Walking Holidays in the UK

Lambing time is now over on Conic Hill, and the previous restrictions no longer apply. Basically, this means all walkers, including those with dogs, are free to use the route over Conic Hill. We have a fair number of walkers starting walking holidays on the West Highland Way in the next week or so - so the lifting of the lambing restriction is welcome. Unless the weather is dreadful, the ascent of Conic Hill is always worthwhile - giving great views across Loch Lomond.

Labels: Lambing, walking holidays, west highland way

The Cleveland Way was opened in May 1969 and was, surprisingly, the second National Trail to be opened. It is a brilliant walk, combining desolate moorlands, dramatic views from the edge of the North York Moors plateau, and the cliffs and beaches of the North Yorks coastline. Despite all this, it has never enjoyed the popularity of other national Trails, such as the Pennine Way and Hadrian’s Wall. At Mickledore Travel we have been organising Cleveland Way Walking Holidays for a number of years, and numbers are steadily growing. It is however, less popular than some of our other walking holidays, such the Coast to Coast Walk.
To celebrate the anniversary people are being encourage to walk their favourite section on 24 May. Malcolm Hodgson, National Trails Officer for the Cleveland Way, said:
“Whether you’re looking to complete the whole 110 miles or just fancy a short afternoon stroll, the Cleveland Way will take you through the very best the North York Moors has to offer. It has changed considerably from the first few years when waymarker signs were few and far between and long distance routes were very much for hardy hikers. Today the trail is managed for everyone to enjoy with a clear path and lots of great places to rest your legs along the way. We’ve also improved accessibility considerably and there is now just one stile on the inland section.”
My favourite section? Possibly the Wainstones, a jumble of Gritstone boulders perched on the very edge of the North York Moors, - great boulders, with great views over the flatter grounds to the North towards Middlesbrough and the North Sea.

Labels: Cleveland Way, National Trail, walking holidays

Three of Mickledore Travel’s Walking Holidays pass through this area:

The Coast to Coast Walk is most affected, with the 21 miles from Shap to Kirkby Stephen falling in the potential new designation.

Depending on where the new boundaries are finally drawn, parts of the first couple of days of the Westmorland Way between Appleby and Crosby Ravensworth could also be covered.

Fionally a short section of the Dales Way where it crosses the Lune Valley could be covered.

There are certainly some great landscapes in this area and it has always been an anomaly that the remote northern Howgills have had no recognition to date.

What difference will it make? New development will be more restricted then at present, and there might be some extra funding available for path maintenance, which would go amiss, especially on the Westmorland Way. On the downside the opportunities for new accommodation would be further restricted. Perhaps most importantly it could save some very pleasant, relatively remote, areas from new wind farm developments – great for the landscape, perhaps marginally less good for global warming...