Category Archives: Holidays

Walking in the Lake District

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There are many reasons why the Lake District is popular with tourists far and wide, and one of those is the sizeable amount of great walking routes. Blessed with towering mountains, steep valleys and shimmering lakes, the views alone make trekking around this part of Cumbria well worth doing. However, when faced with so much choice, knowing where to walk from your accommodation in Windermere is challenging. To help you out, we’ve picked some of the best walking routes in the Lake District.

Wainwright’s Coast To Coast:

Also known by locals and ramblers as C2C, this route starts at St. Bees on the Cumbrian coast, leading towards Robin Hood’s Bay near Whitby in North Yorkshire. Taking around 14 days, among the sights you can see include the market town of Alston, Scafell Pike, which is England’s highest mountain and Ennerdale Bridge. If you’re going the reverse route, then you might want to stay in a comfortable Lake District holiday cottage to rest your weary feet.

Jennings Adventure Ale Trail – Rydal

For the real ale connoisseurs among us, this trail is a must. Starting and finishing in Ambleside, this 30-mile route takes in pubs in Elterwater and Grasmere along the way, all of which serve ale brewed by Jennings, makers of the much-loved Cumberland Ale. Aside from beer, this route also has plenty of spectacular views of nearby lakes, tarns and becks which are bound to challenge even the most experienced walker.

Tour of Great Gable via the Passes

This part of the Lake District gave birth to rock climbing in Britain, and begins and ends in the village of Seatoller. Along the relatively short 15-mile route, you’ll pass through Ennerdale, Scarth Gap and will get awe-inspiring views of the Great Gable Mountain. This route is well worth walking if you want to walk across challenging terrain.

Will you catch the Munro bagging bug?

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Have you heard of Munro bagging? Or the sister pursuit of Corbett bagging? Then there’s Graham bagging, once you have completed the Munros and Corbetts, or perhaps as an introduction to the Munros. What on earth are we talking about here?

Well, a Munro is a Scottish mountain with a summit of more than 3,000ft (914m). It was Sir Hugh Munro who first compiled his list of hills known as Munros Tables in 1891. In the last decade or so, Munro Bagging, which sees walkers heading to the top of every one of the 283 Munros, has turned into a hot Scottish pursuit.

To date the Scottish Mountaineering Council of Scotland, which is the official holder of recorded Munro “rounds”, shows that more than 4,000 walkers have “compleated” a round. (Compleat is the word used in Munro terms, rather than complete.)

Munro bagging extraordinaire

  • There are Munro baggers who have compleated a continuous round of all 283 summits, either walking or cycling between each of the Munros. Given that the geographical spread of Munros is from Ben Lomond in the southern Highlands to Ben Hope in the northern Highlands this is some feat.
  • Other Munro hikers have compleated a “winter” round. This is a tough challenge, and often dangerous, as snow usually covers the highest mountain tops in Scotland all through the winter.
  • Some people have walked a Munros round with their dog, or partner. Some have done a jig on the top of every Munro, or walked with their children. One man is aiming to be the first to walk a round with two metal replacement hips.
  • The youngest walker to be in pursuit of all the Munro is reportedly a four-year-old boy, who is walking them with his dad.
  • Other, more driven, hikers have compleated several Munro rounds. To date, the Munro Bagging record holder is Steve Fallon, who is working his way through his 15th round. Yes, you did read that correctly! Steve started out reasonably fit and now is so fit he can run numerous Munros in one day.

Why record breaker Steve likes the Munros

Steve has a simple explanation for all his Munro rounds: “I just like getting out on the Scottish hills.” He says: “Munro Bagging gives you a goal, it keeps you fit, it gets you into the outdoors and it takes you to some amazingly beautiful and dramatic places that you would otherwise never come across.”

While ticking off his 15th round of Munros, Steve is now also aiming to compleat a round of the smaller Scottish mountains called Corbetts.

What are the Corbetts?

