British outdoor and mountain brand Rab (owned by Equip Outdoor Technologies Ltd.) and The British Association of Mountain Guides (BMG) have announced a comprehensive five-year partnership, which will see the popular UK brand supporting internationally qualified Mountain Guides who operate in the worlds most challenging environments.The BMG is the UKs national association for Mountain Guides. Every British Mountain Guide holds the IFMGA carnet the only internationally recognised guiding qualification representing years of exceptional training, assessment, and experience, across climbing, mountaineering, and ski mountaineering. The carnet allows the holder to guide on any mountain terrain, worldwide.The British Association of Mountain Guides are proud to be working with Rab as our main sponsor. Almost fifty years ago, Rab Carrington made an alpine style ascent of Jannu, arguably his most significant mountaineering achievement, climbing alongside Roger Baxter Jones and Brian Hall, who both became British Mountain Guides says Tom Ripley, BMG Marketing Officer. He adds: Fast forward to 2026 and we are excited to be officially working with Rab, one of the leading manufacturers of mountain apparel and equipment. We both have a long and shared history, a shared ethos towards excellence in the mountains, and a sincere commitment to reducing our environmental impact. Our members are looking forward to giving Rab gear a thorough testing in the worlds mountains.This partnership is about a shared passion for the mountains, for excellence, and for fostering education around mountain safety, says Jessica Burton, Rabs UK Marketing Manager. We are extremely proud to work alongside British Mountain Guides. They are dedicated mountain professionals, qualified to operate on any mountain, on any continent. Their lifelong commitment to their craft aligns perfectly with our values as mountain people.The partnership will see Rab providing comprehensive apparel and equipment support for British Mountain Guides, as well as Trainee and Aspirant Mountain Guides. Itll also involve product development feedback for Rabs most technical mountain collections.Tim Fish, Product Director at Rab, comments: We know that British Mountain Guides are working in some of the harshest mountain environments, and our kit needs to keep them safe and comfortable. This provides the ideal testing ground for our most technical products, and were looking forward to working closely with the Guides to ensure our products remain at the forefront of mountain gear design.Rab and The BMG will also work together on initiatives to increase diversity and support female Guides entering the profession, and focusing on educational activities to help minimise environmental impact in the mountains.Several Rab athletes are British Mountain Guides, including Libby Peter, Paul Swail, Ben Tibbetts and friends of Trek & Mountain Jon Gupta, Calum Muskett (pictured above) and Polly Harmer, which shows the existing natural alignment between the brand and the guiding community.More info: www.rab.equipment, www.bmg.org.uk

What does an outdoor blogger actually wear for cold, wet winter walks? From persistent downpours and muddy paths to icy mornings and sudden bursts of sunshine, winter walking throws a lot at you and enjoying it really does come down to wearing the right gear. Read on for the lowdown my my winter walking gear heroes.Im lucky enough to test a lot of outdoor kit, but the true seal of approval comes from the pieces I reach for time and time again. The ones that earn their place through miserable weather, long days outside, and repeated use not just because theyre shiny and new!Some of my wet-weather heroes are surprisingly affordable, others have survived season after season of hard wear, and a few are newer additions Im grateful for every single time the I head outdoors. From 30 waterproof trousers that genuinely deliver, to lightweight Gore-Tex worth splurging on, these are the items I rely on most for winter walks. Craghoppers Natales Waterproof Cargo Trousers 30My favourite walking trousers for many years were the Craghoppers Kiwi Pro, but over the last year or so Ive found myself preferring technial leggings in warmer weather, or cargo style walking pants with their practical relaxed fit and multiple pockets.Ladies Size 14 shown here with jeans worn underneathThe Craghoppers Natales are excellent value (currently on sale for just 30) and deliver everything I look for in waterproof trousers. They are roomy enough to wear over