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Dipping a long sinuous finger into the Solent, the southernmost tip of the New Forest National Park forms part of the Solent Way, with Hurst Spit, an impressive shingle spit with a castle at its far end. This is just one of the walks featured in Walking in the New Forest by Steve Davison, but has memories for me that go back over forty years.
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The Cotswold Way is a wonderful national trail, covering 102 glorious miles along the Cotswold escarpment between Chipping Campden and Bath. On the ridge the views are superb and far-reaching, then drop down to find 'chocolate box' villages built of honey-coloured stone. There is more to the Cotswold Way than pretty villages and spectacular views. This has been a region of great significance for...
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The Auvergne forms the major part of the Massif Central of France. It's a stunning area of ancient volcanic scenery, crossed by numerous waymarked paths which thread through a landscape covering 25,000 square kilometres. It's easily accessible, the climate is not too extreme, the towns and villages offer historic interest and the walking opportunities range from gentle short walks to vigorous...
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The Cumbrian countryside to the north of Kendal is home to no less than five rivers; the Rawthey, Lune, Mint, Sprint and Kent which begin life in the high fells of the Lake District and the Howgills, and make their way to the Irish Sea. Passing through gaps left by glaciers and running over unique geological features such as outlying sections of the Whin Sill these rivers are a delight to walk...
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The Kennet and Avon Canal passes through a varied landscape, including the chalk hills of the North Wessex Downs in the east, and the southern edge of the Cotswolds in the west. Take your time and slow down, amid the wildlife and gentle scenery as the course of the canal unfolds. Along the way are all the delights to a bygone age – impressive flights of locks, ornate aqueducts, and the city of...
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The Engadine, the 'valley of the Inn people', is a high valley of contrasts, and home to one of Switzerland's national parks. In the Upper Engadine between Maloja and St Moritz at around 1800m, several large lakes almost fill the valley floor, while the snow-peaks of the Bernina Alps rise nearby, and shapely mountains like Piz Palü, Bellavista, Piz Roseg and Piz Bernia spawn glaciers that hang...
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Upper Teesdale lies within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, affectionately known as 'England's Last Wilderness'. If your idea of 'getting away from it all' is to enjoy the wind (and sometimes rain) in your face, vast, wild and achingly beautiful moorland, spectacular waterfalls and fascinating geology, then you will love the Upper Teesdale valley. And after a long day in the...
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Sandwiched between its illustrious neighbours of Pembrokeshire and the Gower, Carmarthenshire is often overlooked by visitors and locals alike, and yet beautiful Carmarthenshire benefits from breathtaking mountain scenery, golden sands, rivers, lakes, forests and moorland studded by evocative castle ruins and pretty towns, all connected by a network of 3000km well maintained footpaths and byways.
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Dating from the religious turmoil of a period between 1000 to 1250AD, the castles built and occupied by the Cathars are found on high rocky outcrops, and command fantastic views across forests, vineyards and citrus orchards towards the distant Pyrenees. Many remain well preserved, others are intriguing ruins waiting to be discovered.
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Our hidden gem this month is a guide to the Northern Caminos - covering three different routes to Santiago de Compostela, away from the crowds of the main route.
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Our Hidden Gem of the month is Cycling in the Yorkshire Dales. With 25 routes on quiet lanes throughout the national park, including the Prologue stage of the 2014 Tour de France, this is a brilliant destination for keen cyclists.
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A mini guide to help you recognise 230 alpine flowers. In just 144 pages this lovely little book will give both pleasure and knowledge.
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Our hidden gem this month is The Mountains of Nerja. The little town of Nerja is relatively unspoilt, nestling under a range of mountains on the coast just 40 minutes drive from Malaga.
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Our hidden gem this month is the Tour of the Lake District. It’s just a great idea – take a week of holiday in the Lake District and see all the best sights.
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Our hidden gem of the month is Walking the Jurassic Coast - a lovely and easy to understand book describing both the geology and the walking in this area.
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Our Hidden Gem of the month is Walking in Cumbria’s Eden valley. Lesley Williams took a while to discover this delightful ‘secret’ area for walking.
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Our Hidden Gem of the month is Ski Touring and Snowshoeing in the Dolomites, longlisted for Banff Mountain Book Awards 2017. James Rushforth showcases the beauty of the Dolomites with his award-winning photographic talent. It's a wonderful area for walkers, trekkers and adventurers of all types - even in winter.
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Our Hidden Gem of the Month is Trekking in the Silvretta and Rätikon Alps, chosen by Lesley. It's a beautiful area which deserves to be more well-known. However, for the people that do know the area, the Silvretta and Rätikon Alps is a hidden gem.
