Table of contents for March 2023 in Trail

Lifesystems Rechargeable Hand Warmer £30 While disposable ‘expose to air to activate’ handwarmers and the reusable ‘click-disk’ type are compact, light and packable, they only offer a limited period of warmth, fading fast. This rechargeable lithium-ion handwarmer is slightly larger than a bar of soap and weighs 226g. With four different power levels for temperature control, it heats up in just 10 seconds and can provide up to 12 hours of hand-warming comfort. It also doubles up as a power bank for your other electronic devices. BEST FOR longer trips and wild camps. Thaw Heated Seat Pad and Battery £60 With its 2in-thick padding, this heated cushion isn’t what you’d call portable – it’s not the sort of thing you’ll carry in a daypack. But for longer stays in cold…

TRAIL MAGAZINE North-west Highlands HIGH MOUNTAIN TRAVERSE Torridon is a region not just of mountains, but of giants. Peaks that rise up in layers of impenetrable rock from the bogs and valleys and culminate in bold spires and jagged ridges. Liathach is one of these peaks, and the traverse of the summits is one of the most soughtafter days in the Scottish north-west. There are two Munro summits on the mountain, and the traverse between them takes the walker over the Am Fasarinen pinnacles, a Grade 2 scramble over a succession of spires and broken stacks of sandstone. The day’s walk is steep and magnificent, with views west over the sea to the northern tip of Skye, and north to the other Torridonian peaks and the Letterewe wilderness. This is…

FITNESS Plenty of steady uphill climbs and long descents in remote terrain. TERRAIN Mostly good paths and tracks throughout the walk. Little in the way of exposure, but some rough going and odd pathless sections. NAVIGATION Paths and tracks are generally clear and easy to follow throughout, with a few exceptions. Confusing in mist, when careful navigation is required. GET THERE Start at Joss Lane car park in Sedbergh (SD659921). EAT & DRINK There are pubs, cafés and shops in Sedbergh. STAY OVER Try The Black Bull inn at Sedbergh. There are also two campsites around Sedbergh. BEST MAPS ■ OS Explorer OL19 (1:25k) ■ OS Landranger 97 & 98 (1:50k) ■ Harvey Superwalker XT25 Yorkshire Dales North West (1:25k)…

TRAIL MAGAZINE Lake District RUGGED MOUNTAIN HIKE Wasdale isn’t just about Scafell Pike. It’s not just about scrambling up Lord’s Rake or girdling Gable or taking selfies beside England’s deepest lake. There are impressive peaks and viewpoints aplenty in this difficult-to-reach western Lakeland valley. Among those peaks are Red Pike (821m) and Pillar (892m). This walk tackles both, enjoying spectacular views for much of its journey. After a tame start in the verdant side valley occupied by Over Beck, it passes through a rugged landscape dominated by imposing crags and seemingly inaccessible coves before reaching Pillar’s high, windswept plateau, a place to rest and savour your surroundings. From its summit you can see all of the major Lake District peaks, the Pennines, the Scottish hills, the Isle of Man, Morecambe…

FITNESS General walking fitness required for some off-path, route-finding and steeper slopes, but fairly accessible hill shapes. TERRAIN A mix of farm track, pitched path sections, pathless grass and mountain paths. NAVIGATION Some keeping track of direction and height in the first half of the walk, but once on Yr Aran, hill shapes are more defined. GET THERE Rhyd Ddu is well serviced by Sherpa’s Wyddfa buses. Check the S3 service. Car park (pay & display), with toilets, also at Rhyd Ddu Station. EAT & DRINK Cwellyn Arms for local ales and food near start. Or pancakes and tea at the delightful Ty Mawr Tea Rooms and B&B, opposite the car park. STAY OVER Handy beds at Cwellyn Arms and Ty Mawr B&B above, or further afield at the traditional…

