Do Something Different This Easter

Woohoo, just in case you hadn't noticed it's almost Easter and that - in addition to a face-full of chocolate - means a four-day weekend, so a bit of time to go further afield and try something or somewhere different for a change...

So what are you going to do? It's easy to head for that familiar campsite in the area you know, and do the same old routes, but why not bite into something novel? Here are a few ideas to get you thinking.

If the weather's as poor as it might be then overcrowding might be the least of your concerns, but as anyone who's braved the NT Langdale campsite on a bank holiday weekend or tried to get served at the Wasdale Head will know, there's a lot to be said for slightly less frequented areas.

Here are a few ideas:

The western Lakes the further you get from the M6, the quieter things get. Try the Duddon Valley for a bit of peace on those days when Ambleside is swamped.

The Howgills are those big, rolling lumps on the other side of the M6 from the Lakes and much, much quieter while still offering atmospheric walking.

The Forest of Bowland is more moorland than forest, but don't let that put you off. It's quiet and broodingly lovely.

Northumberland is one England's more sparsely populated areas, which - surprisingly enough - again makes for relatively quiet experience, particularly once you're away from the few tourist honey pots. Try the Cheviot for proper remote feeling moors walking. Alternatively the areas around Alwinton and Simonside are lovely.

The Cheviot viewed from across the valley on Hedgehope HIll
By RichardSun

North Wales means Snowdonia to most walkers, but there are plenty of other less frequented bits - try the Berwyn hills towards the coast or, for a proper big mountain experience, Cadair Idris has it all and some fantastic mountain scrambling too.

Further south don't ignore the uplands of central Wales, the Black Mountains or the Brecon Beacons.

More Information We've covered walking and scrambling routes in most of the above areas in our Routes Section, have a browse.

If you've never been wild camping, you haven't lived. There's something brilliantly life affirming about pitching your tent in the wilds then unzipping your tent door in the morning to find yourself surrounded by towering mountains.

No noisy neighbours, no queues for the loo, just you and the hills. All you need is a bit of common sense and the right equipment. There's sometimes a little confusion over legalities, but in most mountain areas, considerate wild camping is generally tolerated, though it's not enouraged in some moorland areas like the Peak.

Don't get hung up on super lightweight kit either. There are plenty of wild camping possibilities that aren't that hard to reach.

More information See our Wild Camping - The Basics guide for some handy hints and information.

If you're a confirmed walker who's never tried scrambling then you don't know what you're missing. Easy scrambling is pretty much the point where you start to use your hands as well as your feet and it opens up a whole new world.

Start with a basic Grade One route and you won't go far wrong. Ridges are always a good introduction as it's hard to miss the route and while a grade one ridge can be quite exposed, there won't usually be anything technically hard on it.

Scrambling on Cam Crag Ridge - Marcus Crompton

Routes like Striding Edge in the Lakes are ideal for beginners. The Snowdon Hoseshoe is another classic grade one, though a little more intimidating, or have a look at Tryfan's broad North Ridge for some of the best easy scrambling in the UK.

General advice is to keep three points of contact at all time, stay calm and don't be tempted to deviate from the route - side paths are often more necky than they look.

More Information see our Scrambling - The Basics guide for some basic advice and Scramble Like A Pro for some more advanced hints. Finally, for route inspiration see our Scramble Routes archive for routes at all grades across the UK.

Its great to get away, but if you're a little pushed for time or you simply don't want to do battle with the horrors of the holiday traffic then how about seeing what's just outside your front door.

OK, it may not be the Himalaya, or even the Lake District, but many of us are within reach of some sort of walking even if it's just lowland rambling through the fields.

Local hills for local people - well, local to OM editorial HQ anyway....

Buy yourself a local map and set yourself the challenge of finding the new among the familiar. Walk paths you've never tried before or try a familiar old route in a different direction.

Bored with circular walks? Hop on a train then walk back cross country from where you get off - just don't miss your stop or you'll be walking further than you meant to...

More information See our

One of the great things about walking with a camera is that it forces you to look around, not just at the big picture, but at the small things as well. The lines of a boulder, the texture of the rock, a squashed toad perhaps or the bark of a tree.

Early light on Rhinog Fac - Geoff C

And of course, at the end of the day you'll have an image to remind you of where you've been and what you've seen. Better still you can upload it to the gallery and share it with other OMers.

Finally, before you go out, have a read through Simon Kirwan's OM article Improve Your Mountain Photography for some simple tips on taking better pictures in the hills.