Favorite and Memorable Walks...
Mar 18th, 2016, 10:01 AM
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Favorite and Memorable Walks...
My passion in Europe is, after trains, walking around European cities and the countryside. And in decades of travel I've developed by favorite walks I take every time I'm in a place and then there are some memorable walks that I may not have enjoyed but linger in my old mind like it were yesterday.
If you have some favorite and or memorable walks in Europe please share!
MY FAVORITE WALK
If I had to chose one favorite walk in Europe I'd have to chose:
LONDON - SOUTH BANK WALK
This walk in the heart of London along the broad pedestrian/bike esplanade along the Thames South Bank is by far my favorite. I usually start from the area of the Eye Over London Ferris Wheel by Westminster Bridge and head along the Thames to the Tate Modern Art Museum - maybe a mile and a half stroll.
I love this stroll because of the panoply of famous London landmarks you can see across the Thames and the parade of water craft - mostly tourist boats or pleasure craft - I also love the locals out walking here for exercise - the young teens skate boarding or rollerblading, etc.
There are plenty of benches - I especially love to picnic near the Charing Cross train bridge and be mesmerized by the parade of trains trundling into and out of the station.
The South Bank Walk - my favorite in all of Europe.
DO YOU HAVE ONE FAVORITE WALK/
If you have some favorite and or memorable walks in Europe please share!
MY FAVORITE WALK
If I had to chose one favorite walk in Europe I'd have to chose:
LONDON - SOUTH BANK WALK
This walk in the heart of London along the broad pedestrian/bike esplanade along the Thames South Bank is by far my favorite. I usually start from the area of the Eye Over London Ferris Wheel by Westminster Bridge and head along the Thames to the Tate Modern Art Museum - maybe a mile and a half stroll.
I love this stroll because of the panoply of famous London landmarks you can see across the Thames and the parade of water craft - mostly tourist boats or pleasure craft - I also love the locals out walking here for exercise - the young teens skate boarding or rollerblading, etc.
There are plenty of benches - I especially love to picnic near the Charing Cross train bridge and be mesmerized by the parade of trains trundling into and out of the station.
The South Bank Walk - my favorite in all of Europe.
DO YOU HAVE ONE FAVORITE WALK/
Mar 18th, 2016, 10:10 AM
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Are we only allowed one?
Well, I will cheat by saying it's a toss up between Cinque Terre ie walking between the five villages, and the Pembrokeshire coastal path, with the latter probably winning.
Well, I will cheat by saying it's a toss up between Cinque Terre ie walking between the five villages, and the Pembrokeshire coastal path, with the latter probably winning.
Mar 18th, 2016, 10:41 AM
#5
I think anyone who walks much will be hard-pressed to name only one. I have a favorite short walk, the Kennet & Avon Canal towpath between Bath & Bradford-on-Avon.
After my first experience there, it became the first leg of 2 subsequent longer walks, the first a circular walk I devised north from Bradford along the Macmillan Way to Castle Comb, country lanes to Tormarton, then a return to Bath on the Cotswold way.
The second along the canal has been the canal itself which ends at Reading at the Thames. I've currently gotten as far as Hungerford and am committed to going on to the end one of these years.
But another favorite has interfered with that plan, the Thames Path, another section of which I'll be enjoying in May, beginning at Hampton Court Palace. My intent was to arrive at the end of the designated path this time, the Thames Barrier, but with so much to see in London, it appears the finish will be postponed until next year. I suspect, too, I'm reluctant to bring it to an end.
In France, my most memorable, though difficult, was another self-devised course through the Loire Valley, visiting chateaux as I went, from Chambered to Chinon. Spectacular. The Burgundy Canal was easier and simply idyllic but without the interest of the chateaux or finding one's way from one to the next. But sometimes "easy" is exactly what we need.
After my first experience there, it became the first leg of 2 subsequent longer walks, the first a circular walk I devised north from Bradford along the Macmillan Way to Castle Comb, country lanes to Tormarton, then a return to Bath on the Cotswold way.
The second along the canal has been the canal itself which ends at Reading at the Thames. I've currently gotten as far as Hungerford and am committed to going on to the end one of these years.
