Trailhead Newsletter
November 2025 Issue
Welcome
Embrace the Dark!
November has rolled around once again and the clocks have been reset to Winter Time in Ireland. The light now vanishes an hour earlier each evening, and for many people that signals retreat, to stay indoors in front of the fire and away from cold and dark. But in this issue, we want to consider the opposite: what if darkness is not something to endure, but something to walk into?
West Highland Way
Have you considered walking Scotland’s most iconic long-distance walk? The West Highland Way runs 154 km from Milngavie to Fort William. Anthony Barrett of Hillwalk Tours shares his personal highlights, from Conic Hill to the Devil’s Staircase, and adds in a few hidden gems. Trailhead readers also receive a £80-Off Token.
Awaken Your Senses
Walking under a full moon is a very different experience to walking by day. Terry Lambert from Hilltop Treks describes how the hills become bold, silver outlines in the moonlight, how conversation naturally drifts to stars and folklore, and how our senses sharpen as vision fades. Far from being silent, the night comes alive and many walkers say the experience stays with them long after the hike.
Hunting for the Northern Lights
You don’t always have to travel as far north as Iceland to experience the Northern Lights. During strong solar storms, the aurora can sometimes be visible from Ireland and the UK. We asked the experts at Tröll Expeditions in Iceland to explain what conditions matter most, how to improve your chances, and what first-time aurora hunters often overlook.
Improve Your Skills
Navigating the mountains after dark is not as intimidating as most people imagine. Nathan Kingerlee from Outdoors Ireland explains how night navigation sharpens awareness rather than relying on fear, by using pacing, “tick-off points” and careful planning to move confidently through the hills by head-torch. With the right training and preparation, the mountains reveal themselves in a quieter, more attentive way once daylight fades.
Hike beneath the Milky Way
What if walking at night wasn’t just about head torches and navigation but about choosing the darkest skies on Earth? Dark Sky Reserves and Parks are protected landscapes where artificial light is kept out and the night sky is still naturally intact. These are rare places where you can walk beneath a fully visible Milky Way, not just observe the dark, but actually enter it.
How to Photograph the Night Sky
This month we invite you to try photographing the night sky — even with just your phone. No judging or competition, simply a chance to slow down, look up, and capture something from the darkness. One participant will be selected at random for a small thank-you gift, and everyone who enters will receive a short personal tip in return.
Goodbye to Autumn
Before we turn fully toward the darkness of winter, let's take a look October's winning photograph of Art's Cross in the Wicklow Mountains. Congratulations to Emmet Gavin, a pair of Silva Pocket 10X Binoculars are on their way to you!
9 New Messages
Just Arrived: Read about the latest publications and special offers now available on our Trailhead websites.