leggings, thermals or even (as in the photo below), worn over the top of my jeans.The have a part elasticated waistband, multiple deep pockets and they keep my dry without adding too much bulk. They are great at regulating my temperature and perform incredibly well even in heavy rain.Take a look at the Craghoppers Natales Waterproof Cargo Trousers here.Rab Conduit Pullon Half Zip Top 70I managed to get this cheaply from a local Rab discount store, and oh my goodness, its one of several different Rab layers I bought that are worth every penny hands down my favourite hiking base layers.Ladies Size 12Stretchy with a lovely warm insulation inside, its moisture wicking and great for popping on top of another baselayer it has rapidly become an essential part of my layering system and is super comfortable to wear.Take a look at the Rab Conduit Pullon Half Zip Top here.Hagloffs L.I.M Airak GTXjacket 380The fit, the colour, the performance of this jacket are all excellent and its perfect for throwing on top of a down jacket on really cold and wet days, over a fleece for wet winter walks or popping on as a summer waterproof.Ladies size L with space for a down jacket underneathLets face it, with a price tag like that, this isnt the sort of thing Id usually stretch to if I was investing in a jacket myself, but this is a superb jacket which would come into its own for those that are outdoors and need to pack light it weighs next to nothing and folds up super small too; making this an outstanding choice for those that need high performance lightweight gear.Take a look at the Hagloffs L.I.M Airak GTXjacket here. Summit Womens Packable Down Filled Insulated Jacket 119For warmth, I can not get enough of this excellent down filled jacket. I will always love bright colours and bright pink will always be an absolute favourite of mine. From cold winter countryside walks to chucking it on to walk into town, this has been my go-to everyday warm jacket.Ladies Size M / 12Its a jacket designed for warmth and comfort, it has a lovely fit thats slightly longer at the back, with lovely stretchy storm cuffs that provide added warmth. Down jackets can sometimes suffer from being a little on the bulky side, but this is warm without being too big, and allows me to pop my Hagloffs Airak waterproof over the top.Take a look at the Summit Womens Packable Down Filled Insulated Jacket here.Keen Terradora II walking bootsThese walking boots are close to 6 years old and Ive covered hundreds of miles in them and they are still my favourites. Light, comfortable and yet supportive enough for my needs, these are the boots I turn to when I want to stay dry in terrain that isnt too technical.UK Size 6Perfect for countryside walks and tamer hill walks, Ive always loved the flexibility and comfort offered by Keen boots, and these remain firm favourites.These Keen boots are an old model now, but you can see the current range of Keen hiking boots here. Where to next?GEAR | Guide To Merino Base Layers Perfect For Your Winter Outdoor AdventuresGEAR | Award-Winning ZonalAdapt Berghaus Farren Leggings ReviewGEAR | The Craghoppers Womens Kendal Jacket Is Super Cosy & Great Value ReviewThe post GEAR | My Go-To Wet Weather Gear for Winter Walks appeared first on Camping Blog Camping with Style | Travel, Outdoors & Glamping Blog.

For the last several years, Ive made a list of 6 of my favourite day hikes around Ireland. This list will have something for everyone, taking in easy family-friendly walks, to some of the hardest trails you can find in ireland. Here are my top picks for 2026! To understand how I grade trails in Ireland, read our trail grading system here. If youre thinking of camping in Ireland, make sure to read the Unwritten Rules of Wildcamping in Ireland guide. The island of Ireland follows the Leave No Trace Principles as our outdoor recreation code. Please respect all our outdoor spaces to protect our incredible surroundings for years to come! 1. Gougane Barra Forest Park Location: CorkDistance: 500m - 5kmTime: 30 minutes - 5hrs Gougane Barra Forest Park is tucked away into a lush valley at the edge of the Sheehy Mountains. Sitting close to the Cork & Kerry border, this woodland is full of beautiful trails that follow the streams and curves of the forest to showcase the best of the area. I wasnt even planning on heading to Gougane Barra, but bas weather elsewhere left me at a loose end in Cork, and I remembered how much I had wanted to revisit this place after passing through on the Sl Gaeltacht Mhuscra. Here youll find Access