VALES OF SECRECY
Three more hidden valleys around the nation…
Shropshire
If there’s a world capital of secret valleys, it’s probably the Long Mynd, the colossal three-mile-long upland that rises above Church Stretton in the Shropshire Hills. It’s riven with secluded mini-valleys known in local dialect as hollows and batches. The batches have some great names, like Gogbatch, Bilbatch, Stanbatch and Windy Batch. The hollows sound great too: Lightspout, Hawkham, Sleekstonebank. Perhaps the finest of the lot are Townbrook Valley and Ashes Hollow, the deepest and longest of the hollows, which also act as scenic escalators to the summit ridge of the Mynd, a place of singular wildness and immense views.
WALK HERE: Download Jonathan’s Hollow at www.lfto.com/bonusroutes
Kent
Crundale might sound like it should be in Yorkshire, but in fact it lies hidden in a fold of the North Downs east of the town of Wye. It’s empty save for a few farms, and tucked far enough away from the route of the North Downs Way to avoid being noticed by most walkers. Best of all is Crundale Down, a long, slender ridge which bisects the little valley, providing a fine belvedere over this hidden gem. And for a yin/ yang contrast, you can connect it to a couple of more famous landmarks: the Wye Crown (a large crown etched into the chalk hillside above Wye) and the Devil’s Kneading Trough, a remarkable hollow in the fabric of the downs.
WALK HERE: See Walk 5 in this issue.
Highland
Coire Gabhail is its real name (it means ‘The Hollow of Capture’) but it’s far better known as the Lost Valley. Both names relate to the fact it was used by Clan MacDonald to hide cattle – either their own or cattle they themselves had stolen. It was perfect for this purpose due to its hidden nature: it’s a hanging valley, shut off from the main conduit of Glen Coe by a steep hillside (below) and a narrow entrance which belies the width of the valley on the other side. It’s flanked by two of the Three Sisters of Glen Coe – Geàrr Aonach to the west and Beinn Fhada to the east. Given its geography and history, it would be the lead item in our list, but for one problem: the head of the valley is the sheer wall of Bidean nam Bian, meaning that for regular walkers, the Lost Valley is an out-andback route rather than a full, satisfying circuit. But that walk-in, walk-out may still be one of the most impressive and dramatic mountain walks you ever do.
WALK HERE: Park in Glen Coe (car park at grid ref NN170568), cross the River Coe and follow the waterside path leading steeply up to the entrance to the glen. Enter and follow the path as far as you dare, before retracing steps to start.