Lake District guided walks
Yorkshire Dales guided walks
Do you want to enjoy mountain walks in the Lake District or Yorkshire Dales but are not sure you have the map reading skills to do so confidently and safely or the local knowledge to get the best out of them?
I offer guided walks throughout the Lake District, Cumbria and the western Yorkshire Dales. This includes both a fixed programme of Lake District guided walks and individual walks tailored to your own specification. All my walks include something on the landscape, its geology, history, wildlife and management, as a matter of course, but for tailor-made walks tell me what topics most interest you and I'll suggest a walk to fit.
Hill walking, mountain walking or mountain hiking?
Are these activities you enjoy? You will find little mention of them in the Lake District, in spite of it being the most popular region of England for them. This is beecause in the Lake District a hill or mountain is a fell - from "fjall", the Old Norse word for hill. Also, in the UK, the word "hiking" for recreational walking is little used. Consequently, walking in the Lake District hills is almost invariably known as fell walking.
Basic navigation skills training
I offer day courses giving a practical introduction to use of the map and compass in a mountain environment to your requirements. This can include e.g. understanding grid references and scales and their uses, map to ground and ground to map interpretation, route choice, use of compass, aiming off, handrails and catching features, timing and pacing.
Why choose me?
I have nearly thirty years experience of leading mountain walks. My navigational experience also includes participating in over 500 orienteering events both in the UK and overseas. I have qualifications in mountain leadership and first aid and degrees in geography and town and country planning. For nearly thirty years I worked for the Lake District National Park Authority, principally advising on plans and policies for managing the area. I have also undertaken practical management work, such as coppicing, tree planting and building dry stone walls.
My programme of Lake District guided walks is designed to introduce people to the magic of our finest landscapes and to give them insights into their development and management. I also offer basic navigation skills training because I believe it makes sense for people to be able to explore our countryside more confidently for themselves.
Interested?
Explore the site to find out more about what I can offer, then go to the "Cost and Availability" page for contact and booking information.
