Newsletter > Newsletter archive > November 2019

November 2019


Being 'AdventureSmart' this winter
Winter is a great time to go out for a walk, whether a short stroll or a hike in the hills. It's just a question of planning well and taking the right clothing and kit. With shorter days and potentially more inclement weather, there are a few extra precautions to take and a bit more to carry, but it's well worth it. For one thing, you can generally escape the crowds.

Many outdoors and rescue organisations are promoting the straightforward, good sense, guidance on the AdventureSmart website. This national safety campaign is the rollout of one started in Wales in 2018. The short videos and articles provide a good checklist of the stuff to carry with you and ways of planning your day's outing. There are also links to sources for weather information and the like.

Our top tip would be to take an LED head torch, even if you think you'll be back well before dark. All sorts of things can happen. Head torches can be obtained for very reasonable prices from outdoor retailers and with LED bulbs the batteries last for ages. They have the distinct advantage of leaving your hands free and are a much better option than using the light on your mobile phone, which will run the battery down very quickly.

Friends of the Lake District anniversary film

Here's a nice little film for a quiet moment, just released online. 'In our Hands' is a poem written by Harriet Fraser that has now been encapsulated in a short film by Terry Abraham. Commissioned by Friends of the Lake District to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the organisation, it's a touching blend of poetry, music and visual imagery celebrating the connections between people and place. As well as highlighting the many different relationships visitors and inhabitants have with the Lake District landscape, it poses the question whether we have 'the dedication to continue to ask, are we on the right road?'

2020 walking breaks from HF Holidays
HF Holidays has some fantastic walking holidays in eighteen picturesque locations around the UK, staying in award-winning 3 and 4-star country houses. Breaks are for 3, 4 or 7 nights' full board accommodation, with all meals from dinner on arrival to breakfast on departure day.

New for 2020 are some of the Adventure Walks. Not for the faint hearted, these holidays are a genuine challenge, with trails across Britain's highest mountains and wildest landscapes. They are designed to target a walking goal which, once achieved, give intrepid hikers all-important bragging rights and a big tick on their walking wish list!  The Steps Challenge 100,000 or 50,000 Adventure Walks holidays are for those looking for a real leg-stretching challenge. There are two distances to choose from - the epic 100,000 steps, or, still a good leg stretcher, the 50,000 steps. Available on the Dorset Coast, in the Peak District, Cotswolds, Northumberland, Isle of Wight and Lake District, the itineraries aim to cover these distances in 3 or 4 days, with breathtaking scenery along the way. Evenings are spent in an HF Holidays' country house where guests can share a drink and re-live the day's adventures.

Alternatively, Walks with a Theme Pub Walks are more leisurely, with a pub lunch en-route and the chance to sample local ale at the end of the day. You can choose from a winter weekend with warming fires, an Easter period short break as the days are getting longer or the summer time. These are all cracking walks, but just as importantly, they stop off at historic, characterful or just plain excellent pubs, where you can sample the local culture, cuisine and a pint or two as well.

Experienced HF Holidays walk leaders will make sure you get the most out of your holiday, visiting iconic locations and discovering wildlife, history, heritage and more. Or, if you want, you can take your time and explore on your own, on a self-guided holiday.

Find out more at www.hfholidays.co.uk or call 020 3974 8868.

Bike & Hike Slovenia
Holidays with Walk Slovenia take place in a stunning location in the foothills of the Julian Alps, perfect for walking. For one week in the upcoming 2020 season, however, the company is offering the same fantastic experience at Pri Lenart as its week-long walking breaks, but with guided electric mountain bike tours for three of the days instead of hikes on foot. The bike routes follow paths through beautiful terrain including dramatic woodlands and wildflower meadows as well as upland alpine pastures and challenging mountain summits that take in some of Europe's most breathtaking views.

This is one of the fully inclusive week-long getaways based at the award-winning hotel, Pri Lenart. Walk Slovenia pride themselves on always delighting their guests and providing a truly unique experience.

The summer season runs from May through to October, with the bike and hike week scheduled for the first week of August. For more information or available dates, visit the Walk Slovenia website or call +386 41 650 321 to start your adventure.

Serrania de Ronda
If you're in the mood for a quick winter or spring getaway, Walkingworld contributor Jim Arymar has just written a new article on the Serrania de Ronda in southern Spain. The famous fortified city of Ronda lies approximately an hour and half's drive west of Malaga airport in AndalucĂ­a.  About 15 kilometres to the South of Ronda lies the hilly region known as the Alto Gemal (taking its name from the Rio Gemal that runs through it). This is a beautiful area of Sweet Chestnut and Holm Oak forests with charming scattered villages. To the north of Ronda, again just 15 to 20 kilometres away is the panoramic Sierra de Grazalema and the famous Pueblos Blancos ('white villages') set in picturesque mountain scenery and an absolute joy to visit.