TRAIL MAGAZINE Lake District MINI MOUNTAIN A family fell,” as Wainwright dubbed it, “where grandmothers and infants can climb the heights together,” Cat Bells is a fantastic introduction to hillwalking in the Lake District. A popular peak, it offers a brief but exciting outing to the top. And come winter it’s not out of bounds to the ordinary walker. Though modest in height at 451m, Cat Bells feels like a true mountain, both when seen from afar, and as you’re scrambling up and along the ridge to the ‘shapely topknot’ at its summit. With due care, it’s an attainable objective for curtailed daylight hours, rewarding intrepid winter walkers with spectacular views over Derwent Water and of the snowcapped fells around it. Leaving the summit, our route then drops down to…

Galloway GRANITE TOR ADVENTURES In association with DAY 2 3 NX457806 This upland wild camping spot is a wonderful jumping off point to easily gain the summit trig point of Craiglee. Heading south-east, gain height over rocky, grassy ground and descend into a wider flattening beneath Craiglee’s blocky summit. Keep the summit heights to your left as you traverse under the summit area, able to ascend through rocky outcrops to arrive at the trig point at NX461801. Depart this grand viewpoint to the north, over smooth granite slabs. You are looking for a stream descending north-east. Crossing this, continue to descend heathery, grassy ground, generally north-west until approx the 400m contour. Some of this ground is boggy or rocky, but magically a clever trod appears below 400m. This can more…

Snowdonia ROUGH WALK & LONELY LAKE In association with DAY 1 1 SH753135 Start from the lay-by, with plenty of parking, at the top of the pass on the A487 between Cross Foxes and Minffordd. Go through the kissing gate and turn right on a narrow path. Continue to a fence, hop over and walk downhill towards an old grass track below Mynydd Gwerngraig. Turn left and follow the track for 800m towards a barn with sheepfold. Bear left over boulders in a stream and cross a ladder stile at the wall. 2 SH756147 Walk gradually uphill towards a gap in a wall and keep ahead, with wall on right. Veer left to a gate and continue to a ladder stile by another gap in wall. The narrow path, ahead…

Let’s start with a story. That of a giant, huge and violent, who lived and lorded over the mountains of north Wales. That giant, Rhudda Gawr, hungry for power, killed all the kings of the surrounding area, fashioning their beards into first a cap, then a big hairy cloak. The only king he hadn’t overcome was Arthur. When the two finally met in battle their blades clashed like lightning and blows fell with the boom of landslides. Finally, Arthur, gathering his strength, brought his sword, Caledfwlch, down on his foe’s head, splitting the giant in two. The victorious king ordered a pile of stones to be built over Rhudda Gawr and the gargantuan grave was named Gwyddfa (Grave of) Rhudda. Or Yr Wyddfa. That’s the origin story for the name…

Many of us share our mountain adventures with our dogs. But when winter arrives and we start wrapping up, it's essential we don't forget that snow, ice and freezing temperatures can be just as hazardous to our pets. HOW COLD IS TOO COLD? The following chart gives an indication of the temperatures below which it is no longer safe to take your dog into the hills. However, these will vary depending on the breed, type of coat, age, health and hardiness of your dog. If it is wet as well as cold, and if wind chill is a factor, note that it will feel even colder than the quoted temperatures. PROTECT YOUR POOCH You're not the only one who'll benefit from proper winter gear. A dog coat should offer insulation…

KEY FEATURES CONSTRUCTION Insulated mid layers balance core warmth with mobility and breathability. To achieve this, they often use a hybrid construction that combines ‘zoned’ or ‘body-mapped’ panels of light and breathable stretch fleece with areas of synthetic sheet insulation or down-filled baffles. HEM & CUFFS Look for elasticated hem and cuffs to ensure a closer fit, which helps to prevent heat loss and stops chilly draughts from creeping up your back or arms. FABRICS Mid layers tend to be made from soft, fast-wicking polyester, though face or shell fabrics are sometimes made from nylon for added durability. Many also feature stretch fabrics, which incorporate elastane (also known as Lycra or spandex) to provide greater freedom of movement. HOOD A hood can add valuable warmth, but a hoodless mid layer…

