Wild Horizons: South Downs Way

Eifionydd is an area in North-West Wales stretching from the East of the Llŷn Peninsula all the way to Porthmadog (and maybe a smidge beyond, depends who you ask). The Afon Erch forms its Western border. Moel Hebog, Moel y Gest, Moel Lefn, and Moel yr Ogof, are just a few of the exceptional peaks that are well worth a visit here.

Anyone who has travelled to the western highlands of Scotland will know the joy of Glencoe. After the long and beautiful bogginess of Rannoch Moor, the A82 enters this wild cauldron of mountains, announced by the pointed majesty of Buachaille Etive Mòr.

In this instalment of Wild Horizons podcast, we travel to Northumberland in the company of John Dalrymple to visit his favourite local upland, the Simonside Hills. The Simonsides are an open expanse of upland just south of the town of Rothbury. Think heather-clad rolling hills, small sandstone outcrops and big skies and you won’t go far wrong.

The black cauldron of Cwm Idwal hangs high above the Ogwen Valley. A wild place of Snowdon lilies and, some say, steam rising from the Devil’s kitchen. At its base sits a lake where, others say, no bird dare fly over. What is this place of heavy magic? Rachael Crewesmith takes Niall Grimes on a journey to Cwm Idwal in the first episode of Wild Horizons podcast.

Moorland magic. Bog lover Chris Dean shares his love of the wild wide open above the Calderdale Valley. He turns his gaze upwards to the skies and down to under your feet. He looks back to prehistory and forward to our planetary future.

Skye's Cuillin mountains are a place of pilgrimage for any mountain lover and its famous ridge is a lifetime dream for many. Local guide Mike Lates (www.skyeguides.co.uk) takes us to these mountains and breathes in their majesty.

Nature photographer and explorer John Beatty talks about the Carneddau mountains in Snowdonia, and why he goes there in search of connection and space.

Come for a hike and an adventure around the Coniston Fells in the Lake District in the company of local guide, Vicki McCreadie. Vicki opens our eyes to the joy and majesty of these hills and takes us on a few of her favourite walks.

It’s the third highest peak in the Lake District, but it has a special appeal that makes it England’s most-loved mountain. But it is a place of big weather. Every day in the winter months, the Lake District National Park sends its fell top assessment team to the summit to compile weather data to improve the safety and enjoyment of park visitors. Niall Grimes sits down with one of this team, Zac Poulton, and asks him, What’s it like today?

The Kinder Plateau may sit on the doorstep of Manchester and Sheffield, but step onto it and you can find yourself experiencing a true wilderness in winter, a desert in summer and a soul-lifting day out at any time of the year. Peter Judd takes us there.

For many mountaineers and non-mountaineers alike, the lofty pyramid of Snowdon exerts a strong romantic attraction. The highest peak in Wales and England. Every year many thousands of visitors make their way to the summit. For some it could be their first 3,000 foot mountain. Snowdonia based guide Kate Worthington gives us the benefit of her great experience and talks to host, Niall Grimes, about the many ways up the mountain, what to look out for and much more knowledge along the way. If you are thinking about a visit, this podcast is essential listening.