OH, I DO LIKE TO BE BESIDE THE RIVERSIDE
Kevin Parr selects some of the world’s most inspirational river walks
River Wye
The Wye is one of Britain’s most beautiful rivers, meandering from its source in the Welsh mountains through towns such as Hay and Ross, then nudging past the Forest of Dean and ruins of Tintern Abbey before meeting the Severn Estuary at Chepstow.
The wooded gorge at Symonds Yat is a popular location for walking, canoeing, cycling and angling. The village is also home to Yat Rock, a famous point where visitors can enjoy picturesque views of the Wye and surrounding area.
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(ramblersholidays.co.uk) trout in the clear waters of the Afon Glaslyn, and skimmed stones (the best skimming stones I have ever found) across the quieter pools.
Ospreys now nest beside the lower river, while the source at Glaslyn, just below Mount Snowdon, offers some of the most aweinspiring scenery in Wales.
● (hfholidays.co.uk)
River Loire, France
From its source in the Massif Central, the Loire is France’s longest river and is entwined deep within the country’s culture. The châteaux and vineyards are famous throughout the world, with part of the midLoire Valley designated a Unesco World Heritage Site.
A Loire Valley walk is best enjoyed with liberal wine tasting and indulgent gastronomy, while the river and its tributaries (such as the Cher) will provide sparkling company.
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River Barrow, Ireland
The Barrow rises in the Slieve Bloom Mountains in Laois County, Ireland, and flows for nearly 193km before meeting the sea at the ancient city of Waterford.
After work in the 18th century to make the Barrow navigable, the Barrow Way was created, a path that hugs the riverbank and allows the walker to share the river’s journey to the sea.
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River Ebro, Spain
The mighty River Ebro flows for nearly 970km from west to east across northern Spain, and picks a course through a variety of landscapes, from rugged mountains to wooded valleys.
As it meets the sea, the Ebro forms one of the largest deltas in the western Mediterranean, and supports nearly 100 breeding species of birds with enormous numbers also using the area as a stopover point on migration.
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(headwater.com)
River Danube, Hungary
Once a frontier of the Roman Empire, the Danube flows through 10 countries, four capital cities and for a total distance of 2 736km — meaning there are plenty of areas to walk.
In Hungary is the Danube Bend, which, with views of the Borzsony Hills to the north and the Visegrad Hills to the south, is widely regarded as the most scenic stretch of the entire river.
● (atgoxford.co.uk)
River Arno, Italy
Florence is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy and at its heart flows the River Arno. Despite its beauty, the Arno should not be underestimated. It is a spate river, and responds dramatically to heavy rainfall.
Nevertheless, a walk in Tuscany would not be complete without time spent in the Arno valley — alongside some wine tasting in the Chianti region, of course.
● (explore. co.uk)
Aurlandselvi River, Norway
The rivers of Norway offer some of the finest Atlantic salmon fishing in the world, but for those without the inclination to cast a line, a walk beside the Aurlandselvi River will surely appeal.
The dramatic glacial carvings within the Aurlandsdalen Valley make for some breathtaking scenery, while a trip to Norway would not seem complete without exploring a fjord or two.
● (macsadventure.com)
River Plitvica, Croatia
The Plitvica is one of several rivers that converge to feed an extraordinary cascade of lakes in the Plitvice Lakes National Park.
Water continually drains through the lake system, but limestone deposits known as travertine have created dams that check the flow. The result is a chain of turquoise pools linked by waterfalls and subterranean springs that form one of the finest natural spectacles in Europe.
● (raftrek.com)