YHA Blog
When facing periods of stress, being outside and walking outdoors has the most beneficial impact on your mental wellbeing. Breathing in fresh air, hearing birdsong, connecting with nature, all contribute to making a difference to how you feel. With that being said,...
Get walking! YHA’s popular Festival of Walking returns for the third year this September (13th September to 13th October). Organised annually, the festival aims to get more people walking, particularly those new or facing barriers to the outdoors. As part of the...
There are some things that just go together. Fish and chips, rock and roll, YHA and walking. There’s no need to travel far and wide, or break the bank, for a stunning walking holiday. We know how important walking is on so many levels, from the wellbeing benefits...
Ever wondered what Nordic walking is all about, or wanted to brush up on your navigation and map reading know how? Perhaps you’re curious about pilgrimage routes, in need of a wellbeing walk or fancy a cultural wander around an historic city? The third YHA Festival...
While London is famous for its busy streets and energetic buzz, hidden within the city are beautiful gardens and parks where you can escape the hustle and bustle of city life for a breath of fresh air. Whether you’re taking in the busy surroundings of Oxford Street...
Every time I’ve visited the Peak District with my walking boots laced, I’ve left wanting more. Even the longer day-trails have seemed little more than appetisers. So the prospect of following a hiking route between three YHA hostels – a chance to wander for three...
Want to be a four-season hiker? Don’t give up adventuring once the weather gets chilly – that crisp winter wonderland is waiting for your footprints and we have many hostels perfect for hiking. You can even take over one of our holiday cottages and rural retreats...
According to research many more of us are experiencing symptoms of burnout than ever before. With mental and physical symptoms including tiredness, feeling drained, helpless or defeated and having a negative outlook, it’s no wonder we’re all ready for a holiday....
It must have been a magnificent way to arrive in Keswick, the train from Penrith rushing down into the steep-sided wooded valley, then crossing the River Greta again and again, eight times in all, across elegantly curved bowstring bridges, designed so they didn't...
With breathtaking rocky outcrops and waterfall trails galore, it’s no wonder why the Yorkshire Dales are so popular with so many visitors. Running through the middle of the Dales are the Pennines, otherwise known as the “Backbone of England” due to their impressive...
We hopped across the stepping stones and skirted a field. Round the next corner was a wild boar getting ready to charge, an enormous bull leaning into the wind, a gleaming white horse that must have galloped out of a fairy tale, and a feisty pair of goats. We...
There are thousands of kid-friendly walks across the nation offering families an inexpensive great day out. The art of following a walking route, like those below, can provide plenty of fun and curiosity, so why not let the children take control of the map, whether...
