Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2025 i The Great Outdoors

Gear News New daypacks from Jack Wolfskin Jack Wolfskin’s latest range of packs have capacities ranging from 20 to 30 litres and come with different features. The 20-litre Island Daypack has a roll top, padded back and multiple pockets. The 30-litre All-in Pack has a roll top too, but also front access via a waterresistant and repairable zip. It has a padded back and just one outside pocket, plus one inside. More technical is the 25-litre Prelight Vent Sustainable Hiking Pack, made from recycled material. It has a curved, ventilated back, a padded hipbelt, zipped top access, multiple pockets and a raincover. ■ RRP: from £90-160 jack-wolfskin.co.uk Haglöfs L.I.M ZT Collection with Polartec The new L.I.M ZT 2.0 from Haglöfs is made with Polartec fabrics chosen for their ability to…

IN THIS ISSUE Richard Cross is a photographer and web designer based in Perthshire. His project What Lies Beneath (featured on page 42) uses aerial and landscape photography to explore human impact on the Scottish Highlands and beyond. With a background in documentary photography and a long-standing interest in ecology, land use and how landscapes are perceived, his practice combines ground-level observation with drone imagery to reveal the visible and hidden traces of human activity across the land. Gemma Palmer is a reviewer and social influencer who enjoys encouraging everyday outdoor enthusiasts to boost their fitness and wellbeing. She’s passionate about finding adventure in every outing, including discovering new local hiking trails en route to race meets. As a Paddle UK #ShePaddles Ambassador, she also inspires others to embrace paddlesports and…

IN THE HILLS you’re exposed to all the elements. The beauty of these places is bound to the way light casts shadows from contours; the shape of the land as exposed as we are. We either don’t know or have forgotten that without deer and sheep, trees would soften the edges and mosaic the monoculture with texture and colour, a buffer to the elements. Our uplands are beautiful, there is no doubt of that; but it is also true that they are lacking. The meadow pipit is a bird that epitomises this complicated duality that occurs when places are beautiful but scarred. The weight of learning about the poor ecological state of our most beautiful places weighs heavy like a rucksack on an incline. The meadow pipit can teach us…

A place for bold views or interviews, outdoor arts and culture or the latest in access or environmental stories, this column is a newsroom, forum and soapbox (though perhaps not all at the same time!) for the outdoor community. Whatever our differing points of view, we’re all united by our love for the great outdoors. This time, it’s over to… I’VE HAD myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) since I was 21. Growing up on a hillside at the far end of the Pentlands, my interest in mountain culture coincided with a catastrophic collapse into chronic illness. Overnight I could barely walk. For 30 years, working as a poet and artist, I have felt driven to make work in landscapes – the Peak District, Cairngorms and Cuillins – where my limited walking made…

4735 reported incidents of wildlife crime in England and Wales during 2023 42% decrease in convictions between 2021 and 2022. In 2023, convictions hit an all-time low. 6000 wild bird eggs confiscated in the UK during December 2024 – the largest ever seizure. 75% of people convicted of raptor persecution offences between 2009 and 2023 were linked to the gamebird shooting industry. 1 person jailed for raptor persecution in the 15 years leading up to 2024. 51 golden eagles killed, tampered with or mysteriously disappeared between 2009 and 2023. £800,000 allocated by the government in March 2025 to support the National Rural Crime Unit and National Wildlife Crime Unit.…

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Therma-Rest Questar 0F/-18C £360 1.17kg (Small), 1.21kg (Regular), 1.38kg (Long) spacious, very warm, mat connectors none Fill: 650FP hydrophobic duck down Shell: 20D polyester with DWR Zip: 2-way full-length YKK Auto lock centre Length: 185cm (Small), 203cm (Regular), 216cm (Long) – to fit height 168cm (Small), 183cm (Regular), 198cm (Long) Rating: -10°C Comfort, -18°C Limit Sizes: Small, Regular, Long Women’s/men’s version? unisex cascadedesigns.com Testing conditions: Steph used this sleeping bag through Winter and Spring in South Wales and the south-west of England. She is an especially cold sleeper, and plus size (size 20), so she requires a warm and spacious sleeping bag. Quoted weights include the compression sack. Steph Wetherell struggled to find a winter sleeping bag that fitted, until the Questar came to the rescue… For those with…

14km/8.7 miles/6.5 hours Ascent 1513m/4964ft Ian Battersby busses in to be led astray by five sturdy siblings LEGEND TELLS OF seven sisters, daughters of a Kintail farmer, who encountered two visiting brothers, possibly princes, and presumably handsome. They resumed their travels, taking the two youngest sisters with them. They left the older five with a promise that their own five brothers (uh-huh) would be along soon to whisk them away too. But the promise was false, and the sisters were running out of time, so they themselves cast into mountain peaks so that their beauty would endure until the brothers turned up. Luckily for us, and likely the sisters too, they still have yet to show. The ridge undoubtedly embraces a certain beauty, but perhaps time has yielded additional qualities.…