But another favorite has interfered with that plan, the Thames Path, another section of which I'll be enjoying in May, beginning at Hampton Court Palace. My intent was to arrive at the end of the designated path this time, the Thames Barrier, but with so much to see in London, it appears the finish will be postponed until next year. I suspect, too, I'm reluctant to bring it to an end.
In France, my most memorable, though difficult, was another self-devised course through the Loire Valley, visiting chateaux as I went, from Chambered to Chinon. Spectacular. The Burgundy Canal was easier and simply idyllic but without the interest of the chateaux or finding one's way from one to the next. But sometimes "easy" is exactly what we need.
Mar 18th, 2016, 10:58 AM
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Favourite walks in the UK are probably the Ridgeway and up to Cwm Idwal.
In the Netherlands our local woods are always a joy, because there is always something different to see as the seasons progress.
In the Netherlands our local woods are always a joy, because there is always something different to see as the seasons progress.
Mar 18th, 2016, 11:14 AM
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One of my favorite walks is in the Gola dell'Infernaccio, in Le Marche. It has little bubbling brooks, mountains looming above, wildflowers, butterflies, and little waterfalls.
https://picasaweb.google.com/1039588...eat=directlink
Another favorite walk in Le Marche is along the route of the River Potenza, between Pioraco and Spindoli. Our summer home is near this, and we do at least part of this walk several times a week when we're there. The photos are from a time we did the walk with a group of friends.
https://picasaweb.google.com/1039588...eat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/1039588...eat=directlink
Another favorite walk in Le Marche is along the route of the River Potenza, between Pioraco and Spindoli. Our summer home is near this, and we do at least part of this walk several times a week when we're there. The photos are from a time we did the walk with a group of friends.
https://picasaweb.google.com/1039588...eat=directlink
Mar 18th, 2016, 12:36 PM
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So far it's Britain (actually: England & Wales) 8, rest of world 5.
Unsurprising, since no-one else has got our system of footpaths: not even the Scotch who, as in so many other things, assert their spurious autonomy (they do what their politicians tell them, we pick up the bill, their citizens suffer) by choosing a far inferior system that sounds good on paper.
But it IS surprising that the Cotswolds and the Thames so far score as high as the entire world and space outside England and Wales.
I know we're the centre of the universe. However much you all churn out this claptrap about the crowds inundating us, you know we are too.
But surely there has to be a decent walk somewhere else?
PS: Why are the riverside walks along the Seine, the Tiber and the Arno (never mind the Spree) so ghastly compared to those round here? Are Americans just too frit to walk alongside the Hudson? We all know the only bit of the Yangtsee-side walk in Shanghai is the bit modelled on Liverpool's Pier Head. But surely somewhere on earth is going to give us a run for our money?
Unsurprising, since no-one else has got our system of footpaths: not even the Scotch who, as in so many other things, assert their spurious autonomy (they do what their politicians tell them, we pick up the bill, their citizens suffer) by choosing a far inferior system that sounds good on paper.
But it IS surprising that the Cotswolds and the Thames so far score as high as the entire world and space outside England and Wales.
I know we're the centre of the universe. However much you all churn out this claptrap about the crowds inundating us, you know we are too.
But surely there has to be a decent walk somewhere else?
PS: Why are the riverside walks along the Seine, the Tiber and the Arno (never mind the Spree) so ghastly compared to those round here? Are Americans just too frit to walk alongside the Hudson? We all know the only bit of the Yangtsee-side walk in Shanghai is the bit modelled on Liverpool's Pier Head. But surely somewhere on earth is going to give us a run for our money?
Mar 18th, 2016, 01:35 PM
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I remember lots of nice walks in the Netherlands, but I didn't mention them because I lived there thirty years ago.
I also know lots of nice walks in the US, but this was specifically about Europe. For example, I've walked parts of the astoundingly beautiful Na Pali trail in Hawaii, and parts of the Appalachian trail in the US. Also along the Delaware-Raritan Canal in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
I also know lots of nice walks in the US, but this was specifically about Europe. For example, I've walked parts of the astoundingly beautiful Na Pali trail in Hawaii, and parts of the Appalachian trail in the US. Also along the Delaware-Raritan Canal in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Mar 18th, 2016, 01:35 PM
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I wonder which walk Julia Bradbury would pick? She has been broadcasting a series on UK tele called walks with a view and these have been fabulous. So far we have seen the Anglesey coastline and the magnificent High Cap Gill just south of the Lake District and known as the UK Grand Canyon. Unlike the Lakes it tends to be deserted.
