Peaks and Valleys

Adventure Race Across France

2008-07-18T16:09:00.000-07:00

37 teams of four, each including at least one woman, have confirmed that they will be competing in the first Raid Canéo Nature. The adventure race, conveniently placed between the Tour de France and the Olympic games, will be setting off from the Place d'Armes in Versailles on July 28, 2008 and finishing in Marseilles on August 8.
The teams will begin the 1100 km race on horseback and then over the following 11 days, race on foot, on horseback, by kayak, by rollerblade and by mountain bike, crossing mountains and forests, canals, streams and rivers, not forgetting the sea, and also taking in a little canyoning, caving and abseiling.

Tick Alert

2007-05-08T14:03:00.000-07:00

This is Tick Alert Week, 7 to 13 May, 2007, and is a campaign which aims to raise awareness of tick-borne disease. After mosquitoes, ticks are the most serious insect for carrying disease to humans and their numbers are on the increase in the European countryside, including the UK.

Tick Borne Encephalitis (TBE) is endemic in 27 countries across mainland Europe, with 10,000 cases a year, and in the UK there were 684 cases of Lyme disease last year. TBE attacks the nervous system and can result in serious meningitis, brain inflammation and even death.

Anyone visiting the countryside is at risk from tick bites, but you can also be at risk when spending time in public spaces including beer gardens, picnic spots, parkland and open gardens. People taking part in outdoor activities and adventure pursuits such as camping, hiking, trekking, cycling and climbing are at particularly high risk.

To avoid tick bites, use a suitable insect repellent; keep all skin covered and tuck trousers into socks. Inspect skin for ticks and remove as soon as possible.
Detailed information and practical advice is available from MASTA.

UK National Trails

2007-04-21T12:56:00.000-07:00

The Cotswold Way officially opens as a National Trail on the 24 May, 2007.
It joins a network of 15 walking trails throughout the UK, some of which have sections accessible for cyclists and horse-riders.

Information and news about the trails, including information about charity walks, is available from the National Trails website.

Dalby Forest

2007-04-09T15:17:00.000-07:00

Dalby Forest is located on the southern slopes of the North York Moors National Park and they boast a newly opened Visitor Centre, constructed in natural materials and designed to be as sustainable as possible. It is situated just past the village of Low Dalby and incorporates a shop/information point, exhibition area, toilets, Education Room and a restaurant, which will be open in May 2007.

The centre is the focus of a �4.3m regeneration project for the area which also includes art and craft workshops, bike hire and 55 km of bike trails. An interesting trail is the Moor to Sea cycle trail. This is an 80 mile trail, linking Pickering, Whitby and Scarborough using forest roads, bridleways and quiet roads.
There are also some nice waymarked walks in Dalby Forest offering great views of the outstanding landscape.

World Cross-Country Championships

2006-11-15T14:37:00.000-08:00

Thirty years after last being held in Scotland, Edinburgh is to stage the World Cross-country Championships in 2008. The event, on March 30, will be run in Holyrood Park, where the European Cross-country Championship was staged in 2003.

The 2007 championships are to be held in Mombasa, Kenya on Saturday 24, March.

2007 Adventure Racing World Championships

2006-09-08T13:04:00.000-07:00

The 2007 Adventure Racing World Championships is to be held in Scotland, 24th May to 2nd June, 2007. The UK's premier expedition adventure race, Wilderness ARC, which is held in the Western Highlands of the Lochaber region, where the terrain is rugged, the weather unpredictable and the views wild, unspoilt and epic, will become the 2007 Adventure Racing World Championships. While the course will be kept a closely guarded secret until the eve of the race, it will begin from an event base at Fort William.

The ARWC2006 in Sweden and Norway concluded with Team Nike PowerBlast, captained by Ian Adamson crowned ARWC Champions; Nike PowerBlast is a joint New Zealand, USA team.

AR World Championship

2006-08-08T15:04:00.000-07:00

The Adventure Racing World Championship will be held August 16-23, 2006, in the land of the Sami people and the midnight sun. The race starts at Hemavan/Tärnaby in Sweden, a ski resort in the north west of Sweden and will pass Mo i Rana in Norway.

