Easy Winter Walks

 Easy Winter Walks 

One of the activities our family enjoy on holiday in Helmsdale are the local walks right on our doorstep.  Most of them around the village accommodate everyone's taste so you can walk along the river, up the hills, across the golf course, along the beach, and each offers stunning views of the area and the village. 

Some of the walks have a short duration like the two recommended below and are suitable, with adult care, for children and dogs. You can easily return to base camp is required with little ones and as long as you are appropriately attired with good walking shoes, or welly boats and waterproofs, everyone will feel refreshed with some invigorating fresh air in their lungs.

To be honest we mostly use these walks as an excuse to go for coffee and cake in local cafes.  We recommend La Mirage who do an exceptional meringue or Thyme & Plaice, both of which are located in the Main Street, and just around the corner is Timespan Cafe overlooking Helmsdale River.   

Helmsdale & Harbour Views (30 mins & easy)
A lovely easy walk around the village taking in the Thomas Telford bridge, the ice house, a walk alongside Cooper Park, across the A9, onto the shore and back to the Old Bridge by way of a path under the New Bridge. Lovely views of the harbour, the river and the North Sea. 

Fisherman's Footsteps by Helmsdale River (1 hr duration & welly alert for muddy terrain)
From the car park opposite the Bridge Hotel take the directions for St. John's Well down to the picnic area (you will see Helmsdale clock across the river), take the riverside walk until you reach St. John's Well then take the rough footpath alongside the river's edge.  Keep to the rough path until the stone steps, at the top turn right and follow the road back to Helmsdale.  Take stone steps opposite cemetery to St. John's Well and return to car park opposite Bridge Hotel. 

For those who enjoy more challenging walks we will feature more information over the next few months.  

If you require a map of the village to find your way around please click through on this link for more details http://www.helmsdale.org/walking.html.