For All trails suitable for buggies and wheelchairs, as well as small twisting forest paths that will remind you of the magic of Tolkien. This is my family-friendly, a trail for everyone recommendation for 2026. Trails range from 500m - 5km. There is a 5 entry fee (automatic barrier where you tap on entry), as well as well maintained toilets at the main car park. In the bottom of the valley there is almost no phone coverage. Read more about the trail here | Watch the YouTube video here 2. Raghly Loop Location: North SligoDistance: 4kmTime: 45 - 90 minutes The second trail on this list is another accessible path (easy gravel trail or very quiet little lanes). At just under 4km long this loop is a lovely walk, with stunning views of the Sligo coastline. For me, this is a perfect sunrise or sunset walk - I went at sunset, and the colours playing off of the Dartry Mountains (as well as Knocknarea and Queen Meaves tomb) were just beautiful. Another great family friendly wander - there is a kissing gate so not quite wheelchair friendly. Read more about the trail here | Watch the YouTube video here 3. The Avonmore Way Location: Co. WicklowDistance: 12kmTime: 3 - 6hrs The Avonmore Way is one of the newer additions to the Wicklow Trails Network, linking the villages of Laragh and Rathdrum through the beautiful Clara Vale Nature Reserve. This 12km linear trail is stunning when coming into spring bloom, right through to the colourful autumn changes. Id recommend this trail to anyone who loves a woodland walk. With small amounts of road walking scattered throughout the overall route, this is one of the quieter trails you will find in Wicklow. My favourite variation of this trail to walk is to start in Rathdrum (out past the Hidden Valley Resort), cross the Samuel Hayes suspension bridge and then taking the Laragh village end-point at the northern end of the trail. Read more about the trail here | Watch the YouTube video here 4. The Miners Way Location: Co. WicklowDistance: 20kmTime: 4 - 8hrs The Miners Way Trail takes in the three historic mining valleys of Wicklow; Glenmalure, Glendalough, and Glendasan. Climbing between these three iconic valleys, this route takes in some of the best trails that central Wicklow has to offer. A roughly 20km long linear route, with about 750m of climbing, this is quite a punchy feeling trail. The route is well way-marked, and takes in a lot of small forest trails, as well as larger gravel access paths. Another Wicklow trail that has been overshadowed by the Wicklow Way, the Miners Way is a really great day out. Read more about the trail here | Watch the YouTube video here 5. The Keenagh Loop Location: Wild Nephin, MayoDistance: 11kmTime: 2.5 - 5 hrs The Keenagh Loop is the only trail on my recommendation list that, as of mid-January 2026, I have yet to film and/or photograph. I walked this loop several times in 2025 as part of (or prep for) walking festivals, and fell in love with it. This is an 11km looped trail that really shows you the wildness of Mayo. So while there is way-marking (its part of the National Looped Walks Scheme), the ground underfoot is just bog. Be prepared for many little stream crossings (the exact number depending on how much rain theres been), and beautiful views of Slieve Carr and other desolate peaks. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize 6. The Bangor Trail Location: Wild Nephin, MayoDistance: 26 - 39kmTime: 5 - 12hrs This trail is the last remains of an ancient cattle-driving path, although do not let the words path or trail fool you - there is nothing easy in this harsh landscape. I love Mayo - it is somewhere that feels truly wild. And the Bangor Trail is, in my opinion, the wildest trail in Ireland. Depending on where youd like to start/finish, this route is between 26 - 39km long. I recommend the shorter version, starting at the Letterkeen Trail Head in Wild Nephin National Park, and finishing in the town of Bangor Erris. Along this route there are bothies and camping shelters for anyone who wants to split it into a weekend adventure. During the summer there are shuttle buses to the Letterkeen trail head - but there are also more midges in the summer, which is why I often do some of my bigger hikes here in the Spring or late Autumn. Read more about the trail here | Watch the YouTube video here But wait, theres more? Here is my list from 2025, which I think features some stunning trails too. And if youre looking for hikes in a specific county - you can see every trail Ive documented organised per county here.

