The wonders of winter walking

Bright blue skies, dramatic snow-covered landscapes, sparkling frost and ice on bare trees. Just because it's cold outside it doesn't mean you should stay indoors and put your feet up. A walk in the countryside in winter can be a feast for the eyes - and a great way to boost your mental and physical health.

Unless you are experienced in winter walking, however, we recommend you stick to lower level walks on routes that are clearly waymarked. Alternatively you could sign up to a guided winter walk or hire your own walking guide to take you to a range of more remote locations.

Glentrek offers a programme of guided walks and self-guided walks, or give us a call to arrange for a guide to lead your own group. You might also like to join one of our winter skills courses so that you can learn for yourself how to walk safely in the wintry hills.

This weekend, for a taste of winter walking on an easy to follow, signposted trail, we recommend this delightful riverside route at Edzell in Angus. The route is 10kms and flat.

The start and finish point is the village of Edzell. From here the path heads along the roadside to the Gannochy Bridge. Here you cross the picturesque River North Esk. You'll be stunned by the amazing deep sandstone gorge here. In winter the river is fast flowing and the views are very pretty.

Follow the road on the north side of the Esk until you reach Glenesk where a footpath then follows the river via the gorge and again cross the Gannochy Bridge. Continue on another footpath that heads back to Edzell, this time on the south bank of the Esk.

Where will you be walking this weekend? We would love to hear about your favourite wintry walks.

Get outdoors in the half-term break

Late summer and autumn are

great seasons to visit Angus

While some schoolchildren in Scotland are already enjoying their October break, others in various places in Scotland and most children in England are still looking forward to their traditional mid-term break. We said, the children are looking forward to the holiday! But what about the parents?

It only seems like a couple of weeks ago when the kids were off school for the summer holidays - and now there's another week (and in some cases, two weeks) to keep the little darlings busy and happy. Thankfully October often brings some lovely clear days for outdoors fun. (Outdoors fun = lots of energy burned off!)

You will need to wrap up warm but when the skies are blue, the trees are turning their gorgeous autumnal shades and and the air is crisp and dry it's difficult to think of a better place to be than Scotland.

In fact, here at Glentrek we can't think of a better time to head out for a spirit-lifting walk. (Of course, we might be a little biased but we'll be surprised if you disagree!).

Autumn does bring with it a few more potential dangers on the hills. Walkers should take care to check the weather forecasts and always take the right kit with you. Make sure you have enough emergency clothing, food and water if things turn out to be a bit less than easy-going. It is vital that someone in the group is also good at navigation. (Why not check out our navigation courses?)

And if you're looking for walks to suit the family then we recommend the Angus Glens. The area boasts a wide range of lower level trails and hill walks as well as some of the "easiest" Munros, including Mayar.

The glens also offer a fascinating geography lesson for kids (and even the adults).The Angus Glens comprise five separate glens (or valleys), which are described as resembling the fingers of a giant's hand.

Scoured by huge glaciers during the Ice Age these glens, including Clova, Isla, Prosen, Lethnot and Esk, stretch from the flatter lowlands - known as the Straths - gently upwards like outspread fingers towards the summit tops of rounded hill tops and mountain summits.

While walking in the glens it's easy to spot the work of the glaciers including huge valleys, ribboning rivers, corrie lochs and tumbling waterfalls.

If you're looking for a lower level walk then you could head to the Cateran Trail for a day's hike. The 64-mile long-distance walk is normally completed over five days but much of the walk can be broken down into shorter sections that would be ideal for a family hike.

And while you're in the area you could take the opportunity to try a few other family activities, including cycling, mountain biking and gorge walking. Rainy days are also well catered for in the area with cultural and family friendly attractions such as J M Barrie's birthplace in Kirriemuir, Glamis Castle and RRS Discovery, Dundee.

There's a host of outdoors fun to be had in Angus this October.

If you require any guidance about walks and activities in Angus please do contact Glentrek.

Let a walking guide lead the way

For some people the attraction of walking is the freedom to take off on one's own for a self-led adventure. For others, it's guided walks that hold the greatest appeal.

Guided walking has become a fast-growing activity and for many people it offers the chance to walk on trails or to places that might have previously seemed impossible because of experience or ability. Guided walks allow you to concentrate on the walking, the views and the chat without having to worry so much about navigation and route.

Guided walking also offers a number of other benefits, including the expertise and knowledge of a local guide when it comes to the area's flora, fauna and history. Many walkers, especially singles, also like the social side and meeting like-minded people.

But with so many guided walks to choose from where will you head for your next holiday? A new walk that we're sure will become popular is our specially created six-day East Highland Trek.

The six-day guided walking break starts on the Cateran Trail (in Angus and East Perthshire) and finishing in Aviemore. The trek head over high Scottish mountains, follows old rights of way and drovers roads and takes in some of the most stunning scenery of the Angus Glens and the Cairngorms National Park amid the Eastern Highlands of Scotland.

History lovers will also be delighted by the walk and there is a wealth of geological and wildlife interest, too.

The guided walk is 51 miles in total and is aimed at serious walkers. Accommodation is organised along the route and is in hand-picked three-star hotels and B&Bs or hostels according to your price choice.

Why not discover somewhere new on your next walking holiday?