Yorkshire 3 Peaks – Up For a Challenge?
It’s no surprise that tackling challenge routes has become more and more popular. The Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge is deservedly one of the most walked. The usual Challenge starting points are the Pen Y Ghent Cafe (Horton), Station Inn (Ribblehead) and the Hill Inn (Chapel-le-Dale), in the Pennines of Northern England.
The distance of approximately 39.2km (24.5 miles) takes about 12 hours to walk, though this of course depends on factors such as fitness, conditions and how much you want to push yourself. It’s a good idea to tackle the challenge in the summer months; June has the longest daylight hours.
You need a good, large scale, clear map and this new one is the best there is. OSlike mapping at a large25k scale with plenty of additional information including getting to the walk locations and deciding where to start with clearly marked routes and waypoints. There are descriptions of each stage of the challenge, so you know what to expect. It’s printed on lightweight yet tough, waterproof material which canbe re-folded as many times as you like. For more detail see HERE.
Rhodes – beaches, history and walking
At the time of writing, travel restrictions to Greece have disappeared, making it easy to visit. If you are into islands, sunshine, great beaches, ancient history, beautiful countryside and flora, and white villages clinging to hillsides, you’ll be in seventh heaven.
The best way to experience this island (79.7 km x 38 km) is to walk. There are so many lovely trails, some ideal for a short relaxed stroll, others ideal for a half day or full day out.
Spring is the best time to visit Rhodes, especially if you plan to walk. The island is green and the temperatures perfect.
Your adventures on Rhodes will be most rewarding with the aid of a really good map for planning your walks. Discovery Walking Guides’ Rhodes Tour & Trail Super-Durable Map is clear, up to date and highly detailed.
Perhaps you’ve never considered the island of Rhodes for a walking holiday destination, so you might be surprised to know that there are almost one hundred (actually, 98) walking routes, with descriptions and a map for each walk, in the Rhodes Compendium of Walking Adventures.
The Rhodes Compendium of Walking Adventures is available as a digital edition which means you can carry it with you on your phone to guide you when you’re out and about on the island.
El Hierro? Where’s That?
El Hierro is small, unique and unforgettable. It’s the most westerly of the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, for centuries thought to be the westernmost point of the known world – until Columbus went further west to the Americas. He stopped off here to gather supplies before making his second voyage to the Americas.
El Hierro’s Punta de Orchilla was the original prime meridian of 0º established by Egyptian astronomer, mathematician and scientist Ptolemy (born c. 100 ce—died c. 170 ce). It remained earth’s prime meridian for over 200 years until 1884 when an international conference voted to move it to Greenwich, England.
El Hierro has only around 10,000 inhabitants and modest numbers of visitors. It’s small but offers a wide variety of landscapes from rocky cliffs to green meadows, hamlets and farms to ancient gnarled forests. You can hire a car, walk, bike or hire a taxista or explore by public bus at pocket-money prices. For all the travel information once you’re on the island see http://www.transhierro.com/
If you have already travelled to Tenerife you can either fly to the tiny capital of Valverde in 40 minutes, or ferry in about 2-3 hours. There are also flights from Gran Canaria (approx. 55 minutes).
El Hierro may be a small island, yet it has developed its own character and cuisine. They make excellent cheeses, wines and local specialties.
The island is in the forefront of using renewable energy sources. obtained from inexhaustible natural resources such as wind or waterfalls. A combination of hydro and wind energy at the Gorona del Viento Power Plant supplies a sizeable proportion of the island’s energy needs.
There’s a good website with plenty of useful and inspiring information:
https://elhierro.travel/en/information/
If you’re tempted to visit, we suggest a really detailed and up to date map from Discovery Walking Guides
Ready For Some Tenerife Sunshine?
Cold enough for you yet? Are you already tired of the short, dark winter days? How about Tenerife? About four and a half hours’ flight from the UK and western Europe could see you in the picture; big, impossibly blue skies, clear seas and everything from beaches, shopping, walking and snow-capped mountains (including Mount Teide, Spain’s highest point).
Typical temperatures in winter reach the low 20s centigrade, with an average of 6 hours of wonderful sunshine a day. Hike the trails, climb a mountain, laze around a pool or relax with a cerveza watching the sun slip into the dark blue Atlantic.
Leave the coastal resorts behind and explore the small towns, villages and hamlets. Car hire is good value, or use the local buses for a more relaxing adventure.
It’s well worth taking a good guidebook, detailed walking map and a bus map with you to get the most value and fun out of your adventures. See HERE for more information.
