Newsletter > Newsletter archive > August 2018

August 2018


'Walking Roots' - the turnpikes change everything
These days the question of whether a bypass will be good or bad for a place raises all sorts of issues. Our local town, Kirkby Stephen in Cumbria, has a bypass plan in place although the money for it has never been found. The possibility of the plan being activated again has brought all those issues to the fore. Some think it will be the making of the place, others worry that it will kill all passing trade.

Through the centuries places have been bypassed, sometimes with terminal effect. There's the site of a medieval settlement not far from Kirkby Stephen that was completely abandoned, possibly because the nearby village of Nateby was better placed at a junction of routes.

Our own little hamlet of High Ewebank, which thrived throughout the packhorse era, was itself bypassed when a new turnpike road was built. The twenty of so households quickly dwindled to less than a handful. In this month's 'Walking Roots' instalment we look at how the new turnpike road completely transformed transport from the nearby coal mines, and to and from the Yorkshire Dales, and so created one of Cumbria's 'lost villages'.

Island of surprises
Planning a holiday is an exciting time, but with so much information available online - images of your hotel bedroom, countless pages of reviews, even local restaurant menus - it can be hard to resist the temptation to 'over-research' and so ruin any surprises that might have been in store.

Enter La Palma. Not only has this westerly Canary Island managed to keep itself far below the radar of mass tourism, it has a staggering natural diversity and unexpected cultural richness that will amaze even the most well-informed traveller. It's an island where you can walk through dark, volcanic landscapes on one day and explore fragrant pine forests the next, and where the traditions, music and architecture have stronger links to South America than mainland Europe.
              
Inntravel's hotel-to-hotel walking holiday on La Palma takes in many of the island's most iconic sights and surprising landscapes: the adolescent lava fields of the south; the magnificent, waterfall-riven crater of Caldera de Taburiente; and the 'secret' capital of Los Llanos de Aridane, to name but a few. It combines creative cuisine and an eclectic mix of accommodation - you stay in family-run apartments, a 4-star Parador and two stylish hotels - and luggage transfers are included. Also included is a set of detailed and carefully researched route notes, so you don't have to worry about the finer details of the trip, and can concentrate instead on the remarkable landscapes around you.

For more information on La Palma, or on any of Inntravel's Canary Island walking holidays, visit inntravel.co.uk or speak to their expert team on 01653 617034.

La Palma's Volcanic Trails
- Self-guided hotel-to-hotel walking holiday
- Prices from £785pp, inc 7 nights' B&B accommodation, 3 dinners, 3 picnics & detailed route notes
- Flights extra (direct to La Palma from Manchester & London or via Tenerife from several UK regional airports)
- Available 1 September 2018-31 May 2019

Looking for an adventure this Winter?
We know it's only August but with a busy season ahead, the folks at Pri Lenart in Slovenia are already thinking about December. The hotel will be open for a week from 29th December 2018 to 5th January 2019 and festive guests will have the unique chance to experience a week of winter walking, wine-tasting and a visit to Ljubljana Christmas Market.

Home to some of the most beautiful walking routes in Europe, Slovenia covers a variety of terrains, including woodland, high hills, meadows and mountain ascents, offering incredible scenery along the way.

Prices start from £995 and cover everything from accommodation and guided walks, wine tasting, to food and drink.

For a luxury walking holiday, look no further than Slovenia - a walkers paradise! To find out more visit the Walk Slovenia website or call +386 41 650 321.

Walk for Parkinsons
The annual Walk for Parkinson's takes place from Eccleston to Chester on Sunday 23rd September. The annual walk raises awareness and funds for the charity and is a lovely route from Eccleston CE Primary School along the river Dee to Chester and the famous walls. Participants are asked to try to raise a minimum of £50. There are three routes available: 9 miles, 7 miles and a 1.5 mile accessible walk. A discount is available for those entering as a team. Dogs are welcome on the walk and homemade cake will be on sale at the school. To sign up visit the Parkinson's website.

Member news
At the end of July the UK experienced a total eclipse of the moon, an extremely rare event. Unfortunately most of us missed the spectacle thanks to completely cloud covered skies. However Walkingworld contributor Pete Salenieks did manage to get some photos of the moon and Mars which was in close proximity on the same day. We've put his account and montage of his photos on the Walkingworld blog.

Jim Arymar has updated his information on the superb walking areas in the Spanish regions of Alicante and Castellon. With the serious heat of the summer now over now is the time to be thinking of visiting this often overlooked part of Spain. There are still plenty of flights and pleasant places to stay. Jim has provided a perfectly formed portfolio of walks in each region so you should find enough to keep you occupied for a week or more, perhaps mixing your walking with some sight-seeing and trips to the coast.