FITNESS Steep terrain for the ascent and descent means leg strength is vital. TERRAIN Narrow mountain paths, some rock slopes, exposed ridge walking/scrambling. NAVIGATION Map and compass are important for taking bearings off the summits in bad weather, but overall navigation is easy. GET THERE The route starts in Glen Torridon, a few kms east of Torridon village. Several lay-bys for cars are available in the valley. EAT & DRINK Great café in Torridon. Other places to eat in Kinlochewe. STAY OVER Hostel, camping and hotel options in Torridon. Other hotel options near Kinlochewe. BEST MAPS ■ OS Explorer 433 (1:25k) ■ OS Landranger 25 (1:50k) ■ Harvey British Mountain Map Torridon (1:40k)…

TRAIL MAGAZINE Lake District STILE-FREE MOUNTAIN WALK “Blencathra is one of the grandest objects in Lakeland. And one of the best-known. Seen from the southwest - the popular aspect - the mountain rises steeply and in isolation above the broad green fields of Threlkeld, a feature being the sweeping curve leaping out of the depths to a lofty summit ridge, where the skyline then proceeds in a succession of waves to a sharp peak before descending, again in a graceful curve, to the valley pastures far to the east.” Alfred Wainwright Blencathra was one of Alfred Wainwright’s favourite fells and it is easy to see why. This route to the summit immediately begins to climb up the steep incline of the hillside that leads up to the summit of Blease…

FITNESS Good hill fitness needed – long day, rugged terrain. TERRAIN Mostly on open fell with a combination of grassy ground and rocky/ stony sections, the latter particularly prevalent on the main ridge. Some road walking at the end. NAVIGATION The trail beside Over Beck is faint in places, and it'd be easy to go astray on the main ridge if the cloud's low - which it often is on these fells! GET THERE National Trust car park at Overbeck Bridge (NY168068) is about 2.9km south-west of Wasdale Head. No public transport. EAT & DRINK Walkers pass the Wasdale Head Inn as they come down into the valley near the end of the day. STAY OVER Check out the National Trust's Wasdale campsite, and Wasdale Head Inn. BEST MAPS ■…

TRAIL MAGAZINE North York Moors CLASSIC HILLWALK This is one of the classic walks of North York Moors National Park, and it climbs to the iconic and distinctive peak of Roseberry Topping, above the town of Great Ayton. Although Roseberry Topping only rises to 320m it has often been compared to the Matterhorn in Switzerland, due to its summit’s half-cone shape and jagged cliffs. Roseberry Topping gives the walker a symbolic image of the North York Moors, and its outline is featured in the logo for the nearby Teeside International Airport. It was traditionally thought to be the highest top in the North York Moors, but there are a total of 15 other peaks higher than it. Roseberry Topping is an outlier of the North York Moors National Park, but…

Galloway MOUNTAIN JOURNEY In association with DAY 3 9 NX445856 Leaving in a south-west direction from this (weather dependent!) idyllic camp location, pick up a boundary wall from near the loch shore. This heads across gently rising ground, boggy at times, towards Merrick. The fence line provides a good handrail, generally heading north-west and crossing Caldron Burn. From this point, you’ll be very aware of the steepening slopes of Howe of the Caldron as you approach in a west-north-westerly direction. This magnificent spur of steep grass and rocky ledges initially seems a little impenetrable, but there’s a fine line hiding here. 10 NX431860 At this location, just under 550m, keep on the left side of Caldron Burn, as it descends from higher ground in the corrie above you. Climb steep…

Snowdonia HIGH CRAGS & SPARKLING LAKES In association with DAY 2 4 SH735139 Cross the outlet stream and walk west (there’s a faint sheep path] towards a large prominent boulder. Cross a barbed fence and continue gently uphill over the open moor, through heather and bilberry, to the crest of the slope. A gate in a fence can be seen ahead. 5 SH726143 Pass through the gate and continue ahead, with a fence on the right. Ignore the ladder stile by the next patch of higher ground and keep ahead, now with a glorious panorama stretching all the way to Bardsey Island at the western end of the Llyn Peninsula. On the left, a dramatic 3-mile bastion of grey crags and screes forms the steep north face of the Cadair…

