Four Churches Walk, Derbyshire
Derbyshire's – and the Ramblers' - most famous walking spot is of course Kinder Scout, the highest point in the Peak District. However, this walk will take you through gentler Dales countryside, via four very traditional Derbyshire mining villages south of the Peak District. The route starts in Brassington at a disused quarry, now a car park and a picnic site. It passes through the active mining village of Ballidon and on to the pretty village of Parwich. Finally you pass through Bradbourne with its splendid history to complete the circuit. Each village has a historic church - all are worth a visit. Look for the Saxon cross dating back to AD400 in Bradbourne churchyard.
Getting there: Head for the village of Brassington between the B5035 and B5056. There is a car park on the northern edge of the village. Buses run from Ashbourne, Matlock and Wirksworth (except Sundays).
When: Ideal winter walk across fields and along lanes.
Time: 5 hours
Distance: 9 miles
Terrain: Moderate, some hills
Maps: OS Landranger 119 Buxton & Matlock; OS Explorer OL24 The Peak District White Peak area.
Country houses: Shropshire Way Circular Walk
Shropshire offers first-class walking territory, with over a quarter of the county being designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), some of which you pass through on this glorious walk. Starting at 13th-century Stokesay Castle - Britain's oldest fortified manor house – you'll follow the Shropshire Way to Stokesay Court, where Atonement was filmed. Between the two is the narrow valley of Brandhill Gutter which is awash with thousands of snowdrops each February.
Getting there: Stokesay Castle lies on the southern edge of Craven Arms adjacent to the A49. Trains run regularly to Craven Arms, from there it is just over one mile to Stokesay Castle.
When: Visit in February to see the snowdrops in flower in Brandhill Gutter.
Time: 3 ½ hours
Distance: 7 miles
Terrain: moderate
Maps: OS Landranger 137 Church Stretton & Ludlow; OS Explorer 217 The Long Mynd & Wenlock Edge
Ancient Britain: Ford Moss & Routin Lynn, Northumberland
This walk across gently rolling farm and moorland, passes by the largest inscribed Neolithic rock in northern England at Routin Lynn, and takes you there over a landscape which has probably changed little since the carvings were made. It returns around the edge of Ford Moss, a rare raised peat bog with interesting flaua and fauna – look out for red squirrels, roe deer, curlew and adders. This section is dominated by a tall brick chimney - a remnant of the coal mining industry that used to be so prevalent in this area.
Getting there: Ford is 7 miles east of Coldstream. Regular bus service to Berwick-upon-Tweed.
When: Early spring after wet weather, when the waterfall near Routin Lynn farm is at its best.
Time: 4 hours
Distance: 7 miles
Terrain: easy, some boggy sections.
Maps: OS Landranger 75 Berwick-upon-Tweed; OS Explorer 339 Kelso, Coldstream & Lower Tweed Valley.
Coastal: West Runton & Cromer, Norfolk
The route lies within the North Norfolk Heritage Coast which takes in salt marshes, dunes, reedbeds and grazing marsh, rich in important birdlife. Seals can also be seen along the route. The middle of the walk turns inland, taking you to the highest point in Norfolk, Roman Camp and later passes through Cromer, where Arthur Conan Doyle stayed and is thought to have based The Hounds of the Baskervilles on the local legend of a hell-hound call Black Shuck. From here, if tides and going underfoot allow, it is possible to drop down to the shore and return to West Runton along the foreshore. Alternatively turn inland along the A149.
Getting there: West Runton is two miles east of Sheringham with good train and bus links. Car parks are available.
When: Ideal winter or early spring walk along well marked route. Many birds and also seals can be seen off the coast.
Time: 4 ½ hours
Distance: 8 ½ miles
Terrain: Easy, roads and well marked footpaths.
Maps: OS Landranger 133 North East Norfolk, OS Explorer 252 Norfolk Coast East
Industrial heritage: Twywell, Northamptonshire
This pleasant ramble across largely flat terrain passes through a great deal of man-made countryside, but this adds interest and makes it no less enjoyable. Ramblers were heavily involved in a campaign to obtain safe crossings of the A14, resulting in the first of two bridges being opened in 1999. Once away from the road you are quickly into relaxing countryside. Setting out from The Lane (map ref A) you soon arrive at Twywell quarries (map ref 1), now unused and full of wild flowers and pond life. Just past Burton Latimer, where a converted watermill was used to produce textiles in the 19th century, you will pass a wind farm. The Round House (map ref 3) commemorates The Duke of Wellington and his victory at the Battle of Waterloo – 40 churches can be seen from the top. After you reach the river Nene you'll follow the disused railway and pass the the flooded gravel pits and at Stanwick Lakes (map ref 4), further reminders of the landscape's industrial past.
Getting there: Twywell is 7 miles east of Kettering. Regular bus services between Thrapston and Kettering.
When: Winter when you may see a wide range of overwintering waterfowl.
