Trekking is a popular gap year pursuit, but so few people realise the possibilities that we have on our doorstep.

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Trekking in the UK Adventures in your own back yard Dan Bennett writes... Hiking in Britain? Am I joking? I know it isn’t exactly a top activity for a lot of gappers; it tends to get obscured by the desire to dive in tropical oceans or bungy jump into bottomless canyons. However, to immediately reject walking in your own backyard on the grounds that it isn’t fulfilling or adventurous is just plain daft. You can’t enjoy decent scenery if it’s flying past at several hundred miles an hour. It also isn’t necessary to travel thousands of miles to find a great walk either. Britain offers some fantastic locations for hikers of all abilities, stretching from the lochs of the Scottish Highlands to England’s Jurassic coast in the south-west. You don’t need to be a rock climber to enjoy trekking up a mountain - all you need is determination and a desire to enjoy yourself. My most recent trip took place last summer, when I hiked up Snowdon with a friend from college. We had timed it well - it was the middle of summer and the weather stayed good throughout. Getting up to northern Wales from the south coast of England on the train was simple enough, but a word of warning - avoid Bangor. Although there is a huge quantity of traffic entering the town, there appears to be very little that leaves. We wandered around for hours trying to find a non-existent bus stop for the Snowdon Sherpa service, before giving up and catching a regular bus to Llanberis, a town that was 15-20km from the hostel we had booked . Fortunately, we had come prepared with a tent, and were able to camp with a group holding a renewable energy convention. It was all a bit surreal, and I’m fairly sure that our £5 ‘fee’ disappeared straight in to the pockets of the organisers, but it did provide us with interesting conversation for the night. The following day we had to trek to our hostel through the Pass of Llanberis, and although it was a long hike, it was an absolutely fantastic walk with some awe-inspiring scenery, easily matching that which I had seen in New Zealand. The hostel was the Bryn Gwynant YHA, and it was a pleasant change from many of the hostels I had stayed in previously - a refurbished Victorian mansion, with superb views over the Llyn Gwynant lake at the foot of Snowdon. Great for anyone looking for cheap accommodation in the area. The climb was great fun. Bryn Gwynant was less than a mile from the start of the Watkin path, which is apparently the hardest hike that Snowdon offered. Generally, it isn’t particularly challenging, but there is a scramble near the summit that could be very dangerous in wet weather, so if you intend to climb this route be sure to check the local forecasts. The view from the peak, if the weather is clear, is unbelievable - the whole of northern Wales is laid out below you like a map, stretching right out to the coast. It’s certainly a walk that I feel is a great experience for anyone (and, if you really can’t be bothered, a steam train runs from Llanberis to just below the summit, but where’s the fun there?). Although the Snowdonia Park is my favourite British location for walking, I’d also recommend the Cumbrian Lake District. The landscape there is so diverse there is bound to be a walk that is perfect for everybody, regardless of ability. Whether you want to spend some time exploring the (busy) lakeside communities of Windermere and Bowness, or you want to escape civilisation by trekking around the more remote lakes like Wastwater or Derwent Water, there will be something there to suit you. Even the mountain climbers can be kept happy, as Scafell Pike, England’s highest peak, is situated just east of Wastwater. Similarly to Snowdonia, however, transport can be awkward in such remote areas, so if you don’t have a car I’d recommend taking either a tent or some mountain bikes to cycle between hostels. The south-west of England offers some great treks, particularly around the Devon/Dorset coastline, which was recently awarded World Heritage status. Check out the area around Lyme Regis in particular - although the terrain isn’t particularly extreme it has a really timeless feel, and is very rewarding. At the other end of the country, Scotland also has some excellent hiking routes, most notably that to the summit of Ben Nevis (which I have lined up for July this year). Others include the Great Glen Way, stretching from Fort William to Inverness, and the Speyside way (both of which are long distance and would require accommodation or camping equipment). The most important part of any hike is the time you spend getting ready for it. Poor preparation can leave you uncomfortable and miserable, and can even put you in danger. So listen up. Before you start getting all your equipment together, make sure that the weather is going to be suitable for walking. I can’t emphasise this enough - if you try and climb a mountain in the rain, you will probably end up in a lot of trouble. Most walking regions have local telephone numbers that you can call for the latest forecast, so if the weather starts looking grim, find out if it will deteriorate. This service should also be available in most tourist information centres. As far as kit goes, there are a few essentials you should always be carrying: First-aid kit - these are sold everywhere, from Boots to Millets, and you really only need one that carries the basics - bandages, plasters, painkillers and so on. It isn’t expensive, and if all goes well you should never have to use it, but make sure you have one just in case. Map and compass - nobody wants to get lost and starve to death when they’re only half a dozen miles from the nearest town, so always carry a map of the surrounding area. These can usually be purchased at any travel shop when you arrive. A map is pretty much useless without a compass though, but these are only a couple of quid from any camping store. Bad weather gear - just because it’s sunny in the morning doesn’t mean there won’t be a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Getting wet will reduce your body temperature dramatically, particularly if you are exerting yourself, and can lead to hypothermia if you are camping out without the proper equipment. You don’t need a Gore-Tex jacket, but make sure you are carrying a cagoule or similar raincoat, and possibly some waterproof leggings as well - jeans might be comfortable but they are terrible at holding in body heat. Walking trousers, I admit, are hardly fashionable, but they are designed to be light and to dry out quickly while retaining heat, so it might be wise to invest in a pair. Also, be sure to carry some spare clothes - particularly socks. Nobody enjoys wearing wet socks. Food and drink - although you don’t need to take a three-course meal on an eight-hour hike, high energy food like chocolate or bananas and a good quantity of water will make the day much easier to bear. A hiking bottle called the ‘platypus’ is widely available, and is perfectly suited for walkers as it is made from flexible plastic, and can even be used as padding in your rucksack. Torch - unlikely as it is that you’ll be hiking after dark, always carry a torch, since unexpected circumstances can often take you by surprise. If you’re camping, a torch is obviously a necessity. The above items are merely essentials; the exact contents of your rucksack will vary depending on your destination. Campers will need extra layers of clothing and extra equipment, like sleeping bags. Winter hikers will also need extra clothes and might need walking assistance to deal with icy areas - crampons and staffs are available at most ‘outdoor' stores. In summer, be sure to wear a hat, and try to stay covered up with sun-block. Some anti-insect cream might be a good investment too. No matter what season it is, take a camera. Britain has some great landscapes, and you won’t want to forget where you’ve been. Finally, hiking ethics. The routes you’ll be walking on will be used by thousands of people every year. People go trekking to escape, to ‘get in touch with nature’ and to relax. The last thing they - or you - want is to be walking behind someone who randomly tosses litter away, or drops cigarette butts on the path. It’s irritating and it’s totally disrespectful to the landscape. This goes for campers too - if you see the remains of another campfire, then use those, and don’t start your own. The golden rule for hikers is 'take only pictures, leave only footprints'. Britain has got so much more than most people believe. It’s wild, it’s varied and it’s perfect for walkers. If you can’t afford a plane ticket around the world, don’t ignore what you’ve got right outside your front door. I promise you’ll enjoy it. Click here >> for UK information Click here >> for UK ideas Click here >> for hiking and outdoorsy gear

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