“Hitting the spot on trails less trodden”
The Trips - Most recent first, Click on images to enlarge
Ardnamurchan - Coll - Tiree - Muck - Canna - Rum - Eigg
Clare - Wicklow - Mourne Mts. - North Donegal - Antrim Coast - Rathlin Island
Snaefellsnes - Hornstrandir - Fimmvorduhals - Skaftafell - Seydisfjordur
Gjogv - Famjin - Tjornuvik - Vidareidi - Saksun - Sandoy - Trollanes
Jotunheimen - Innerdalen - Kystriksveien - Lofoten - Vesteralen
Muncaster Fell - Blind Tarn - Eel Tarn - Stony Tarn - Lingcove - Scar Lathing - Green Crag - Hardknott - Devoke Water - Boat How
Summer Isles - Lochinver - Drumbeg - Scourie - Sandwood Bay - Reef - Uig - Rhenigidale - Luskentyre - Hushinish - Trotternish - Glendale
Hope Bowdler Hill - Caer Caradoc - The Long Mynd - The Stiperstones
Kerlingarfjoll - Myvatn - Borgarfjorthur eystri - Lonsaraefi - Jokulsarlon - Skaftafell - Landmannalaugar - Vik
Crag Fell - Floutern - Angler's Crag - Bowness Knott
Gower Peninsula - Purbeck Coast - Upper Teesdale - Brecon Beacons - Vale of Ewyas - Rhinns of Galloway - Lee Valley Walk - Gun Hill, Norfolk - Isle of Portland - Audley End - My Most Heavenly Hikes - Book Reviews
Holy Vale - Bryher - Bant's Carn - Tresco - St.Agnes - St.Martin's - Toll's Hill - Peninnis Head
Bec de Roces - Monte Averau - Lago di Misurina - Valparola - Marmolada - Alpe di Siusi - Alta Badia - Viel del Pan
Parc Nacional d'Aiguestortes - Gerber - Les-Bausen - Morrano - Ratera - Monestero - Montanheta - Colomers - Baciver
Ponta de Sao Lourenco - Boca do Risco - Pico Ruivo - Boca da Corrida - Balcoes
Valtournenche - Valnontey - Valsavarenche - Valsesia
Suldental - Trafoiertal - Valfurva - Valle dei Forni
Around Aldeburgh - Around Snape Maltings - Around Orford - Orford Village
Low Fell - Down by Crummock Water - High Nook - Mosedale - Around Mellbreak - Low Ling Crag
Parata - Spelunca - Calanches - Girolata - Tavignano - Cap Corse
Belvedere Glacier - Pecetto - Lago delle Fate - Staffa - Campagneda and Prabello - Lago di Gera - Fellaria - Campo Moro - Musella - Forbici - Marinelli
Around Rifugio Savoia - Lakes Rossett and Leita - Gran Collet - Basei - Ferauda - Alpe Comba
Pian del Re - Lakes Superiore, Lausetto and Fiorenza - Via del Sale - Lake Chiaretto - Lake Grande di Viso - Lake Alpetto - Costa del Vallone - Crissolo
Glen Affric - Glen Strathfarrar - Glen Cannich
Imada - Garajonay - Chipude - Vallehermoso - Epina - Alojera - Agulo - Hermigua - Caldera de Taburiente - Barranco de las Angustias - Ruta de los Volcanes
Llanddwyn - Rhosneigr - Trearddur - Holyhead Mountain - Carmel Head - Cemaes - Amlwch - Moelfre
Slap Savica - Ukanc - Mostnice - Vogel - Jezero Jasna - Zelenci - Slap Martuljek - Vrsic - Zadnja Trenta - Sleme - Kriski Podi - Izvir Glijun and Slap Virje
Cirque de Gavarnie - Saugué - Vallée de Pouey Aspé - Bayssellance - Petit Vignemale - Espuguettes - Col du Pimené
Tonbridge - Penshurst - Ashurst - Forest Row - Turners Hill - source
Barley - Pendle Hill - Black Moss - Wycoller - Pendle Way
Kermorvan - Porz Doun - Pern - Corn Here - Veilgoz - Baie des Trepasses - Raz - Van - Pen Hir
Zelene plese - Mala Studena dolina - Velka Studena dolina - Popradske pleso - Velke Hincovo pleso - Strbske pleso
Eskdale
Without any doubt, to my way of thinking, Eskdale is the most beautiful valley in the Lake District. This view is corroborated by St. Alfred of Wainwright in his booklet ‘Walks from Ratty’ (7) where he says:
“Eskdale, one of the loveliest of Lakeland’s valleys, descends from the highest and wildest mountains in the district to the sands of Ravenglass in a swift transition from grandeur to beauty, from bleak and craggy ridges to verdant woodlands and pastures watered by a charming river. It is a place of many delights, the finest of all valleys for those whose special joy is to travel on foot and a paradise for artists. Unspoilt by commercial and industrial activity, it remains today little changed since the first settlers discovered and cultivated with loving care this perfect Arcadia in the hills.” (p.3)
I bow to the master. This, I believe, was written in 1978 and is still true today. My only quibble with the great man is that I find the upper reaches of Eskdale just as beautiful as the ‘verdant woodlands and pastures’ (see spots 96 & 97): the ridges may be ‘bleak and craggy’ but what about the waterfalls, the rivers, the Great Moss and the shapes of the mountain-tops which speak of beauty as well as grandeur?