This area is famous for its wild nature. Breathtaking views, strikingly beautiful fjords in the North Sea, fed from untamed white-water rivers originating at the base of spectacular glaciers. The warm Gulf Stream current in the Atlantic runs close to the Scandinavian Peninsula and provides very moderate weather; in August, the snow is generally gone in the mountains and snow levels on the glaciers are at their lowest. What is unique to this part of the world is that it enjoys nearly 22 hours of summer daylight!

33 mixed teams of four, are assembling in Hermavan, Sweden for the event, including a strong New Zealand contingent. Kiwi racers have been world leaders in the sport since its emergence and are regarded as competition favourites.

Walking in the National Forest

2006-05-20T13:41:00.000-07:00

UK walkers will find that Walking in the National Forest has become easier, thanks to initiatives such as the Forest Walk packs, published by the National Forest Company.

Conceived in the late 1980's, The National Forest is 200 square miles spanning three counties, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire, in the English Midlands; it is a forest in the making that will link two ancient Forests, Charnwood on its Eastern fringe with Needwood Forest to its West. No such forest has been created in the UK on this scale for one thousand years.

A magnet for walkers, cyclist, birdwatchers and wildlife lovers, the National Forest also features craft and visitor centres. It enjoys increasing popularity as a venue for open-air summer concerts and there is a busy schedule of events, from classical to rock. On 7-9 July, 2006, the National Forest Folk Festival is putting on an impressive line-up of performers, which include top band, The Levellers, highly acclaimed Cara Dillon and the exciting Shooglenifty.

There are 17 documented and waymarked, circular walks spread throughout the National Forest, 6 are classified as a short walk (3 to 7 miles) and there are 4 walks which are more than 11 miles (including a 22 mile hike).

Skylark Holidays are introducing a series of walking holidays and breaks in the National Forest.

Isle of Wight Walking Festival

2006-04-12T03:00:00.000-07:00

The eighth Isle of Wight Walking Festival is being held on 6th -21st May 2006. This annual May event is the UK's largest walking festival, which is not so surprising when you consider that the island boasts more than 500 miles of signposted footpaths and 30 miles of Heritage Coastline. More than half of the Island is recognized as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The festival website features a useful 'walk finder' for guided walks during the festival and also a selection of walking routes for the Isle of Wight, available all year.

The Ordinance Survey Outdoors Show 2006

2006-02-14T14:57:00.000-08:00

The Ordinance Survey Outdoors Show 2006, 17-19 March 2006, at the NEC, Birmingham, UK. Claims to be the biggest outdoors show in Europe.

It provides visitors with the opportunity to try their hand at a range of activities including canoeing, diving, climbing and mountain biking. The exhibition also includes a series of lectures and a programme of map reading tutorials throughout the weekend, covering topics such as Beginners Map Reading and Electronic Mapping.

Top boulderers from around the world will be competing in a World Cup Challenge.

Beara-Breifne Greenway

2006-01-18T10:03:00.000-08:00

400 years ago, in 1603, Donal Cam O?Sullivan Beara, chieftain of the O' Sullivan Bera Clan, led a march of a thousand men, women and children, from the Beara Peninsula, West Cork to Breifne, in the Leitrim Cavan area. It happened as a result of the Irish and the Spanish defeat by the British Crown forces at the Battle of Kinsale.

The historic route from the Beara Peninsula to Breifne is now to form part of the European Greenways trails. It will be developed with 1 million Euros of funding as a long distance walking, cycling, heritage and clans route linking with the Ulster Way and cycling routes in Northern Ireland. Thereby providing a route that runs the length of Southern Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Running through the counties of Cork, south Tipperary and Galway, the Beara-Breifne Greenway is Ireland's first designated Greenway; here are maps of the entire waymarked route.

Overseas Expeditions for Mental Health

2006-01-14T11:21:00.000-08:00

The Mental Health Foundation are offering the opportunity to trek across the Sahara desert, trek to Machu Picchu, or cycle in Cuba.

The Sahara expedition, 13 - 21st March 2006, features mesmerising landscapes beyond the wildest expectations, with dramatic sand dunes as far as the eye can see.

