Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2025 i Trail

GET 50% OFF Ordnance Survey All first-time Trail Subscribers get 5 off OS Maps, the Ordnance Survey’s digital mapping service. That’s the equivalent of 607 paper maps in your pocket! PAGE 24 A few weekends ago, I watched the young Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz win the French Open title in such electrifying fashion that it felt like I’d spent 5 hours absorbing a human highlight reel. Even as someone almost twice Alcaraz’s age, I was spellbound. What a performance. What a way to inspire a future generation, who will have no doubt sat at home, staring wide-eyed at the TV, watching an almost superhuman feat of endurance, resilience and skill, then begged their parents to book a court and show them how to swing a racket. We all need…

Because it’s the school summer holidays, it’s been raining in the mountains for weeks now. The air is humid, full of moisture; moisture that when it’s not actually falling from the sky, is seemingly happy to exist in vast, mountainsmothering clouds of fog. Luckily, grey and green go together, so the verdant bracken and rushes of the mountainsides wear the cloak well. Looks are always important. On a rock that protrudes just above the surrounding vegetation, one of this year’s fledgling wheatears sits. Bedraggled, with rain droplets clinging to even the finest of its feathers, it’s not looking its best. A near-constant ruffling of those feathers goes some way to keep the bird dry, but just like with even the most expensive waterproof jackets, a soaking is inevitable. Its parents…

“There is one sort of gambling to which I am much addicted. When I find it convenient to descend from a mountain, I am too confident and too indolent to look round until I find a track or other symptom of safety; but I wander on, and where it is first possible to descend, there I go, relying upon fortune for how far down this possibility will continue. “[Descending Scafell] I came to a smooth rock about seven feet high. I put my hands on the ledge and dropped down. In a few yards came another. I dropped that too and yet another. Looking down, I saw but a succession of these little precipices. I began to suspect that I ought not to go on, but though I could with…

Osprey Talon/Tempest Velocity 30 £160 The Talon (men’s) and Tempest (women’s) packs are two of hiking’s most popular daypacks. The Velocity versions (which are also available as a 20-litre volume) take the DNA of these packs, blend it with the genes of a running vest harness, and streamline the result to create a 30-litre pack that weighs just over 900g but remains an exceptionally comfortable carry. Rab Muon 40 £200 This pack hits the sweet spot for shorter multi-day backpacking trips and longer hut-to-hut trails where you don’t need to carry a tent. The 40-litre volume is large enough to carry all the essentials, while the use of ultralight nylon fabric and strip-backed cinch strap and harness keeps the weight below 1kg without skimping on features. Exped Lightning 60 £185…

Heady adventures Tilley TMH55 Airflo Mashup Hat £75 Famously, Tilley hats can survive the digestive tract of an elephant. The story goes that animal trainer Michael Hackenberger had his Tilley taken from his head and eaten by an elephant no fewer than three times. Michael would ‘recover’ his hat, give it a damn good wash, and continue to wear it. Mine’s not quite that well-travelled, but it has canoed in the Highlands, climbed Kilimanjaro, hiked the South West Coast Path, safaried in Kenya, trekked Corsica’s GR20, and accompanied me on many more adventures I’ve forgotten about. The wide brim protects me from the sun, the ventilated band around the crown keeps my head cool, and the fact that it’s made from a mix of recycled materials (hence ‘Mashup’) gives it…

Yr Wyddfa has claim to being “the busiest mountain in the world”. While that could be contested, it is certainly a busy mountain. But it is also a great one. Choose any of the main paths up this iconic peak and you’re sure to have some company. This popularity can put people off, and that’s a shame for such a grand peak. However, if you want to enjoy Yr Wyddfa but are seeking some solace, then Gyrn Las ridge is an adventurous and cunning route to the summit that will avoid the sea of walkers washing their way up the highway tourist paths. Hidden from the hoards in the confines of Cwm Glas, high up in the Llanberis Pass sits this seldom travelled ridge. It may not have the clean…

