A relatively modest fell, standing only 784 ft above sea level, Orrest Head is certainly worth the 20-minute climb from Windermere Railway station, for the extensive views it provides over the head of Windermere and the surrounding higher fells. When is a Wainwright not a Wainwright? Orrest Head was in fact the first fell climbed... Continue Reading →
Today's Love Letter is written in honour of the Lake District's second longest lake, Ullswater. Situated in the east of the National Park, below the mighty slopes of the Helvellyn massif, it offers a world of wonder to the walker. It is 9 miles (14 km) long and 0.75 miles (1 km) wide, with a maximum depth... Continue Reading →
For today's walk, I return to Slovenia, to climb a high peak on the Nanos plateau, which marks the watershed between the continental and littoral regions of the country. The Nanos Plateau Route of ascent to the Pleša peak Nanos is a high karst limestone plateau which lies at the eastern border of Slovenia's Inner... Continue Reading →
Though I have written several Lake District Love Letters following my recent visit to Cumbria, it's worth noting that the Cumbrian countryside is as beautiful as it is varied, even beyond the boundaries of the Lake District National Park. Today I pay a visit to the picturesque village of Wetheral just outside of Carlisle, and... Continue Reading →
I often think of Walla Crag as a non-identical twin to Catbells. As a peak, it is nowhere near as distinctive, though it is similar in height, at 379 m (1,243 ft). It stands above Derwentwater's eastern shore, while Catbells rises proudly opposite to the west. The ascent is easier, but affords similarly stunning views. It also... Continue Reading →
Today, I bring you another walk from Wordsworth's Grasmere, which is a good choice when the weather isn't excellent (as so often happens in the Lake District!): it doesn't visit the tops of any fells, but the scenery is interesting and varied even in wet and cloudy weather. Just bring the correct footwear, as the... Continue Reading →
In the second of this series, I take you on a walk above the former home of the celebrated poet William Wordsworth. Wordsworth lived in Dove Cottage in the beautiful village of Grasmere from 1799-1808. He later moved to the grander location of Rydal Mount a few miles down the road, where he lived until... Continue Reading →
As I have been visiting my native Cumbria and enjoyed a lot of hiking in the Lake District, I would like to share some of my favourite places, in the form of a new series, 'Lake District Love Letters.' Alfred Wainwright famously recorded every walking route up every single mountain (fell) over 1000ft in the... Continue Reading →
Also known as Istrski Triglav, 'The Istrian Triglav,' Slavnik is the highest mountain in Slovenia's Primorska region. Though it is significantly lower than Triglav (Slovenia's highest mountain, 2863m), it affords stunning views over the Istrian coast, and to Triglav itself on a clear day. It is a suitable objective for a family hike as it... Continue Reading →
Ever since moving to the North of Slovenia, I have wanted to climb Stol. This mountain has been taunting me since June. At 2236m (7335ft) above sea level, it was out-of-bounds with no-one to look after the children. Then the snow fell and I thought I'd missed my chance for this year (I won't risk... Continue Reading →