Dacia, the car brand driven by outdoor adventure, is preparing to open its Million-Star Hotel in Scotlands Galloway Forest Park for a limited time only, offering space lovers a chance to witness one of the years biggest interplanetary moments from the comfort of a Dacia Bigster this February.Dacias Million-Star Hotel is made up of a fleet of roomy Bigster, the brands popular SUV, temporarily stationed in Galloway Forest Park, the UKs first certified Dark Sky Park. Each vehicle will be equipped with a panoramic sunroof and the brands overnight-ready Sleep Pack, and lined up ready for one of 2026s most anticipated interplanetary spectacles.The stellar event will give stargazers the chance to witness the rare and highly anticipated six-planet alignment, with Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mercury all easy to spot with the naked eye.On 14 January 2026, Dacia launched a free-to-enter ballot in which the public can secure one of the Million-Star Hotels five Bigsters for an all-expenses-paid one-night luxury stay.Combined with the SUVs panoramic roof, Dacias innovative Sleep Pack accessory transforms each Bigster into the perfect mobile overnight base camp for space seekers. It consists of a foldaway double bed with a 190cm mattress that converts into a tray table for picnics and provides extra storage for luggage. With this, Dacia redefines the luxury night away, proving it isnt defined by excess, but by the essentials in the best locations.Guests will be able to kayak and fish in Loch Doon, as well as enjoy food cooked over open flame.A Dark Sky Park such as Galloway Forest Park offers near-perfect astronomical viewing thanks to protection from light pollution. Not only does this mean the planetary parade will be seen at its brightest, but even more stars will fill the night sky, too. The park was given official Dark Sky Park status in 2009, when it was only the fourth place in the world to earn this international accreditation.Fuelled by social media trends and headline-grabbing astro-tourism projects, astronomy as a hobby is booming in the Gen-Z demographic. In 2025, retailers reported soaring YoY sales of telescopes and binoculars.The Dacia Million-Star Hotel will host the winners of its ballot on the 25 and 26 of February 2026. Food, drink, and astronomy equipment will be provided, as well as everything needed for a comfortable night of stargazing and sleep.For more info and to enter visit: dacia.co.uk/million-star-hotel

If you keep a horse, pony or other equine, theres an important change coming thats worth being aware of.DAERA is asking all equine establishments to register, a process thats free and straightforward. Once registered, youll be issued with an Equine Establishment Number (EEN) sometimes also referred to as an Animal Group Number (AGN). This number simply identifies the location where your equine is kept.From 1 February 2026, youll need to provide this EEN whenever you apply for a new horse passport or update an existing one. Without it, applications wont be able to proceed, so its a good idea to get registered well in advance.Registering your establishment involves completing a short form and submitting it to a DAERA Direct Office. This can be done by email, by post, or in person. Details of your nearest DAERA Direct Office can be found on the DAERA website.Once submitted, you should allow up to three weeks to receive your EEN, so early action is strongly recommended.For anyone who enjoys getting outside with horses or is involved in equestrian activity, this is a simple but important step to stay compliant and avoid any disruption down the line.The post Equine Owners Have You Registered? appeared first on WalkNI.

For many of us outdoor enthusiasts, walking isn't just a form of exercise - it's a way to process the world and really take it all in

For many of us outdoor enthusiasts, walking isn't just a form of exercise - it's a way to process the world and really take it all in

For the last several years, Ive made a list of 6 of my favourite day hikes around Ireland. This list will have something for everyone, taking in easy family-friendly walks, to some of the hardest trails you can find in ireland. Here are my top picks for 2026! To understand how I grade trails in Ireland, read our trail grading system here. If youre thinking of camping in Ireland, make sure to read the Unwritten Rules of Wildcamping in Ireland guide. The island of Ireland follows the Leave No Trace Principles as our outdoor recreation code. Please respect all our outdoor spaces to protect our incredible surroundings for years to come! 1. Gougane Barra Forest Park Location: CorkDistance: 500m - 5kmTime: 30 minutes - 5hrs Gougane Barra Forest Park is tucked away into a lush valley at the edge of the Sheehy Mountains. Sitting close to the Cork & Kerry border, this woodland is full of beautiful