The Cairngorms are one of Britain’s most expansive granite massifs, defined by broad, rounded summits and deep, glacial corries. Unlike the jagged drama of the western Highlands, the Cairngorms have a rugged, imposing character – marked by exposed plateaus, everchanging weather, and a sense of untamed solitude. At the heart of this range stands Ben Macdui, the second highest mountain in the UK (1309m), its summit a sprawling plateau that seems to absorb the sky. For those seeking a more adventurous route, Fiacaill Ridge offers a thrilling scramble. This classic ascent weaves between two glacier-carved corries – Coire an t-Sneachda and Coire an Lochain – leading up to the Cairngorms’ high plateau. The route demands careful footing and offers plenty of exposure, with solid granite blocks and open sections that…

1 NY235121 From road end in Seathwaite, head south through farmyard. Turn left, signposted ‘Thorneythwaite Farm 1¼ miles’, and cross bridge over stream. Take good path north-east. Go through series of field and gates, passing to right of Thorneythwaite Farm. Join farm's tarmac road and head north-east to B5289 at Strands Bridge. Cross road and take path to left of house, signposted Longthwaite. Head north, cross Folly Bridge and turn right. Take path north-east to Longthwaite, negotiating little section of rocky scrambling next to river and then passing to right of YHA. At end of YHA driveway, turn left and take path north-northwest, on left-hand bank of River Derwent. Cross wooden footbridge, pass to left of New Bridge and go through right-hand of two gates. Head north-north-east, fork left around…

DAY 3 11 NM393927 This is probably the easiest day. It’s almost a day off, compared to the link up day. If you decided the big day wasn’t for you, it’s possible to hit the road from Harris back to Kinloch and then follow this track down to Dibidil bothy for an out-andback. If you can only make an overnight trip, then heading straight out to either of the bothies as a return trip is worth the ferry trip. From Dibidil bothy, head northeast to Dibidil River across vague and boggy ground to the river. There is an iron peg in the ground, roughly where you should cross. This is the crux of the day, especially if you celebrated the previous day with a whisky. After rainfall, the river can…

"Skirt detachable?” The question came from Millican Dalton, famed cave dweller of the Lake District. He was speaking to Mabel Barker, who was 27 years old, standing at the foot of Needle Ridge on Great Gable and gazing up at what would be her first roped climb. “Yes,” she responded, and took it off. He knotted a hemp rope around her waist and Mabel took hold of the rock. Mabel Barker would go on to climb alongside some of the strongest climbers of the day, among them, men selected for the early Everest expeditions. From that first climb until 1937, aged 52, she put up 27 first ascents, including making the first women’s traverse of Skye’s thrillingly fearsome Cuillin Ridge and – 100 years ago this August – the first…

CamelBak Thrive Chug 32oz with Tritan Renew £21 The Thrive bottle isn’t exactly reinventing the wheel, but it is giving it some shiny new hubcaps. It’s made from Titan Renew, a partially recycled material often used in water bottles, such as the classic widemouth Nalgene. The Thrive pimps up the classic gulping-bottle design by adding an easy-drink spout, with a convenient cap that stays open when flipped up and stays closed when pushed down, making the bottle 100% leakproof. The Thrive is also available as a Flip Straw model, in multiple volumes, and in a vacuum stainless steel version too. LifeStraw SIP with Carry Case £35 Weighing under 100g including its protective carry case (take the case out of the equation and it’s a smidge over 50g) this might be…

Want to go on a walk to see The Peak Pig and E.T.? Work your way through The Woolpacks, then take a seat on Pyms Chair or Noe Stool? All while enjoying the fabulous friction of gritstone scrambling on Ringing Roger? These intriguingly named landmarks are some of Kinder Scout’s well known rock formations that guide you along the southern edges. Nearly all have folklore stories behind them, making for a rather rewarding ramble across a plain plateau. While you ramble, you can also scramble. Clambering these rocks and other crags along this route is well within the reach of the average walker, providing some excellent low grade scrambling adventure with easy escapes. Walk with your mates or alone. Either way, you are going to have some company with these…

