Jim Perrin raises our anticipation for the coming season, recalling the gleaming, glittering challenges of winter climbing in the Cairngorms

■ Distance: 6 miles/9.7km ■ Time: 2½-3hours ■ Grade: Easy

■ Distance: 9½ miles/15.1km ■ Time: 6-7hours ■ ...

Twenty-five years ago, large chunks of Eryri’s Aran range were out of bounds. That all changed in 2000. To celebrate a quarter-century of the legislation that changed the game, Trail set out to walk the entire ridge… unobstructed.

Stefan Durkacz traces an old rail route on a superb full-day walk

■ Distance: 7½ miles/12km ■ Time: 4-5 hours ■ Grade: Challenging