trails that follow the streams and curves of the forest to showcase the best of the area. I wasnt even planning on heading to Gougane Barra, but bas weather elsewhere left me at a loose end in Cork, and I remembered how much I had wanted to revisit this place after passing through on the Sl Gaeltacht Mhuscra. Here youll find Access For All trails suitable for buggies and wheelchairs, as well as small twisting forest paths that will remind you of the magic of Tolkien. This is my family-friendly, a trail for everyone recommendation for 2026. Trails range from 500m - 5km. There is a 5 entry fee (automatic barrier where you tap on entry), as well as well maintained toilets at the main car park. In the bottom of the valley there is almost no phone coverage. Read more about the trail here | Watch the YouTube video here 2. Raghly Loop Location: North SligoDistance: 4kmTime: 45 - 90 minutes The second trail on this list is another accessible path (easy gravel trail or very quiet little lanes). At just under 4km long this loop is a lovely walk, with stunning views of the Sligo coastline. For me, this is a perfect sunrise or sunset walk - I went at sunset, and the colours playing off of the Dartry Mountains (as well as Knocknarea and Queen Meaves tomb) were just beautiful. Another great family friendly wander - there is a kissing gate so not quite wheelchair friendly. Read more about the trail here | Watch the YouTube video here 3. The Avonmore Way Location: Co. WicklowDistance: 12kmTime: 3 - 6hrs The Avonmore Way is one of the newer additions to the Wicklow Trails Network, linking the villages of Laragh and Rathdrum through the beautiful Clara Vale Nature Reserve. This 12km linear trail is stunning when coming into spring bloom, right through to the colourful autumn changes. Id recommend this trail to anyone who loves a woodland walk. With small amounts of road walking scattered throughout the overall route, this is one of the quieter trails you will find in Wicklow. My favourite variation of this trail to walk is to start in Rathdrum (out past the Hidden Valley Resort), cross the Samuel Hayes suspension bridge and then taking the Laragh village end-point at the northern end of the trail. Read more about the trail here | Watch the YouTube video here 4. The Miners Way Location: Co. WicklowDistance: 20kmTime: 4 - 8hrs The Miners Way Trail takes in the three historic mining valleys of Wicklow; Glenmalure, Glendalough, and Glendasan. Climbing between these three iconic valleys, this route takes in some of the best trails that central Wicklow has to offer. A roughly 20km long linear route, with about 750m of climbing, this is quite a punchy feeling trail. The route is well way-marked, and takes in a lot of small forest trails, as well as larger gravel access paths. Another Wicklow trail that has been overshadowed by the Wicklow Way, the Miners Way is a really great day out. Read more about the trail here | Watch the YouTube video here 5. The Keenagh Loop Location: Wild Nephin, MayoDistance: 11kmTime: 2.5 - 5 hrs The Keenagh Loop is the only trail on my recommendation list that, as of mid-January 2026, I have yet to film and/or photograph. I walked this loop several times in 2025 as part of (or prep for) walking festivals, and fell in love with it. This is an 11km looped trail that really shows you the wildness of Mayo. So while there is way-marking (its part of the National Looped Walks Scheme), the ground underfoot is just bog. Be prepared for many little stream crossings (the exact number depending on how much rain theres been), and beautiful views of Slieve Carr and other desolate peaks. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize 6. The Bangor Trail Location: Wild Nephin, MayoDistance: 26 - 39kmTime: 5 - 12hrs This trail is the last remains of an ancient cattle-driving path, although do not let the words path or trail fool you - there is nothing easy in this harsh landscape. I love Mayo - it is somewhere that feels truly wild. And the Bangor Trail is, in my opinion, the wildest trail in Ireland. Depending on where youd like to start/finish, this route is between 26 - 39km long. I recommend the shorter version, starting at the Letterkeen Trail Head in Wild Nephin National Park, and finishing in the town of Bangor Erris. Along this route there are bothies and camping shelters for anyone who wants to split it into a weekend adventure. During the summer there are shuttle buses to the Letterkeen trail head - but there are also more midges in the summer, which is why I often do some of my bigger hikes here in the Spring or late Autumn. Read more about the trail here | Watch the YouTube video here But wait, theres more? Here is my list from 2025, which I think features some stunning trails too. And if youre looking for hikes in a specific county - you can see every trail Ive documented organised per county here.