Mar 18th, 2016, 01:35 PM
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I like the walk from Manningtree station to Dedham, via Flatford Mill (i.e., all through Constable country):
http://autolycus-london.blogspot.co....e-country.html
I may never do it again, but I really enjoyed the central section of Hadrian's Wall:
http://www.slowtrav.com/tr/tripreport.asp?tripid=1057
And in Austria, I've enjoyed some great walks in the Stubaital in Tirol: up the mountain in a cable-car, and walk down through forests or alpine meadows:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/patrick...57652585357814
http://www.flickr.com/photos/patrick...57645134684546
http://www.flickr.com/photos/patrick...57634297091715
http://autolycus-london.blogspot.co....e-country.html
I may never do it again, but I really enjoyed the central section of Hadrian's Wall:
http://www.slowtrav.com/tr/tripreport.asp?tripid=1057
And in Austria, I've enjoyed some great walks in the Stubaital in Tirol: up the mountain in a cable-car, and walk down through forests or alpine meadows:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/patrick...57652585357814
http://www.flickr.com/photos/patrick...57645134684546
http://www.flickr.com/photos/patrick...57634297091715
Mar 18th, 2016, 01:42 PM
#15
Having some experience walking, especially on & near waterways in England and some other countries, the difference is largely that the UK has enthusiastic and even militant walkers and organizations that make a huge effort to make sure paths are built, connected to one another, well marked and maintained just about anywhere one may be interested in going. In addition, there are accommodations that welcome us just about everywhere. It's a phenomenon unique in the world and, yes, I believe the center of the universe for those of us who indulge in such things. There are other beautiful places with beautiful walks but no other place in quite the same way.
Mar 18th, 2016, 01:55 PM
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walkers>
Ramblers you mean?
Patrick speaking of Hadrian's Wall brings up a memorable but not fun walk - after taking the path to a large re-built fort I though I could easily find Hadrian's Wall but after a few hours of fumbling around I finally only found what was probably the least impressive portion of the wall - could have been a common hedgerow - never did find the main spot I was aiming for - should of have a good map.
Ramblers you mean?
Patrick speaking of Hadrian's Wall brings up a memorable but not fun walk - after taking the path to a large re-built fort I though I could easily find Hadrian's Wall but after a few hours of fumbling around I finally only found what was probably the least impressive portion of the wall - could have been a common hedgerow - never did find the main spot I was aiming for - should of have a good map.
Mar 18th, 2016, 02:12 PM
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PS: Why are the riverside walks along the Seine, the Tiber and the Arno (never mind the Spree) so ghastly compared to those round here>
Italy does not like rambling too much I guess - rarely seen any neat footpaths except in the Cinque Terre and similar places - the Cinque Terre walk is a memory for me - did all five villages in one walk, interspersed by pit stops for coffee or later in the day beer.
The French have a lot of footpaths called Grand Randonees GR like in GR58 - and I've walked many of them but not as nice as Britain south of Scotland - not as many ramblers though there are more than you may think - former towpaths of canals are now nice walkways - I loved walking from Auvers-sur-Oise to the next town downstream on the Ourq (?) and one of my favorite walks is in the French Riviera - cap d'ail train station to Monaco - right along a pristine bit of coast with no glitzy development, which blights much of the coast, in sight - just the deep-azure hued clear water and the signature Riviera seaside landscape of cypress trees impossibly clinging to boulders that seem to be tumbling towards the sea. A lovely two-mile walk and flat- round the bend and voila Monte Carlo's Yacht Club brings you back to today's Riviera.
Yes the Netherlands probably has nice walks but to me the countryside is rather boring - but one walk I did and is a favorite is from Hillegom train station tiptoeing thru the heart of the flower fields to the Keukenhof - biking is much more preferable to me than walking in The Netherlands as the little villages and towns are so so neat (as is the beer).
In England the Cookham to Marlowe Thames walk was really sweet and walking along the Thames from Kingston to Hampton Court was really nice.
Every country has good walks - some German ones are great - like from Moselkern to Burg Eltz up thru the forests but my favorite German walks are in towns along the Rhine - always large esplanades full of folk (and beer and wurst stands).
