I’m sceptical about news stories you sometimes read of big black cats roaming the countryside. I was, however, tempted to don my boots for a hike I found on the internet titled In the Footsteps of the

Winter walks aren’t always how you imagine them to be. Sometimes they’re a hundred times better – even more so if you make a weekend of it.

Walking Weekend

When the darker nights set in, and the clocks have gone back, it’s all too easy to neglect getting out and about in the great outdoors, but we love this time of year. The last of the yellows, oranges

■ Distance: 5½ miles/8.8km ■ Time: 3 hours ■ Grade: Moderate

■ Distance: 6 miles/9.6km ■ Time: 3½ hours ■ Grade: Moderate