10 places to see in the winter solstice in the UK and Ireland (that aren’t Stonehenge)

The longest night/shortest day is celebrated at the famous prehistoric site, but there are many other atmospheric locations to welcome the returning of the light on 21 December

Six lines, six walks: we explore London’s Overground reboot on foot

The capital’s Overground routes have been rebranded to reflect the distinct flavours of neighbourhoods they cross – as these station to station strolls reveal

Winter Skye: the snow, wind and rain made our trip to Scotland a euphoric experience

Winter on the Scottish isle is a thrill for our writer, a reminder that the ‘bad’ elements can be as exhilarating and restorative as sunshine

The road from Wigan: a walk along Greater Manchester’s new 200-mile green trail

The GM Ringway is an extraordinary new circular route that takes in industrial heritage, countryside, towpaths and hills. Here’s how one 10-mile section shapes up …

Very cheap and incredibly cheerful: we hired an entire hostel in Wales

In winter, the YHA hires out whole hostels for exclusive use by large groups of family and friends – and they are in some of the loveliest parts of the UK

Roaming in the gloaming on Sweden’s new island-hopping trail

Stockholm’s archipelago is a joy in summer but harder to get around at other times as ferries reduce their services. But that could change with the launch of a new trail linking 21 islands

Spanish steppes: an epic hike across the wild plains of Extremadura

The Via de la Plata is one of Spain’s toughest pilgrim routes, weaving through a landscape of isolated steppes and fortress cities in the country’s least-known region

From the Peloponnese to the Pyrenees: readers’ favourite long-distance walks in Europe

Pull on your walking boots and immerse yourself in magnificent scenery on these long-distance trails, chosen by our tipsters

Hiking Cheshire’s Baker Way: the joy of a less-known walking trail

They get less fanfare and footfall than the UK’s famous long-distance paths, but trails such as this – which starts in Chester and saunters through the local countryside – are just as rewarding

‘Reconnecting with our glorious woodlands’: why we should all get out into the forest

With the leaves turning golden, now is the time to visit the woods, says the author of a new book, and perhaps learn how to better protect them too

‘A wildly beautiful place for autumn colour’: readers’ favourite UK forest trails

From Japanese acers at Westonbirt arboretum to the pines of Loch Ard, our tipsters share their top woodland days out

Walking the Celtic Camino: new coast path links sacred sites in Ireland and Wales

Ancient chapels, neolithic sites, vast beaches and live music are among the highlights of a new pilgrimage route from Wexford to St Davids

A cycling, walking and running break in France’s best area for trails

Bagnoles de l’Orne in Normandy is a traditional spa town reinventing itself with new hiking and cycling routes – and a focus on sustainable tourism

Walks with a focal point: five of the best UK hikes with extras

From a wire bridge near Ben Nevis to a wild swim in Devon, these walks come with a unique manmade or natural element to look forward to as you stroll

‘The hike of a lifetime’ – a circuit of the Écrins national park in France

The Tour des Écrins in the Hautes-Alpes is one of Europe’s finest long-distance walks, and offers a chance to reflect on how best to live alongside nature