Cotswold Way Day 3: Tormarton to Bath

Distance: 17.8 miles; Ascent: 1740ft A GPX file of the walk can be downloaded from https://www.strava.com/activities/7200717726 I woke up with some aches, but I was hopeful that the lower mileage today would be more agreeable to the tired legs. The sky was adamantly grey, and the drizzle was clearly not going away. Coupled with the …

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Cotswold Way Day 2: Dursley to Tormarton

Distance: 20.4 miles; Ascent: 2970ft A GPX file of the walk can be downloaded from https://www.strava.com/activities/7195680125 Wanting to complete the 48-mile journey over 3 days, I decided to cover 3 stages of the Cotswold Way on day 2. I knew it would be a challenge, so I started early to give myself extra time. Luckily …

Cotswold Way Day 1: Stroud to Dursley

The Pennine Way? Too long. Maybe the Cotswold Way? OK, maybe half of it. With some time off between jobs, I had been pondering what sort of multi-day walks I could do. I had always fancied the Pennine Way, but I was not sure I would be ready for 14 days of solo walking. I …

Hiking the lost world of Yakushima (屋久島)

Having visited Tokyo a couple of years ago and enjoyed our trip immensely, we knew that we would one day like to return to Japan to explore the rural beauty the country has to offer. Luckily, we did not have to wait long. A recent trip to visit relatives in Hong Kong afforded us the …

Southeast London hidden gems: Lesnes Abbey Woods and Bostall Woods

Overlooking Thamesmead - the notorious riverside 1960s new town which failed to fulfil the planners’ and the residents’ utopian dream - Lesnes Abbey and its adjacent woods sit quietly along one of the less visited sections of the London Green Chain network. However, for those who have made the effort to walk this stretch of …

It’s just running up a hill and down again. Or is it?

This is an account of my first-ever fell race - the Pen-y-Ghent fell race - which took place back in June this year in Horton-in-Ribblesdale, North Yorkshire. To see the route, click here. ~Sze Kiu 1pm, Saturday 2 June, a field in Horton-in-Ribblesdale “You really must try and eat something,” See Wah implored, waving a squashed, …

Yau Tong to Tseung Kwan O via Black Hill and Mau Wu Shan (油塘 – 五桂山 – 茅湖山 – 將軍澳) – a quintessentially Hong Kong hill walk

Despite its popular image as an urban jungle, Hong Kong is essentially a peninsula surrounded by a large collection of islands, all dominated by steep hills. Since one is never really that far away from the nearest hill, walkers in Hong Kong are spoilt for choice when it comes to easily accessible, yet rewarding - …

Allan Bank to Easedale Tarn: a vision of the Lakes

Having been blessed with days of sunshine, which allowed us to enjoy some fantastic panoramic views atop Skiddaw and Helvellyn, rain finally descended the last morning of our week-long stay in the Lake District. Driving through the misty rain, we arrived in Grasmere late morning. Our plan was to visit the National Trust's Allan Bank, which counted William …

Self-guided sight-jogging in Valletta

There are many ways to explore a city as a tourist. You can check out the sights whilst sitting on an open-top bus; you can join a guided walking tour; you can follow the instructions and maps in your guidebook; you can wander aimlessly, soaking up the sights and culture as you go. Or, as we …

Capel-y-ffin: a hidden halmet in the Welsh Black Mountains

Distance: 10.4 miles; Ascent: 1955ft; Start/End: Capel-y-ffin Meaning 'chapel of the boundary / end', Capel-y-ffin is a place that evokes a sense of mystery. Standing at the head of the secluded Vale of Ewyas (close to the borders with Monmouthshire and Herefordshire), this hidden Welsh hamlet has for over a century attracted monks, artists and walkers alike. Curious to experience for …