Friends in high places

Mankind may be tribal and sociable by nature, yet the ‘bliss of solitude’–a state previously reserved for hermits– is the key to achieving inner peace, says Laura Parker

Zahrah Mahmood MBE, 35, took up hillwalking in her 20s to cope with stress. Now, the hiking influencer and mother-of-two, better known as The Hillwalking Hijabi, is encouraging women from all backgrounds to reap the calming health benefits of walking in nature.

WELLBEING NOTES

After a decade of soggy socks, bashed up pork pies, and making polite conversation with the midgiebitten masses, here are the things Trail writer Fliss would banish to Hiking Room 101 faster than you can say “lovely day for it” in the driving rain.

1 A festival is breaking down barriers Around ...

Discover how gardening helps foster friendships, community spirit and meaningful collaborations