The Isle of Wight Walking Festival
This wonderful festival had to be cancelled in 2020. The 2021 date was postponed – and now, the Isle of Wight Walking Festival is back! Held later than usual (from 09 October to 22 October 2021) it should make for an interesting experience for walkers. If you’ve been before, when the festival has typically been held in May, then you’ll enjoy your favourite walks and views in the glow of autumn colours this year.
Find all the information you need on the official website HERE.
Make sure you get the most out of your visit with a really good walking map. This one from Discovery Walking Guides is ideal; large scale, clear and waterproof tto. All routes are clearly marked and easy to follow. See the details HERE.
Malta, Gozo (and Comino) get the green light!
Great news! Last night (24 June 2021) the UK Government moved Malta to the green list for travellers from England. You’re free to go! Malta and sister island Gozo offer a wealth of experiences. The tiny limestone islet & bird sanctuary of Comino sits between them and is home to Blue Lagoon bay; there’s also a 17th century tower & chapel. The climate is kind and there’s plenty of walking adventures to explore.
The islands are rich in history (there are three UNESCO World Heritage Sites), having been inhabited since around 5900 BC.
Many of the powers that ruled the islands, from the Phoenicians to the British, have left their marks, making the islands a living museum.
With unique flora, architecture and beaches, a visit to the islands (25 minutes ferry connection between Malta and Gozo) offers plenty to interest and fascinate.
Discovery Walking Guides have published their Malta & Gozo Tour & Trail Super-Durable Map, ideal for walkers, bikers, adventurers and visitors. The map is also available for use on some GPS devices; click here for details.
Greece? You’re welcome!
Zakynthos (Zante) is one of the Greek islands that’s back on the green travel list for Travellers in the UK England, Wales, Northern Ireland (not Scotland). As the UK autumn takes hold, how does the idea of warm sunshine and beautiful islands appeal?
Other Greek islands that were already on the British Government’s ‘green’ good to go travel list include Kefalonia and Corfu.
Kefalonia Tour & Trail Super-Durable Map published by Discovery Walking Guides Ltd
Updated lists of countries exempted from quarantine on return to the UK can be found HERE.
If you plan to go overseas, it’s a good idea to also check your destination country’s regulations for arriving visitors.
Corfu Tour & Trail Super-Durable Map published by Discovery Walking Guides Ltd
For information about each of these three beautiful islands and how to get the detailed maps to enhance your adventures, take a look at Zante Kefalonia and Corfu.
New Year – New Challenge?
Looking for a great day out, possibly with your mates in a walking group, on the UK’s most scenic Challenge route?
Edale Skyline Challenge is your answer. At just over 20 miles, with a Challenge time of 10 hours, Edale Skyline is a great achievement for fit hikers. Our new Edale Skyline Challenge Map (and Guide) has everything you need to enjoy these ridge line panoramas, including gpx waypoint file for the route and digital editions of the map in a choice of Viewranger, Locus or Garmin Custom Map versions – simply follow the directions on the reverse of the map to receive your digital downloads.
Choose a good weather day, start early, and you will have one of the UK’s most memorable day’s adventure.
Zante, Zakynthos: party or adventure?
Party island? For some, yes, but there is so much more to Zante – also called Zakynthos.
This beautiful Greek island in the Ionian Sea offers white beaches lapped by turquoise waters. Water sports enthusiasts will be in seventh heaven.
A fascinating coastline of rocky headlands, white cliffs and caves tempts exploration. There’s a fistful of walking guidebooks available offering strolls, walks and more challenging daily hikes.
Whatever you plan to explore, there’s an excellent newly-published island map detailing walking routes and a wealth of detail which will ensure you get the best out of your adventures.
Another Challenge?
Challenge No.2 The Yorkshire 3 Peaks
Great Britain offers many opportunities for discovering the outdoors, from gentle strolls to big challenges. Here’s one of the big ones. You could plan to tackle the Yorkshire 3 Peaks yourself, or simply lose yourself in the experiences of others who’ve planned and completed the climbs and descents, following them step by step from your own armchair.
Key to success in completing the Challenge Routes in good time is planning, down to the finest details. It’s fascinating to find out how it’s done.
A good large scale map, rip-proof and waterproof is an essential tool. Find out about the most helpful ‘how to’ guide and the best map for the job here.
Heading towards Whernside
Pen y Ghent in the early morning
Our last peak – Pen y Ghent crags
discoverywalking 