This classic circular walk into the higher fells of eastern Lakeland begins in the tiny village of Hartsop near Brothers Water and quickly heads away from the crowds along the beautiful quiet valley of Pasture Bottom. The route initially follows Pasture Beck before entering into a labyrinth of grassy mounds. It then passes round the foreboding Raven Crag, providing some spectacular rocky scenery, before finally taking walkers up a lung-bursting ascent to Threshthwaite Mouth to reveal spectacular views of Windermere to the south and Ullswater to the north. After conquering the scree of Thornthwaite Crag via the imposing north-western slope, you arrive at the summit of the first of two Wainwrights, which provides a perfect place for a well-earned rest. The onward route now takes you to the trig point…

1 NY207322 Turn right, taking care on busy road, and head north-east. Turn left at junction, past entrance to Armathwaite Hall, and head north-west on minor road. Pass Coalbeck Caravan Park and, where road bends right for Lake District Wildlife Park, go straight on through gate. Take Buckholme Lonning Track west, north-west and west again alongside river, through woodland and past fields all the way to Long Close Farm. Pass to right of farm and join road. Head west to pass Iselgate Farm and Cottage, and turn left over Isel Bridge. Head south and turn right at next road. Follow road south-west to reach lay-by. 2 NY162328 Veer left and take track south-west, ascending into Setmurthy Woods. Fork right at junction and continue south-west towards western tip of Watch Hill.…

DAY 1 1 NM411991 From the ferry, follow the road to the village shop. There are free toilets and showers you can use just down the road from the slipway. These will be a godsend after three days on the hill. Definitely leave a donation in the village fund. The small community of Rum relies on support from visitors so I really encourage you to do what you can if you can. I bought a lovely cookbook and a bottle of Askival Rum with my accommodation savings, as well as some treats for camp. After visiting the shop, return back to the bridge 100m or so away and cross back to the other side of the river. If you find yourself at the Ranger hut, you’ve walked up the wrong…

12,000KM TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD Trail takes off its hat this month to former Royal Marine Mitch Hutchcraft on the completion of “the longest climb of Everest in history". Mitch, from Cambridgeshire, reached the top of the world’s highest mountain after a record-breaking triathlon which began with a 35km swim across the Channel, before a 12,000km bike ride to India and a 900km run to Kathmandu, after which he trekked 360km to Everest Base Camp – and promptly climbed the peak itself. “It's been tough,” said Mitch. “Really tough. The most difficult thing I've ever done. But I couldn't be happier and more proud of finishing this epic adventure.” He’s raising money for the conservation group SAVSIM, which also provides mental health support to veterans and others suffering…

We just love an evil twin, right? They’re right there through our history, from ancient legends in Persia, Rome and South America through to the goatee’d Evil Spock in Star Trek. Spider-Man had one. Knight Rider had one. Doctor Who’s had several. The highest mountain in England has one too. Take a bow, Sca Fell. Unlike the Second Peaks of Scotland and Wales, England’s Second Peak has a direct relationship with No 1. They’re connected. Sca Fell sits right next to Scafell Pike and the pair are joined at the hip by a curtain of rock called Mickledore. Structurally they are made of roughly the same materials and the height difference is negligible; just 14m separate the highest point of Sca Fell (at 964m) from that of the Pike (at…

Mabel climbed overseas only once, on a trip to the Austrian Alps. On one of these days, after getting caught in bad weather and coming down the mountain the wrong way, she, Millican Dalton and one other were forced to spend the night in the open. They spent it telling stories, singing and smoking cigarettes, and the next morning “nobody woke up dead”. This quip, used by Mabel in her obituary of Dalton, would later be used as the title of her biography by Jan Levi.…