25.6km/16 miles/8-10 hours Ascent 885m/2904ft Stefan Durkacz takes on a classic hillwalking circuit in the Borders DESPITE BEING little more than an hour away by bus, the handsome old town of Peebles seems a world apart from Edinburgh’s bustle. Set by the River Tweed and surrounded by farmland, hills and forests, Peebles has a long history as a Royal Burgh and former county town of Peeblesshire. Its pubs, cafés, restaurants and accommodation make it an ideal base for walking and exploration. This is Peebles’ classic hillwalk, easily doable in a day by bus from Edinburgh. This circuit of the tops around Glen Sax, which cuts deep into the hills south of town, is typical Southern Uplands walking. The first few miles follow the Cross Borders Drove Road long-distance walking route,…

12.2km/7.6 miles/4.5 hours Ascent 634m/2080ft James Forrest enjoys a short but-sweet car free adventure AMBLESIDE HAS excellent public transport links. It is well-served by Stagecoach’s regular Lancaster-to-Keswick 555 bus and taps into the rail network via nearby Windermere train station. This makes the bustling tourist town an ideal launchpad for a car-free, eco-friendly adventure. A popular half-day hike is a jaunt up Wansfell, an outing that serves up glorious views of Windermere and the surrounding panorama of Lakeland peaks. But too many tackle this fell the wrong way, trudging uphill to Wansfell Pike (which, confusingly, isn’t Wansfell’s true summit) before descending the same way. Instead we’d suggest ditching the out-and-back in favour of this circular route – a far more authentic and appealing way to tick off Wansfell. It starts…

22.6km/14 miles/7 hours Ascent 515m/1690ft Fiona Barltrop recommends a sea-air-filled trip across the Solent REGULAR VIEWERS of Ben Fogle’s New Lives in the Wild might have raised an eyebrow earlier this year when instead of the usual far-flung destinations it was the Isle of Wight that was the location for one particular episode. In it, Ben met a couple and their son who had ‘carved out their own slice of wilderness on a cliff side’. Coastal erosion caused by landslips and weathering is a fact of life here, causing the island to shrink a little every day, and their home (on the southern tip) remains at risk… This walk combines an outward leg along the top of the Downs following a stretch of the Tennyson Trail with a return along…

Richmond Walking and Books Festival 19-28 September Yorkshire Dales For the 20th annual Richmond Walking and Books Festival, expect an eclectic mix of walks and book events. With a dedicated team of local volunteers, and the support of the Swaledale Outdoor Club, both daytime walks and evening talks promise to inspire and invigorate. Meet celebrated authors, discover new ones and engage in a full programme of literary fun. Explore the beautiful Northern Dales in Autumn on daily walks led by friendly guides keen to share their knowledge and enthusiasm for the landscape. With a selection of graded walks, you can embark on an ambitious climb one day and enjoy an historical stroll the next. There are also participatory events such as a Poetry Open Mic and Book Club discussions. Cost:…

Share your views, your experiences and your favourite photos tgo.ed@kelsey.co.uk Lost and found After a reader stumbled upon another walker’s wedding ring, she took to Facebook to try to find the owner. Having had no luck there, she reached out to us at TGO hoping that you – one of our reader community – could help. Here are the details… On Sunday 13 April 2025, while walking in the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog), I found a gent’s white gold/platinum wedding ring near Cribyn and I am trying to trace the owner. There is a date engraved on the inside. To claim your lost ring, please contact me on 07709 433025 in first instance. Many thanks, Carol Gosling Remembered Septembers As we look toward the changing of the seasons once more,…

WHEN I LIVED IN ERYRI, in a high west-facing terrace above Dinorwig looking across to Yr Wyddfa and with the Wicklow hills visible along the skyline beyond Caernarfon Bay, I’d often set off for a favourite short circuit that took me through the quarries, up the Llanberis Pass to Gorffwysfa, and along the Miners’ Track to the outflow from Glaslyn. For several reasons I preferred to do this in the late afternoon or evening. It wasn’t just for the light, reliably gorgeous though that could often be at that time of day when the sun dips below the clouds to the west. It is often the best time of day, and the freest of crowds. So, a short circuit is ideally suited to this time of day, which explains why…

