united kingdom

Beinn Alligin Introduction Beinn Alligin rises above Loch Torridon like a stone crown, and the first time you see it from the road near Torridon village, it’s hard to keep your eyes on the driving. This is one of Scotland’s great Munros, a mountain of two summits, a dramatic black gash of a gully, and

Glen Nevis Introduction There’s a moment, just past the lower falls car park, where the road narrows to a single track and the glen suddenly closes in around you. Steep, grassy shoulders rise on both sides, the River Nevis churns over grey boulders below, and Ben Nevis itself disappears behind a wall of rock. That’s

Mourne Mountains Introduction The first time I stood at the foot of Slieve Donard with the Irish Sea at my back, I understood why C.S. Lewis credited this landscape as part of his inspiration for Narnia. The Mourne Mountains rise so suddenly from the coastline of County Down that they seem almost theatrical, granite peaks

Loch Lomond and Trossachs Introduction I still remember the first time I stood on the shore at Luss and watched the mist lift off Loch Lomond, revealing Ben Lomond in the distance. That moment is why so many travelers fall for Loch Lomond and Trossachs the second they arrive. This isn’t just another pretty loch

Glencoe Travel Guide Few places in the world compress this much drama into so small a space. Glencoe is a narrow Highland valley where glacier-carved peaks rise almost straight out of the road, where cloud shadows chase each other across the slopes of Bidean nam Bian, and where a single-track lane can feel like the

Isle of Skye Travel Guide Introduction The Isle of Skye doesn’t ease you in. One minute you’re crossing the bridge from the mainland, the next you’re staring at jagged black mountains that look like they were torn out of the earth rather than formed by it. This is Scotland’s largest island in the Inner Hebrides,

Brecon Beacons Introduction The Brecon Beacons is one of the most rewarding destinations in Wales for travelers who enjoy mountains, waterfalls, peaceful countryside, and outdoor adventures. From the dramatic summit of Pen y Fan to the beautiful waterfalls of Waterfall Country, the region offers a wide range of places to explore. There are also historic

Eryri National Park There’s a moment on the Pyg Track, somewhere past the lip of Cwm Dyli, where the path narrows and the whole of northwest Wales seems to fall away beneath your boots. That’s Eryri National Park doing what it does best — turning an ordinary Tuesday into something you’ll talk about for years.

Malvern Hills If you want a corner of England that feels bigger than its size, the Malvern Hills are an impressive choice. This nine-mile ridge of ancient volcanic rock rises above the Severn Valley on the Worcestershire-Herefordshire border, with wide views across the surrounding countryside. The area is especially appealing to walkers, history lovers, photographers,

Robin Hood’s Bay Introduction Robin Hood’s Bay does not reveal itself all at once. You park at the top of a hill, and only once you start walking down the steep main street does the village unfold — red pantile roofs stacked over one another, a maze of alleyways barely wide enough for two people,