A small but pretty walk hidden away just off a residential area. The path has steps and uneven areas so not really suitable for pushchairs or those with walking difficulties. Also on site are the ruins of an old industrial mill, creating an interesting mix of nature and structures. There is a tiny layby near the falls but visitors are encouraged to park in the car…
With its polished granite boulders and emerald-green water, the Yuba River is a classic beauty. Perfect for swimming holes, picnics, walking, or just relaxing and letting your eyes rest on the array of intense colours.
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:
Our visit here was fairly short – a stop on the way to take care of some other business in Kent – but we made the most of it. We came with one goal in mind: fossil hunting! This is something my father took my sister to do many times, but I had never experienced it - so she took me to show me how it's…
The Druid’s Temple in Ripon is not actually a temple, but rather a nineteenth-century folly. William Danby (owner of Swinton Estate and nearby Swinton Park at the time) built it to alleviate local unemployment, paying workers a shilling a day for their labour. Despite its origin being common knowledge, myths and rumours of mystic practices have sprung up over its lifetime. For most now though, the…
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,…