[q] Links
We think these web sites might be of interest to our members. It's by no means a definitive list, so inclusion doesn't imply we endorse these sites over any others. And, as these are external websites, Take a Hike is not responsible for their content.
If you would like to suggest a site for listing or to report problems with the existing links, please contact Webmaster Simon.
Walk Ideas
Walks in Yorkshire
Good selection of Yorkshire walks with comprehensive instructions, photographs and maps of each one - http://www.daleswalks.co.uk
Yorkshire Water's Reservoir Walks
Big selection of walks for different abilities around some of Yorkshire's numerous reservoirs with downloadable directions, route summaries and details of facilities for each one - http://www.yorkshirewater.com/recreation/
Walking Britain
Walks from around the UK, sorted by location and grade; good photos and clear instructions of each route - http://www.walkingbritain.co.uk
Lake District Walks
Over 40 walks and 300 photos of routes in the Lake District - http://www.lakedistrictwalks.com
Munro Magic
The Munros are the highest of Scotland's mountains, 284 mountain tops named after the man who first catalogued them. This site covers every single one of them in detail, including descriptions, pictures, location maps, walking routes, weather reports. Get baggin' - http://www.munromagic.com
West Highland Way
95 miles from Milngavie to Fort William. Everything you need to know about walking this popular Scottish Long-Distance Path - http://www.west-highland-way.co.uk
Walk Yorkshire
Yorkshire Tourist Board site to promote walking in Yorkshire. Has a number of less-known routes, searchable by grade and location - http://www.walkyorkshire.com
Walking World
Site containing over 1800 walks around the UK. If you join the site you can download full route maps of each walk containing step-by-step directions and photographs of the walk. You also receive a free magazine with the latest walks; if you don't join you can still search the site and read the walk overviews - http://www.walkingworld.com
Best Walks
The most comprehensive catalogue of books on walking throughout England and Wales, search by location to be given a run down and brief description of books that cover that area. Many books contain links to websites where the books can be purchased online - http://www.bestwalks.com
Walking Routes
Excellent site featuring nothing but links to sites containing on-line walking routes, maps, directions etc for the UK. Links are broken down into regions from all of the UK, very quick, very easy - http://www.walking-routes.co.uk
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Gear & Gear Guides
Pete's Poles Page
Everything you could want to know about using walking poles, from pros and cons to good technique. Also take a look at Pete's Packs Page, more information than anyone could ever need about rucksacks - http://www.personal.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/poles.htm
Choosing, Buying & Using Boots
Backpacker.com have one of the most comprehensive guides to walking boots on the net. Read how to shop for walking boots and follow the links off to lots of useful titbits including advanced lacing techniques and using footbeds - http://www.backpacker.com/gear/footwear/
Out-sized Boots
A couple of the group's members have had problems finding boots to cover their ample slabs. Their problems were solved by Shoe Stop who offer a number of boots from Hi-tec in sizes up to 14. Visit their mail-order website here - http://www.yanix.co.uk/hi-tec/walking/
Shoecare
Burnley based company who specialise in the maintenance and repair of outdoor gear by mail order, from replacing zips and resealing seams on your waterproof jacket to completely resoling your boots. Their site contains all prices and a good section on caring for your equipment - http://www.shoecare.co.uk
Howies
Technical and outdoor-themed gear not found in the usual places, plus thoughtful insights about the world we live in - http://www.howies.co.uk
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East Yorkshire Awning and Tent Repairs
Need a tent fixing? Our members have found these people helpful - http://www.awningrepairs.co.uk/
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General Outdoors Interest
The Countryside Code
If you follow the Countryside Code wherever you go, you'll get the best enjoyment possible and you'll help to protect the countryside now and for future generations, includes points.about path-waymarking and taking your dog to the countryside. http://www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk/countryside_code/
Outdoors Magic
Excellent just to sit and browse through. Online outdoors magazine with editorials, gear reviews and news from the world of outdoors sports and pursuits, worth visiting to fill a lunch hour - http://www.outdoorsmagic.com
The Angry Corrie
The best UK hill walking mag by at least 914.4m ... and it's free on-line! Scotland's First and Finest Hillwalking Fanzine - http://bubl.ac.uk/org/tacit/tac/
Backpacker.com
Online site of Backpacker magazine, contains more reviews and guides than you would ever find time to read - http://www.backpacker.com
The Walking Englishman
A great site with detailed information about walks across the UK including maps, elevations, statistics and journals of the author's walking exploits. Plus the author lives in Horsforth! - http://www.walkingenglishman.com
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Groups & Associations
British Mountaineering Council
The BMC (British Mountaineering Council) is the representative body that exists to protect the freedoms and promote the interests of climbers, hillwalkers and mountaineers, including ski-mountaineers - http://www.thebmc.co.uk
The Mountaineering Council of Scotland
The representative body for climbers, walkers, mountaineers and cross-country skiers who enjoy the Scottish mountains - http://www.mountaineering-scotland.org.uk
