It’s a tradition
As Alan Hinkes wrote in the foreword to my book: “It is a tradition among most hillwalkers and climbers to have a refreshing pint or two in the pub at the end of a strenuous day in the hills – some well-earned beer to celebrate a grand day out. What could be better for relaxing and bonding with your mates?” Alan Hinkes is the only Brit to have climbed all 14 8,000-metre peaks, and a beer lover so he knows a thing or two about it.
Daniel Neilson
It builds a community
At the Old Dungeon Ghyll in Langdale, Peak District, a wood-burning stove raged along one wall. We ordered a pint each and sat in front of the fire, our jackets steaming in front of it, and looked around. Everyone else in the bar was a walker, and they all had a similar look of contentment, joyously recounting the day and breaking into friendly banter. Another group of walkers joined us. We exchanged routes, bought rounds, remembered our favourite walks across Britain, and chatted on for a couple more hours. We had made new friends.
Amazing pubs
Many of the walks in my book are in remote, mountainous areas of the Scottish Highlands or perhaps Snowdonia, but look hard and you’ll find some of the most welcoming, interesting, and idiosyncratic pubs in the country. These are often pubs that have slaked the thirst of travellers and pilgrims for hundreds of years.
Historical intrigue
Not only are some of the pubs I mention in my book long-standing centres of the community, they are often loaded with historical interest. Take the Wasdale Head Inn below the Lake District’s mighty Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain. Walk around the pub and hotel and you’ll see grainy photos of some of the great pioneers of climbing. The Clachaig Inn in Glencoe in the Highlands is similarly loaded with climbing history. Name a famous climber (including our Alan Hinkes) and his signed picture will be on the wall. The Pen-y-Gwyrd near Snowdon is where the successful first Everest summiteers team stayed during their training. Memorabilia can still be seen on the wall.
It's good for you
As well as quenching your thirst, beer has other benefits for the walker: It is somewhat isotonic; it contains yeast, vitamins (especially vitamin B), minerals (such as iron), carbohydrate and fluid (i.e. water). Oh, and alcohol, so don’t have too much!
Because there’s nothing better
The uplands of Britain are some of the most spectacular places on earth. No, they’re not as spiky as the Alps or as tall as the Himalaya, but they are remote, dramatic and wild. Exploring these mountains, for me, is one of the greatest pleasures. I’m constantly in awe of these places. Now, combine that with another great pleasure, a perfect pint in a welcoming pub with a log fire and a ‘muddy boots welcome’ sign outside, and, frankly, I can think of little better in this busy, busy life of ours.
CAMRA’s Wild Pub Walks by Daniel Neilson is out now. It is published by CAMRA Books, an arm of the Campaign for Real Ale.