 30 minutes Guidebook Day walks in the Lake District by Stephen Goodwin Tourist info Ambleside TIC, Market Cross, 0844 2250 544 Best pub The Badger Bar at the Glen Rothay Hotel, Rydal,…

It’s easy to get lazy with your walking adventures and slip into a routine of climbing the same mountains over and over again. If you’re heading to Snowdonia, you might think there’s only two options – Tryfan and the Glyders, or Crib Goch and the Snowdon Horseshoe. Well it’s time to think again, as the national park has so much more to offer, and the Carneddau range is certainly worthy of diverting your attention away from the honeypot peaks. The Carneddau are, in fact, the largest area of land above 3000ft anywhere in Britain south of the Scottish Highlands. This ultimate weekender ticks off five of the Welsh 3000s (peaks over 3000m), including the mighty Carnedd Llewelyn, and explores the quieter eastern and central parts of the range. ROUTE 7…

10.6 km/ 6.6 miles 3½ hours 1 SH731663 At the car park entrance, go over a stile and head north-west on a wide track. Follow a fence on the right gently uphill and cross another stile. Veer briefly right between two prominent rocky outcrops before looping left past a large sheepfold and then right again on a diagonal uphill track. Head north for 250m before turning sharply left. Take a grassy shortcut ahead to avoid a switchback. Shortly after the path bears left, cross a drystone wall at a ladder stile and continue south-west to the next fence. 2 SH718666 Cross the stile and, instead of taking the clear track ahead, turn left along the fence to arrive at a drystone wall. Turn right and follow the wall roughly south-west…

Distance 31km (19¼ miles) Total ascent 1950m Time 9-11 hours Start/finish Sugar Bowl car park ( NH984073) Nearest town Aviemore Terrain Exposed moorland, boulder-choked valley, craggy glen, boulder field, remote corrie, steep rocky zigzags, hanging corrie, steep arête, narrow stony summits, exposed col, high-mountain plateau, scree, crag-ringed summit, narrow ridge, broad col and broad mountain ridge Maps OS Explorer (1:25,000) OL57, OS Landranger (1:50,000) 36, Harvey Superwalker (1:25,000) Cairn Gorm, Harvey British Mountain Map (1:40,000) Cairngorms & Lochnagar Accommodation Campsites at Glenmore, 0845 130 8224. SYHA Cairngorm Lodge, Glenmore, 01479 861238, www.syha.org.uk Tourist information 01479 810363, www.visitscotland.com Transport Trains and buses to Aviemore, then shuttle bus to the Sugar Bowl. National Rail Enquiries, 0845 748 4950. Bus, 0871 200 2233, www.travelinescotland.com Guidebook Britain’s Highest Mountain Walks, Jeremy Ashcroft…