Corbetts are Scottish mountains with a summit height of between 2,500ft  (762m) and 2999ft (913m) and there are 221 of them. Corbett bagging is a popular pursuit for people who have already completed a Munro round. In many cases the Corbetts can be a tougher challenge because they are less well-walked.

Then come the Grahams. These are Scottish hills with a summit of between 2000ft and 2499ft. These hills, whether Munros, Corbetts or Grahams, offer an ideal goal for all kinds of walkers.

First Munros for starters

There are “easier” Munros, some of which have a starting point of several hundred metres above sea level, and offer a have a well-defined trail to the top. Check out the Munro, Carn Aosad, or The Cairnwell and Glas Maol.

There are others that present a big challenge, such as the infamous ridge walk along the Aonach Eagach in Glencoe  or the Cuillin Ridge, on the Isle of Skye. Most people who attempt these lofty and remote peaks require a guide, or at least a large amount of experience.

In between, there are a host of other mountains to suit all fitness levels, desires and abilities. The daddy of them all is Ben Nevis, which is the highest mountain in all of the UK.

Walk a Munro or two in 2012

Whether you live in Scotland or further afield why not challenge yourself to walk a Munro or two in 2012? It takes most walkers many, many years to compleat a round of 283 Munros and no-one is saying you have to walk them all in record-breaking time.  We reckon that once you have walked a few you’ll be hooked by the Munro bagging bug.

Please do tell us about your Munro bagging endeavours and adventures.

The Delight of a Croatian Hike

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Even with your eyes closed, a walk in Croatia is a treat for the senses. The warm sun on your skin, and the scents of lavender fields and pine forests suggest you might be in the Mediterranean, whilst the sound of the sea lapping at the harbour wall and masts clinking together in the marina too could be hard to place. Opening your eyes to the clearest turquoise waters surrounding the terracotta roofed stone buildings clinging to the steep hillsides, is perhaps when you realise, you’re on the spectacular Dalmatian Coast.

2The combination of rocky and tree-covered hilly landscape is a paradise for walkers of all abilities. There are easier day walks right through to week long hikes, all with jaw-dropping views. If you’re keen to try a walking holiday for the first time, or are travelling with someone that hasn’t done a huge amount of walking before, head to the coast of Croatia. For starters it is beautiful, and impossible not to love. Furthermore, there is a wealth of shorter day-long excursions for walkers. Try hopping on a ferry to hop around the Dalmatian coast’s islands. To the south, the island of Hvar has fresh water springs, olive groves, and fruit orchards to explore. There is a great walk up to the hillside castle that gives you fantastic views down over the town of Hvar and out to sea. If you prefer some culture with your walks, Hvar town has historic buildings and meandering streets around its harbour. At the end of a long day’s exploring, Hvar town has a wide choice of restaurants to choose from, serving typically Mediterranean cuisine, fresh produce and fantastic wines.

If you are feeling more adventurous, try heading up to the Plitvička Jezera National Park. This is further inland, and provides not only lush green and rocky mountainous landscapes, but also lakes and waterfalls. Whilst the park is fairly remote, there are traditional looking towns dotted along main road routes. Homes are, for the most part, wooden, almost Alpine in style. Another highly recommended spot is Paklenica, on the southern slopes of the Velebit mountain range which dominate central Croatia. There you will find two river canyons (Mala Paklenica and Velika Paklenica), neither of which have water running through them any more, making for fantastic walks. The canyon base trail has sheer cliffs rising to over 700m dramatically on either side. There are pretty streams to follow, beautiful valleys, plateaus and pine forests.

1If you are considering a healthy hiking holiday, look no further than Croatia. Besides offering you the perfect setting for any walk or hike, Croatia holidays have beaches, historic towns, spas, and delicious foods and wines to compliment!

BIO:

This is an article supplied by Top Travel Blogs, help from travellers to travellers!

Families just wanna have fun on holiday

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First there was the staycation – and now a fast-growing trend is the “playcation”. In 2012, almost four in 10 British families say they are planning a holiday that includes some kind of sport or activity.

