Sam Matthew (@peaksandpubs), Columbia Hike Society Ambassador:
“My personal top three most underrated UK hikes would have to be; Dragons Back in the Peak District, Rivington Pike in Lancashire, and Walla Crag in the Lakes.
Dragons Back is often overlooked for the Peak Districts more central and popular hikes. But the shape of the rolling hills resembling a Dragons Back (Park house & Chrome Hill), giving it its name, are seriously aesthetic. Definitely one ‘for the gram’. The Pack Horse Inn, is a great pub around 2 miles down the road. Traditional place, full of character, classic interior, ales, and a big beer garden.
Dragons Back is often overlooked for the Peak Districts more central and popular hikes. But the shape of the rolling hills resembling a Dragons Back (Park house & Chrome Hill), giving it its name, are seriously aesthetic. Definitely one ‘for the gram’. The Pack Horse Inn, is a great pub around 2 miles down the road. Traditional place, full of character, classic interior, ales, and a big beer garden.
Rivington Pike is my local trail, with a host of different routes you can take for varied difficulty. But in general, they’re all easy to moderate. One for the family, with hikes as short as 3KM to the summit and back. A really good option for sunrise and sunset if you’re fancying a quick ascent. There’s also an onsite brewery – the Rivingron Brew Tap. With a huge offering of their own lagers, and IPAs, as well as burger vans and other food vendors.
Rivington Pike is my local trail, with a host of different routes you can take for varied difficulty. But in general, they’re all easy to moderate. One for the family, with hikes as short as 3KM to the summit and back. A really good option for sunrise and sunset if you’re fancying a quick ascent. There’s also an onsite brewery – the Rivingron Brew Tap. With a huge offering of their own lagers, and IPAs, as well as burger vans and other food vendors.
Walla Crag in the Lakes is another relatively easy one, and a much quieter option than everyone’s favourite Cat Bells which it faces. Fantastic views over Derwentwater, and barely 300m of elevation, so the effort to view ratio is fantastic. You can also add on Bleaberry Fell on just behind it if you fancy extending the route. There’s loads of great pubs and eateries in Keswick to enjoy afterwards. My personal favourites are the Dog & Gun, The Round, and Fellpack.”
Walla Crag in the Lakes is another relatively easy one, and a much quieter option than everyone’s favourite Cat Bells which it faces. Fantastic views over Derwentwater, and barely 300m of elevation, so the effort to view ratio is fantastic. You can also add on Bleaberry Fell on just behind it if you fancy extending the route. There’s loads of great pubs and eateries in Keswick to enjoy afterwards. My personal favourites are the Dog & Gun, The Round, and Fellpack.”If it looks like rain is on the cards over the bank holiday weekend, Sam makes it clear that a waterproof shell is essential, whatever the hike.
He highlights products using Columbia’s OutDry Extreme technology as a solid choice for seriously wet conditions, such as their Whistler Peak™ Waterproof Jacket. This jacket is designed with a fully seam-sealed, impenetrable membrane and a soft lining for next-to-skin comfort, while adjustable details offer extra protection – ideal if the bank holiday forecast takes a turn for the worse.
