Skills gear and practical advice
How to walk a Camino without blistering pain
By Nicole Bukaty Don't let blisters ruin your Camino; follow Nicole Bukaty's top tips instead. There is this thing that pilgrims do which bamboozles me and, in truth, fills me...
Pilgrim Credentials – everything you need to know
Caminos have become popular for their unique blend of spiritual journey, cultural exploration, and physical challenge, drawing pilgrims from all walks of life. A pilgrim credential, or pilgrim passport, is...
Walkers and livestock: how to behave around animals
By Natalie Simpson Natalie Simpson explains how best to minimise the potential risks - to yourself and the animals - when out walking around livestock The cows had come to...
How to get hill-fit and train for long-distance walking
By Lesley Williams and Joe Williams During the winter months it’s unlikely that you will have been able to sustain a regime of regular walking to the level that you...
Walking in winter: the best UK long-distance routes
By Lesley Williams Although it has seasonal challenges of poor weather and limited daylight, walkers can still enjoy long-distance routes in winter months. With its network of long-distance trails, the...
What are the Corbetts?
You've heard of the Munros, but have you heard of the Corbetts? So, what are the Corbetts? In 1930 John Rooke Corbett, a district valuer from Bristol, became the fourth...
Hiking with dogs: top tips for tackling mountains and long-distance trails
Hollie, a Munroist and dog-friendly adventurer in Scotland, has been exploring the countryside with her two dogs since 2020 and sharing her experiences on social media along the way. Supported...
Gifts for every kind of hiker
Are you looking for the perfect gift for the hiker in your life? Whether it’s for Christmas, a birthday, or just because, these carefully chosen titles offer something for everyone....
VAM: A Naismith’s rule for cyclists
By Richard Barrett Cicerone author and keen cyclist Richard Barrett shares his tips on working out how much those steeper climbs will slow you down. Here, he explains VAM -...
What’s the difference between walking, trekking, hiking and backpacking?
By Joe Williams Cicerone’s Joe Williams answers the question you’ve always been afraid to ask: just what is the difference between walking and trekking? Read on to become a pro...
Discover the best budget-friendly trails
Some of the most breathtaking trails offer incredible adventures without stretching your wallet. Whether you're seeking the dramatic landscapes of Scotland, the sunlit shores of Spain, or the untamed wilderness...
How to Prepare for the K2 Trek in Pakistan's Karakoram
Home to some of the world’s highest mountains (including five over 8000m) and some of the largest glaciers, the Karakoram range in northeastern Pakistan boasts awe-inspiring scenery. For adventurous hikers,...
Skills session - using a compass
By Pete Hawkins Cicerone author and navigation expert Pete Hawkins shares his knowledge and experience on how to successfully and safely navigate at home and abroad. The compass. A humble...
What is a GR route?
By Joe Williams Grande Randonnée (French), Grote Routepaden or Lange-afstand-wandelpaden (Dutch), Grande Rota (Portuguese) or Gran Recorrido (Spanish)... Put simply, the GR routes are an immense network of long distance...
Hiking poles: how and when to use them
So, you love hillwalking and you’re reasonably fit, but you’re beginning to realise that you actually prefer walking uphill, and that the downhill bits make your knees hurt – sometimes...
How to photograph the northern lights
By James Rushforth Seeing the northern lights can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Photographing this spectacular, natural phenomenon is difficult, but James Rushforth has this advice. Caused by electrons from the...
UK trails easily accessible by public transport
Planning a walking adventure doesn’t have to mean hiring a car or arranging complicated transfers. Across the UK, there are fantastic trails that begin and end in well-connected towns or...
An essential guide to planning your first hut-to-hut trip in the Alps
For mountain enthusiasts and multi-day hikers, the allure of the Alps is inevitable, and an alpine trek staying high in mountain huts is an ideal way to explore the region....
Welcome to the world of fastpacking
By Lily Dyu Put simply, fastpacking is the hybrid of running, hiking and lightweight backpacking. It’s a multi-day running trip carrying the bare essentials. Underpinning the activity is the principle...
Everything you need to know about staying in a mountain hut
By Kev Reynolds Refuge, cabane, rifugio or hütte... mountain huts are a great way to stay high in the mountains, but the thought of planning an alpine trek can be...
The Beauty of Bothies: their history and how to find them
By Phoebe Smith Phoebe Smith, author of The Book of the Bothy, urges the uninitiated to leave their preconceptions behind and discover the delights of seeking out some of the...
What are the Big Rounds?
By David Lintern The Bob Graham Round, the Paddy Buckley Round and the Charlie Ramsay Round are known to mountain runners as three of the most difficult 24-hour challenges in...
Can anyone climb Kilimanjaro, and other frequently asked questions
By Alex Stewart At 5895m, Kilimanjaro is the world’s highest peak that you can climb without technical skills. But could you climb it? Alex Stewart, author of the Cicerone guidebook...
Explore premium hiking spots for less
Premium hiking destinations don’t need to come with premium price tags. With a bit of forward planning, you can explore some of the world’s most breathtaking locations without overspending. Whether...