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Walking in the woods

Most popular walks in Great Britain

15 February 2007

With walking growing in popularity and people looking for an escape from modern living, we with the help of Walking World magazine have compliled a list of the most downloaded walks.

Snowdon Summit via the Miners' and Pyg Tracks

From the top of the pass, take the path through a gate at the back of the car park towards the left. A well-made track leads past Llyn Teyrn and the causeway over Llyn Llydaw.

The track now steepens towards Glaslyn and ends near the remains of the miners' barracks. A steep ascent brings you to a junction with the Pyg Track with its famous zigzags leading to the ridge below the summit. The railway line is followed to the cafe with the trig point above it.

To return, follow your outward route to the Pyg Track and walk along it high above the lakes instead of dropping down to them. An improving track leads back to Pen-y-Pass.

Keswick, Walla Crag and Ashness Bridge

There is only a short stretch of road to be followed out of Keswick before open country is reached. In spring this is itself worth doing, as so many gardens are filled with azaleas. The route is well-marked, even named on the signposts; and it offers a varied day, with the walk through the streets, a climb on the shady edge of a wood followed by a steeper section to the top of Walla Crag. The descent is not steep at all, while the lakeside walk is a delight.

Ben Nevis via the Mountain Track

This walk starts from opposite the Glen Nevis Hostel and describes the most straightforward and safest ascent and descent of Ben Nevis (4,418ft), Britain's highest mountain, via what is now widely known as the Mountain Track, previously and probably unwisely named the 'Tourist Route'. This is a serious mountain challenge and should be treated as such, but that said, in ideal conditions it is an immensely rewarding undertaking offering superb views throughout, especially from the summit, where on the rare days it is clear a vast area of lochs, glens and mountain peaks offer breathtaking vistas.

The Malham Classic

A pleasant stroll to the drama of the fairy waterfall of Janet's Foss shortly gives way to the rugged intimidation of Goredale Scar with an optional route avoiding the "outdoor potholing" scramble up the waterfall. Later the serenity of Malham Tarn contrast sharply with the wonder of the Watersinks and the majesty of Malham Cove finally reached by a series of rocky ways.

Claife Heights and Lake Windermere

A walk which has all the ingredients of a fine lakeland walk, starting on the grassy banks on Lake Windermere. The walk initially follows the shoreline past pleasant open parkland before entering Belle Woods. The route then climbs through the woods and out on to the open countryside of Claiffe Heights, passing a number of tarns and on a clear day giving great views of the surrounding peaks such as Old Man of Coniston and the Langdale Pikes. The latter stages of the walk pass through the picturesque villages of Near and Far Sawrey. Beatrix Potter made her home at Hill Top in Near Sawrey, which is now under ownership of the National Trust and open to the public. Beatrix Potter wrote many of her most popular books while living in Hill Top and much of this area would have inspired many of her wonderful characters.

Cat Bells & Newlands Valley

The route follows the Allerdale Ramble along the side of Cat Bells - an easily followed path with magnificent views of Derwentwater and the fells beyond. A short but strenuous climb takes you to the shoulder of Cat Bells and Maiden Moor. From here there's a further short climb to the top of Cat Bells, which in fine weather has good views in every direction. Return round the other side of Cat Bells in the delightful Newlands Valley. The first stage of this section is on a rough stony path, so you need to be reasonably surefooted.

The Miners' Track and the three lakes of Snowdon

From the top of the Llanberis Pass the track climbs gradually, passing a small lake, Llyn Teyrn, when Snowdon comes into view. The pipeline for a hydroelectric power station is passed and then a green building associated with it is reached.

A right fork here leads to a causeway over the second lake, Llyn Llydaw. Above and to the right is the ridge between Crib Goch and Crib y Ddysgl, both over 3,000ft high. About 500ft above, you may see walkers on the Pyg Track, which also starts from Pen y Pass.

Soon you pass one of the major mines buildings with some cast-iron work outside. The gradient steepens for a short while until you see over to the left the waterfall from the top lake, Glaslyn. When the lake is reached you will find plenty of grassy spots as well as a gravel shore.

Glenridding - Helvellyn - Grisedale Brow - Glenridding

From the car park at Glenridding the route to the summit of Helvellyn is varied and challenging. You begin with a section of road-walking through picturesque terraces and a route to a disused mine, whose buildings are now used as bases for various outdoor pursuits such as rock-climbing and even skiing.

Castleton - Mam Tor - Lose Hill - Castleton

The walk starts in the centre of the beautiful Peak village of Castleton, famous for its unique Blue John Stone, which is mined nearby and sold in several of the village shops as jewellery. The walk climbs from the village, past Peak Cavern and up to the bottom of Winnatts Pass and Speedwell Cavern. The latter is accessed by boat and is well worth visiting.

Keswick Launch - Hawes End - Cat Bells - High Spy
What can be a better start to the day than a ride across Derwent Water on the early Keswick Launch, to break you in gently to this wonderful walk, with the view up to Cat Bells and the undulating ridge to High Spy in front of you.

From Hawes End it is a fairly steep walk up onto Cat Bells to reveal a vista that is hard to beat in the Lakes. The full length of Derwent Water can be seen, with the mighty Skiddaw and Blencathra watching over Keswick at its northern end. On the other side are the western fells stretching to the Irish Sea and the beautiful Newlands Valley below.







 
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