Family fun: Gorge walking with Highway2Adventure

Family fun: Gorge walking with Highway2Adventure

This encouraging statistic is brought to us by a Gocompare.com study, which also revealed that one of the main reasons for taking a more active holiday is to “spend time with family”.

Many parents believe that children aren’t particularly thrilled with a lie-by-the-pool style vacation (nor are the parents, we expect), and instead they want to try holidays with their children that include hiking, cycling, canoeing and other adrenaline sports such as gorge walking, coasteering and land yachting.

One Scottish adventure instructor, Mike McLaggan, has seen a rise in the number of families taking part in adventure activities as the main focus of their holiday.

Mike, of Angus-based Highway 2 Adventure, says: “We have many more enquiries for activities for both children and adults while holidaying in Scotland.

“Parents want to spend time with their kids having fun and an activity, such as mountain biking, gorge walking, kayaking, or coasteering is something that suits the whole family.

“It’s great that so many families are planning adventure holidays as a way of getting together and trying something different.”

Two styles of family activity holidays

While some parents choose accommodation to suit their budget and desires and then sign up to a number of outdoors activities with one of many outdoor adventure activity providers during their holiday, others find that it is more convenient to book an accommodation-and-activity break as one package.

Isles more fun: The Scottish island of Arran is a fantastic place to head for family adventures. Stay at any one of the many hotels, B&Bs, self-catering lodges or campsites and take advantage Arran Adventure for a wide range of activities such as gorge walking, mountain biking, sea kayaking and archery. The Isle of Raasay, off the Isle of Skye, also boasts an outdoor centre, called, you guessed it, Raasay Outdoor Centre. There is accommodation on-site and a wide range of activities, including sailing, cycling, walking, kayaking and mountain biking. Or stay at one of the other hotels on the island.

Adventure zone: There are lots of activities to discover in the grounds of three UK outdoor centres, one at Culmington Manor, Shropshire, another at Abernant Lake Hotel, Wales, and a third in Scotland at Lockerbie Manor, Dumfries and Galloway. The choice for adventurous families differs from one centre to the next but you’re assured a holiday of fun and adventure. See Manor Adventure

Wet and wilder: Acorn Family Holidays have a huge campsite at Tan Troed, south Wales. It’s located one mile from Llangorse Lake, and offers lots of watersports fun such as such as sailing, kayaking, canoeing and raft building. Land activities on-site include a high ropes course, climbing and abseil towers, archery ranges and two challenge courses.

Skye wins Scottish Campsite of the Year

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Skye Camping and Caravanning Club Site (pictured) has been named as the AA’s Scottish Campsite of the Year for 2012. The Club Site, which is located in Edinbane on the Isle of Skye, received an excellent four pennant rating to secure its position. And the good news does not finish there as Bellingham Club Site, in Northumberland, has been upgraded to five pennants. Meanwhile, Eskdale, Teversal and Troutbeck Club Sites also achieved AA five pennant ratings. It takes the total number of Club Franchise Sites with AA five premier pennants to four.

AA Inspector, Ewan Ross, visited Skye back in July and wrote in his report, “It’s a peaceful site and an ideal base to visit many tourist attractions in the area. It would be remiss not to comment on the quality of the amenity block in particular and site facilities in general, all of which reflect the owners’ attitude towards achieving excellent standards to meet customer expectations.”

The Club’s Franchisees, Nicky Sellier and David Weller, were delighted by the news and said, “We strive to provide exceptional customer service and it’s encouraging to receive such a recognised title. We hope this award will encourage campers to visit our site – it’s located on the shore of Loch Greshornish and offers beautiful views, yet it is still close to many local attractions for all to enjoy.” Cheddar and Corfe Castle Franchise Sites also achieved AA four star pennant ratings.

AA-rated accommodation is assessed under a set of common quality standards agreed by the AA and the UK tourist authorities (VisitEngland, VisitScotland, VisitWales and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board).

