With two extra days begging to be crammed full of adventures, the Easter weekend is the perfect time for heading out for a hike in the Great British countryside. As spring gets into full swing, the days are getting longer and lighter, weather is getting warmer and, all around, the countryside is bursting into life. If you’re in need of some destination inspiration for the bank holiday weekend, read on. We’ve rounded up some of our favourite seasonal hikes below. Ingleton Waterfall Trail - Yorkshire A well-defined trail, this route is perfect for families or groups of friends and offers plenty of wild scenery over the course of 2-3 hours. Visitors in the spring can expect to enjoy bluebells, wild garlic and of course the waterfalls alluded to in the trail’s name. Along the route are eight different waterfalls so there are plenty of ideal points for photos, picnics or even a dip! If you prefer to eat out, there is also a restaurant on site - The Falls Bar & Kitchen. Backpack essential? Pack a compact and lightweight Lifeventure SoftFibre Recycled Towel into your bag. If the falls tempt you to take a dip, this will make quick work of drying you off afterwards. Cheddar Gorge – Somerset Located in the glorious somerset countryside, Cheddar Gorge is the largest gorge that England has to offer. The limestone chasm is almost 122m deep and almost 5km long and the National Trust’s Cheddar Gorge Trail is a challenging yet rewarding four mile hike that allows you to explore this spectacular sight in full. It goes without saying to take care, stick to the footpaths and to avoid standing underneath cliffs as small rocks may fall. Once you’ve finished your walk – you can refuel at one of Cheddar’s many cafes or restaurants. We recommend Cafe Gorge which has amazing views of the gorge and the Lion rock face. Backpack essential? Pack a Lifeventure TiV Vacuum Flask and reward yourself for the climb by enjoying a brew with a view. Winnats Pass – The Peak District Close to the Peak District town of Castleton, the Winnats Pass and Cave Dale circular route is surrounded on either side by rugged hillsides and offers beautiful views throughout. Around 7km, this moderately challenging walk has plenty of picnic spots along the way so we recommend taking lunch and enjoying it al-fresco. A fun fact is that over 340 million years ago, the entire area was below the sea and Winnats Pass in particular is thought to have been a coral reef! There is a pay and display car park near the start/end. Find more information on this route. Backpack essential? This walk is crying out for a picnic break. Pack our lightweight yet durable Ellipse Camping Tableware Set and your favourite foods into your daypack and lunch is taken care of! Catbells – The Lake District Offering sensational views over Keswick, Derwent Water and Borrowdale, this circular route from Keswick town centre to the summit of Catbells and back offers tremendous bang for your buck. Relatively challenging with a few scrambling sections, this route is nonetheless suitable for most fitness levels at just under 6km. Taking the Keswick Launch boat from the town centre to the Hawes End Landing Stage adds an extra sense of adventure to the hike, and there are plenty of amazing pubs and restaurants in Keswick to refuel at afterwards. We recommend tucking into a tasty burger at The Round. Backpack essential? Weather in the Lake District is notoriously changeable. Ensure you’re adequately geared up to head into the mountains and make sure any valuables stay dry inside your pack by storing them in a Lifeventure Ultralight Dry Bag. The Jurassic Coast - Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton Discover the rugged Jurassic Coast with this route which follows the South West Coast Path from Exmouth to the charming seaside town of Budleigh Salterton. Around 10km long, you’ll be rewarded along the way with epic views of the cliffs, rock formations and sea. As with all clifftop walks, make sure you take care and stay on the marked path. The pebbled beach at Budleigh Salterton is an ideal spot for a packed lunch or picnic and, if you want to make the route a circular one, you can also walk back to Exmouth via the scenic Budleigh Salterton Railway Path. Backpack essential? Planning a picnic en-route? Add a bottle of Lifeventure’s Dry Wash to your bag and ensure your hands are clean and hygienic before eating. The planet friendly formula is PH balanced so it’ll be kind to your skin too. Have we missed a winning route? Let us know on Instagram or Facebook.
