The lava of the Hat Creek flow was discharged in large volumes from a series of north-south fissures (cracks in the earth). This river of lava located near the town of Old Station, crawled northward 16 miles, covering the floor of Hat Creek Valley. While the top crust cooled and hardened, rivers of red-hot lava insulated by the newly formed rock above, continued to flow. Eventually,…
Burney Falls is one of California’s biggest surprises. It’s no wonder 26th President Teddy Roosevelt dubbed it “the eighth wonder of the world.” The broad wall of water booms over a mossy ledge, splashing down the fern-covered face, tossing gushers and shards of rainbows left and right, finally plunging so hard and fast into a clear pool that you can see flumes of air bubbles reaching…
Fern Canyon is definitely in my top 10 of places I've been lucky to have had the honour to be in! The level trail follows Home Creek as it courses through the forest. This modest stream has over the aeons carved a canyon through the rich sedimentary soils. The canyon walls sprout an amazing variety of luxuriant ferns and other moisture-loving plants, along with an abundance…
Gold Bluffs Beach is a beautiful spot on the Pacific Ocean, It’s also the only drive-up beach campsite within the four-park network. Backed by golden-hued bluffs covered in coast redwood forest on one side and 10 miles of sandy beach and the Pacific Ocean on the other, it offers a stunning setting to enjoy the best of both worlds. We spent the evening here after wandering Fern…
Uff, my heart! There are no words to describe the feeling of peace being amongst these ancient giants! Just to give some scale of the size of some of these trees, we stopped by Chandelier Tree, and the Eternal Treehouse:
This beautiful island is surrounded by coastal scenery. Cut off from the world and reached by a causeway only accessible at low tide, it has a reputation as a wildlife haven and is home to a national nature reserve. As well as numerous rare birds, you may even spot the grey seals that are resident on the nearby Farne Islands all year round. The island has…
Mealt waterfall, fed from nearby Mealt Loch, plummets from the top of the cliffs to the rock-laden coast below. In the background, kilt rock can be seen – said to look similar to a pleated kilt. There is also an aural element to the site. When a strong wind is blowing, a beautiful yet haunting tone seems to emanate from the surrounding area. The instrument emitting…
Glencharnoch Wood is a 14.7ha (36.30 acres) site situated between the western outskirts of Carrbridge village, the main north-south railway line, and Landmark Forest Adventure Park. We took a wander here one evening after visiting Dulnain Bridge (aka Old Packhorse Bridge). The forest has a great overgrown feeling, while still retaining clear paths. If you don't know where you're heading then the signposts aren't much use,…
Staffin’s harbour – known locally as “The Slip” – is regarded with great affection by the community’s residents. The Slipway, built more than a century ago, has effectively been a lifeline for generations of local people with essential supplies being delivered by boat. It is still a source of fish and other seafood, and a key recreational asset for the community and visitors whether for fishing,…
The Fairy Glen is Located on the Trotternish Peninsula, in the hills above the village of Uig, it is easy to combine the Fairy Glen with a visit to The Quiraing, Kilt Rock, and the Old Man of Storr. This astonishingly cute landscape was created by a landslip. Climb to the top of the Castle Ewen rocky prominence, or picnic in the ruins at the bottom.…
This two-mile trail heads through the dramatic and beautiful Nevis Gorge and leads to the awesome Steall Falls, complete with rope bridge for an added touch of adventure. The falls are Scotlands second-highest, with a 120-foot (36.5m) drop. To visit, park in Glen Nevis car park (56°46'38.7"N 5°00'03.1"W) at the end of the C1162, then follow the trail at the end of the car park.
A little north of Loch Lomond, the falls provide a short leg stretch and a beautiful view. The falls stand at 30 ft high (10m) and are particularly impressive when in spate. To visit, park in the on-site carpark (56°21'00.1"N 4°41'47.1"W) and walk the short distance (approx 5 mins) to the falls.