Fancy the idea of giving time back to the mountains but not sure where to start? These projects are all looking for volunteers with hill skills. Fix The Fells: Sociable work parties that meet to maintain mountain paths across the Lake District. Path maintenance is important for minimising erosion and protecting fragile habitats (fixthefells.co.uk) Get Stuck In with the BMC: A regular programme of one-to-three-day events that includes footpath repair, invasive species removal, bracken clearing, peat restoration, litter picks and more (thebmc.co.uk/en/get-involved-volunteering) Big Microplastic Survey: It might focus on marine ecosystems, but this project needs the help of walkers who access remote and less frequently cleaned beaches. Each survey only takes 30 minutes, so it’s easy to fit in around your regular outings (microplasticsurvey.org) Community Snow Observations: This global project relies on…

Getting there and around: James and Nicole used skyscanner.com to look for flights. They flew from London Heathrow to Los Angeles International Airport. The distance by road between the start of the two routes featured here is 225km and there is little public transport available. James and Nicole hired a car in Los Angeles to allow flexibility during their trip. Accommodation: Our pair based themselves at various campsites and RV Parks in Owen’s Valley. They stayed in Olancha RV Park for the first two nights, before moving to Gray’s Meadow Campground outside the town of Independence, and Tuttle Creek Campground outside of Lone Pine. They found and booked campgrounds via recreation. gov. For the day before the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River, they camped in Mono Vista RV Park…

Could you be unwittingly committing wildlife crime while out walking? Not all crimes are deliberate – some take place as a result of ignorance or accident. “Its important to be aware of where you are when you are enjoying the outdoors and what other species may also call that place home,” says Paul. “When walking across moorland, stick to designated paths rather than going off-piste. We have a lot of ground-nesting species of birds that may at best be disturbed and at worst be trampled upon when you walk on their nest. It’s worth bearing in mind that wild bird nests are protected by UK law. “When abseiling or rock climbing, be aware of the possibility that your route may pass near to a peregrine falcon’s nest. They like to…

7 varied routes in England, Scotland and Wales Fancy a beautiful but guilt-free walk knowing you’ve made choices that alleviate negative impacts upon the environments of our high place? These car-free mapped routes boast some of the finest mountain, fell and downland walking in Britain – but are all reachable by public transport. With a selection of circular and linear options, opportunities to roam abound. Forgo the hassle of finding parking in remote places with delicate infrastructures, enjoy your big day out on foot, and settle into a relaxing return journey. Yes, you may have to wait for the bus – but what freedom might it afford you in exchange? Our walks this month…

41.7km/26 miles/2 days Ascent 609m/1998ft Alex Roddie takes the train to explore a vast tract of wild mountains FOR SOME OF SCOTLAND’S more remote Munros, travelling by public transport is less of a disadvantage than you might think. Especially when a brace of them fall squarely in between two train stations easily accessible from Glasgow, perfectly spaced for two days of walking. This route does not tackle all the Munros between Dalwhinnie and Corrour stations, but takes in a fine ridge north of Ben Alder to create an adventurous yet manageable twodayer. In addition to the Munros of Geal-Chàrn, Aonach Beag and Beinn Eibhinn, it includes the Munro Top of Sgor Iutharn. The ridge has many flat, grassy areas ideal for a high camp. It would be possible to extend the…

11.8km/7.3 miles/4.5-5 hours Ascent  829m/2720ft Vivienne Crow digs deep to discover the lesstrodden ways THERE’S JUST ONE right of way into Deepdale, and even that doesn’t venture very far into this captivating, glaciated side valley, ending long before things get interesting. Yet, for those who like their fells mostly pathless, Deepdale hides several adventurous approaches to the well-worn trails that cling to the high ridges. This route climbs the popular St Sunday Crag (841m) via its lesser-known eastern ridge, home to Lord’s Seat and the rocky knobble of Gavel Pike. You might want to use your hands on the way up Gavel Pike, but there’s no real scrambling; the satisfaction comes from knowing you’ve got this great little spur all to yourself while, just a short distance away, other walkers…

20.5km/12.7 miles/7 hours Ascent 585m/1920ft Roger Butler takes the train to explore empty hills west of Offa’s Dyke IF OFFA’S DYKE was part of a theme park it would be an eye-catching roller coaster; but those incessant ups and downs continue to rumble and roll once you’ve crossed the Welsh border down by the River Teme near Knighton. Here, fingers of high moorland point west towards little-known hills in deepest Powys. This long, linear romp takes advantage of a couple of stops on the Heart of Wales Line and glides along tongue-twisting Wernygeufron Hill before following Glyndŵr’s Way through deep heather to the top of Beacon Hill. This broad summit, with a rim of crumbly crags, forms the centre of a sprawling upland massif criss-crossed by old drovers’ tracks, some…