The Mountaineering Council of Ireland
News, Info and Comment for the hill-walking, climbing and rambling community among the mountains of Ireland - http://www.mountaineering.ie
Association of National Park Authorities
Very factual news and events covering all the UK's national parks, very easy on the eye - http://www.anpa.gov.uk
The Fell Runners Association
You know those superhumans who always come flying past you wearing nothing but shorts and t-shirt when you are climbing Pen-y-Ghent in the rain? Learn more about them here - http://www.fellrunner.org.uk
Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA)
Official website of CAMRA, the voluntary consumer organisation campaigning for greater appreciation of traditional beers - http://www.camra.org.uk
Leeds Cycling Action Group
Campaigners for safer cycling and promoters of cycling in Leeds - http://www.leedscyclists.org.uk
York Cycle Show
Now in its 60th year, the official website of The York Rally, the biggest cycle festival in the UK - http://www.yorkcycleshow.co.uk
Centers for Nature Education
American environmental education organisation, committed to teaching and promoting environmental awareness and responsible natural resource use. They also have a website address remarkably similar to ours - http://www.takeahike.org
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Online Maps
Good for checking meeting points and general directions!
RAC Map 24
Mapquest
Multimap
Streetmap
Ordnance Survey
http://getamap.ordnancesurvey.co.uk
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National Parks
Some of the best places in the UK for walking, hiking, climbing, camping, chilling ...
Brecon Beacons
The Broads
http://www.broads-authority.gov.uk
Cairngorms
Dartmoor
http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk
Exmoor
http://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
Lake District
http://www.lake-district.gov.uk
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs
http://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org
New Forest
North York Moors
http://www.northyorkmoors-npa.gov.uk
Northumberland
Peak District
Pembrokeshire Coast
http://www.pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk
Snowdonia
South Downs
Yorkshire Dales
http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk
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Local Guides
Malhamdale.com
Home to Malham Cove, Malham Tarn and Gorldale Scar, the Iron-age settlement of Malham in the southern base of the Yorkshire Dales is a firm favourite destination for the group. Includes a very handy accomodation list - http://www.malhamdale.com
Let's Stay Yorkshire Dales
Accommodation and Tourist Guide - http://www.yorkshiredales-stay.co.uk
Let's Stay North Yorkshire Moors
Accommodation and Tourist Guide - http://www.northyorkmoors-stay.co.uk
Let's Stay Lake District
Accommodation and Tourist Guide - http://www.lakedistrict-stay.co.uk
Wester Ross, Scottish Highlands
Pictures, travel and accommodation information on the Wester Ross area around Ullapool, Dundonnell and Poolewe - http://www.camusnagaul.com
Derbyshire and the Peak District
Derbyshire County Council's website with tourist information on Derbyshire and the Peak District - http://www.derbyshire-thepeakdistrict.co.uk
Know About York
Created by lovers of York for lovers of York, this site aims to offer genuine and useful York tourist information. Including information on York walking tours - http://www.know-about.org/york/
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Accommodation
Youth Hostel Association for England and Wales
Home page for the England and Wales Youth Hostel Association, site currently undergoing a redesign - http://www.yha.org.uk
Youth Hostel Association for Scotland
From buzzing cities to the most peaceful spots, charming cottages to rambling castles, the Scottish YHA have an unrivalled network of more than 70 Hostels throughout the country - http://www.syha.org.uk
Hostelling International
Search from over 4000 hostels across the world. The site contains detailed information of each hostel and many are available to be booked online - http://www.hihostels.com
National Trust Campsites in the Lake District
The NT Great Langdale campsite is especially useful and popular - sometimes it fills up early on a Friday evening in which case a privately owned one 2 miles East along the valley, in Chapel Stile, by the Wainwright Inn, though advertised as for families only, tends to let well-behaved groups or individuals in, if you can live with the sparse facilities. National Trust - Camping in the Lake District
Craiglea B&B
3 star Bed & Breakfast in Braemar, at the heart of Royal Deeside and the gateway to the Cairngorms National Park. Set up to cater for walkers, check their website for a list of local walks available including Lochnagar, Ben Macdui and Cairn Toul - http://www.craigleabraemar.com
The Stickle Barn Bunkhouse, Great Langdale
The Sticklebarn is at the very foot of the famous Langdale Pikes and Dungeon Ghyll waterfalls and seven miles north west of Ambleside, in the Great Langdale valley. It's a basic bunkhouse (and good pub) that serves as a useful alternative to the National Trust Great Langdale campsite half a mile up the road. Breakfasts available from 8am at weekends and 8:30am in the week. 015394 37356 - http://www.langdaleweb.co.uk/sticklebarn.html
Castlerigg Hall and Castlerigg Farm Campsites, Keswick
Next to each other, an easy 20 minute walk into Keswick centre, but also conveniently right next to a good pub serving real ale and food. We've used these campsites a few times in the past - Castlerigg Hall has better views and does breakfasts, but Castlerigg Farm is cheaper, and both sites' facilities are good. They don't take bookings for camping so it's normally a question of seeing who's got space.Castlerigg Farm Castlerigg Hall. These open in March, you'll find suitable camping open earlier in the year at Scotgate Campsite, Braithwaite nearby.
