The Camí dels Bons Homes – what you need to know Trekking the Cami dels Bons Homes GR107 - crossing the Pyrenees in the Cathars' footsteps by Nike Werstroh, Jacint Mig £17.95 Guidebook to trekking the 225km (140 mile) Cami dels Bons Homes, a Cathar trail through the French and Spanish Pyrenees. The GR107 cross-border route between Foix in Ariège and Berga in Catalonia is described in 10 stages and includes detailed maps, profiles, accommodation listings and facilities. Cami dels Bons Homes Overview MapWhere is the route? The trail starts in Foix in southern France and weaves its way ac ..read more

The mountains of Nerja in southern Spain by Lesley Williams Spring arrives early in Nerja. It was mid-February, and the warm air on our faces as we stepped off the plane in Malaga was wonderful after the cool drizzle we had left behind in Manchester. We had escaped the Cicerone office for six days exploring a whole new mountain range, and it felt great. Fifty minutes later we turned off the coastal motorway and drove into Nerja, navigating the labyrinthine streets in search of our apartment. As soon as we dumped our bags, our hosts promptly marched us off to their favourite tapas bar, filling ..read more

Five of the best hikes in the Alps (that aren't the TMB) 1. THE GIANTS' TRAIL (Alta Via 1) Close to Mont Blanc, but a bit more challenging Where: Italy How long: 180km How many days: 14-16 How hard: Suitable for hikers with some experience of Alpine trekking. The Giants' Trail offers fantastic Alpine walking, with welcoming refuges and small hotels providing overnight accommodation (and great food) along the way. The route crosses cols of nearly 3000m as it traverses the side-valleys of the main Aosta Valley. The walking is demanding but without technical difficulty and offers breathtaking vis ..read more

A Trail of Two Cities: A cycle route from London to Paris by Mike Wells Both routes are well within the capabilities of cyclists of moderate fitness and will generally take between five days and a week – meaning that a round trip, including a few days sightseeing in Paris, can easily be accomplished in a fortnight. At 490km (excluding the Channel crossing), the traditional/classic route crosses the Channel either by ferry from Dover to Calais or via the Channel Tunnel. The alternative route, the Avenue Verte, was launched in 2012 to celebrate the London Olympics, offering a shorter journey of ..read more

The Best Winter Sunshine Destinations Costa Blanca Mountain Adventures The Bernia Ridge and other multi-activity adventures by Mark Eddy £17.95 A multi-activity guide to outdoor adventure in Spain's Costa Blanca, with 60 route suggestions covering ridge scrambles, via ferrata, canyoning, sport climbing, trad climbing, hiking, trail running and mountain biking. Many routes require climbing experience, although they vary in difficulty, with options suitable for a range of abilities. Article 7 Reasons to Escape to the Costa Blanca in Winter Published 19 Sept 2023 by Mark Eddy Come the ..read more

Introduction to the New Forest Thanks to the fairly level terrain, mixed with a of myriad well-defined tracks and paths, the forest is bestowed with a wide range of family-friendly walks, while those seeking the quieter parts can explore the network of narrower paths over the open heath, through forested areas where careful map reading may be required. The view from Castle Hill looking north-west over the River Avon. Walking in the New Forest 30 Walks in the New Forest National Park by Steve Davison £12.95 A guidebook to 30 walks of between 3 and 10 miles set throughout the New Forest Nati ..read more

History of the New Forest by Steve Davison Why is it named the New Forest? The New Forest was ‘created’ by William the Conqueror in 1079, as a royal hunting ground named Nova Foresta. At this time, the word ‘forest’ meant an area of countryside, not necessarily woodland, set aside for royal hunting. Where is the New Forest? The New Forest is located between south-west Hampshire and south-east Wiltshire. The New Forest is Britain’s smallest National Park, covering just 220 square miles. Dockens Water and footbridge at Linwood (Walk 10) Walking in the New Forest 30 Walks in the New Forest Na ..read more

The Walkers’ Haute Route - Chamonix to Zermatt: How to Prepare by Sam McGrady Checking the route and waymarkings In Summer 2022 my partner Steve and I walked across the Spanish Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean via the GR11 long distance footpath. We chose to do it in 6 weeks rather than the customary 8, and learnt many salutary lessons which we were determined to put into practice on future treks. You can read the article I wrote below. Article Traverse of the Spanish Pyrenees (GR11) Published 26 Nov 2022 by Sam McGrady Sam McGrady gives an honest account of crossing the Pyr ..read more

Fell Walks in the Lake District Buttermere from Dodd, below Red Pike (photo: Maggie Allan)Guides and Routes It can be overwhelming to know where to start, but our Fellranger guides are here to help. A series of eight guidebooks, one for each of the main valley bases (that’s Coniston, Keswick, Langdale, Mardale, Borrowdale, Buttermere, Wasdale and Patterdale), cover ALL the routes up ALL the fells in the area – that’s 230 fells in total! So, whether you’d like to tick off iconic peaks like the Langdale Pikes and Coniston Old Man, or discover lesser-known gems and wilderness walking, you are bou ..read more

GR34: A Detailed History of the Brittany Coast Path by Carroll Dorgan Stage 1: Mont-Saint-Michel to Saint-Broladre The starting point for the GR34 is beside a modern bridge that crosses the Couesnon River, 2km from Mont-Saint-Michel itself. When Harold, Earl of Wessex, joined William, Duke of Normandy, on an expedition against Conan, Duke of Brittany, in 1064 (two years before Harold and William led the opposing armies at the Battle of Hastings), Harold distinguished himself by rescuing Norman soldiers who had become trapped in the sand of the river. Harold’s exploit is vividly depicted on the ..read more