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…

VIEWFINDER 3 A.M. Eternal

INTERVIEW ‘We need to walk in bad weather. It can change everything.' • Why author Matt Gaw set out to go walking in the worst of weathers – and the surprising things he learned along the way.

RIPON • Between the Yorkshine Dales and the North York Moors lies an enviably-situated small city of magnificent histroical buildings and beautiful choral music.

‘Walking shows a way forward through the darkness' • Trauma and PTSD can pin us to a painful past – but walking is more powerful than most realise for getting free, says psychotherapist Jenny Walsh, and these 1000-milers.

Your stories

‘I feel like I've totally changed my life'

Scientists: You can walk yourself cleverer AND happier

WIN Trekmates Friktion gloves

New T-shirts available now

The quest for a golden badger continues! • Do something challenging, interesting or daft and you could win a prize money can't buy: the rare Golden Badger. These folk just found they did!

Your chance to win real treasure! • Take part in one of these mini-challenges by 25 April and if we publish your entry, you'll win a money-can't-buy Golden Badger!

Wisdom of the ages

It's not a race

Rain 0, ingenuity 1

A monumental error

Everything in order?

For whom the bell tolls

Watch this space

Full circle

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?

Max adventure, max prudence

Stuart Maconie • Music and landscape, eh? To kick offa whole issue dedicated to this aeons-old connection, here are a few of my favourite examples…

FEILD RECORDING

Plan your trip

‘ A song is a gift you give to your destination, in thanks for what the journey has given you.' • Country Walking takes a hike – and goes for a song – with pilgrim, singer, and occasional time traveller, Will Parsons.

WALKING A SONG HOME

Plan your trip

Walk The sensual world of KATE BUSH • Walk one of the wonders of the musical world – or face questions from your heirs.

IN THIS CONCRETE JUNGLE • Bob Marley first came to Britain in 1972, bringing a rich sound and influence recognisable around the world ever after. With a new biopic out, it's the perfect time to get your boots on in Babylon.

Recreate that music video • Step into some of the most memorable, strange and scenic videos ever made…

Fill your heart with Ireland • Discover a treasure trove of unbeatable landscapes, rich heritage and adventure the easy way – with Macs Adventure.

Orcadian rhythm • Stuart Maconie travels to Orkney to walk in the footsteps of one of his musical heroes: the composer Peter Maxwell Davies.

Plan your trip

Walk on stage • Does music sound better in a field? The countryside has played host to some large-scale research.

THE SOUND OF SILENCE • As transporting and consoling as music can be, for a walker silence is often the sweetest...