The Camping and Caravanning Club – www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk – is 110-years-old and is the largest and oldest club in the world for all forms of camping. It has 109 award-winning sites throughout the UK and, through a partnership with the Forestry Commission, now runs and manages a further 20 Forest Holidays Caravan & Camping Touring Sites.

How to buy the right tent for you

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Tunnel, pop up, festival, family, lightweight, lighter weight, cabin, dome, bivi and two-man through to nine-man. The range of tents grows ever greater as each summer goes by. But rather like choosing a car, bike or new home, there is most likely a tent that will suit you perfectly.

A guide to matching campers with their tent

Weekend festival dudes: The last thing you want is tent hassle during a fun festival weekend. All festival goers require is a tent that’s easy to carry from public transport or the boot of the car, quick to put up, waterproof and mud-resistant. If it’s brightly patterned or coloured then all the better because re-finding your tent in a field of hundreds of other tents when you have had a couple of beers and your head is dizzy from all the dancing could be the difference between a night’s sleep and a night spent searching for your tent.

The perfect tent solution: Pop-up tents or festival tents.

Family, comfort and joy: This type of family likes to pack the car (or mini bus!) full to the brim. Add in two or three children, a dog, a parent or two and perhaps friends. At the campsite, luxury is important. Blow-up mattresses, cosy sleeping bags, pillows, a sink, a larder, solar powered showers, fridges, carpet. In other words, a camping holiday is a home-from-home affair.

The perfect tent solution: A family tent that sleeps up to nine people with a living space and separate bedrooms for parents, kids and hanger-ons. Tunnel family tents make a great choice.

Family + head room: If the worst thing for you about camping is not being able to stand up then you’ll want to choose your tent carefully. If your camping location is likely to be open to the wind and rain then you should also think about the structure of your tent. If you also need a living area and bedrooms…

The perfect tent solution: A dome tent construction offers great internal space and holds strong in wind and bad weather. Or choose the equally sturdy cabin-style tent.

Go wild: This is wild in the sense of the wilderness. Some people like to get away from it all and head off with only a backpack, a lightweight tent, a small stove and some dried camping food.

The perfect tent solution: A one or two-man lightweight tent that packs up small but still offers strength (in case of wind) and is highly waterproof (in case of rain).

Wild and very light: If you’re planning on a long, multi-day camping trip that includes many miles of walking carrying all your clothes, equipment and accommodation then….

The perfect tent solution: Choose a one-man bivi bags. These tents-come-shelters offer protection from the elements but also cut weight and volume to an absolute minimum.

Wild and high: Mountain goats require a lightweight tent that can also cope in extreme conditions.

The perfect tent solution: A mountain tent is a five-season expedition tent that is designed to offer safety and comfort. The geodesic tent design ensures strength and stability against the strongest winds.

New technology to reduce accidents on Snowdonia Mountains

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The number of calls for assistance to Mountain Rescue Teams in Snowdonia has significantly increased. However, modern mobile technology and an awareness initiative launched this month will contribute towards reducing these calls and a safer enjoyment of the area.

The Mountain Info Services Project was formally launched by Hywel Williams MP at the Snowdonia National Park Warden centre at Pen y Pass. It aims to give mountaineers and hillwalkers access to state-of-the-art information, as well as traditional safety advice and enable them to plan a journey or walk in the mountains of Snowdonia safely.

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During 2011, 411 calls for assistance to Mountain Rescue Teams were made as people ventured to North Wales to enjoy the beauty and special qualities of the area and this resulted in 291 Mountain Rescue team deployments. Recent research shows that a significant number of avoidable calls were made by young male adults who were not adequately prepared or did not have the required skills or equipment for their activity.   The “Reducing Mountain Accidents in Snowdonia” survey concluded that young male adults from urban areas were mainly responsible for these avoidable calls.

The Mountain Info Service Project aims to target this particular audience by using modern technology and today at the Pen y Pass cafe, a new app for the iPhone was launched by Hywel Williams MP who said,  “By applying the latest technology to the field of mountain safety, which is such an important issue in areas such as Snowdonia, there is a greater chance of accident prevention and of promoting the safe enjoyment of our wonderful hills and mountains. In so doing, the strain on local Mountain Rescue Teams will also be eased. I congratulate everyone involved with the Mountain Info Service Project, and hope that all mountaineers and walkers, be they local residents or visitors, will take full advantage of the advice and information that is available.”