Horton in Ribblesdale Accommodation, for the Annual Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge
Holme Farm Campsite - Telephone: 01729 860281, also some free camping at the Golden Lion Hotel (see below)
Hotels/Pubs: The Golden Lion Hotel,Tel 01729 860206. The Crown Hotel, Tel 01729 860 209
Stainforth YHA, 4 miles south of Horton - see the Youth Hostel Association for England and Wales paragraph above.
This is not exhaustive - there are other private B&B and bunkhouse options etc. that you can research yourself, perhaps checking Dales and Vales Horton Accommodation, or Yellow Pages Horton Accommodation
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Getting Around
Yorkshire Public Transport
Plan your journey and get timetables for buses, coaches and trains throughout Yorkshire - http://www.yorkshiretravel.net
The Dalesbus Website
Find bus and rail routes and timetables throughout the Yorkshire Dales - http://www.dalesbus.org/
National Rail
Your first stop for rail routes around the UK - http://www.nationalrail.co.uk
National Express
Or go by coach - http://www.nationalexpress.com
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Weather
Met Office
Forecasts by region - http://www.met-office.gov.uk/weather/europe/uk/
Mountain weather forecasts - http://www.metoffice.com/loutdoor/
UV index forecast - http://www.metoffice.com/weather/uv/uv_uk.html
BBC Weather
Pollen count for UK regions - http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/pollen/
The Weather Channel
Get a 10-day or hour-by-hour forcast by location or postcode - http://uk.weather.com
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Cool / Wierd Stuff
The Skiddaw Webcam!
See an up-to-date shot on the Skiddaw Webcam! - http://www.dedicam.co.uk/fullsize.jpg
The Snowdon Webcam!
Relive those memories of the Capel Curig weekend - http://www.4wales.com/webcam.jpg
Cross-walking
The World Record for the longest walk is 35,878 miles and has so far taken 33 years. Oh, by the way he's doing it carrying 12 foot crucifix - http://www.blessitt.com
There's also someone else trying to break his record. Check out his photo section ... you think you get some wierd looks out walking - http://www.kw.org
Extreme Ironing Bureau
The official website of the Extreme Ironing Bueau, "the latest danger sport that combines the thrills of an extreme outdoor activity with the satisfaction of a well pressed shirt" - http://www.extremeironing.com
Nicecupofteaandasitdown.com
The perfect antidote for all that dashing about outdoors. Worryingly dedicated site to the world of sitting down, drinking tea and eating biscuits; check out the biscuit of the week - http://www.nicecupofteaandasitdown.com
Mulled Wine Made Easy
The Home of Otto's Mulled Wine, Mulled Wine being a group favourite! Follow the step-by-step instructions on how to make your own, but of course to get all the secrets of the finest recipe you really have to speak to the group's Mulled Wine king, Adrian - http://www.mwinem.com/
The Dubbinternet
Dubbin is not shoe polish. The latter has no function but to render a garish and hazardous shine to leather; dubbin, meanwhile, is so versatile as to appear omnipotent to all but the least dim. Make sure to check out the list of celebrity Dubbin users - http://www.dubbin.com
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Members' Sites
Stuart Beardwell
Our very own Osteopath - http://www.cross-bones.net, and Osteopathic CPD provider - http://www.open-ed.co.uk
Simon Bowen
Simon's online photography gallery - http://www.simon-bowen.com/photography/
Dominic Bull
The group's resident cartoonist - http://www.cartoonists.co.uk/dom/
Fine Fettle Cycles
Allan Elsworth as well as being the unofficial Take a Hike mascot (see our page headers) is also rather handy in the bike maintenance department - http://www.finefettlecycles.co.uk
Dave Pannell
Design & Marketing guru - http://www.davepannell.com
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Dan Smith
Dan's online photography gallery - http://www.dsmithphotography.co.uk
