Our walks this month
1 Caenlochan & Upper Glen Isla
Cairngorms
2 The Central Fannichs
North-west Highlands
3 Fairfield via Greenhow End
Lake District
5 Middle Fell & Seatallan
Lake District
4 Gable Girdle
Lake District
6 Black Force & Langdale Fell
Howgill Fells
7 Bleaklow
Peak District
8 Fiend’s Fell, Black Fell & Thack Moor
North Pennines
9 Llyn y Fan Fawr & Llyn y Fan Fach
Bannau Brycheiniog/ Brecon Beacons
10 Dartmoor mystery walk
Dartmoor
10 varied routes in Scotland, England and Wales
In this issue of The Great Outdoors, we’ve been looking at the theory and practice of safety in the hills and mountains with a special focus on how honing your grasp of navigation can get you out of some sticky spots. More than an essential tool, a map and a compass can also lead you to secret waterfalls, quiet cwms and crags, and even relics of history via lesser-trodden trails. We hope this selection of Wild Walks inspires you to put your skills to use and go exploring.
1 29km/18 miles/10-12 hours Ascent 1087m/3566ft
Stefan Durkacz spends 24 hours in the foothills of the Cairngorms
THE A93 between Perth and Braemar crosses the Cairnwell Pass at 665m above sea level. Britain’s highest public road, it’s a handy and popular starting point for the surrounding Munros. It’s also the site of the Glenshee Ski Centre, and the hillsides are covered with ski runs, fences and tows. Happily, there is an excellent, lesser-known approach option: upper Glen Isla, accessible via minor roads from the A93 far down Glen Shee. This long, meandering route explores the plateau via four Munros and the dramatic upper reaches of the Isla where its headwaters, the Canness and Caenlochan burns, cut deeply into the uplands. Adding interest is the Monega Path, an old droving path between Glen Isla and Glen Clunie.
This is a tough route to navigate in the clag. At 18 miles it’s best attempted when the days are longer and there’s little or no snow underfoot. The Glen Isla track is bikeable to where the Monega Path leaves the glen, trimming miles at either end of the day.
ROUTE
Start/finish Parking area just beyond Glen Isla road end. To reach it, turn R where the public road ends outside Auchavan farm. Drive down a bumpy track and park by the river just before a bridge GR: NO193697
Head n