Elfyn Jones, British Mountaineering Council (BMC) Officer for Wales, added, Although visitors may have researched the area on the internet before coming, some may not have the required skills to read and use maps and have not prepared themselves for travelling safely in the mountain environment. This app provides the necessary information for visitors who are planning a trip to Snowdon and will help them make an informed judgement before they begin their journey.”

As a result of the Mountain Information Services project, in addition to the development of the new Mountain Info app which is available from iTunes, three additional tools have been developed:

  • A daily report by Snowdonia National Park Wardens on ground conditions and snow levels on the mountains during the winter months, including advice on the skills and equipment required to enjoy these conditions safely. These are provided for the Met Office’s Mountain area forecasts page www.metoffice.gov.uk/loutdoor/mountainsafety/snowdonia/snowdonia_latest_pressure.html and on Twitter by following @safesnowdonia or @eryridiogel.
  • A series of five short video clips narrated by Sian Lloyd, demonstrating the way to prepare for a journey in the mountains including hazard avoidance and what to do in an emergency. These are available on the Met Office and YouTube websites. Visit www.metoffice.gov.uk/loutdoor/mountainsafety/video.html.
  • A publicity and marketing campaign to publicise the project, made up of posters, banners, leaflets and commissioning articles in relevant magazines and periodicals.

The Mountain Info app was rated as the best available app for mountain safety planning by novices by Trail magazine in autumn 2011 and, depending on funding, it is hoped that a Welsh version of the app will be produced in future.

Top tips for winter hill walking

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The photo with this blog post was taken late last month in the Lake District. In the valley, the weather felt quite mild; a few hundred feet higher, the wind and snow made for Arctic conditions despite the bright sky. Winter hill walking should really be seen as mountaineering with the added dimensions of shorter daylight hours plus snow, ice and severe weather.

Never take the weather for granted in the hills. By their very nature, mountain weather patterns can change quickly without warning and can pose serious problems if you’re unprepared. Always check the weather forecast and never just ‘hope for the best’. Check the Met Office weather forecasts – www.metoffice.gov.uk – as well as local advice.

Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Steep ground, snow and cold conditions will sap your strength and can turn what you thought would be a good day out into an epic. On your map, before leaving, check out and mark ‘escape routes’ off your planned walk in case the going gets too tough. Tell somebody where you’re going and let them know when you’re back. Walking alone high in the hills in winter is definitely not recommended!

Your rucksack will hold more than you’d expect to take on a summer stroll so it will weigh more so take that into account as well when planning your walk.

Warm, wind and waterproof clothing is obvious to wear and it pays to carry an extra layer of warmth for when you take a break to avoid cooling down too much. Overheating and sweating is not good for comfort and safety so ventilate your body heat and take off hat and gloves when you start warming up  (unless conditions are horrendous!). Time and again, people pile on the gear as they slog uphill from the car park and stop at the top, sweating as they pull the layers off to cool down. Let your body keep you warm when working hard and use your clothing to retain heat when you stop.

Map, compass and GPS are not accessories, they’re essentials. As is keeping them to hand and knowing how to use them competently. Emergency equipment should include a torch, whistle (emergency signals are six blasts on a whistle or six flashes with a torch), first aid kit and a bivi bag or emergency shelter.

Your footwear needs to offer good support and reliable traction so boots are usually preferred to low shoes. Ice axe and crampons should be considered if conditions warrant. Carrying them, though, is not much good if you don’t know how to use them. Gaiters are a really practical item to wear in snow; put them on before you head off up the trail.

Take enough food to see you and your party through the day with something to spare – you’ll burn calories faster in winter. As well as hot drinks, take plenty of water and drink regularly.

