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 →
Lake District Love Letters #2: Great Rigg above Grasmere
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 →
Lake District Love Letters #1: Catbells
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 →
Postcards from Slovenia #46: Slavnik, 1028m
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 →
Postcards from Slovenia #34 Stol, 2236m
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 →
Postcards from Slovenia #31: Mala Osojnica
Mala Osojnica is a bluff on the eastern face of a larger hill, Velika Osojnica, overlooking Lake Bled. Its modest height, at least in Alpine terms (645m, or 2116 ft above sea level), makes it an 'easy' walk from the lake shore and a fantastic viewpoint over the lake to the Karavanke Alps and the... Continue Reading →
Facing my fears whilst hiking – #dVerse #Haibun
I was afraid to start the walk. It was rated: 'very difficult marked trail.' I'd only done 'easy marked trail' up to now. From the valley floor, the sheer rock face above looked inaccessible to the humble hiker. I've never been a climber as I'm much too afraid of heights. But this was something I... Continue Reading →
Postcards from Slovenia #21: Črno Jezero
Today, we visit Črno Jezero, or 'The Black Lake,' which is the lowest-lying of the Triglav Lakes, at 1,319 m (4,327 ft) above sea level. It lies below the Triglav Lakes Valley proper. It is possible to visit this lake from the Bohinj valley and return as a one-day excursion. But be prepared for a... Continue Reading →
Postcards from Slovenia #20: The Vogel Ski Centre in Summer
Probably the most popular Ski resort in Slovenia, the Vogel Ski Centre above Lake Bohinj is also a great place to visit in Summer. Read on to find out why. Easy Access to the Mountains: The Vogel Cable Car The cable car is a marvel of modern engineering: my cavewoman brain can never quite grasp... Continue Reading →
Postcards from Slovenia #18: The Seven Lakes of Triglav
Today, I'm going to tell you about a true mountain paradise within the Julian Alps of Slovenia, and also describe one of the routes which you can use to reach it. I hope you enjoy our trip to the Seven Lakes of Triglav! The Seven Lakes The Seven Lakes Valley close to the Koča pri... Continue Reading →