A friend and I once got lost on the top of Glyder Fawr, a mountain in North Wales. It was snowing and we couldn’t see more than two metres. Luckily, we met some more experienced walkers. We followed them down through the cloud to the valley and safety. Meeting other walkers on a freezing January day wasn’t really that surprising, because walking is the UK’s most popular sport.
origins
Walking also has an interesting history. In April 1932, 400 people set out from Manchester and Sheffield in northern England to walk across Kinder Scout in the Pennines. They were unhappy that only rich people, who went there to kill birds, could visit this beautiful area.
Several of the walkers were arrested and sent to prison for trespassing, but this was a turning-point. Many people believe that the walk led to the beginning of National Parks in England and Wales in 1949, and of the Pennine Way, one of 20 spectacular long-distance footpaths. The longest is the Southwest Coast Path (1,014km). The most challenging, because of the mountainous region it passes through, is the West Highland Way in Scotland, which ends at the bottom of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain.
Basic Rules
There are a few basic rules you should follow. Don’t drop litter, close gates after you, keep dogs on a lead if there are farm animals in the area, and stay on the path.
a rainy day
Also, remember that British weather can change very quickly, especially in the hilly north and west of the country. If you were in Wales, Scotland or the north of England, you would need to carry plenty of food and water in your rucksack, as well as warm, waterproof clothes, and a map and compass. Our National Parks and footpaths are a great way to enjoy Britain’s countryside.
Find out more at www.ramblers.org.uk