PICK YOUR SOURCE Identify refill points before you head out. Check the map for water springing high on the hill, far from grazing animals and areas of human habitation – sure sources of water-borne pathogens including protozoa, bacteria, parasites (like cryptosporidium, above) and viruses. On the ground, look for about 20m of clear, fast-flowing water. If you have to take from still water, scoop near the surface and wait a few minutes for sediment to settle. If really murky, filter through a snood/hanky. OPTION 1: BOIL IT The most reliable and simplest way of treating water is by boiling, and you don’t need any additional kit other than perhaps some extra fuel. Bringing water to a rolling boil for one minute kills off all pathogens. Simple – but it won’t…

■ ULTRA LIGHTWEIGHT Making a pack lightweight is easy. Making one that’s also comfortable and robust is not. Luckily, Simond has over 150 years of gear producing knowledge to fall back on. With its experience of gear design, fabrics and construction, Simond has produced a 50-litre trekking pack that weighs just 880g. Every component, from the clips to the straps, has been carefully designed to contribute to the lightness of the bag. Despite this, the MT900 doesn’t skimp on design features. Yes, it uses a roll-top closure rather than a proper lid, but you still get a hydration pouch sleeve, a steel frame, a proper back panel and multiple pockets for storage. ■ GREAT COMFORT AND FIT A pack designed for long-distance routes such as Europe’s GR treks has to…

I’ve long said that taking the time to understand and appreciate the names of the mountains you visit will enhance your experience and also give you a few clues as to what you might expect, and Y Gribin is a great example. It essentially means ‘The Ridge’ but refers to a specific type of ridge, namely a comb or rake-like ridge. You can see this same meaning in Crib Goch. So… Y Gribin could be rather lively! Scrambling the crest of the ridge in its entirety would probably put you closer to Grade 2 than Grade 1, owing to the steep and consequential drop on one side. You would need a good head for exposure and some solid scrambling skills. There is a much less committing track that weaves up…

Viewed from the Ogwen Valley, the rolling lumps of Carnedd Dafydd and Carnedd Llewelyn may not look like much, but the steep sided northern aspect offers a multitude of solitude and adventure. The gentle walk in through Cwm Llafar gradually turns from grassy meadow to true mountain terrain, with a steep climb in Cwmglas Bach leading onto the finest lower grade scramble in these parts: the Llech Ddu Spur. The scramble would be a fine adventure in its own right, but it’s only the prelude to a wonderful horseshoe route boasting some of the finest views in Eryri – over the Ogwen Valley to the northern ridges of the Glyderau, and across the Menai Strait to Ynys Mon. The route continues on to Carnedd Llewelyn, the high point of the…

1 NY035366 Turn right onto Maryport’s High Street and head north-north-east, briefly climbing. Veer left on Solway Terrace and head north-north-east to Senhouse Roman Museum. Ahead is a very long coastal section all the way to Silloth, Skinburness and the end of the Allerdale Ramble at Grune Point. The coastal walking poses very little navigational challenges. As part of the King Charles III England Coast Path National Trail, it is very well signposted and easy to follow. Depending on the tides, you can walk most of this section on sandy beaches, but at high tide paths are located inland, over dunes, or next to the B5300. Descend tarmac path north-north-east to reach Maryport promenade walkway, next to turquoise building. Follow promenade to its end, then continue along beach or edge…

DAY 2 5 NG319012 A track near the river leads up into Glen Guirdil, from the bothy. Keep to the left-hand side of the glen and climb gently uphill, aiming for Bealach a’ Bhraig Bhig. The ground becomes very rough and there are lots of little holes for your legs to fall into, so walking poles and a cautious approach are recommended. There is no mountain rescue on Rum. From the bealach continue to descend on a south-easterly bearing, down to the Harris road. There is a vehicle mat for much of the descent. 6 NM358993 You should reach the road 100m south-west of Malcolm’s Bridge. The section to Harris is straightforward and on a solid road, by Rum’s standard – you’ll have a job getting lost, though as you…