GO THERE… with winter mountaineering experience AND a qualified guide Ben Nevis in winter can be a daunting prospect. It’s big, needs a long day, and under snow and ice may be a challenge too far for many fairweather hillwalkers. That’s not to say there aren’t routes up The Ben that are suitable for winter novices; with the right skills and equipment the Mountain Path should be a manageable if slightly uninspiring ascent, while those with a little more experience will enjoy a grand day out on a frozen CMD Arête. Yes, there are ways up Ben Nevis in winter that will fall well within the capabilities of the average Trail reader. Tower Ridge, though, is not one of them. Let’s start with the serious stuff. Tower Ridge in winter…

WILD SLEEPS THIS MONTH Yes Tor Place Fell Ben Lomond Ben Lui Sgurr a Mhiam Garbh Bheinn TRAIL 100 BIVVY COUNT 17/100 Food to eat and food for thought. This month I arranged a series of outdoor cooks to camp with me, but several cancellations meant for the most part I was searching for Elysian joy on my own. I’ve no idea why they didn’t want to join me and sleep on top of a cold windy mountain with no view in the rain and sleet… Caught in the clag When I open the van door in the Lake District and look up, all I see is cloud. When I look down, I see raindrops bouncing in the puddles. I climb Place Fell in clag and then I get lucky.…

For many years, reindeer herds roamed Britain’s northern extremities. Alas, many centuries have passed since that last happened. Luckily for us, they were reintroduced to Scotland’s Cairngorm mountains in 1952, and now thrive for all adventurous enough to see. Pretty much all reindeer in northern Europe are semi-domesticated, so although they are free-roaming they belong to people. Reindeer of the Cairngorms live a very similar life to those of Scandinavia. Over the years, I’ve bumped into these strangely familiar creatures while on walks in the Cairngorms, both in summer and winter. Start a walk from the Glenmore area (where the office for The Cairngorm Reindeer Herd is based) and you will stand a good chance of finding them. If you don’t want to leave it to chance, join one of…

CAIRNGORMS THE CURRAN BOTHY Grid ref: NH984010 This was the shelter the school group were attempting to reach in 1971. It was demolished following the inquest into the Cairngorm Plateau disaster. ST VALERY BOTHY Grid ref: NJ002023 Like El Alamein, this bothy featured a dedication to the 51st Highland Division. Situated above Loch Avon near Stag Rocks, it was removed at the same time as Curran Bothy. SINCLAIR HUT Grid ref: NH958036 Not part of the original shelter clearances, this small bothy situated at the northern end of the Lairig Ghru was removed in the early 1990s, possibly due to vandalism. JEAN'S HUT Grid ref: NH981034 Originally situated in Coire Cas on Cairn Gorm, development of the ski area saw it moved to Coire an Lochain in the mid 1960s.…

MASTERCLASS HILL HACKS ‘Fjellvettreglene’ is the Norwegian Mountain Code. It consists of nine basic rules and was released in 1952 to keep people safe in the mountains, after a series of accidents. In a country characterised by high mountains, deep fjords and glacial lakes, it has become an integral part of the culture. Want to know how to stay safe in the mountains? There are few better people to ask than the mountain rescuers in the Norges Røde Kors. 1 PLAN YOUR TRIP AND INFORM OTHERS ABOUT THE ROUTE YOU HAVE SELECTED ■ Take into account your group's abilities, the terrain and weather conditions, and take advice from other experienced mountaineers where possible. Make sure you have sufficient knowledge and skills to complete the trip, and that you're prepared for…

Stay warm & cosy Black Diamond Vision Down Parka £400 This is a specialist bit of kit. The Vision, BD says, is its warmest insulated jacket. Designed for staying very warm in the very cold while moving very little. To start with - it’s massive. Cut large enough to go over all your clothes, including waterproof jacket, and long enough to cover your bum. I'm a size 10 and the Medium swamps me, albeit in silky, floaty warmth. The outer fabric is a nylon ripstop, so light to the touch that I fear a ragged fingernail would snag it, but this is an illusion. Carried over from BD's Vision climbing harness, it's exceptionally strong and resistant to temperature and radiation. The insulation is 800-fill, water-resistant goose down, which is so…

