Hiking hotspots where you can see beautiful purple heather in bloom
The very end of summer can be a sad time for a lot of us, with the days getting shorter and the weather cooler.
But it’s one of the best times of year to see one of the country’s prettiest natural phenomenons, with the heather in full bloom over the coming weeks.
The hills and mountains around the UK will be awash with bright purple colours as the flowering shrub nears the end of its flowering season.
There are loads of spots around Leeds and the North West where you can head out into the hills and enjoy the colourful late-summer landscapes.
Here are a few of our favourites.
Marsden Moor
This National Trust site is slap bang between Leeds and Manchester and, blissfully, is on the train line – so you don’t even need to be able to drive to visit.
There are plenty of well-planned routes to follow, but if you want an only-slightly challenging walk, head on the 4.5 mile circular around Deer Hill, which is lined with heather.
And then when you’re done, you can head to the tiny dumpling cabin at the bottom.
Norland Moor
This large open space near Sowerby Bridge has so much heather at the right time of year, it’s like someone’s rolled out the purple carpet.
It’s really at its best at this time of year and there are tonnes of pubs nearby to wind down in afterwards.
Ilkley Moor
Just above the spa town of Ilkley is Ilkley Moor, where the heather grows around a rocky outcrop known as the Cow and Calf, which people say resembles a cow sheltering her calf.
It’s a popular spot for all sorts of activities, including rock climbing, bird watching and hiking.
Hope Valley
The Hope Valley is a heather hotspot – walks at Bamford Edge, Win Hill, Higger Tor, Owler Tor and Stanage Edge are all stunning.
You really can’t go wrong in this rugged, rocky corner of the Peak District, but it might be the staggering symmetry of the heather climbing beside the footpaths of Win Hill that gets out vote.
Blackden Brook
Walks along Blackden Brook aren’t for the inexperienced – it’s more of a rocky scramble, complete with streams and tough terrain, than a gentle Sunday hike.
But you’ll be rewarded by splashes of purple heather sticking out from this incredible rocky landscape.
Baslow Edge
The steep climb up to Baslow Edge is well worth it for the sweeping countryside views that greet you at the top.
On a really clear day you can see all the way to Chatsworth House, and even on cloudier days you’ve got a good chance of spotting a Highland Cow wandering around the rugged landscape.
Featured image: Unsplash