Walks And Walking – Five Of The Best Family Walks For Summer

Walks And Walking – Five of the best family walks for summer

Why not get out and about this summer and combine a family walking route on the South West Coast Path in Cornwall with a host of other old-fashioned childhood pleasures, from crabbing in rockpools and exploring hidden coves, to following in the footsteps of giants. Each of the five walks, which have been chosen by the South West Coast Path team, can be downloaded here.

Walks And Walking – Five of the best family walks for summer – Kimmeridge Bay

Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset

The Kimmeridge Ledges provide some of the best rockpooling along the Jurassic Coast at low tide. Older children will also enjoy the circular walk around Kimmeridge Bay, which runs along a chalk ridge with great views over the coast and countryside. It continues past Clavell’s Tower, built in 1830 as an observatory and folly and recently reconstructed, before it leads you to the Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve in the bay and the picturesque thatched village of Kimmeridge.

Bagging the views in North Devon

Ideal for families, the coastline of north Devon follows the Tarka Trail, a 180-mile cycle route along the old railway line which flanks the south side of the Taw Estuary. So-called because it takes in the coastal landscapes that inspired children’s author Henry Williamson to create his classic nature tale Tarka the Otter, the trail is completely flat and well-surfaced, making it ideal for pushchairs. A short circular route begins in Croyde and takes in the headland of Baggy Point with spectacular views towards Hartland Point and Lundy Island on the seaward horizon.

Dartmouth and Little Dartmouth Devon

Catch crabs on the embankment, join in the annual Crab Festival or take a walk from Little Dartmouth to Dartmouth Castle – a circuit full of character and interest with lovely views from the cliffs, the tang of the sea close up on the rocky shore, the rich history of the castle and the beautiful River Dart. Plus, there are regular shore walks led by marine biologists from resident diver and TV presenter’s new Dartmouth-based business Monty Halls Great Escapes.

Follow in giants’ footsteps along Mount’s Bay, Cornwall

An easy walk from Penzance along surfaced paths that are suitable for pushchair and mobility aids offers great views across Mount’s Bay and out towards the Lizard and Mousehole. At low tide, take a ten-minute stroll across the causeway from Marazion to St Michael’s Mount, which according to legend was home to a giant who was lured to his death by a brave local boy. Children will love hunting for the giant’s stone heart etched in the pathway.

Tintagel – King Arthur and the Slate Coast

Tintagel is a firm family favourite with a choice of short circular walks to bring the legendary birthplace of King Arthur to life in the imaginations of children and adults. Here, you can explore the ruins of the 13th century castle and at low tide, venture into Merlin’s Cave where if you look closely you may be able to find a hidden seam where smugglers used to hide. The Battle of Camlann, Arthur’s last battle, is re-enacted every year in August and a great tourist attraction. A magical five-mile route suitable for older children, takes in the castle, Tintagel Church and the cove of Trebarwith Strand.

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For free days out why not visit Walks And Walking. Walks And Walking is a directory of free UK walking routes and also includes a Walking Shop for all the latest offers from the UKs leading outdoor retailers. Walks And Walking includes over 30 walks in Epping Forest, walks in Essex, Cornwall, Wales, Kent, Suffolk and plenty more.

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Walks And Walking in Wales – Mount Snowdon

Walks And Walking in Wales – Mount Snowdon

Mount Snowdon is situated in the Snowdonia National Park of North Wales and is certainly a mountain that is accessible but can also be very demanding. It offers truly entertaining and enjoyable walks and walking routes for the family and the adventurer.

Mount Snowdon in Snowdonia National Park North Wales

Perhaps the best approach to see Mount Snowdon is from the Telford old road from Shrewsbury to Holyhead where it turns at Capel Curig. On a clear day you can celebrate the serrated line of beautiful peaks coming in to view along the skyline with Mount Snowdon sat in the centre as the king of them all.

From Llanberis, one of the most traditional and steady walking routes to the top of Mount Snowdon, its peak rises behind the mountain range, almost hidden by the Crib y Ddysgle. Llanberis is also where you can find the famous Mount Snowdon Railway.

There are five main rocky ridges that radiate from Mount Snowdon and between them five deep cwms, Welsh valleys, which add a formidable aspect to each approach to the summit. Once the lush green valley’s are left behind the ascent of Mount Snowdon can be unforgiving if you do not follow the traditional walks and walking routes as you climb steadily upwards.

Although barren, the wildness and silence offers a breathtaking experience with the many lakes and small streams running through the heather and down through the mountains to the cwms below. From the summit the views are spectacular, as you would expect, and it does not let you down in terms of the time spent planning the trip, mapping the walking routes, purchasing the correct equipment, breaking in your walking boots and buying those extra thermal layers.

Mount Snowdon won’t let you down but can be your downfall so make sure you are prepared for any eventuality as there are many grim ridges and hollows for the inexperienced hiker to get caught out.

Yr Wyddfa, the Welsh name for Snowdon, translated means “the great mound” or “the great tomb” due to the legend of Rhita Fawr who was reputed to be buried somewhere on Mount Snowdon.

The legend began when there were only two kings in Britain; Nynniaw and Peibiaw who declared war on each other. When the king of Wales, one Rhita Fawr, heard of this war he decided to end it promptly by attacking them both. Such was the outrage from the rest of Britain that they declared war on Rhita Fawr but emerged victorious cutting off all of their beards to make a cloak reaching down from his shoulders to the floor. Rhita Fawr was eager to add King Arthur’s beard to his cloak but was defeated and subsequently buried under a cairn of stones on the summit of Mount Snowdon marking the end of his legend.

Mount Snowdon has seven main and well marked walking routes up to its summit. The Snowdon Mountain Railway offers the easier way to the top, the Llanberis Path offering the most gradual ascent and the Horseshoe Walk is perhaps the most famous. The Snowdon Ranger Path is an easy and pleasant walk being slightly shorter than the Llanberis Path. The Beddgelert-Rhyd-Ddu Path has two starting points with very steep walks, sheer drops and corkscrewing pathways. The Watkins Path takes you through one of the great cwms before rising to a rough scramble to the top. The PIG Track, or PYG Track, offers a varied walking route with less climbing than the others.

There are other walking routes and traverses available for the more experienced walker, trekkers, ramblers, hikers and climbers which broadens the overall appeal and popularity of the Snowdonia National Park.