The United Kingdom and Ireland have not only a fine tradition of outdoor pursuits, but also a history of high quality, well written printed periodicals to support these. Some of these have become classic, much loved or, occasionally, much missed publications. In more recent years, there have also appeared a number of quite niche publications, some last, others do not.
It is evident that those most long lasted of magazines and journals have often been where a high standard of editorship has been maintained- the editor keeping an eye on the needs of the subscribers and how best to meet them with good authors and articles. Also where such a journal has a specialised and dedicated following whose needs are not being met elsewhere, or alternatively are more part of membership ‘package’.
The standard of print photography too has risen to meet the requirements of a demanding readership. The last thirty years of the 21st century in particular saw the inclusion of some striking photography in many magazines. The photographers battling against the elements in desolate, high or isolated places to bring home amazing cover shots. This has more recently often deteriorated into an almost generic form whereby an individual or couple, invariably smiling at each other, can be seen in the latest shiny gear on test, striding enthusiastically across a landscape. Sadly this has also been at the expense of good art, now infrequently observed in many magazines and club journals. The header image of this page is a striking example of how evocative such art can be when done well. There are quite a few outstanding e-format ‘zines to be found online these days. No doubt these will continue to thrive. We are, today, probably witnessing the last dying cries of a printed medium, before almost everything is pushed into digital format. It will be a sad loss.
I have included below those printed magazines and journals of which I am aware. Do note that I have concentrated on UK and Irish magazines though many of these have featured overseas destinations and writers. There are no doubt many gaps and probably a handful of errors. Also, I am familiar with few of the older or more specialised publications. Feel free to get in touch with any corrections or suggested additions.
The Angry Corrie
Cult print fanzine for hillwalkers in Scotland. Issue 01 in May 1991- issue 73 in April/June 2008. Briefly resurrected (issue 78 in 2011). Content can be seen online.
Backpack, Autumn 2017. Cover- Finnish entrant in The Great Outdoors Challenge looks over Glen Feshie
Backpack
Quarterly journal of the Backpackers Club, circulated to members Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
The Bicycle, December 1949
The Bicycle
1940s-50s rival to Cycling. The two eventually merged
Bushcraft & Survival Skills, November/December 2016
Bushcraft & Survival Skills
Six issues per year. Commenced 2006.
Purpleheart Wood ltd.
Camper
1980s
Camping, Dec, Jan 2005 2006. Cover- camping along the Old Coach Road between St. John’s in the Vale and Matterdale, Cumbria
Camping
10 issues per year.
Published by Warners Group Publications Ltd.
Camping & Caravanning. April 2019
Camping & Caravanning
Monthly magazine of the Camping and Caravanning Club
Canoe and Kayak UK
Monthly magazine focused on UK canoeing.
Warner publishing. Began March 2001, ran until 2014
Canoeist. April 1999. Cover- wading a river in the Hebrides
Canoeist
Monthly magazine.
Founded in 1953 as White Water Magazine. Became a solely digital format c2005
Published by S.T. & R.J. Fisher
Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine, February 2018.Cover- hill-walking in Snowdonia
Caravan and Motorhome
Monthly club magazine, also on sale to the general public. Caravan Club renamed Caravan and Motorhome Club in 2017
Printed by Wyndeham Bicecester, published by the Caravan and Motorhome Club
Climb
Monthly magazine from Greenshires publishing
The Climber, May 1966. Cover- Camp cook
Climber 1962 – 1968, Climber and Hillwalker, Climber and Rambler 1969 – 1986 (incorporates Mountain Life), back as Climber from 1986
Climber [published by George Outram & Co. Ltd.
published by Holmes McDougall, Glasgow
Climber and Hillwalker, December 1989. Cover- Tackling the final pitch of Orion Face Direct, Ben Nevis
Climber and Rambler, January 1969. Cover- looking down on the Kuariach in North Skye
CompassSport
First appeared 1979. Published six times a year.
“Britain’s National Orienteering Magazine”
Countryfile, July 2013. Cover- Llangrannog, Cornwall
Countryfile
13 issues per year.
Published by Immediate Media Co. Ltd., under licence from BBC Worldwide
Country Walking magazine, August 2014. Cover- Glenfinnan viaduct
Country Walking
Monthly magazine published by Bauer Consumer Media.
