Inspirational Walks Northern Ireland Wales

Marathon in a Month Challenge Every mile makes a difference Inspirational walks

Northern Ireland

North Antrim cliff path – Giant’s Causeway to Dunseverick Castle, Northern Ireland The Giant’s Causeway is awe-inspiring at any time of year, and the cliffs on this part of the Antrim coast are some of the most spectacular in Europe. As you walk along the path you’ll have a panoramic view of the Giant’s Causeway site. There’s not much left of Dunseverick Castle, which was one of Ireland’s earliest castles, but it has great views, a picnic site

and free parking. discoverirlland.com of courtesy Photo Distance: 4.8 miles More details: www.walkni.com/walks/400/north-antrim-cliff-path-to-dunseverick-castle

Divis and Black Mountain walk, near Belfast In the heart of the Belfast Hills, this walk is notable for its views over Belfast and much of Northern Ireland. There are several different trails you can follow. Be prepared for a mountain environment and wear decent shoes or boots and suitable outdoor clothing. Distance: 3.6-6.9 miles More details: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/divis-and-the-black-mountain

Port Path, Portstewart to Portrush, Northern Ireland This walk is worth doing for the spectacular coastal scenery, with views out to Donegal and the Scottish isles, as well as points of interest along the way. You’ll pass St Patrick’s Well, Portnahapple sea pool, an old ice house and a Dominican convent. The sandy beaches of Portstewart Strand and West Strand are more peaceful in winter. Distance: 6.5 miles (one way) More details: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/divis-and-the- black-mountain Photo courtesy of discoverirlland.com of courtesy Photo Wales

Snowdonia - Arthog Falls These impressive falls are about a mile from the village of Arthog, near Dolgellau. It’s a bit of a climb, but worth it. If you keep on uphill past the falls you will get to the beautiful Cregannan Lakes, with extra views of the Mawddach estuary to keep you going. Distance: 3 miles

Pembrokeshire - Lawrenny walk This walk takes in both ancient oak forest – the twisted trunks and branches are a striking sight in winter – Photo courtesy of photo.wales photo.wales of courtesy Photo and estuary teeming with bird life, including wigeon, teal, greenshank and little egret. Start and finish at Lawrenny Quay. Distance: 3 miles More details: /www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cleddau-woodlands/trails/lawrenny-walk

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Scotland

Trossachs and Loch Lomand - Bracklinn Falls, Callander A circular walk taking in the idyllic Bracklinn Falls, a very popular local beauty spot situated in a beautiful wooded gorge. Once over the bridge the route climbs through forestry before descending to the quiet upper glen, with a return by minor road to the car park.

Visited by Queen Victoria, the Bracklinn Falls are one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Scotland. Located in the woods above the town of Callander, they are especially

impressive after a heavy rainfall. Visitors can admire the TripAdvisor of courtesy Photo falls from their best vantage from the viewpoint suspended right above the cascade. Distance: 3.25 miles Allow 1.5 hours More details: www.walkhighlands.co.uk/lochlomond/bracklinn-falls.shtml

East Lothian - Aberlady Bay and Gullane Point Immediately adjacent to Edinburgh is East Lothian. Perhaps best known for its links golf courses, this is also a region with much to offer the walker. The coastline is perhaps the greatest attraction, with mile upon mile of glorious sandy beaches, dunes and nature reserves. A number of individual, small but steep hills dominates the coastal planes.

Aberlady Bay is a beautiful local nature reserve (the first in Britain when declared in 1952) and is renowned especially as

a bird-watching venue. This circular walk heads through the walkinghighlands.co.uk of courtesy Photo reserve to take in the fine sandy beach before continuing to the village of Gullane and returning inland. Distance: 5.75 miles Allow 2.5 - 3.5 hours More details: www.walkhighlands.co.uk/lothian/aberlady-gullane.shtml

Aberdeenshire - Dunecht Estate and Barmekin Hill This circular walk begins by following tarmac lanes and tracks through the Dunecht Estate, giving views of the great country house as well as over the Policy Loch. The estate grounds include a golf course and extensive areas of forestry and farming. The walk then continues with a moorland climb up to the remains of the iron-age hillfort on the summit of Barmekin Hill, with good views over the Aberdeenshire countryside. Distance: 7.25 miles

Allow 3 - 4 hours walkinghighlands.co.uk of courtesy Photo

England – North West

Forest of Bowland, Lancashire – part of the Lancashire Witches Walk A 5.5 mile walk commencing in the village of Slaidburn in the heart of the Forest of Bowland, Lancashire. Slaidburn sits exactly halfway along the 51-mile Lancashire Witches Walk, created to commemorate the trials of the Pendle Witches in 1612. The walk follows a short stretch of this trail, before circling back through rolling pastures and returning alongside the River Hodder. The walk includes a steady ascent at the start and includes a mix of village pavements, woodland and field paths and farm tracks. There are many stiles and gates and you will besharing most of the fields with livestock, both cattle and sheep. Slaidburn is located within the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the B6478. The walk starts and finishes at the long stay village car park, at the eastern edge of the village. This car park is pay-and-display and is on the north side of the main village road (do not use the village hall car park, which is on the south side). Approximate postcode BB7 3ES. Distance: 5.5 miles Allow: 3 hours More details: www.ifootpath.com/display-ifootpath-walk?walkID=12155 ifootpath.com of courtesy Photographs

