The UK's most popular outdoor travel blog
From the remote tundra of the Nordkalottruta to the gruelling heat of the Trans-Pyrenean Trail, these are the hardest long-distance treks in Europe
As someone who has spent weeks striding across Europe’s most rugged trails, I know the thrill – and exhaustion – of long-distance trekking. From the wilds of the Arctic north to the baking bowls of the Mediterranean south, I’ve tested my stamina, my navigation skills and my sanity.
The unofficial end of summer means serious savings on outdoor apparel and gear. We hand-pick 10 great deals from the REI Labor Day sale
We’re not the sort of people who hanker after luxury items. We’re more likely to shop at Asos than we are at Harrods, and we’re just as happy at Nando’s as we are at a Michelin restaurant. One arena in which we do fork out, however, is outdoor apparel and gear. The difference between a high-quality hiking boot and one that’s “good enough” is substantial – something Kia learnt the hard way on the slopes of Cotopaxi.
When daredevil adventurers meet a tragic demise, should we mourn the way they died or celebrate the way they lived?
In May 2024, I heard news that two hypothermic, frostbitten climbers were stranded near the summit of Denali, North America’s highest mountain. I scanned the reports for detail, but rangers would not release further information other than to say that the climbers were not from the United States.
Fresh from my return from the Mediterranean island of Corsica, I examine whether the GR20 really is the toughest trek in Europe
There’s no question. The GR20 in Corsica is a challenge. It requires early starts, long days and hiking along exposed, steep and technical terrain, but the rewards are myriad: sweeping views over jagged peaks and deep valleys, serene swims in natural pools, the thrill of navigating rugged alpine passes, and the deep satisfaction of completing a legendary trek.
In America, national parks are more than scenic − they’re sacred. But they were created at a cost to Native Americans
Abraham Lincoln has an almost saintly place in US history: the ‘Great Emancipator’ whose leadership during the Civil War preserved the Union and abolished slavery.
Often overlooked among his achievements is legislation he signed in 1864, during the thick of the war, but only marginally related to the conflict. The Yosemite Valley Grant Act preserved the Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove in California as a park “held for public use, resort, and recreation … for all time.”
From the heights of Everest to a humble library, we share the most extraordinary international borders from across the globe
My name is unremarkable, most people would agree. It’s so common that if you Googled ‘Peter Watson’, you would find the intellectual historian, the author, and the arts benefactor – all different men – ahead of me. There’s also a producer, a chemist and a podcaster among others.
For those seeking a quieter, wilder climb in Tanzania, trekking Mt Meru offers a striking, rewarding alternative to Kilimanjaro’s busy trails
While Kilimanjaro steals the spotlight, its lesser-known neighbour quietly offers one of East Africa’s most rewarding trekking experiences. Mt Meru, towering above the savannah of Arusha National Park, is often overlooked – but that’s precisely its charm.
From an iconic ancient pilgrimage to classic Himalayan challenges, we share 10 of the best long-distance treks for beginners
Trekking has been an enormous part of my life for decades. It has taken me through some of the most jaw-dropping landscapes on the planet, and I have met people from all over the world and made lasting friendships on the trail.
These inspirational travel quotes have roused us to travel with abandon to over 100 countries. Perhaps they will do the same for you…
For us, there is no such thing as luxury travel; travel is, by default, a luxury. It is a privilege provided by the country of our birth, a privilege that many are not as fortunate to enjoy.
Sometimes, we have to pinch ourselves at just how ridiculous our lives have become: an ex-teacher and jobbing writer travelling the world for a living. It is absurd, it is astonishing, it is luxury.
We share our favourite man-made marvels currently on UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites in danger list
If we asked you to name a famous World Heritage Site, there’s a good chance you would say the Great Pyramids of Giza. Other likely contenders are the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu and Petra. These archaeological sites are some of man’s greatest marvels and are accordingly celebrated and protected.
A guide to hiking Ella Rock by yourself, including detailed directions, a downloadable route map, a video and the latest essential tips
Ella in Sri Lanka is beautiful, they said. ‘The closest thing to an English country village’ and the perfect place to slow down, we’d read.
The countries with the cleanest air in the world have been ranked in a new report. We take a look at the results
The Caribbean island nation of the Bahamas has the world’s cleanest air, according to the latest World Air Quality Report from IQAir. The report ranks 138 countries and territories by the level of fine particulate matter present in the air.
We rank Bill Bryson’s best books to help new readers discover America’s funniest travel writer
There’s a part in Notes from a Small Island where Bill Bryson describes a painful train journey to Milton Keynes in the UK. He is sat facing a woman and her 10-year-old son, who keeps picking his nose, kicking Bryson’s shins and staring at him with his “piggy eyes”.
From the iconic silhouette of Mount Vesuvius to the explosive Stromboli, Italy’s volcanoes are as diverse as they are awe-inspiring
Italy, a land of timeless beauty, is not only home to some of the world’s most captivating art, cuisine and architecture but also numerous volcanoes, which have played a central role in Italian life for millennia.
The best hikes in the Yorkshire Dales National Park criss-cross one of England’s finest beauty spots
Since we moved to the market town of Richmond in North Yorkshire, we’ve spent much of our free time exploring the national park that sits on our doorstep. Whether discovering the best views, climbing the park’s highest mountains or walking the Coast to Coast (twice), we’ve fallen utterly in love with the landscape of the Dales.
From dust storm to drought, we share the climate photographs that could not be ignored
There are certain photographs that have changed the course of history. Usually, they are political: Tank Man in Tiananmen Square, Iraqi soldier on the Highway of Death, Napalm Girl in Vietnam. These photos are chilling but powerful.
While Britain may not be tall, it does have majesty. We scoured the home nations to find the most beautiful mountains in the UK
Alpine, Britain is not. In the UK, there are no sky-scraping summits; there are just 141 peaks over 1,000m (3,281ft), let alone the atmosphere-kissing eight-thousanders found in the great ranges of Asia. In fact, with an average mean elevation of just 162m (531ft), the UK is one of the world’s lowest countries.
From the rice terraces of Vietnam to the iconic views of Japan, we handpick the best rail journeys that will keep your budget on track
Here at Atlas & Boots, we’ve long had differing opinions on the virtues of train travel. Peter believes it’s the best way to see a country: slow, sustainable, ground level. In contrast, I generally find it cramped and stressful.
From harrowing firsthand accounts of survival to page-turning murder mysteries, we list our favourite books about Antarctica
The most inhospitable place on Earth is an engrossing setting for any story, be it fictional or factual. Unsurprisingly, Antarctica’s literary canon is filled with tales of tragedy and/or survival against the odds. It would be easy, then, to fill this list with biographies of Amundsen, Scott and Shackleton alone. But Antarctica deserves attention beyond its tales of tragedy.
