Country Walking

Country Walking Magazine shows you the best of British walks: the biggest views, the hidden gems, the sea cliffs and the mountain summits. All our features come complete with superb writing, inspiring photography and step-by-step instructions so you can follow every footpath yourself. In every issue, you’ll find: - In-depth stories of amazing walks - A booklet of 25 pull-out walks every issue - with OS maps! - Information about hotels, pubs, cafes, tearooms. - Clear, jargon-free tests of walking kit And... every issue our readers tell their walking stories, help us devise new walks and shape the places we go to. If you love walking, this is the magazine for you.

Welcome

IN THIS ISSUE…

VIEWFINDER In remembrance • SIGHTS | SOUNDS | WONDERS | IDEAS | COOL STUFF

INTERVIEW ‘Watch a seabird colony for half an hour. The glorious chaos will make you smile.' • Zoologist and wildlife presenter Megan McCubbin on walks, positive action, and the joy of learning from nature.

SHIPSTON-ON-STOUR • This charming market town sits in a corner of Warwickshire where the Cotswolds National Landscape spills over the Gloucestershire border, bringing along its soothing undulating hills.

We are the champions! • After a summer celebrating Olympians, it's time to raise the roof for the Team GB heroes for whom their achievements loom larger still: you! What has your 1000 miles made your proud of?

Join the biggest Secret Santa in walking! • Bring joy to a fellow walker's heart – and receive a gift from a friend you haven't met yet – with our sixth epic annual gift exchange.

The hunt for Golden Badgers goes on! • Spice up your miles with one of our silly, seasonal or strangely specific quests and you could win a Golden Badger* like this lot!

Come and dig for gold! • Spice up your miles with one of our quests this month, post the result in the Facebook group and our favourite 20 completers will win a Golden Badge! You have until 13 November for this crop.

Your View

Stuart Maconie

GUEST COLUMN David Millar • Reflecting on 50 years of the biggest club for LGBTQ walkers – and the power of great company, great views and nature's peace.

EVERY QUESTION ANSWERED • THE MOST ILLUMINATING QUESTIONS IN WALKING GIVEN THE FULLEST OF EXPLORATIONS FOR THE ENLIGHTENMENT OF THE CURIOUS WAYFARER

Who first climbed Snowdon? • To think, there was a time when only one person could say they had climbed this most magnificent mountain…

What's a great first trail?

Which is the best fell in the Lake District?

What's the scariest walk in Britain? • You'll negotiate desolation, sorcery and the devil and something much worse - on the most frightening walk in the country. Come on, it's, er, lovely.

Walk & Stay • The Essential Guide on where to walk and stay in Britain

What is a trig point for?

Where's the best beach in Britain?

Does Britain have rainforests? • The short answer is yes. The long answer is amazing.

BRING THE RAIN • Four more rainforest fragments to explore (or, in some cases, just look at). All are profiled more fully in Guy's book The Lost Rainforests of Britain.

Where's the most spectacular waterfall in Britain?

Are there any landscapes in which Britain leads the world? • With no Everest or Lake Superior we're habitually humble about Britain's landscapes - but some of that modesty is misplaced.

What's the most underrated place to go walking in Britain? • Ask most people to name the top walking destinations and it'll take far too long to get to the Rhinns of Kells - if they ever do.

What's the oldest path in Britain?

Country walking Gear • Expert advice on the kit that makes a...