Cheshire\u2019s mini Matterhorn<\/p>\n
Who needs the Swiss Alps when you have Macclesfield Forest<\/a> on your doorstep? Walking from Trentabank car park, the 506-metre peak of Shut<\/a>lingsloe<\/a> is the gift that keeps on giving. The panoramic views from its summit, dubbed Cheshire\u2019s mini Matterhorn, are breathtaking at any time of year. But it\u2019s on the crispest of winter days you get the best views: the Staffordshire Roaches<\/a>, Manchester\u2019s skyline, the Cheshire Plain, the wonder that is Jodrell Bank, and even as far as the Great Orme in Llandudno. Head back to Trentabank where there is a food truck selling local specialities, including Staffordshire oatcakes. Trip the light fantastic on Norfolk\u2019s coastThe vast expanse of Holkham beach. Photograph: Nature Picture Library\/Alamy<\/p>\n No matter how many people you see on arrival at Holkham nature reserve<\/a>, the vast beach, marshes and miles of pinewoods disperse them. Southerly winds here can bring balmy winter days but winds off the North Sea are quite brutal. The light is fantastic and the variety of walking routes huge, with a boardwalk and visitor centre enriching the experience. This north-facing coastline is a magnet for exhausted migrant birds making landfall, and the pinewoods offer welcome shelter in bitter conditions. Bird hides along the woods\u2019 southern edge look over marshland \u2013 fantastic for winter wildfowl spectacles and birds of prey. ProfileReaders’ tips: send a tip for a chance to win a \u00a3200 voucher for a Coolstays breakShow<\/p>\n Guardian Travel readers’ tips<\/p>\n Every week we ask our readers for recommendations from their travels. A selection of tips will be featured online and may appear in print. To enter the latest competition visit the readers’ tips homepage<\/a><\/p>\n –<\/p>\n Thank you for your feedback.<\/p>\n Blow away the cobwebs on a Derry cliff walkA Dominican college overlooks Portstewart Strand. Photograph: Travelib\/Alamy<\/p>\n It\u2019s officially called the Portstewart Cliff Walk<\/a> but people call it the Nuns\u2019 Walk because it snakes around the perimeter of the Dominican college. The walk starts overlooking Portstewart Strand<\/a> and finishes in the town centre. It\u2019s exposed to the Atlantic, so it\u2019s always gusty and perfect for clearing the head after working too hard or overindulging. The sunsets here are to be savoured, so try to time it for dusk, and a post-walk pint by the fire in the Anchor Bar<\/a> feels heavenly. A perfect hike for a frosty day in the ChilternsSnowfall on the north-facing slopes of the Chilterns. Photograph: Phototropic\/Getty Images<\/p>\n If it\u2019s frosty, this is a cracker. From the Chilterns village of Ewelme (the famous watercress beds can wait) head east uphill through fields and beech woodland to Ewelme park, turn left and skirt Swyncombe House, which has excellent views of the Vale of Oxford, keeping north and right of the church as you go up. Cross the only main road, down and up into more classic Chilterns woodland complete with deer, pheasant and dappled sunlight before descending gently through ancient earthworks back to Ewelme as the sun sets. It\u2019s 5 miles, 2.5 hours, and there\u2019s no pub \u2013 but you won\u2019t care because the countryside is perfect. A North Yorkshire amble for a foggy morningSkipton Moor. Photograph: Chris Dukes\/Alamy<\/p>\n Skipton Moor<\/a> is wonderfully quiet despite having spectacular views, perhaps because it\u2019s just outside the Yorkshire Dales national park. Only a mile up the hill from the edge of town, its high points offers panoramic views of Airedale and Pendle, and it is home to hares and curlew. Sparkling frost outlines all the spider webs in the gorse bushes. Go on a cold, foggy morning after a clear, calm night and you may well find yourself emerging from the misty woods above a sea of clouds. Follow the Skyline loop around BathA view of Bath during a cold snap. Photograph: Anthony Brown\/Alamy<\/p>\n Just outside Bath is the Skyline walk<\/a>, a continuous 6-mile loop of the rolling hills surrounding the city. Mists rising over sandstone rooftops is a spectacular sight on a frosty morning. En route are panoramic views, ancient woodland, a sham castle, a cemetery clinging to the hills and the National Trust\u2019s Prior Park<\/a>, a magical 18th-century landscape garden designed for Ralph Allen, a key moderniser of the nationwide postal service. At the end, descend the footpath into Bath where you can cosy up by a pub fire \u2013 I recommend the Pig and Fiddle<\/a> or The Crystal Palace<\/a>. A short Lake District hikeAdmiring the view of Bassenthwaite from Sale Fee. Photograph: Kay Roxby\/Alamy<\/p>\n Sale Fell<\/a> near Cockermouth is my favourite short winter walk. Its grassy hillside feels safe to walk even when frosty. Climbed easily from St Margaret\u2019s church, it offers amazing views over Bassenthwaite Lake towards Skiddaw. I love the descent via the quiet path through the woods towards the Wythop valley, passing the ruins of an old church where deer can be spotted. Finish the walk with a pint in the lovely Pheasant Inn<\/a> or coffee and cake in the award-winning Bassenthwaite Lake Station cafe<\/a>, both at the bottom of the fell. Black Mountains beautyLlanthony Priory. Photograph: Martin Wilcox\/Alamy<\/p>\n My favourite winter walk is in the Black Mountains of south-east Wales, in the Bannau Brycheiniog (formerly Brecon Beacons) national park. Park at Capel y ffin<\/a> and follow the path along the valley of the Nant Bwch, with its waterfalls and steep-sided valley. Up to Rhiw y fan for spectacular views into Wales, returning along the Rhos Dirion ridge above the beautiful Vale of Eywas via a stone called the Blacksmith\u2019s Anvil back to the start. Stop for an atmospheric pint in the cellar bar<\/a> at Llanthony Priory<\/a>. Beaches, castles and pubs in NorthumberlandDunstanburgh Castle seen from the beach near Embleton. Photograph: John Taylor\/Alamy<\/p>\n A coastal stroll with a cosy pub that brews its own beer \u2026 Is there anything better? Starting at Embleton<\/a>, head down the hill to the beach. Turn north, away from the cracking view of Dunstanburgh castle<\/a>, and walk along the beach for about an hour to Low Newton<\/a>, a National Trust-preserved square of fisher\u2019s cottages and the Ship Inn<\/a>, a dog-friendly, cosy pub with a strong food offering. Return either via the beach or head to the dunes and the coastal path. Recover from the walk up the hill into Embleton with a pint at the Greys Inn<\/a>, a proper pub with decent real ale. Bliss. Winning tip: a Cut above west of GlasgowWalkers on the Greenock Cut. Photograph: Phil Seale\/Alamy<\/p>\n Greenock Cut<\/a> is near Glasgow yet transports you far away. It starts in mundane fashion, a walk through the edge of a town. But within a few minutes it opens out into majestic views across the River Clyde to the hills in Argyll and continues to wow for miles. The Cut\u2019s visitor centre and cafe<\/a> offer a warming break and good-quality paths keep it passable even on wet or icy days. Walkers can continue onwards along the hill to return via the spectacular Wemyss Bay railway station (11 miles), or loop back on a shorter route passing the calm Loch Thom (8 miles). Both are stunning. Nic<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Cheshire\u2019s mini Matterhorn Who needs the Swiss Alps when you have Macclesfield Forest on your doorstep? 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Hannah Price<\/p>\n
Susanna<\/p>\n
Arthur<\/p>\n
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