In Peru, the planned trek, 14 - 23 September 2006, is along one of the world's most stunning trails. Participants can look forward to experiencing scenery as diverse as the tropical Andean rainforests and the snow-capped mountain ranges of the Andes; culminating in the awe inspiring, lost city of Machu Picchu.

A true taste of Cuba, from vibrant Havana to the relaxed rural western province, are provided by the Cuba Cycling Challenge, 2 - 12 November 2006. The tour ends on the dazzling beaches and clear blue seas of the Gulf of Mexico.

Beatrix Potter Film

2005-12-08T14:30:00.000-08:00

A new Beatrix Potter film is expected to be filmed on location in the UK's Lake District next year, 2006. It has been suggested that Renee Zellweger might have a staring role.

The Lake District was a source of inspiration for many of Beatrix Potter's stories and sketches.

Alpine Geckos

2005-11-14T13:29:00.000-08:00

So, there you are, clinging to a rock-face in New Zealand's remote alpine area of South Island.You look for the next toe hold and alongside you is one of these little creatures, a rare alpine geckos. Make a note.

"We are really keen to hear about any sightings of geckos either recently or in the past from the alpine zone of South Island mountains - the area above the tree and shrub zone," said lizard specialist Dr. Mandy Tocher. "We need to know as much as possible about the sightings, and call upon all climbers, trampers and alpine enthusiasts to report sightings or skins."

In a survey being conducted by the Department of Conservation, sponsored by Kathmandu, new habitats of the rare New Zealand alpine geckos have already been found this summer. Much to the delight of the New Zealand National Parks Conservation Foundation, which has facilitated the sponsorship.

New Zealand alpine geckos have only just been discovered, and are relatives of the forest gecko. Whereas forest geckos are relatively common and live in trees and shrubs, these newly discovered geckos occupy a very different habitat - alpine rock bluffs, boulder piles and scree above 1,000 metres and seem to be extremely rare. Not only that, they are also nocturnal, so the chances of spotting them is small. They are very variable in colour and pattern, from drab brownish-grey to bold herringbone and chevron patterns, to the whole animal being virtually covered in blotches of brick-red colour.

OS Explorer Maps

2005-10-21T10:06:00.000-07:00

Ordnance Survey have now covered every part of England, Scotland and Wales with a new series of maps. Called OS Explorer Maps, they show the new 'UK right to roam areas for walkers' and have been specially designed for walkers, off-road cyclists, horse riders and anyone involved in outdoor activities.

Access rights will be open in all regions of the UK by the end of October, 2005.

The OS Explorer Map series integrates the old Outdoor Leisure map series and the Pathfinder map series.

Walking Festival in Scotland

2005-10-05T15:04:00.000-07:00

I have recently written about the World Body Painting festival and was amused to read about a Best Painted Cow competition. It turns out however that I had jumped to the wrong conclusion because the competition involves decorating a ceramic cow, as part of the annual Drovers Tryst Walking Festival in Scotland which takes place from Saturday, 8 October to 15 October, 2005.

The event celebrates Crieff's place in history as Scotland's largest cattle market and while it offers guided walks in Strathearn, Perthshire, with many of the walks celebrating the Cattle Drovers, the Drovers' Tryst is more than just a Walking Festival; Visitors are offered the opportunity to climb the local Munros, to participating in a treasure hunt, go abseiling, mountain biking or even decorate cows! There is live street theatre, live music, ceilidh, pipe bands, numerous craft demonstrations, a farmer's market and whisky.

Each day, there are three walks (Tryst Trails) of varying difficulty, from gentle strolls to a challenging route involving the ascent of both Ben Vorlich and Stuc a'Chroin; oh, and did I mention the whisky?

Seasoned hikers can participate in a seven-day, grade 2, guided trek from Spean Bridge to Crieff. The path follows old drover routes from Corriechoille via the famous Road to the Isles and Rannoch Moor into Glen Lyon. There is an overnight stop at Killin, at the head of Loch Tay and the burial place of the ancient Celtic hero Fingal, before a descent to the waterfalls and woods of Glen Lednock. After that, it's a gentle stroll along country roads from Comrie to Crieff and maybe a little medicinal whisky.

