Monday 10/07/2017 Via Ferrata Gustavo Vidi
Madonna Di-Campiglio, ITALY
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
About 1km north of Madonna Di Campiglio, at Passo Campo Carlo, we caught the gondola up to Passo del Groste. This had the advantage of avoiding a lengthy slog up a fairly long and winding path up through the meadows below the mountains. From here we our aim was to walk and scramble the Via Ferrata Gustavo Vidi. Continue reading
31/07/2017 – 5/8/2017 Hrafnfjordur – Furufjordur – Hesteyri – Smiojuvik – Latravik – Hafnarnes – Buoir – Hesteyri
Hornstrandir Peninsula, ICELAND
Distance: 91km Total Ascent: 4200m Total Descent: 4200m Time: 40 hours
Participants: Jenny Asquith, Andrew Burns, Sharon Burns, Stefano Cacioppo (Guide), Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Tony Fitzpatrick, Simon Marlton, Jenny Woods
This walk was is located in the Hornstandir Peninsula, an isolated area of north western Iceland. We were on a guided walk for this trip which made transportation to and from the end point much easier. The trails were mainly of a good standard but unmarked. Navigation would not present a problem with a map.
The walk took us through areas of dramatic volcanic coastal scenery in an area of Iceland that few tourists get the opportunity to see. We had close encounters with wildlife especially the inquisitive arctic fox, seals, meadows of wildflowers and a multitude of bird life. Continue reading
Saturday 1/07/2017 Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock)
Stavanger, Rogaland County, NORWAY
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
This walk is accessed from Stavanger, a large town in southern Norway. We reached this destination by ferry and then bus from Stavanger which took over an hour each way. It is possible to drive from Stavanger by taking a car ferry to Tau. A fee is payable at the car park at the start of the walk.
Highlights of the walk include stunning fjord views and according to the tourist brochure “the worlds most breathtaking viewing platform” – you just have to share it a multitude of other people. Continue reading
Sunday 25/6/2017 Homlong – Skagefla – Keipen – Geiranger
Geirangerfjord, NORWAY
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
For this walk we based ourselves at the small town of Geiranger at the end of the Geiranger Fjord. We reached this destination from the Hurtigruten coastal ferry. Next day we took a short scenic cruise around Geirangerfjord before being dropped off at Skagehola on the way back to Geiranger. This drop-off enables walkers to walk back to Geiranger as a one way trip.
Highlights of the walk include the stunning fjord with plentiful waterfall views, several historic farm buildings and some awesome high level mountain scenery. Continue reading
Monday 7/08/2017 Landmannalaugar Valley
Fjallabak Nature Reserve, ICELAND
Participants: Jenny Asquith, Greg Burke, Andrew Burns, Sharon Burns, Stefano Cacioppo (Guide), Enrico Chierici (Guide), Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Tony Fitzpatrick, Simon Marlton, Danilo Ortelli, Jenny Woods
The Landmannalaugar Valley is a popular area of Iceland for trekking. The most popular walk, a six day trek starts from the campground. This excellent day walk takes in many features of the area and you access three peaks for fabulous views of the dramatic volcanic landscape and painted hills. Continue reading
Monday 24/7/2017 Allt Airdeasaidh Waterfalls
Ross and Cromarty, SCOTLAND
Participants: Caroline Davies, Peter Davies, Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies
This short scenic walk is located to the south of the main road from Ardessie on Little Loch Broom. This area is on Scotland’s north coast just west of Dundonnell and virtually underneath the 767m high Sail Mhor. Continue reading
Thursday 22/06/2017 Mount Ulriken – Mount Floyen
Bergen, NORWAY
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
This popular day walk is easily accessible by bus and gondola from Bergen. It is best to hike from Mt Ulriken as it is considerably higher than Mt Floyen. Another gondola at Mt Floyen allows for a quick and scenic ride back into downtown Bergen. Continue reading
Friday 10/11/2017 Contos Beach
Margaret River, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies
Today saw us walking our last small “sampler” section of the Cape to Cape Track – a circuit through the colourful coastal heath above Contos Beach and return along its pristine fine sand. In the afternoon had us visiting Jewel Cave. Continue reading
Thursday 9/11/2017 Hamelin Bay – Cape Leeuwin
Margaret River Region, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies
Today saw us walking another small section of the Cape to Cape Track – from Hamelin Bay along Foul Bay Beach to the inland Knobby Head Lighthouse and return. In the afternoon we visited the south-western corner of Australia to explore the area around Cape Leeuwin. Continue reading
Wednesday 8/11/2017 Boranup Karri Forest – Redgate Beach – Lake Cave
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
Today saw us driving through a Karri forest, walking another small section of the Cape to Cape Track at Redgate Beach and taking a guided tour through Lake Cave.
Continue reading
Wednesday 1/11/2017 Rottnest Island
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
Located 19km off the West Australian coast to the west of Freemantle, Rottnest Island (“Rat’s Nest”) was named after the small native marsupials called quokkas (Setonix brachyurus) found here by Dutch sailors over 200 years ago. It is also home to sea lions and seals, native birds and three endemic tree species. Human settlement dates back at least 30,000 years when then island was still connected to the mainland. Continue reading
Sunday 12/11/2017 Mount Hallowell – Lights Beach – Wilson Head
Denmark, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Minang country
Participants: Ian Cockerill, Junko Cockerill, Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies, Dave
At Ian’s suggestion we found ourselves in Denmark for a couple of nights. He and Junko driving down from Perth for the weekend to stay with friends in the next street and to join us for a local walk with Dave. The weather in Denmark was overcast and decidedly cooler than the rest of the weather we had previously encountered on this trip. This made for much more comfortable walking conditions. Continue reading