Time: 7 hours
Distance: 14 1/3 miles
Terrain: Easy
Maps: OS Landranger 141 Kettering & Corby; OS Explorer 224 Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough
Rural: Helsby to Frodsham - Jim's walk. Cheshire West and Chester
A station to station walk that passes Helsby sandstone quarries, the uplands of Helsby and Frodsham Hills and winds through country lanes and rolling farmland. James Cain, a stalwart Rambler for over 50 years, is now in his 87th year and still likes to lead "Jim's Walk" from Helsby to Frodsham on an almost weekly basis. A popular walk for both old and young, due to the brevity of the walk, and there is always time for a pub lunch at the Helter Skelter in Frodsham, one of the best real ale pubs in the North West. There are magnificent views from Helsby Hill trig point of the mountains in Wales, across the Mersey Estuary and the north west's industrial heritage. On a crisp frosty winter's day there is little to beat it.
Getting there: Just off junction 14 of the M56. Frequent bus services to Runcorn, Warrington and Chester. Rail services to Manchester and Chester.
When: Winter's day when views of the welsh mountains from Helsby Hill make the climb worthwhile.
Time: 3 hours
Distance: 6 miles
Terrain: Moderate
Maps: OS Landranger 117 Chester & Wrexham; OS Explorer 267 Northwich & Delamere Forest.
City to countryside: Nant Fawr Corridor, Cardiff
The Nant Fawr corridor is a pocket of natural beauty within the heavily urbanised area of North Cardiff. The walk starts at the top end of Roath Park, one of Cardiff's most popular parks – the lighthouse in the lake was constructed in 1915 and contains a scale model of the Terra Nova ship, to commemorate Captain Scott's final expedition to the Antarctic which wet sail from Cardiff in 1910. The route then explores the river corridor of Nant Fawr, passing through woodland and open meadows. Although the Llanishen reservoir is privately owned there are viewing platforms for spotting wintering birds.
Getting there: Just south west of junction 30 on the M4 with parking at the start of the walk. Rail stations at Heath and Llanishen. Regular bus services.
When: Visit in winter when Llanishen and Lisvane Reservoirs are the winter home for a variety of waterfowl.
Time: 3-4 hours
Distance: 6 miles
Terrain: Easy
Maps: OS Landranger 171 Cardiff & Newport; OS Explorer 151 Cardiff & Bridgend
Scottish glen: Meall a Bhuachaille, Highlands
An excellent circular walk on good tracks, which gives a great introduction to the Cairngorms. Ramblers Scotland has had a long involvement in the Cairngorms and played a leading role in the establishment of the National Park. Meall a'Bhuachaille is wonderfully positioned above the Pass of Ryvoan giving wide views over the native pine forests of Abernethy to the north, and in the other direction over the Cairngorms plateau and Loch Morlich all the way down to Aviemore. Begin at the shores of Loch Laggan, which has the largest freshwater beach in the UK and climb to Lochan a' Choire at 2,070ft.
Getting there: Park at Glenmore Visitor Centre, five miles east of Aviemore. There are buses to the start of the walk at Glenmore visitor centre from Aviemore.
When: On a crisp winter's day when you will be rewarded with superb views of the Cairngorms in fine weather.
Time: 3 ½ hours
Distance: 5 ½ miles
Terrain: Strenuous
Maps: OS Landranger 36 Grantown & Aviemore; OS Explorer 403 Cairn Gorm & Aviemore.
Bag a Munro: Ben Lomond, Stirling
For those who have not tackled a Munro (a Scottish mountain over 3,000ft or 914.5m, in height), Ben Lomond is a great introduction as the path is clear to follow and there are likely to be other people along the way to give you confidence. The views from the summit stretch from Ben Nevis in the north to the Isle of Arran in the south, and the whole of the Scotland's first national park is laid out below, including Loch Lomond (from B) and the impressive outline of The Cobbler (Ben Arthur to the north west).
Getting there: Rowardennan is 12 miles (19.2km) from the A811 Stirling Road. There is a ferry that crosses the Loch but it isn't a regular service, so not ideal for walkers to use.
When: A good walk at any time of the year, but choose a clear day to make the most of the superb views from the summit of Ben Lomond. Do not attempt the walk in winter conditions unless you are experienced at walking in ice and snow. You will need an ice axe and crampons to do this route.
Time: 3 ½ hours
Distance: 7 miles (11km)
Terrain: Moderate, a good path is followed.
Maps: OS Landranger 56 Loch Lomond & Inveraray; OS Explorer 364 Loch Lomond North
Accessible: The Undercliff Walk to Rottingdean & Saltdean, West Sussex
This wheelchair accessible walk along the cliffs was inspired by the Disabled Ramblers organisation and follows the course of the famous Daddy Long Legs railway that ran from Brighton to Rottingdean until 1901 - it was built along tracks laid on the sea bed to avoid having to run over the steep cliffs. The route starts at the Volks Electric Railway station, which is the oldest operating electric railway in the world, and for most of the outward journey follows the undercliff walkway. On windy days watch waves crash dramatically against the sea defences.
Getting there: Buses to the start point from Brighton. Volks Electric Railway runs from just east of the pier. There is parking along the marine drive to the east of Brighton pier and also a multi-story car park in the marina.
When: If care is taken, visit on a windy winter's day when the sea can be dramatic.
Time: 3 hours
Distance: 6 ¼ miles
Terrain: moderate, some steep climbs
Maps: OS Landranger 198 Brighton & Lewes, OS Explorer 122 Brighton & Hove.
• For more information visit ramblers75.org.uk