TRAIL MAGAZINE Howgill Fells HIGH-LEVEL WALK Compared to the nearby Lake District fells, The Howgills see less foot traffic and can seem very quiet on some days, especially in the winter. They are located in a rough triangle drawn between Sedbergh, Kirkby Stephen and Tebay, and are mostly in Cumbria with the southern half of the range being in the north-west corner of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Guidebook writer Alfred Wainwright described these fells as looking like ‘a herd of sleeping elephants’ - an apt description when the range is viewed from a distance. Of the seven recognised 2000ft summits in The Howgills, The Calf at 677m (2221ft) is the highest and sits quite a long walk-in from any direction but the west. The Calf’s summit is a flat…

FITNESS This is the easiest route to the summit, but it is still a climb and requires reasonable fitness. TERRAIN Rugged fellside path, grassy tracks, and steep climbs. NAVIGATION The route from the field centre is quite well-worn and easy to follow. If you are taking the circular route, you’ll need good nav skills as there are no paths to follow on Mungrisdale Common. GET HERE Turn off A66 to Threlkeld. Go through the village and turn left onto Blease Road. After 1 mile drive past Blencathra Field Centre. For SatNav, use CA12 4SG. EAT & DRINK The Horse and Farrier in Threlkeld is on one level and has accessible toilets. The Threlkeld Community Cafe is wheelchair accessible. STAY OVER Self-catering accessible accommodation at Irton House Farm, Isel, Cockermouth. BEST…

TRAIL MAGAZINE Snowdonia SHAPELY, MODEST SUMMIT Yr Aran deserves to be admired in its own right; it’s a superb, shapely summit - standing aloft over the valleys of Nantgwynant to the south, and Beddgelert Forest and Rhyd Ddu to the west. And, of course, Yr Aran’s parent summit of Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon rightly stands guard to the north. But this route manages to swerve busier, popular paths and heads off on a quiet adventure through Cwm Caregog (stony valley). Meander in your own time through here, to gain some special views of Yr Aran and back out to the Hebog and Nantlle hills, as well as enjoying the aroma and sight of juniper basking quietly in sheltered spots. Work your way through slate quarrying history under the rocky outcrops of Allt…

FITNESS Plenty of ups and downs on rough ground. TERRAIN Mostly good paths and tracks throughout the walk. Some exposure on the summit of Roseberry Topping. NAVIGATION Paths and tracks are generally clear and easy to follow throughout, with a few exceptions. Straightforward navigation. GET THERE Use the car park on Dikes Lane below Easby Moor and above Great Ayton (NZ592001). EAT & DRINK There are pubs, cafés and shops inn Great Ayton. STAY OVER Try The Royal Oak Great Ayton. There is also a camping site at nearby Little Ayton. BEST MAPS ■ OS Explorer OL26 (1:25k) ■ OS Landranger 93 (1:50k)…

Galloway VALLEY PATH & UPLAND TERRAIN In association with DAY 1 1 NX415804 Arrive at this informal parking area by foot or car. Start by viewing Bruce’s Stone, a massive granite boulder commemorating a victory of Robert the Bruce in the Battle of Glentrool in 1307, part of Scotland’s Wars of Independence against England. Pick up a wide track signposted for the cycle way, Southern Upland Way. Be sure to take a smaller path heading uphill, beyond the building ’Buchan’. Use this path to ascend alongside Gairland Burn, working through lower vegetation and then more open hillside; muddy at times. As the path creeps closer to the burn, identify places to cross securely, based on water levels; make a decision that suits you. A possible place is just below the…

Snowdonia CLASSIC VIEWS & WOODED CASCADES In association with DAY 3 10 SH717123 Today's shorter walk means there’s no need to quickly pack up - enjoy the classic views (and perhaps a swim) at one of our finest mountain lakes. But eventually drag yourself away and walk to the west of the outlet stream, Nant Cadair. The land soon drops and you’ll pass a huge whale-like rock on the left - this is a fine example of a roche moutonnée, created by the passing of a glacier. Pick up the main path, flagged and stepped in places, and walk down to a small gate in a wall. Cross a clapper bridge and descend towards the edge of the woods. Lower down, there are some steps and a ladder with half…