Newsletter > Newsletter archive > September 2018

September 2018

Walking Roots' - the arrival of the railway
In our exploration of the footpaths and tracks around our remote parish in south-east Cumbria we have reached the 19th century. By then the industrial revolution had already impacted the transport of goods and people over the Pennine fells, but now the railways brought further change.

The new railway joining the coalfields of Durham with mines on the west coast went through hilly terrain and a number of great stone viaducts were built. It also needed to span the deep river gorge just below High Ewebank. With money tight the engineer, Sir Thomas Bouch, used an unusual iron lattice design. It was a great achievement, but Bouch is sadly much better known for his bridge over the River Tay which collapsed with huge loss of life. A station was built at nearby Barras, complete with a platform for loading cattle into trucks. The age of the drover was finally over.

You can read about this next episode in our history of local pathways in this month's 'Walking Roots' blog.

Mont Blanc winner
We're really pleased to learn it was a Walkingworld member who won the Easterly Circuit Tour du Mont Blanc by Mont Blanc Treks in the competition featured in our July newsletter. Sylvia only had four weeks to prepare for the 5 day trip, so she compiled a list of walks in her area that gave her plenty of 'uphill training'. You can read her blog about her preparation and the trip itself.

Walkingworld is, of course, a great way to get into shape for any long distance walking challenge, especially through the winter months. There are hundreds of walks to choose from and you can check to make sure they have plenty of height gain, if that's what you feel you need!

If you fancy having a go at a challenging hiking tour in the Alps we have agreed an exclusive offer with Mont Blank Treks. Use the code WW/MBT19 before December for a £50 per person discount off all guided and self guided treks.

Walk into winter sunshine
A recent study has shown that taking a sunshine break during the winter months can provide major health benefits. HF Holidays has put together a collection of exotic walking breaks for those seeking to escape the dark cold nights. All come with half board accommodation, a choice of walks and the services of HF Holidays’ knowledgeable walking guides.

The small island of La Gomera manages to squeeze in breathtaking barrancos, airy volcanic ridges and the wonderful Garajonay National Park. Parador de la Gomera is a delightful property reflecting the island’s traditional architecture, with a small central garden courtyard, outdoor pool and coastal views.

The lush island of La Palma boasts banana plantations, laurilsilva forests and dramatic volcanic scenery. You can explore the national park, Caldera de Taburiente, and the capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma, with its cobbled streets and colonial architecture. The Parador de la Palma is newly constructed in the traditional style, with an extensive fruit tree garden and great views of the Atlantic.

Year-round sunshine, quaint fishing harbours and the diverse bird-life of the salt pans make the Eastern Algarve the perfect spot for a winter walking escape. The Hotel Via Galé Tavira is on the banks of Ria Formosa, close to the historical centre of the town of Tavira.

Volcanic scenery, fine mansions and beautiful coastlines make Tenerife a great walking destination. This holiday takes you to Mount Teide, Spain’s highest mountain, while staying in the Hotel Laguna Nivaria, located on the main square in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of San Cristobal de la Laguna.

Places are limited so book now to avoid disappointment. For more information on HF Holidays, visit www.hfholidays.co.uk or call 020 8732 1250.

Winter Sun Holidays 2019
La Gomera: 7nts dep. 26th Jan from £1,349pp. Incl. return flights from Heathrow
La Palma: 7nts dep. 31st Jan from £1,199pp. Incl. return flights from Gatwick (Manchester also available)
- Eastern Algarve: 7nts from 2nd Feb from £999pp. Incl. return flights from Gatwick (Manchester also available)
Tenerife: 7nts from 27th Jan from £1,249pp. Incl. return flights from Gatwick (Manchester and Birmingham also available)
T&Cs: Subject to availability. See website for details.

Guided walking in the Sierra Nevada, Andalucia
With over 25 peaks above 3,000 metres and spectacular views across the Mediterranean to North Africa the Sierra Nevada range in Andalucia is truly unforgettable.

Five days of hiking include the summit of Mulhacen, the highest mountain in the Iberian Peninsula, and the Cerro de Caballo, Europe's southernmost 3,000 metre peak. There's a day walking through Alpine meadows to reach the Siete Lagunas - a ring of ice-blue glacial lakes at 3,100 metres - and a walk up Las Alegas with its panoramic views of the entire Sierra Nevada ridge. The walks follow footpaths through pasture lands, pine forests, grasslands and alpine meadows to reach the high, open mountain landscapes.

The hikes have been selected by Richard Hartley, founder of guiding company Spanish Highs and author of the latest Cicerone guidebook 'Walking and Trekking in the Sierra Nevada'. He and his colleagues from Spanish Highs will be your guides for the week.

Apart from one night at the Poqueira Mountain Refuge, the holiday is based at Casa Ana, a 400-year old, 10-bedroom 'Casa Rural'  located just outside the National Park border. Casa Ana has a shady Moorish garden with a south-facing terrace, ideal for an ice-cold beer after a day's walking. You'll be well looked after by the team at Casa Ana who are known for their superb dinners and unforgettable hospitality.

The holiday takes place just once in 2019 from 22-28 June and as numbers are limited, early booking is advised. Contact Anne at info@casa-ana.com

Guided Walking, Sierra Nevada
22-28 June 2019
1,035 euros per person in a double or twin. 1,235 euros single. All bedrooms en suite.
Included: 6 nights' bed and breakfast; picnics, dinners with a glass of wine, local transport and guides.
Not included flights, airport transfers, some refreshments.

National GetOutside Day
This event, organised by Ordnance Survey, has lots of activities for the 30th September 'National GetOutside Day'. There are walks with various celebrities in the Peak District and Shropshire plus lots of regional events and some resources to help you plan your own walks. Registration and information can be found on the Ordnance Survey website.