Our walks this month
1 Strathdearn & the Monadhliath Central Highlands
4 Cauldcleuch Head Southern Uplands
2 Ardmore Bay Isle of Mull
3 Deuchary Hill Perthshire
5 Yeavering Bell Northumberland National Park
6 Y Garn & Foelgoch via Devil’s Kitchen Eryri/ Snowdonia
7 Rhinog Fawr & Craig Ddrwg Eryri/ Snowdonia
8 Abereiddy to Porthgain Pembrokeshire
9 St Martha’s Hill & Silent Pool Surrey Hills
10 High Peak & Otter Estuary Jurassic Coast
10 varied routes in Scotland, England and Wales
It’s not uncommon amongst hillwalkers to seek solitude out of doors. But perhaps there is no greater joy to be found in the wild(ish) spaces of Britain than an encounter with the locals. Here, our contributors share the routes on which they’ve been lucky enough to stumble upon the company of wildlife. Whether you seek face-to-face time with the feral goats of the Rhinogydd, spy the supremely majestic golden eagles of the Monadhliath, prance awhile with the wild ponies of Eryri or simply search for the humble bluebell, there is life to be found out there. May these routes lead you to it and inspire a deeper connection with nature.
1 20.9km/13 miles/6 hours Ascent 537m/1762ft
Ian Battersby spies seven golden eagles in the sunny Monadhliath
SOMETHING UNIQUE and magical happens, powerful enough to bring any journey to a whispered standstill, when an eagle slides on huge soaring wings into your day. There is a joyful sense of privilege and appreciation when this regal hunter shares its realm with a cursed enemy. Once ubiquitous, these birds suffered greatly after targeting by farmers and gamekeepers, and pesticides then wreaked havoc on the beleaguered population. But conservation projects have turned the tide despite unlawful killings, and 500 pairs are cracking a measured comeback today.
Scotland is the haystack to hunt in, yet it remains a dubious enterprise, though some regions carry more luck than others. Strathdearn in the Monadhliath, where the Findhorn River runs beneath skies hemmed in by assembled knolls, is such a place. Here I was happy to discover an alluring valley beneath a purple bloom of high heather moorland and crags. These scenes would be gratifying enough – even without the seven golden eagles seen on one sunny day here.
ROUTE
Start/finish parking in Strathdearn near Coignafearn (Old Lodge) GR: NH711181
There is a sizeable parking area just before the road ends at Coignafearn (Old Lod
