Have you made an escape plan for the August Bank Holiday weekend yet? Sarah Stirling has five ideas for climbers and walkers.

Stac Pollaidh in the background. Photo: N Mrtgh/Shutterstock

North-west Highlands

The North-west Highlands is one of Europe's least populated and most beautiful corners. It's a unique and dramatic region where big mountains meet the sea, and lives still revolve around the land.

From Scotland’s most northerly Munro (Ben Hope) to An Teallach, reputedly Scotland’s most beautiful mountain; from the classic hill-walking and scrambling challenges of the Torridon Hills to famous Scac Pollaidh, there is plenty to do in this timeless wilderness.

Climbing-wise, you could drive an hour north of Ullapool to the tiny hamlet of Reiff, where sea-cliffs provide mostly steep and well-protected climbing. Take small wires and cams, and look out for dolphins and seals.

For the ultimate peace on superb routes, hike an hour to the northern tip of Rubha Mor peninsula. Those looking for E-grades head to Golden Walls and Leaning Block; easier routes are found on the Rubha Ploytach cliffs.

For a mountain adventure, you can't beat Stac Pollaidh (613m). There are many routes of all grades to choose from, including one of the best scrambling ridges in Scotland. Finish a route on the summit and you’ll be rewarded by spectacular views of the surrounding remoteness.

On a rest day you could explore the very north-western tip - the fishing port of Kinlochbervie and mile-long Sandwood Bay, one of Britain’s remotest and most breathtaking beaches. Or visit the Applecross Inn: a gem of a pub serving fresh local produce and seafood.

Walking maps: 1:50,000 OS Landrangers 15, 19, 20 and 24.
Climbing guidebook: SMC Northern Highlands North; SMC Scottish Rock Climbs.

Bamburgh Castle. Photo: Kevin Tate/Shutterstock

Northumberland

England’s north-eastern corner is home to Britain’s least-visited National Park and the remote tail-end of the Pennine way. It's starkly-beautiful and largely-empty compared to the climbing and walking honey pots, especially on a Bank Holiday weekend.

Northumberland is often overlooked, but the hills here are respectable sizes by British standards (the highest, the Cheviot is 815m) and you can link them together into picturesque strings. A good walk could take in Great Hetha Hill Fort (343m), Madam Laws (397m),  Black Hag (549m), the Schil (601m) and the Cheviot.


If you like history, you’ll be in the right place. Once this peaceful region was amongst the most turbulent in Britain and you can’t walk far without finding ancient reminders of it. There are more hill forts here than anywhere else in Britain (the largest is on Yeavering Bell) and Hadrian’s Wall provides a historic handrail on many walks.


Climbing-wise, Bowden Doors and Kyloe Crag are justifiably popular, and there are plenty of other crags to choose from.

On a rest day you could explore one of the many grand castles on the windswept coast, which has a rigorous, timeless beauty much different to that of, say, Cornwall’s busy Padstow. Or perhaps nip up to Edinburgh and catch the end of the famous festival.

Walking maps: OS OL16 for the Cheviot Hills and OL43 for Hadrian’s Wall
Climbing guidebook: Northumberland Climbing Guide

Climbing on the Gower Peninsula. Photo: Matt Woodfield

The Brecon Beacons and the Gower Peninsula

Swansea might not spring to mind as a holiday destination but think again ... the Brecon Beacons are just over an hour north, and the beautiful Gower Peninsula is a short drive south, allowing you to easily combine the wonders of sea-cliff climbing and mountain-walking in a long weekend.

Avoid the popular Brecon peaks like Pen y Fan, Sugar Loaf and the waterfalls area. Instead, perhaps climb the wild western Black Mountain (802m). Walking along the fine ridge to Fan Brycheiniog provides spectacular views over the wilderness and pretty glacial lakes.

If you like nature, Welsh mountain ponies run wild across the uplands of the Brecon Beacons, and you could glimpse one of the growing population of red kites.

South of Swansea meanwhile, you’ll soon leave the city far behind on the Gower's limestone cliffs and golden, sandy beaches. The car parks will be busy but the crags will likely be quiet away from the popular Boiler Cliff and Three Cliffs Bay climbing areas. Mewslade and Fall Bay will be a good bet with classics aplenty, or try Yellow Wall (free topo download below).

On a rest day there are least 1200 archaeological sites in the Gower AONB, including caves, Iron Age forts, medieval castles and a lighthouse. Or you could just get an ice cream and stroll along Mumbles Pier...

Climbing guidebook: Gower Rock by Stuart Llewellyn and Matt Woodfield
Free topo: for Yellow Wall here 
Walking map: Map OL12 : Brecon Beacons National Park Western area
Find a local instructor: www.outdoor-matters.co.uk
 

Brown Willy and Rough Tor in the distance. Photo: Helen Hotson/Shutterstock

Bodmin Moor

Visitors often drive straight through Bodmin Moor en-route to Cornwall’s famous coastal path and surf beaches. Handily this leaves the moors peaceful and wild the way moors should be.

The curiously-shaped and seemingly precariously-balanced granite tors here are known as ‘cheesewrings’. That’s because they resemble the bags of apple pulp used for making cider, which are known locally as ‘cheeses’.

Scattered around the tors are remains of prehistoric settlements and abandoned medieval villages. Trethevy Quoit, for example, is a well-preserved tomb known as the ‘giant’s house’, probably erected around 3500BC.

Brown Willy is the highest point in the county at 420m and gets the most walkers - few explore further. If it’s real wilderness you want, the north side of the moor is the place to find solitude and stunning views.

The most popular climbing area is Cheesewring Quarry, where there are nearly 150 granite routes, but it might be best to avoid here on the Bank Holiday. Bodmin’s tors offer an ever-increasing amount of brilliant bouldering. Check out the Facebook page (below) for tips.

On a rest day, why not check out that famous coastal path and surf beaches. Or just relax. In this laid-back region, things are often done "dreckly". Like "mañana", it means putting something off for an unspecified amount of time.

Climbing guidebook: Cheesewring & South East Cornwall: A Climbers’ Guide by Barnaby Carver & Sean Hawken
Bouldering info: www.facebook.com/Bodminbouldering
Walking Map: OS 1:25,000 Explorer 109 (Bodmin Moor)

50 things to do before you’re 11¾

Worried that modern kids are getting disconnected from nature, the National Trust have created a ticklist of '50 things to do before you're 11¾', none of which require an internet connection! Have your kids built a den, camped out in the wild, skimmed a stone, caught a fish with a net or tried star-gazing?

Dorset, the inspiration for many of Enid Blyton’s books, is a great place to tick off loads of things from the list with your kids, get back to your childhood ... and perhaps reward yourself with a bit of climbing at Swanage at the end.

Studland inspired the Toytown in Enid Blyton's Noddy books. Bring a picnic, bucket and spade - the National Trust owned and managed beach stretches four miles from South Haven Point to Old Harry Rocks. There are lots of opportunities for ’50 things’ adventures by the shore and along trails through the sand dunes and woodlands.

You could also take a ferry over to nearby Brownsea Island (where the first ever Scout camp was held; now also owned by the National Trust) to tick more things off your 50 things list. You can pick up leaflets and family packs of things to hunt for, or just play hide and seek in the stunning woodlands, or perhaps go beach-combing and swimming.

So... have you done all the things on the 50 Things list?

More info: on Studland Beach and Brownsea Island.

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