Lake District - In the footsteps of Beatrix Potter A 5.5 mile circular walk exploring the area around Near and Far Sawrey, where Hill Top Farm is located, the former home of Beatrix Potter. The walk follows a pretty stretch of lakeside path along the edge of Lake Windermere affording beautiful views of the lake and wildfowl. This walk is a low level with only a few steady climbs and no steep sections. You will need to negotiate several gates, kissing gates and stiles. Near Sawrey and Far Sawrey are two villages located on the B5285, just to the west of Lake Windermere. The walk starts and finishes at a small lay-by (with a bench and woodland footpath fingerpost) on the B5285, at the top of the hill of the access road down to the Windermere Ferry. There is space here for a couple of cars. If this is full, you will find a pay-and-display National Trust car park further down the hill towards the ferry, or there is also National Trust parking in Near Sawrey (so you can adjust the walk to start and finish at Hill Top Farm). Nearest post code LA22 0LL. Distance: 5.5 miles Allow: 3 hours ifootpath.com of courtesy Photos More details: www.ifootpath.com/display-ifootpath-walk?walkID12302

England – North West

Formby - Red Squirrel Trail A 2 mile circular walk around the National Trust’s Nature Reserve, where you will see dramatic sand dunes, sweeping coastal pines and mixed woodland plus a rare and healthy population of native red squirrels. The route follows stone and mud paths, which can get a little muddy in winter and after rain. There are a few slopes throughout the walk. Dogs are welcomed throughout the reserve but must be kept under control and need to be on a lead through the reserve (last half mile of the walk). Formby is located on the west coast, between Liverpool and Southport. The walk starts and finishes from the Formby Nature Reserve. The car park is located at the end of Victoria Avenue, and is marked with brown signs. Approximate post code L37 1LJ. The fee for parking is £5 per car or free to National Trust members – the fee covers entrance to the whole reserve and is used to support the squirrel conservation work. Distance: 2 miles Allow: 1 hour ifootpath.com of courtesy Photographs More details: www.ifootpath.com/dosplay-ifootpath-walk?walkID2707

England – Central

Great Yarmouth - Horsey Windpump Beach trail Experience the Horsey Broadland landscape with the National Trust on this 3 mile return walk to the beach, following grassy paths and tracks, encompassing low- lying grazing marshes, sand dunes and a narrow sandy beach, with a chance of seeing Grey Seals. Distance: 3 miles Allow: 2 hours More details: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/horsey- windpump/trails/horsey-windpump-to-beach-walk

Oxford - Parkland Views Walk The circular walk encapsulates the local landscape with its outstanding view points to the churches with tall steeples, the mile-long Terrace and the Grade 1* listed Parkland of Farnborough Hall.

Distance: 5.5 miles website Trust National s from Picture Allow: 3-4 hours More details: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/farnborough-hall/trails/farnbroughs-parkland-views-walk

England – Central

Windsor - Simon’s Wood centenary walk at Finchampstead Ridges An area of wet woodlands and lowland heath providing an increasingly rare habitat which supports life for many birds and invertebrates. On this walk, you can explore the views, flora and fauna of the broadleaved and coniferous woodlands, the naturally created Heath Pond, and the rare delights of a heathland habitat. Distance: 1.3 miles

Allow: 40 mins website Trust National from Picture More details: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/runnymede/ trails/simons-wood-centenary-walk-at-runnymede England – South West and East

Dorset - Godlingston Heath Walk This walk encompasses breath-taking views right across the heath to Little Sea and Studland Bay. It also takes in the Agglestone, an enormous block of iron-rich sandstone that stands as a prominent feature in the landscape. Starting at Middle Beach car park, Studland, Dorset BH19 3AX. Distance: 3 miles Allow: 1.5 hours More details: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/studland-beach/ trails/godlingston-heath-walk Photo courtesy of https://my.viewranger.com of courtesy Photo

Gloucestershire - Ebworth Centre Cotswolds walk This walk gives you the chance to explore all the features that make the Cotswolds so special – steep valleys, exhilarating views, beautiful limestone grassland, magnificent beech woodlands and two honey coloured villages where time seems to stand still. Distance: 4 miles Allow: 2–3 hours More details: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/crickley-hill/trails/

ebworth-centre-cotswolds-walk website Trust National from Picture

Sussex - Ardingly Reservoir walk This 198 acre reservoir and nature reserve has a lovely waterside walking path ideal for an easy stroll. The walk starts at the car park at the southern end of the reservoir and takes you along the eastern side of the water to the village of Balcombe, before returning to the start point. Distance: 5 miles Allow: 3 hours More details: www.gps-routes.co.uk/routes/home.nsf/

RoutesLinksWalks/ardingly-reservoir-walking-route www.gps-routes.co.uk from Picture