Walking Festival offers free guided walks

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Larger than ever before, the 2012 Ironbridge Gorge Walking Festival, which runs from Saturday 5th to Sunday 13th May, features around 30 free guided walks covering a range of interests and abilities. These include some challenging full day outings in and around the glorious World Heritage Site as well as family adventures, historic trails and wildlife walks. The walks are graded into four levels of difficulty ranging from a gentle two-hour family treasure hunt up to a strenuous, 15 mile circular hike over the Wrekin, ideal for more experienced walkers happy with steep climbs and rough terrain.

New for the 2012 Olympic year is a 12 mile walk from the Toll House at Ironbridge into the historic town of Much Wenlock with a chance to visit the local museum and follow the Olympian Trail. The Much Wenlock Olympian Games, created by local surgeon Dr Penny Brookes in 1850, are said to be the inspiration behind today’s modern Olympic Games. Other new outings include two walks around the churches and chapels of the Severn Gorge; a circular trail taking in some of the heritage sites of the Gorge and an industrial look at the landscape above Coalbrookdale.

For the more adventurous there are also longer walks along the South Telford Heritage Trail and a circular tour of the Gorge to discover the history of the river bridges, making the festival both more challenging for the experienced walker, and interesting for those wanting to find out more about this beautiful area.

Other highlights include a ‘splendidly spooky’ stroll around a candlelit woodland trail for families, a guided bird walk around Devil’s Dingle with local ornithologist Glenn Bishton and a wildlife and environmental photography walk with technique and species advice. There are also all-ability outings suitable for wheelchair users and pushchairs with a commentary on the natural and cultural heritage. Well-behaved dogs on a lead are welcome on most walks but check before booking.

All walks are free but with places limited to between 15 and 20 people, pre-booking is essential. To reserve a place or request a copy of the programme, contact the Ironbridge Visitor Information Centre by email at tic@ironbridge.org.uk or call 01952 433424. Additional information is available on www.visitironbridge.co.uk.

Walkers can create their own itineraries in North Devon

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Ingenious free tools contained within the new Explore the Coast map-based website enable walkers to create personally tailored itineraries for days out and short breaks within the North Devon Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). A Smartphone App will also be available in the spring for walkers on the move; once downloaded it will be accessible without an internet connection.

Pioneered by the North Devon AONB, interactive features on www.explorethecoast.org identify hundreds of points of interest including the most scenic spots and natural landscapes, where best to view local wildlife and discover local heritage sites. Particular reference is given to the South West Coast Path, permissive paths and Public Rights of Way to suit walkers of all levels from experienced long distance hikers to families seeking a gentle circular walk. It aims to inspire everyone to leave the car behind and explore the beautiful coastal area on foot.

The majority of information is accessed via a central Google map with a simple, user-friendly menu to choose from. Paths and points of interest are instantly overlaid according to the user’s choice of theme, identifying a wealth of information and glorious photographs. Sites in close proximity to bus stops, refreshment outlets and other useful local information can also be identified. The website also includes themed interpretation guides, family-friendly resources and links to related websites and downloads.

The AONB covers 66 square miles from the boundary of Exmoor National Park at Combe Martin to Marsland Mouth on the Cornish border; previously it has taken hours of research to plot the best walking routes and places to visit. The new website will undoubtedly help visitors discover local treasures they never knew existed.

Website users can plan their own trip, while accommodation providers and other tourism organisations can use the itinerary planner to create their own branded outings for visitors. There’s also a facility for local communities and visitors to add and share their comments of personal experiences at sites across the AONB.

To view the website visit www.explorethecoast.org, while further information about the North Devon Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty can be found on www.northdevon-aonb.org.uk, www.northdevoncoast.org.uk.

Photo credit – Neville Stanikk

The North Devon AONB is a stunning coastal area which is nationally protected for the beauty of its landscape. It is made up of several distinct landscapes, each with their own special habitats and geology with many of them receiving extra protection in their own right. The AONB contains many Sites of Special Scientific Interest including Braunton Burrows, which is the core of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – http://www.northdevonbiosphere.org.uk.