Marathon des Sables

2005-09-17T02:04:00.000-07:00

Want a change from racing in the cold over snow and ice? the MdS is a 6 day endurance race across 151 mile (243km) of the Sahara Desert in Morocco, normally taking place at the end of March or beginning of April each year.
Photo of sand dunes in Morocco,
by Tijmen van Dobbenburgh.

Visit the MdS website for more details about the event and, if you decide it is for you, they provide registration details for runners who originate in the UK, Ireland and Israel. Other runners should go to the web page of the MdS organizers where contact details are given for each country representative.

Scenic Walks in South West England

2005-09-05T16:06:00.000-07:00

South West Tourism has worked in conjunction with ITV's Britain on the Move campaign to create a free booklet containing 25 of the best walks across the South West of England.

The new guide, entitled Scenic Short Walks, aims to encourage healthier lifestyles and a greater enjoyment of the South West of England among visitors and residents alike.

With two national parks, 14 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a 630 mile-long coast path, which is also Britain's longest National Trail, visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to the great outdoors in the region; it encompasses Bath, Bristol, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds, Somerset, and Wiltshire.

Featuring an equal mix of coastal and inland walks of varying length and difficulty, each walk has been carefully chosen for its spectacular views, historical significance or for the numerous species of wildlife that can be spotted from the path. This guide offers something for everyone, regardless of age or agility.

The British Heart Foundation is marking the UK's National Walking Day on 18 September 2005 by organising sponsored walks along two of the routes featured in the guide; the White Horse-Westbury on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire and Looe-Polperro, Cornwall.

You can request a copy of Scenic Short Walks, from Out Door South West

Great Russian Race

2005-08-30T10:13:00.000-07:00

Russian and British runners taking part in a relay run across Russia have now almost completed the 11,000km route. Runners began in Vladivostok, Russia's Pacific Ocean port, on 28 May, 2005 and the run is due to finish in the historic city of St. Peterburg on September 8, 2005.

The race has been organized by the World Race Trust in association with Dmitry Shparo's Adventure Club. It aims to both promote sport and a healthy lifestyle, and to also support a number of International and Russian Charities, in particular Charities Aid Foundation, which specialise in the care of abandoned, orphaned and homeless children.

Widecombe Fair - Dartmoor

2005-08-14T12:07:00.000-07:00

... I want for to go to Widdicombe Fair
With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney
Peter Day, Daniel Whiddon, Harry Hawk
Old Uncle Tom Cobleigh and all

So goes the famous English folk song recalling the story of Uncle Tom Cobley and his many friends, all riding to Widecombe Fair on a faithful old grey mare. Widecombe Fair, was first held about 150 years ago, and now attracts many thousands of visitors from all over the world. It takes place annually on the second Tuesday in September, so this year's Fair will be held on September 13th, 2005.

Widecombe is located within the heart of the Dartmoor National Park in Devon, UK, which was recently voted the UK's top holiday destination. Preceding this years fair, Friday 9th to Sunday 12 September, the Dartmoor Tourist Association have organized a series of historically themed walks, talks and special events, dedicated to celebrating Dartmoor's rich archaeological, cultural, military and industrial heritage.

You can hear the melody to Widdicombe Fair and the full lyrics are given below.

It's a catchy tune, so be warned that you will probably be singing it in an endless loop as you trek across the moor!

Tom Pearse, Tom Pearse, lend me your grey mare
All along, down along, out along lee
For I want for to go to Widdicombe Fair
With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Day, Daniel Whiddon, Harry Hawk
Old Uncle Tom Cobleigh and all
Old Uncle Tom Cobleigh and all.

And when shall I see again my grey mare?
All along, down along, out along lee
By Friday soon, or Saturday noon
With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Day, Daniel Whiddon, Harry Hawk
Old Uncle Tom Cobleigh and all
Old Uncle Tom Cobleigh and all.

Then Friday came and Saturday noon
All along, down along, out along lee
But Tom Pearse's mare has not trotted home.
With Bill Brewer etc.

