The UK's most popular outdoor travel blog
Peter Watson 
From safely washing a sleeping bag to measuring partially used gas canisters, here’s how to look after your hiking gear
During spring last year, I spent the best part of three weeks climbing Denali, the highest peak in North America. There were few opportunities to stay clean on the mountain, so by the time I got off the slopes, I – along with all my gear – was in a pretty nasty state.
Peter will spend three months in Antarctica working as a wildlife monitor at Port Lockroy, home to the world’s southernmost post office
For those of you who have been following the blog for a while, you may recall that in 2023, I secured a coveted job at the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust (UKAHT), a charity responsible for preserving British heritage sites in Antarctica.
The most beautiful mountains in the world have captivated climbers for centuries. Here, we examine their lethal appeal
“You are not in the mountains. The mountains are in you,” said John Muir, the renowned naturalist, author and environmental philosopher.
If our resident seven-summit hopeful is anything to go by, Muir makes a valid point. Those who spend time in the mountains seem to be driven by a deeper force.
From the iconic Ruta 40, running the length of Argentina, to winding through the wilderness in a campervan, we explore the best road trips in Patagonia
I’ve visited Patagonia multiple times. I’ve watched ice calve from the spectacular Perito Moreno Glacier (twice); hiked the iconic trails around El Chaltén (twice); visited the end-of-the-world city of Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego (twice); and I’ve explored the spellbinding Torres del Paine National Park (once). Yet somehow I’ve never taken a proper road trip through the region’s vast, wild landscapes.
We’ve created a mountaineering calendar of the world’s greatest mountains and the optimal time of year at which to climb them, listed month by month
Since I first started climbing, I must have spent hours typing “when is the best time to climb…” into search engines and then crawling through websites to find the key piece of information I needed. Only when I have a date in mind can I start to think about the practicalities of actually trying to climb a mountain (i.e. booking time off work, flights, budget, gear etc).
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.
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.
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.
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-lying countries.
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.
From the birthplace of King Arthur to the westernmost point of mainland England, these are the best views in Cornwall
It’s easy to see why Cornwall is one of the UK’s most popular holiday destinations. This historic county has over 300 miles of jaw-dropping coastline with rugged cliffs and golden beaches, quaint fishing villages and bustling ports, while inland it boasts ancient forests and dramatic moors.
A curated list of the best power banks for camping, from small devices for day hikes to multi-plug charging stations for large groups
Let’s face it: even if you’re a hardcore survivalist, a compass and map simply don’t cut it anymore. Whether it’s tracking your route with a hiking app, triangulating your position using a GPS device or reading by headtorch while waiting out a downpour, adventurers these days rarely leave home without at least one electronic device.
We share the best hiking apps to download this year, from navigation and route planning to first aid and stargazing
Occasionally, when Kia and I are driving somewhere remote – the Kalahari in Namibia, say, or the Australian Outback – she will remark on the fact that travellers used to do this with only paper maps. Unlike me, Kia grew up in inner city London and had little opportunity to venture into the outdoors. As such, she never learnt how to use a compass and map or how to build a campfire, or any number of the skills a frequent hiker should have.
Our resident mountaineer and would-be seven summiteer crunches the numbers on how much it will cost to climb the seven summits
How much does it cost to climb the seven summits? About $210,000 give or take $10k.
Climbers could significantly reduce costs by foregoing luxuries, cutting corners and taking (even more) risks to get that figure below $100,000, but I do not recommend this and certainly won’t be taking such unnecessary risks.
If your boots start to rub or slip, here are three alternative ways to lace hiking boots to relieve discomfort
Back in 2014, during our first major trip, we set out on a day hike up Mount Matavanu Crater in Samoa. Kia was in a new pair of hiking boots which she hadn’t had time to properly break in. Predictably, during the descent, her boots began to rub and cause her pain.
