Circular from Rhos y Gwaliau, near Bala, 5.2 miles, 275 m climb

Last walk of 2024. Chilly and a bit misty but wonderfully wintery scenery in a very isolated location: down the Hirnant valley through farmyards (some over-excited and unfriendly dogs) then a climb on rather muddy non-waymarked footpaths to the top of Moel Fryn. The descent through mining ruins finally offers views of Bala Lake and beyond. Good eating for special birthday celebration (R’s) at Tyddyn Llan outside Llandrillo. 5* 

More Sefton Coastal Path: Freshfield to Birkdale, 7.5 miles, flat

The next stage of the August walk, this time in cool windy December, but pleasant walking on the uncrowded beach and deserted sand dunes. The prevalent sea creature is not razor clams, as on the Wirral, but sea urchins by their thousands, their empty shells all with a tiny hole, just big enough for the gulls to extract the flesh. Some very characteristic vegetation on the dunes, pale yellow and very dark chocolate-coloured bare bushes, some with the remaining bright yellow berries of sea buckthorn. Convenient Merseyrail train takes us back to the start. 5*

Castello Duino and the Rilke path, Duino, Italy, 6 miles, mainly flat

Castle Duino on the Gulf of Trieste is the private residence of members of the Italian royal family, currently the Princes della Torre e Tasso. A number 41 bus takes you there and back from the centre of Trieste. 

It was built in the 14th century above the ruins of a previous military outpost (the Old Castle). Extensions and rebuilds in the 17th century led to its becoming a cultural and humanistic centre that attracted various famous names, including the monarchs of Austria, Johann Strauss, Franz Liszt (a piano he played can be seen there still), Hugo von Hofmannsthal and, most importantly, the poet Rainer Maria Rilke, who wrote two of his famous Duino Elegies there. R was keen to see where they were written and, although I don’t know the poetry, I was aware of Rilke as the lyricist for several songs and song cycles by, for example, Alban Berg and Paul Hindemith. 

Although the interior furnishings of the castle are not very interesting, unless you are excited by the history of the Austro-Hungarian royal families, the views from the castle are magnificent.  And for a two-mile stretch along the coastline there is a way-marked path, the Rilke Trail, walks on which allegedly inspired his work. This was a rocky and yet surprisingly busy walking route but very worthwhile, with a perfectly located café at the end. 5*

Kinder Scout and Lantern Pike, Derbyshire, 14 miles (over 2 days), 250/350 m climb

With our Long Walkers friends, and bed and breakfast accommodation at the truly awful George Hotel in Hayfield (“sorry, we don’t do breakfast”, with the nearest one open before 11 am a 10-minute drive away). Pretty poor weather, too but one dry day out of two was worth celebrating, as was the meal at the Colosseo Italian restaurant (worth a return visit for that). 

Well-trodden paths from Hayfield up towards Kinder Scout with views of Kinder Lake and, on the second day, a direct climb of Lantern Pike above the town. These walks are always fun, whatever the conditions. 5*

Circular from Cuckmere Haven, Sussex, 6.2 miles, 100 m climb

 A familiar walk that starts in the National Trust centre at Exceat, conveniently on a 12X bus route from Brighton and takes in field paths down towards the beach at Cuckmere, with wonderful views of the Seven Sisters cliffs. A truly autumn landscape of ripe berries, white and gold dry grasses against a blue sea and sky. 5*

Circular from Lugan, France, 5.5 miles 60 m climb

A walk recommended from the Chateau Garinie, where we were staying, via the quiet village of Lugan, along country lanes with purple plums falling from the trees and through shady woods with an ancient water mill. Slightly difficult walk due to lack of decent directions and GPS and highly prevalent biting insects among the trees, but in a beautiful part of France. 3*

Sefton Coastal Path and Formby Beach, 9.5 miles

Why have we not walked here before? It’s easy to get to by train in less than 40 minutes, with stations all along the route. Relatively quiet sand dunes and sandy beaches, great views of Liverpool and the Welsh coastline. In the summer the route is carpeted with wild sweet peas. At the right time of day, you can swim in the sea and there’s a great café in the National Trust car park. 4*

Three days of walking on the Gower Peninsula: about 23 miles, 500m total 

We enjoyed discovering the Gower Way, with is worth revisiting. One of the circular walks started at Nicholaston and via the Gower Way passed through Oxwich Bay (sea swimming there). Another one involved climbing up Rhossili Down and walking round the headland to Mewslade (more swimming). 5*

Two days of walking from Hartington, Derbyshire, 20 miles, about 200 m total

Another enjoyable Long Walkers adventure. 5*

Flint circular, 7.5 miles, 200 m climb

Re-visiting some of the Wales Coastal Path, albeit one of the bits nearest to home and not the most scenic or exciting, but with a detour inland to climb and take in views of the Wirral and Hilbre Island. The weather wasn't kind for the first half, which involves a long stretch alongside the coastal wall from the Duke of Lancaster still rusting in the harbour. The route then goes inland via the Greenfield Industrial Heritage site (always interesting) and climbs to follow paths parallel to the coastline on 'The Moor' (very muddy) above, before descending back to parking and convenient tearoom in the Abakhan complex. A good manageable walk but better on a dry day. 3*

Dyserth circular via Cwm, 7 miles 300 + 200 m climbs

Early Spring and we cover a figure of eight that includes part of Offa’s Dyke and part of the Clwydian Way.  Apart from those stretches, it turns out we had done some other parts of the walk before (about 5 years ago) and then had added a further 3 miles to it.

The paths were fairly muddy, as expected, but the sun shone all day and the views over to Prestatyn from the top of Moel Hiraddug were worth the climb.  We saw no other walkers the whole day, but lots of newborn lambs and spring flowers. 

Also worth remembering on this one is the convenient location halfway of the Blue Lion at Cwm, which has changed hands recently and is much improved from how we remember it. 4*