Heading out for a few days hike in the UK is a pretty tame affair. Of course, you have to make sure the weather won’t be too treacherous and that you have something like a Mckenzie jacket in case conditions change, but at least we don’t have to worry about wild animals. Years ago, when I hiked in Canada, you had to go and register with the Parks Canada rangers before you headed out on anything longer than a few hours. This wasn’t so they could keep tabs on you big brother style, but was a precaution. If you (for some awful reason) failed to deregister on your return, they would send out a search party for you. There was a whole host of animals waiting out there to try and cut your hike short.

Everyone who entered the various parks in the Rockies were given leaflets on what to do if a black bear attacks (play dead) or if a grizzly bear attacks (punch him on the nose – how?!). I understand the information has changed slightly since then, but throughout the Rockies, the mantra was to try not to surprise a bear. They said that we should talk or sing loudly whilst walking so that bears had good notice of your impending arrival and had plenty of time to scarper. I think we managed to sing the entire back catalogue of the 80’s when we were hiking. Not that there was any need. I’m sure the bears would have heard the rustling of our Mckenzie jackets for miles off.

While it is rare to come across a bear, elks on the other hand, can be seen pretty much everywhere. They look like pretty deer grazing on the side of the road, but catch an elk in rutting season, or a female protecting her young and they can slice your belly open from throat to navel. A Parks Canada ranger told us this information with relish. Maybe we should ditch those Mckenzie jackets. Scare stories abound. We had a three hour ride with a guy who picked us up and filled us with as many animal horror stories as he could. Thank God it was at the end of our trip in the Rockies and not at the beginning or we would never have stepped out of our tent – or slept in one for that matter. So the next time you go hiking in the UK, don’t scream when you see an adder – things could be a lot worse. Oh, and here it’s perfectly fine to wear your Mckenzie jacket without fear of attack!

The Lake District remains one of the country’s most popular walking destinations. Tens of thousands of people visit the area each year to hike its many trails and routes. But with so many options for spectacular Lakeland walks, it’s difficult to know where to tread with your waterproof hiking boots first.

Luckily I’ve been to the Lake District a number of times and can offer some advice on the must-walk routes in the popular National Park. Here a few of my favourite Lakeland Walks.

Scafell is England’s highest mountain, so it’s a must-do walk in the Lake District. It offers breathtaking views, which is the reward for extremely challenging terrain and a few mad scrambles.

Hawkshead to Lake Windermere is a little less hardcore but equally scenic. This is a pleasant woodland stroll with occasional glimpses of the country’s largest lake.

Helvellyn and Striding Edge is a strenuous and possibly the Lakes’ most popular walk. It involves a lot of ups and downs, and negotiation of Striding Edge - a steep ridge with drop-offs on either side.

The Newlands Horseshoe is an undulating walk of high mountain passes, deep valleys and some of the best views in the Lake District, which is the reward for numerous tough ascents and descents.

It’s an easier walk to the Elterwater Waterfalls, which is suitable for a pleasant afternoon stroll. This walk passes through riverside woods and across pastoral moorland to Skelwith Force and Colwith Force waterfalls.

The National Park Authority was formed last century to “conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage” and “promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of National Parks by the public”. Anyone who enjoys walking today will thank the foresight of our forefathers who effectively gave us vast playgrounds of discovery for our hiking adventures. The UK’s National Parks are treasures, which are not to be missed.

From Dartmoor in the South West to the Cairngorms in the Scottish Islands, there are 14 National Parks in the UK – each one with its own distinct landscape, character, wildlife and way of life. They are free to use and open to everyone. They harbour opportunities for all sorts of activities, but hiking remains the most popular pursuit for National Park visitors. As walkers, these National Parks give us access to some of the UK’s most beautiful countryside, mountainous landscapes and natural wildernesses.

So I think we should all celebrate our National Parks and hope they are preserved for all future generations. Here is a roll call of UK National Parks in alphabetical order: Brecon Beacons, Cairngorms, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Lake District, Loch Lomond & the Tressachs, New Forest, Norfolk Broads, Northumberland, North York Moors, Peak District, Pembrokeshire Coast, Snowdonia, South Downs and the Yorkshire Dales.