|
|
Russ Claridge has written 14 reviews in 5 countries.
|
Walking in Scotland, United Kingdom
This is one of the prettiest walks in Scotland, and it’s got a proper historical story to it, which is something that really adds to a trip in my mind. The walk basically follows the life and times of St. Cuthbert a 7th Century Scottish saint, who started his training at Melrose Abbey in Melrose at around 650AD then followed his calling to become a Prior and then Bishop of Lindisfarne or Holy Island, before being buried there. Cuthbert spent a lot of time walking around this beautiful countryside spreading the gospel. This boarder area was torn apart by battles and Viking raids throughout the Middle Ages and there are ruins, churches and battlefields all along the route as well as the spectacular Melrose Abbey and the causeway walk to Lindisfarne. The real highlights, as well as the causeway and the castle and ruined priory on Lindisfarne, are the ruins of Cessford Castle, a tower and fort built on the river boarder and St Cuthbert’s Cave, over looking the coast, where his body was laid after it was snatched by Vikings. The reason Cuthbert became a saint was that his body was said not to have decomposed after death. The grave robbing story adds even more drama to what was already a tale of death, religion and battles. This is a four day walk but I like to do it in five and take my time enjoying the scenery and poking around the ruins and churches like Cuthbert would have. There are some hills along the trail, but it’s fairly easy going for the most part. |
|
Walking in Plymouth, United Kingdom
This is a fantastic walk that takes you all the way across the two moors National Parks, it’s got beautiful views and acres of open fields edged by private valleys thick with trees and undergrowth. It’s really clearly marked between Ivybridge, near the edge of Dartmoor and Lynmouth near the north edge of Exmoor. There’s lots of different sights and scenery along the way including a short detour to the comedy named Castle Drogo (it’s a lot better than it sounds!) and some attractive thatched cottage style villages. Drongo isn’t even the silliest name on the trip, the route passes Piddledown Common, where there’s a great little pub with a beer garden based on the German ones by the river. The second day takes you past a nice stretch of water and a small falls into Jordon where there’s an ancient church which is worth a wander through. The mid section of the walk is the most easy going, though the whole journey is quite steady, and it meanders pleasantly between fields (‘cause no one wanted to give right of way on their land when the rout was being planned) on ancient tracks. The section across the moors of Exmoor is my favourite part of the walk, the last time I went the weather was ideal, warm, sunny and windy and there wasn’t anywhere I’d rather be. The very end of the trip takes you out to the coast which is always a nice way to end a journey. I’d say this is a good trip for first time walkers because there’s no hard going and lots of variety. I’d also say book ahead, I didn’t have too much trouble but one of my walking companions has spent a stressful 40 minutes wondering where he was going to sleep. There’s a car service if you don’t want to carry a pack, but though I’m one to embrace luxury in the form of a few pints and a warm DRY bed I think a park service on this kind of trip is probably unnecessary. |
|
Walking in West Country, United Kingdom
This walk through Devon is a figure of eight shape based around the Rivers Taw and Torridge of the film “Tarka the Otter” fame. The trail has been recently upgraded and there are now graded tracks good for cyclists and mp3 audio information points along some of the route (if you have the technology and know how to use it.). Part of the trail follows the railway tracks of a disused railway line. There are lots of river crossings though most of them very safe and pedestrian and the path takes you through lots of towns with nice pubs so this is a good walk for those after something more leisurely, you could probably even bring kids on part of the journey. I did it more for the scenery, never having read Tarka the Otter. There is a good changing of views, from the railway and farmlands, to swampy areas near the river to the moors, woodlands and the coastal area with its cliffs and bays. If you do bring kids take them to Braunton Burrows on the southern loop, they’re sure to see animals amongst the grass and sand dunes. I, unpopularly, think this is a nicer stroll than walking in the Lake District because the experience is more varied. The end of the journey is supposed to be done by train because it’s supposed to be a figure of eight but if you’re walking with others it’s easy and safe enough to use two cars. |
|
Walking in Santiago de Compostela, Spain
This is a shorter version of the ancient 5 week Camino Frances or the “French Way” to Galicia. My journey joins the trail at Ponferrada, to the east of Santiago. There are traditional pilgrims’ markings and tracks to follow across the Galician hills, as well as new and slightly distracting yellow arrows painted onto everything. There are ruined castles and monasteries to visit along the route as well as churches housing several very significant religious artefacts. There are plenty of places to stay, including pilgrims’ only accommodations and campsites. I went in summer thinking it would be the best time to camp, and it was, although some of the days were very hot and not the best for doing 20kms or more a day. You’re supposed to embrace the statue of St. James in the cathedral at Santiago at the end of your journey, which I wasn’t intending to do at the beginning of my trip but in the end I wanted to. This is a good experience because you’re part of something that people have been doing since ancient times, so it’s a good time for personal reflection. There are some people on the trail who may want to talk to you a bit to much about their own plans for personal growth, but I think that’s probably how it’s always been and you should just embrace the whole pilgrim experience. The full route starts at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and passes through Pamplona, Estella, the Leon wine region and Astorga before it reaches Ponferrada. |
|
Walking in Corsica, France
Walk Corsica for the GR20. At 200kms over two weeks it’s one Europe’s toughest mountain treks, not because of the terrain but because the weather can turn on you suddenly and there aren’t many points where you can walk out safely. The tricky legs are all during the first half of the walk so if you reach half way and you’re still going strong you know you should be fine. Unfortunately as with a lot of the great European Walks the tricky bits are the most spectacular. You can walk it the other way, which is probably a good idea if you’re going in the peak season in July when it can be quite busy, but then you’ll have the tough bits at the end. There are huts to stay in along the way where you can get food, it’s not particularly good but it saves you having to carry your own. You can also camp near the huts. You’re not supposed to camp along other sections of the trail and I‘ve been told that they have guards who do check so even though I was tempted I wasn‘t game enough to try it. If you go off season there are no rangers in the huts so you have to carry your own food. This may all seem a bit much for you and you may be wondering why I’m recommending it alongside the more civilised European walks I normally embark upon, the scenery is beyond spectacular. Some of the best sections of the trail take walkers past the Lac de Nino, a glacial lake sitting in the middle of a flowery field, Monte Incudine, the highest point in the journey, which offers panoramic views and the Aiguilles de Bavella cliffs. Several companies will transport your luggage for you along this route which may be worth considering if you’re out to enjoy yourself rather than prove how tough you can be. If you’re not up to the GR20 you can try the Sea to sea trail. |
|
