Pre Easter we managed to get out walking in North Wales to
experience the most spectacular cloud inversion around Snowdon and the Glyders.
We experience cloud inversions quite rarely, but to walk along the top of the
Glyder range above the clouds and look across at Snowdon, Crib Goch & East/West
Peak as if they were islands in a sea of cloud, was something special.
Somehow we managed a quick bike round the North Face trail
at Grizedale with its wide fireroads and tight technical singletrack and
northshore, this is a mountain bikers playground, whatever your ability and experience. And
from the tops of the forest you are rewarded with views across to Coniston and over Lake Windermere.
Late April, caught us walking a well known route round the
valley of Nidderdale, Yorkshire Dales, which is also gr8 mountain biking
territory. With some cool views of the dam at Scar House Reservoir. If you ever
head that way, there’s a remote walk around both this and Angram Reservoir.
Early May saw us in the Lake District for a spot of walking
and mountain biking. We know a great little route round the Elterwater and
Langdale Valleys which we just thoroughly enjoy. Add to that a little wander up
the ridge onto Coniston Old Man from the 3Shires Stone for some awe inspiring
views over south Lakeland and the Irish Sea.
At the end of May we came back to one of our favourite
haunts in the Lake District; Waterhead and Ambleside. From there we walked the Fairfield
Horseshoe and got the bus back into town! (after rehydrating at a local establishment
at the bottom of Heron Pike. A well earnt dinner in the Priest Hole, Ambleside
was much appreciated by all.
The Island of Skye beckoned us in June, and we were blessed
with the weather. To be honest, we’ve never experienced such consistently good
weather on this Isle in all the years we’ve been visiting (and the midges weren’t
biting too bad then either!)
We were headed Wales direction also in June, staying at the
lovely hotel the Gwesty Gwernan Hotel and Fishery. We can’t recommend this little,
hidden, boutique hotel enough. From its doorstep you can walk the slopes of
Cader Idris or bike down the estuary from Dolgellau to Barmouth.
We returned to more local hills and the Peak District in July,
with an easy walk from Jane Eyres Hathersage. This is a history rich, beautiful
area within easy reach of a lot of the UK’s population but sadly most people
don’t make the most of what they have on their doorstep – we guess that makes
it more special for the people that do visit! gr8 for walking, biking, climbing
and caving.
High Summer at the end of July, we ventured back to the Lake
District. This time staying in the hidden Newlands Valley at the working
Littletown Farm Guest House. From here you can venture straight onto Catbells
and High Spy to look down on Derwent Water & Buttermere. A days biking at
Whinlatter Forest (which also has Go Ape high ropes), finished the weekend
away. Don’t forget the sensational ‘thunder and lightening’ homemade ice cream
you can get with their homemade chocolate brownies at Littletown Farm (which
has since been renovated).
Our Autumn months had us biking back in the Lake District
around Rydal & Loughrigg Terrace, the Yorkshire Dales up and down
Wensleydale before turning north again to Scotland, for some early winter
walking in the Cairngorms over the New Year.
We hope that a little of this has inspired you to get out
there this Summer to enjoy what truly is our green and pleasant land. Or, if you don’t
have the confidence as to what to do, where to stay or where to go, then join us
at one of our recently announced Summer 2013 weekends, on our events blog, clickhere.
