Trail

If you love to sling on a backpack, head for the hills and do some wild camping, Trail Magazine is for you. Each issue is packed with: - Routes with full OS mapping - Reviews of the latest outdoor kit - The UK’s best outdoor writing - Exclusive picture and video content As the UK’s biggest and best-selling hillwalking magazine, we specialize in the most beautiful, most spectacular and most challenging regions of Britain and Europe – and inform you about all the tools you need to explore them. If you want adventure you’ll love Trail, and Trail will love you.

UNSUNG HEROES OF THE HILLS

EDITOR'S PICKS

Trail

BASECAMP • YOUR ADVENTURE STARTS HERE

TRAIL Picks • Places we've been, things we've seen, and mountain-related stuff we like

KINDER SURPRISE • KINDER SCOUT is a fantastic place to walk when the ground is frosty and the high mountains are out of bounds. Even if you’ve ticked Kinder off your hill list, there’s more to it than you might think. Guidebook writer Sarah Lister takes us on a tour of three of her favourite hikes.

Out there • YOUR MOUNTAIN SNAPS & TALES FROM THE TRAILS

January: Shadow hunters of the mountains

IN PRAISE OF YR WYDDFA • The massif formerly known as SNOWDON has its detractors – hikers who focus on its negatives and decry it as a spoiled mountain. I’m here to tell you why they’re wrong.

GOING AGAINST THE TIDE • When it comes to climbing mountains, it doesn’t always pay to follow the crowds, or stick to the ‘normal’ way up. HIGH CRAG is a popular peak above a popular valley, so attack it via Sheepbone Rake for an isolated and unforgettable adventure.

BIENVENUE AU BEN VENUE • Lesser known BEN VENUE is a far better first Scottish hillwalking experience than Ben Nevis, argues our long-baffled Glasgow-dwelling writer, Fliss.

5 OTHER ACCESSIBLE SCOTTISH HILLS • (That aren’t Ben Nevis, Schiehallion or The Cobbler)

Mountain Rescue What happens when you make the call? • What goes on behind the scenes after you dial Mountain Rescue? Team Lead Alistair Read talks us through the whole event, from the moment they receive the call until they kick off their boots at the end.

ALWAYS GO PREPARED

HILL HACKS • SKILLS, TIPS & TRICKS TO GET YOU HIKING LIKE A PRO

KICK STEPS

VITAL OUTDOOR KIT CARRIED BY MOUNTAIN PROS

Feeling down • Does the new PrimaLoft ThermoPlume+ used in Rab’s Cirrus Ultra Hoody strike another blow for synthetic in the battle against down?

5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

DOWN DOPPELGANGERS

Winter gloves • Winter in the mountains can quickly make your fingers and hands achingly cold. Keep them warm, dry and dexterous with our toprated pairs of INSULATING AND WATER-RESISTANT GLOVES.

Ice axes • Stay safe in the winter mountains (and look like a proper mountain explorer as you do) with our pick of the best ice axes for walkers.

Winter boots • WINTER BOOTS need to give protection, support and sure-footed traction, along with precision for more technical ground. Here are our top picks to help you bag those snow-covered summits.

Used & abused • TRAIL'S GEAR, TESTED FOR YOU

Castell Dinas & Waun Fach • The route along the Dragon’s Back is a favourite walk for many and is a just reward for climbing the highest peak in the Black Mountains.

The Berwynion • Deserted mountains with an atmosphere all of their own are yours for the taking in north Wales. But please, don’t tell everyone about them!

Cotswolds Way • Set out on a day walk that takes in the Cotswolds Way’s finest hill stops.

Sheffield Pike • Visit an easy-to-reach, mid-level fell that occupies a superb winter vantage point in the Lake District’s Helvellyn range.

Beinn Mhor • On this...