I've seen many interesting walks talked about above - hope Mdm Perdu don't get lost on her walks - like I did on the way down from Mt Snowdon once - not the main way down along the train line but more to the east - lost track of footpath and ended up hopping from boulder to boulder to get to the proper farm lanes I saw far below - could have fallen between the rocks and been lost forever - that was perhaps my most frightening walk ever in Europe.
Cheers and walking is so great - yes like hetismij says even if just in a local park or nature - always something new and unexpected.
As for the Cotswolds from Lower Slaughter to Upper Slaughter was not too nice because of all the mud after rains but still sweet.
Italy does not like rambling too much I guess - rarely seen any neat footpaths except in the Cinque Terre and similar places - the Cinque Terre walk is a memory for me - did all five villages in one walk, interspersed by pit stops for coffee or later in the day beer.
The French have a lot of footpaths called Grand Randonees GR like in GR58 - and I've walked many of them but not as nice as Britain south of Scotland - not as many ramblers though there are more than you may think - former towpaths of canals are now nice walkways - I loved walking from Auvers-sur-Oise to the next town downstream on the Ourq (?) and one of my favorite walks is in the French Riviera - cap d'ail train station to Monaco - right along a pristine bit of coast with no glitzy development, which blights much of the coast, in sight - just the deep-azure hued clear water and the signature Riviera seaside landscape of cypress trees impossibly clinging to boulders that seem to be tumbling towards the sea. A lovely two-mile walk and flat- round the bend and voila Monte Carlo's Yacht Club brings you back to today's Riviera.
Yes the Netherlands probably has nice walks but to me the countryside is rather boring - but one walk I did and is a favorite is from Hillegom train station tiptoeing thru the heart of the flower fields to the Keukenhof - biking is much more preferable to me than walking in The Netherlands as the little villages and towns are so so neat (as is the beer).
In England the Cookham to Marlowe Thames walk was really sweet and walking along the Thames from Kingston to Hampton Court was really nice.
Every country has good walks - some German ones are great - like from Moselkern to Burg Eltz up thru the forests but my favorite German walks are in towns along the Rhine - always large esplanades full of folk (and beer and wurst stands).
I've seen many interesting walks talked about above - hope Mdm Perdu don't get lost on her walks - like I did on the way down from Mt Snowdon once - not the main way down along the train line but more to the east - lost track of footpath and ended up hopping from boulder to boulder to get to the proper farm lanes I saw far below - could have fallen between the rocks and been lost forever - that was perhaps my most frightening walk ever in Europe.
Cheers and walking is so great - yes like hetismij says even if just in a local park or nature - always something new and unexpected.
As for the Cotswolds from Lower Slaughter to Upper Slaughter was not too nice because of all the mud after rains but still sweet.
Mar 18th, 2016, 02:18 PM
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What a great thread for the trip I'm contemplating next summer in the UK. (BTW, the thread is posted under "United Kingdom" which may be a reason for so many UK responses!) I look forward to more ideas.
Mar 18th, 2016, 02:24 PM
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My favorite walk starts at Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris (always), then goes to its back, pass by the underated Palais de la Cité to roam along the Seine river, with plenty of ancient bridges and statues to admire, then enters the Saint-Germain quarter and get lost. Historical sights and artifacts literally every 5 metres.
Another favorite one is the walk in Athens from Monastiraki square, heading up to the Acropolis (you don't need any map or plan, just head to the high where the Olympian goddess resides), going through local cafes and vineyard, where archaelogic ruins lays along the slope. Feel like I was walking along 3000 years of civilisations.
Another favorite one is the walk in Athens from Monastiraki square, heading up to the Acropolis (you don't need any map or plan, just head to the high where the Olympian goddess resides), going through local cafes and vineyard, where archaelogic ruins lays along the slope. Feel like I was walking along 3000 years of civilisations.
Mar 18th, 2016, 02:27 PM
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the thread is posted under "United Kingdom" which may be a reason for so many UK responses!)>
Thanks for uptake on that - I have no idea how that happened unless some Fodor staffer put it in after reading my first post. I definitely did not tag it UK as meant all of Europe.
Thanks for uptake on that - I have no idea how that happened unless some Fodor staffer put it in after reading my first post. I definitely did not tag it UK as meant all of Europe.
