Country Walking

Country Walking Magazine shows you the best of British walks: the biggest views, the hidden gems, the sea cliffs and the mountain summits. All our features come complete with superb writing, inspiring photography and step-by-step instructions so you can follow every footpath yourself. In every issue, you’ll find: - In-depth stories of amazing walks - A booklet of 25 pull-out walks every issue - with OS maps! - Information about hotels, pubs, cafes, tearooms. - Clear, jargon-free tests of walking kit And... every issue our readers tell their walking stories, help us devise new walks and shape the places we go to. If you love walking, this is the magazine for you.

Welcome

IN THIS ISSUE…

It starts from your door

NATIONAL TRAILS ARE LIKE BUSES… • You wait years for one, then two turn up at once!

What is National Walking Month? • The inside story behind a phenomenon that's doing the world of good for communities across the UK – and our environment, too.

SMALL STEPS, BIG CHANGES • Success stories from Living Streets and National Walking Month

DEVIZES • A handsome market town steeped in history and legend, and surrounded by chalk downs with big skies and even bigger views.

Go bold and get GOLD • Each issue we invite you to spice up your miles by doing something silly or highly specific, all for the chance to win a money-can't-buy Golden Badge.

Do more and win treasure! • Tackle one - or all! - of these minichallenges, post your photos and stories in the Walk 1000 Miles Facebook Group and we'll send a money-can't-buy golden badger to our favourites! You have until 14 May for this lot.

Your View

Where's Kes? • Every month our favourite spaniel Kes goes walkies somewhere in the issue, and we want him back! Can you help find Kes?

Wildlife for Walkers • Three remarkable species to spot in April.

THE PERFECT WALK • What is it? Does it exist? And can we help you to find yours? (Clue: yes)

WHAT MAKES A PERFECT ROUTE? • With decades of route-planning experience between them, five of Country Walking's most seasoned walk creators share what they look for in the pursuit of a perfect day.

THE LAND OF HILLS & HONEY • Close your eyes and imagine strolling through quintessential rural Britain. There's a good chance your Arcadia will be somewhere in the Cotswolds.

MY PERFECT WALK (PART 1) • We asked readers to share their key ingredients for walking utopia. Here's what they told us…

THE PERFECT START • According to Ordnance Survey, this is the most popular place to start a walk in Great Britain. Here's why that is - and where everyone's going.

THE PERFECT EXERCISE • We probably don't need to tell you that walking is good for you. So we asked an expert to say it more interestingly.

THE WRECK, THE WORM & THE WONDER • Head to the tip of the Gower Peninsula and soak up four vastly different walking experiences within the measure of one perfect day.

THE PERFECT MAP • Mike Parker, author of the wonderful bestseller Map Addict, reveals the one map he loves best of all. Will you too fall in love with Squilver and The Smatcher?

THE ACTUAL HAPPY VALLEY • In the setting for one of the darkest, grittiest TV series of our time, discover a place where the light gets in.

Hebden… with Pride

MY PERFECT WALK (PART 2) • Another delve into the imagination of fellow readers who dream up their very own walking masterpieces…

PERFECTION IN BRIEF…

ABOVE & BEYOND • If you need a place so unutterably beautiful you might just run out of words, let me show you the way to Camasunary Bay.

THE PERFECT PUB • A warm welcome at the end of the day (or halfway round) is one of the delights of a perfect walk. Stuart Maconie...