Your say ‘The remoteness was wonderful’
From lonely treks across rugged Scottish hills to Lake District picnics, readers put their best foot forward
It may not be the Alps, but the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty provides a wide choice of hiking and distant views. Among the Stretton hills lies the market town of Church Stretton, nicknamed Little Switzerland in Victorian times. A favourite walk starting in the town is the hike up Carding Mill Valley to the heather-clad upland heath known as the Long Mynd.
Go on a clear day and enjoy far-reaching views to the Malvern Hills and the Brecon Beacons. To the east lies Shropshire’s highest hill, Brown Clee (1,772ft). The climb is worth it for views from the Cotswolds to Cadair Idris. Or head west to the wild, rugged Stiperstones, stark quartzite tors, and look across to Wales. Mary Davis, Hants
DRESSED AND IMPRESSED
My husband and I are frequent visitors to the Lake District. On one occasion, we decided to splash out and eat at the famous Sharrow Bay hotel, on the shores of Ullswater with fine views across the shimmering water to the fells beyond. Making a reservation, we were told my husband needed a jacket and tie. He had not packed either, but our B&B host kindly lent us his.
We noticed that the dining room was full of American tourists, who watched us surreptitiously as they tried to negotiate the array of cutlery on the table. A trolley was wheeled in with a selection of local cheeses. We had to forgo them as we were too full, having overindulged in the excellent local produce. Jane Gilbert, East Sussex
SHELTER FROM THE STORM
A colleague had the use of a mountain cabin in Langdale, in the Lakes. Eight of us, with varied outdoor experience, left in two cars and headed north. On the M6, it began to snow. We arrived in a white-out and the cabin was freezing.
After a sleepless night, our plan was to climb to Stickle Tarn. As we left the cabin in driving snow, the wind removed an expensive pair of spectacles from one of our group, and they disappeared into the void. We climbed for all of 10 minutes until reality struck. It was time for a change of plan.
In the valley we found a warm, welcoming pub, where we spent a most enjoyable and convivial weekend. We never did see Stickle Tarn.
Step off the beaten path in the Pentland Hills for a peaceful walk in the wilderness
It is no surprise that the Lake District has inspired writers and artists over the years. Where else can you find such quaint villages, rugged fells and ribbon lakes, not to mention the warm welcome extended by Cumbrian folk and the delicious local fare?
At the end of the first lockdown, we spent a glorious short break at The Yan (Cumbrian dialect for The One) – a “bistro with beds” just outside Grasmere. From there we hiked up Helm Crag and, as we picnicked at the top, we were treated to breathtaking views of towering peaks and sparkling tarns.
Our weeks of hardship were instantly replaced by an overwhelming feeling of well-being. We really had found “the loveliest spot”.
TAKING THE HIGH ROAD
I had followed the development of the NC500 route around northern Scotland with interest. We have made many international road trips, including Route 66 and the Pacific Coast Highway, so we planned our own homegrown version for May 2019. A high pressure system settled over the UK that week, and driving with the Mazda MX5 roof down was like sunbathing.
We concluded, even after all those international road trips, that all we had to do was head north – the Highlands and coast along the north of Scotland is at least as impressive as other routes we have experienced. Each bend and hilltop presented new vistas of mountains, lochs, sandy bays, heathland and lovely twisty roads to enhance the driving.
The ultimate view was Balnakeil Bay: miles of beach with pale blue waters, blue sky and virtually no one there!
ALL-TERRAIN PLAN
For four years on the trot, my cousin Roland and I took off between Christmas and New Year with our two dogs, leaving wives and children behind, and headed for the Lake District to stay in a B&B and do some serious walking. Some years the weather was sunny, others it was rainy, and on one occasion everything was iced up – but we were well prepared, with all the right gear.
I was navigator and had worked out a series of routes, which could go either high or low, depending on the cloud base, using Wainwright’s magical books as well as maps. Green hills, craggy heights, all interspersed with lakes, make for wonderful views. Wherever we went, the scenery was sublime and we learnt to love the area. We would arrive back home, tired, with our exhausted dogs, just in time for the New Year celebrations. Happy days!
Nosing around the islands of Baja, this expedition cruise offers desertmeets-sea topography, whale sightings and an opportunity to swim with California sea lions in the Sea of Cortez.
WHY IT’S SPECIAL
There’s a thrilling unpredictability about being waterborne in Baja. One moment you’re eating breakfast; the next you’re leaping up to go and watch a dolphin pod riding the bow or a grey whale breaching and spouting.
This is an activity and nature-led trip that ventures well off the beaten track. Zodiac boats whizz you to cactuscovered islands for hikes to fossil beds and salt pans, to explore tide pools, see cave art and kayak in azure bays.
The real draw of a Lindblad Expeditions cruise, however, is the exceptional guiding. Two hundred and forty four of these islands and islets in the Gulf of California form part of a Unesco heritage marine park. Each expedition team includes veteran naturalists, expedition divers, video chroniclers and photographers. The learning is second to none. Lindblad is also carbon-neutral, plastic free and incorporates sustainably sourced fish into its menus, supporting a regional conservation fund under its Global Stewardship programme.
YOU’LL NEVER FORGET… A sand-underfoot sunset barbecue and a starlit tour of an otherwise deserted beach with a “black light” torch, and sitting for hours around the dying embers of a fire, listening to the waves lapping.
INSIDER TIP
There are plenty of opportunities to combine a cruise in Baja with some sun, sea, diving or snorkelling, and more cetacean spotting. Distances between the key places of interest in Los Cabos are short, the roads are good and exploring by hire car is easy.
HOW TO DO IT Expeditions offers various experiences, including the five-day Wild Baja Escape, from $2,940 (£2,112; world.expeditions. com). Most Baja flights arrive into San José del Cabo airport. From there, it’s a two-hour transfer to La Paz to board your cruise ship. British Airways has several flights per day to Los Cabos International airport via Dallas from around £1,000 return (ba.com).