So Tom Pearse he got up to the top of the hill
All along, down along, out along lee
He see'd his old mare down a-making her will.
With Bill Brewer etc.

So Tom Pearce's old mare, she took sick and died
All along, down along, out along lee
And Tom, he sat down on a stone and he cried.
With Bill Brewer etc.

But this isn't the end of this shocking affair
All along, down along, out along lee
Nor though they be dead of the horrid career.
With Bill Brewer etc.

When the wind whistles cold on the moor of a night
All along, down along, out along lee
Tom Pearse's old mare doth appear ghastly white.
With Bill Brewer etc.

And all the long night be heard skirling and groans
All along, down along, out along lee
From Tom Pearse's old mare and a rattling of bones.
With Bill Brewer etc.

Walking holidays in Britain

2005-08-10T07:51:00.000-07:00

Britain is a great place to go walking since it offers an immense variety of landscapes and environments. Without too much travelling, it is possible to find hiking trails to suit every taste and if your planning a walking holiday in Britain, the UK Ramblers' Association is a fantastic resource that you shouldn't overlook.

British ramblers will know that the long established, Ramblers' Association is Britain's biggest walking organization. It has around 140,000 members across England, Scotland and Wales together with hundreds of affiliated walking and rambling clubs. They provide general information about walking in Britain and advice on planning a walk or a walking visit, besides organizing guided walks and listing rambler friendly accommodation.

17 - 25 September 2005 sees their annual festival of led walks open to everyone, with many hundreds of walks and other events happening across the UK. Once again, the festival is part of ITV's Britain on the Move campaign and includes National Walking Day on 18 September.

Finally, if your interest is walking long distances in rural, mountainous or moorland areas, then visit the Long Distance Walkers Association; these guys are serious about walking and maintain a list of over 600 long-distance routes in the UK and NI.

BBC - Coast

2005-07-25T05:03:00.000-07:00

The BBC has published a great on-line resource detailing 39 coastal walks around the UK; in conjunction with their new series on BBC2. The site includes numerous features, including audio guide notes via mobile phones.

There are hundreds of National Trust properties on the British coast and beside maps of the BBC series walks, there is also a map showing all National Trust sites in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and National Trust for Scotland sites.

The photograph is a Cornish cliff face, on the south coast of Cornwall, near Sennen Cove.

New Forest and Hampshire County Show

2005-07-14T11:17:00.000-07:00

The UK's annual New Forest and Hampshire County Show takes place on Tuesday 26th, Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th July 2005. This is the first year for the show since the New Forest became a National Park but continues nearly 85 years of rural tradition.

The Show attracts 100,000 visitors over the three days and is rated amongst the top ten Agricultural and Equestrian Shows in the UK. All manner of rural activities, crafts and special interests are represented with demonstrations, competitions, trade shows and exhibits. It is generally regarded that you need a full day at the show in order to get around everything.

Wilderness ARC

2005-06-27T14:38:00.000-07:00

Scotland is bidding for the right to host the 2007 Adventure Race World Championship. South Africa is also in the running and the decision will be announced in November following the 2005 world championship in New Zealand .

It has also been confirmed that Scotland's new expedition-length adventure race, Wilderness ARC, a 5-day multi-discipline, expedition-style World Series event to be staged in the Lochaber area in August, is to receive £160,000 in public funding over the next three years. Support which gives their World Championship bid a great boost.

Up to 40 teams will contest this years Wilderness ARC and there is still time to enter a mixed team of four, enties for the event close on Friday 1 July. The World Championships attract 60 teams from over 20 countries.

Naked walkers

2005-06-22T11:03:00.000-07:00

Stephen Gough and companions, including hairdresser Melanie Roberts have set off from Land's End, Cornwall, England, to walk the 874-miles to John o'Groats in Scotland wearing nothing but socks and boots.

You can keep up to date with their progress at nakedwalk.org and supporters have been invited to meet them at Glastonbury Tor on Monday 27th June - assuming they stay on schedule! You will recognize them by the socks and boots.

Researching this post, it seems that Walking with nature as nature intended is apparently quite a popular activity within the British Isles; could be further evidence for global warming.