It's a hot and humid morning in February 2008 when I find myself in a small group of tourists in the rainforests of Rwanda, watching one of the natural world's most impressive sights: a silverback mountain gorilla. But as we shuffle around, all trying to get a slightly better view, a slightly better photograph, we do precisely what we've been warned not to do. We surround him. And, right on…
Volcanoes National Park (Parc National des Volcans) lies in the Virunga Mountains in north-west Rwanda. It borders the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. The park's best-known attraction is the mountain gorilla - click here to read my post on mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda. But the park is a stunning…
Last week I headed to Wasdale Head for six days of camping, hiking and photography. I found a few stunning spots for Lake District photography that I wanted to share. Wast Water Location: NY 168068; 54.4498, -3.2841 Wast Water is England's deepest lake and lies in the shadow of its highest peak, Scafell Pike. It's a beautiful location with plenty…
Last week I headed to Wasdale Head in the Lake District for a week of camping, hiking and photography. On the Wednesday the clear weather made for the perfect ascent of Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England. It was my first time climbing Scafell Pike, so I went for the most straightforward route: straight up from Wasdale Head via…
For the holiday weekend I joined the crowds on the classic Brecon Beacons Horseshoe ridge walk. It takes you up Corn Du, Cribyn and Pen y Fan (the highest point south of Snowdonia) in the Brecon Beacons National Park in southern Wales. Despite its popularity, it's one of my favourite walks as it's easily reached yet can feel truly wild. The sweeping landscapes…
To celebrate being back in the Chilterns, I decided to make the most of the gorgeous weather and take a walk around Ivinghoe Beacon. This is a great walk that can be done in a few hours, and is ideal for a clear, sunny day. Ivinghoe Beacon itself makes the ideal lunch stop, although it's only about 30 minutes into…
The Cotswold Way is one of the UK's National Trails. At 102 miles long, it's no afternoon stroll, but it is a great introduction to long-distance walking: it's very difficult to get lost, you're never far from civilisation, and most importantly there are plenty of country pubs along the way! You can walk the trail in either direction, but I…
On a recent trip to Snowdonia, I discovered the Precipice Walk near Dolgellau. It's a short and easy but perfectly formed trail, ideal for bad weather or rest days, or for those new to hiking. The walk is on a private estate that permits access to the public. To prevent it becoming a right of way, the estate closes access for…