Go Walking Abroad - Walks Around Britain

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Go Walking Abroad


Now whillst there's clearly a load of fantastic walks to do through the Great British countryside, it's always good to go walking in a different country too; experiencing the landscapes, the history, the heritage and the people of another country through walking is most inspiring.


So, here's a few suggestions of great places to go for a walking break or holiday.  All are within easy reach of most of Britain, thanks to regional airports and - in one case - Eurostar as well.

Northern Ireland

Ok, so Northern Ireland isn't actually abroad, as it is part of the United Kingdom - but the fact it involves either a flight or a ferry crossing to get to means that many people from mainland Britain have never been to visit - and that's a shame, as the country is a great place to go walking.


There's something for everyone in Northern Ireland - from forest parks to coastal paths, lush green Glens and dramatic mountains.  A good public transport system joins up most of the great walking areas, and there's plenty of campsites and B&Bs along the way too.


If you like your hill walking or would like to try it out, then the Mourne Mountains are for you, which, with its selection of peaks all within the range of the majority of walkers, is a real treat. Use the coastal town of Newcastle as a base and you can walk to the highest mountain in Northern Ireland - Slieve Donard - almost from your front door.  For the more adventurous, the Mourne Way is a 27 mile long distance trail through the heart of the Mourne Mountains, and has some stunning scenery.

Dalsland - West Sweden’s Lake District

You remember that scene in Crocodile Dundee when an attacker pulls out a knife at Paul Hogan's character, and he replies "Call that a knife? THAT's a knife!" after pulling out a massive one from his person?

Well, that must be a bit like what Dalsland thinks when it sees England's Lake District.  With around 1,000 lakes and over 12% of the area of the region covered by water, it's certainly a mecca for those interested in getting onto the water.

But the region is also a fantastic place to walk too, with many trails to be found, as well as dedicated walking routes.
One of these is the 63 mile long Pilgrimstrail (The Pilgrim Trail), which has recently been restored and there's even talk of several small wooden tipis being installed along the route as places to stay - a bit like British bothies.
The route starts at Vänersborg, passes Holms kyrka (kyrka is Swedish for church) and finishes in Edsleskogs kyrka in the region of Åmål.
It's relatively easy walking - if you've done The Dales Way, then you'll be fine with the Pilgrimstrail.  And, just like a long-distance trail in Britain, there are plenty of short circular walking routes off the main trail too.
Dalsland is quite accessible from Britain.  The nearest airport is Gothenburg, which has regular direct flights from London Stansted, Gatwick and Manchester and flights with only one change from most of the regional airports in Britain.  Or how about a stunning train journey across Europe starting in London on the Eurostar?  Regional trains can take you to the only city in the area, Åmål, and buses to other places to the west, such as Nian.
Hiring a car is a good idea to get around the region, and Dalsland is around 2 hours drive from Gothernburg.
Sweden is a very friendly country and shares a lot of history, heritage and landscapes with Britain - and you'll struggle to find anyone who doesn't speak some English.
For more information, visit Dalsland's excellent English website here.

Tenerife

The largest of the Canary Islands and a mecca for UK holiday-makers, Tenerife actually is an amazing place to visit on foot.  The guaranteed sunshine makes discovering the island's diverse landscapes, idyllic beaches and charming villages a pleasure all year round.  Tenerife is pushing its walking credentials now and has an impressive 932 miles of walking routes to explore.


So much so that 2017 sees the third year of the Tenerife Walking Festival, which will feature a total of 20 walking routes - two more than in 2016 - and there's also to be a large programme of supporting activities.  The event takes place between 23rd to 27th May 2017, and the island is hoping it will become a "must go-to" event in the European walking calendar.


In 2017's festival, there'll be two new volcanic routes in the programme, "El Palmar – Santiago del Teide" and "Igueque – La Crucita – La Caldera" - and all 20 routes vary in length and intensity and are grouped into either volcanic, coastal or green paths.


The programme of supporting activities is just as interesting, and all take place every evening in the northern town of Puerto de la Cruz.  On offer are food fairs, a stargazing session in the Teide National Park and a relaxing swim in one of the island's natural volcanic pools

To find out more about Tenerife, visit the website or visit here for the walking festival.

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