I was flicking through Netflix the other night, looking for something new and a little bit quirky to watch. But after about 20 minutes of mindless scrolling, I did what I’ve done more times than I’d care to admit, and settled for Bad Boys II.
It’s big, it’s loud, it’s obvious, but 21 years after I first clapped eyes on it, I’ve still not had enough.
There aren’t a great deal of parallels between Wasdale and trigger-happy Miami PD detectives, but I felt that same reassuring embrace of familiarity when I recently climbed Great Gable. And that’s because that mountain – just like Yr Wyddfa, the Yorkshire 3 Peaks, and the legendary British mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington – is a certified megastar.
You don’t need to put much thought into climbing it, and you’re probably already familiar with many of its main highlights, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it again, and again, and again.
There’s no doubt that our most popular mountain regions have started creaking under the pressure of visitor numbers, as you’ll no doubt have witnessed if you’ve set foot on Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Ben Nevis, Mam Tor, or any of the Lake District’s big names in recent years.
But if you’re willing to think slightly outside the box, travel a little further, and delve a little deeper into some of the UK’s more remote regions, you can still find the type of isolation so many of us crave. Names like Great Gable and Snowdon are famous for a reason and their celebrated qualities mean you’re unlikely to get their trig points to yourself, but more often than not you’ll still have an awesome time while you’re up there.
As ever, this issue of Trail is packed with peaks we hope you’ve never heard of, plus big-name mountains we hope you’ll want to climb many times over. Because, to us, that’s what hillwalking is all about.
Oli Reed, Trail editor
Trail magazine Winter Gear Guide 2024
If you're planning to walk in winter mountains over the next few months, then this is the magazine issue you've been waiting for. Our gear testers have spent the past few months reviewing all of the best new releases for cold-weather kit – from boots and jackets to axes and headtorches – and have packed their suggestions into the 40-page guide that comes FREE with the new issue of Trail.
Europe's toughest trail – 13 days on Corsica's GR20
Ben Weeks is Trail's go-to team member when it comes to gnarly rock routes, so who better to dispatch to Corsica for 13 days on Europe's toughest trek? Unsurprisingly Ben had the team of his life, and came back with loads of practical tips on how you can head out there and nail the GR20 yourself.
Great Gable – Lakeland's mountain of mysteries
We've climbed Great Gable many times before, but not many of those ascents come close to our recent trip around the mountain's action-packed Climbers' Traverse. This rough and rocky route visits many of Gable's most iconic feature, all perfectly squirreled away beneath the secretive southern crags of the mountain. Our editor Oli went there and a day to remember.
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Sir Chris Bonington at 90
Sir Chris Bonington is probably the most recognisable name in British mountaineering, and at 90 years old is still walking regularly in his local Lake District fells. In the December issue of Trail, Sarah Ryan looks back at Sir Chris's extraordinary life and exploits in the world's highest mountains.
Winter perfection on Schoolhouse Ridge
Scotland is hardly short of great mountains to climb at this time of year – and this classic ascent of Schoolhouse Ridge above Loch Leven and Glencoe village is right up there with the best. Our photographer Tom tells the story of a short but spectacular section of winter ridge walking.
How to become a master route-finder
Navigation is the absolute key skill anyone needs to learn before heading into the mountains – and even if you know your stuff, a refresher course never hurts. In our latest issue, we dish out some expert tips on how to find your way in even the most challenging conditions.
How to stay dry in the wet
And talking of vital skills, how about keeping yourself dry when the rain starts lashing down? Don't miss our gear editor's top waterproofing tips for keeping both yourself and your kit dry on soggy mountain adventures.
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Trail is a monthly magazine for everybody who loves hiking, backpacking, climbing mountains, and exploring the great outdoors. If your idea of a good weekend is chucking your mountain kit in a rucksack and heading for the hills, then we've got you covered.
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Every issue of Trail is packed with award-winning writing and photography, mapped mountain routes, expert reviews of all the latest outdoor gear, interviews with the biggest names in outdoor adventure, and expert advice from mountain pros on how to improve your hill skills.