Launched in 1986
Countrygoer, Spring 1950
Countrygoer
Quarterly magazine (book) first published Spring 1944
Later merged with Out of Doors
Crags
Mountaineering magazine
Cycle (magazine of CTC) Feb/March 2005. Cover- Picos de Europa, Spain
Cycle– CTC magazine. Original title of the club journal was The CTC Gazette.
CTC (Cyclists’ Touring Club) Members magazine, published six times a year. Free to members.
Since 2016, CTC rebranded Cycling UK, the club magazine retained the same title.
Published by James Pembroke Media.
Cycle (magazine of Cycling UK) October/November 2018. Cover- Cyclists in Mongolia
Cycling, December 1985. Cover ‘summer snow on a continental tour’
Cycling, later Cycling Weekly
First published by Edmund Dangerfield Printing Company (January 1891–1894), then Temple Press (1895–1964), Go Magazine (1964–1967), Longacre Press (1967–1970), IPC Magazines (now IPC Media) from 1970.
From Jun 1957 until early 1960s, magazine title briefly changed to Cycling and Mopeds.
Cycling Weekly, August 2003. Cover- Lance Armstrong takes his fifth Tour de France victory
Cycling and Mopeds, November 1958
The Cyclist, April 1936
The Cyclist
Published every Wednesday by George Newnes Ltd.
Cycling Active, May 2016. Cover- Yorkshire
Cycling Active
Published 13 times per year by Time Inc. Media.
First available September 2009. Relaunched October 2015. Last published September 2016. Magazine then incorporated with Cycle Sport into Cycling Weekly.
Descent, August/September 2000. Cover- Torca del Regalon, Picos de Europa
Descent
1969 – present
Bi-monthly magazine dedicated to underground exploration.
Originally published by Gloster Publications. Later, Wild Places Publishing
En Route, June/July 1982, 75th Anniversary club edition
En Route
Bi-monthly magazine for members of the Caravan Club.
First issue of The Club’s magazine, En Route, published 1 January 1963. Last edition circa 1997.
Published by The Caravan Club. Caravan Club renamed Caravan and Motorhome Club in 2017
The Field, February 2016, Boar hunting in France
The Field
Monthly magazine. Current publisher is TI Media.
Published as a weekly magazine from 1853.
“the premier Field Sports and country magazine and champions rural pursuits, people and the environment”
Footloose
1982 – c1987
Published by Footloose Ltd.
C B Fry’s magazine of Action and Outdoor Life
early 20th century
The Great Outdoors, July 2016. Cover- Langdale Pikes
The Great Outdoors
‘TGO’ magazine published every four weeks by Kelsey Media.
“written for Hillwalkers by Hillwalkers”
First published in 1978. It was the first commercially produced magazine devoted to walking.
Hiker & Camper
1930s magazine. First published February 1931. Dedicated to hikers, ramblers and campers
High, March 1997. Cover- Stevie Haston on ‘Unfinished Symphony’, the lower West Face of Pointe Adolphe Rey
High
Followed on from Mountain magazine, last published February 2005
Monthly magazine of the British Mountaineering Council. Published by David Green Printers Ltd.
Irish Mountain Log, Spring 2019. Front cover- view from the Slieve Mish Mountains on the Dingle peninsula, Co. Kerry
Irish Mountain Log
Membership magazine of Mountaineering Ireland. Organisation promotes the interests of hillwalkers and climbers in Ireland
Published four times a year, in March, June, September and December.
The Journey, Autumn 2019. Cover: Wild horses, Brecon Beacons National Park
The Journey
Quarterly magazine for YHA members.
Renamed as The Journey from first edition in Spring 2019. Also available as an online magazine.
Published by Don’t Look Down Media Ltd.
Lakeland Walker, March/April 2019. Cover- On Great End, towards Borrowdale and the Northern Fells
Lakeland Walker
Bi-monthly magazine dedicated to walking in the Lake District
Published by Dalesman Publishing
Land and Water
Mountain, became High
Mountaineering, becomes Mountain Life (1972-1976), after four years becomes Climber and Rambler
Originally BMC until magazine incorporated with Climber and Rambler
Mountain Craft
Journal of the Mountaineering Association, 1950-1960s
Published by the Mountaineering Association
On the edge, July 1997. Cover- Dave Green on Free Stone Henge E7 6c Castell Helen, Gogarth
On The Edge
‘OTE’, climbing magazine, ended December 2004
“remember you climb to do hard routes, not enjoy yourself”
Published by Greenshires Print Ltd.
Issues for February, March, April, May, June, July August, October, November, December
Out-o’-Doors
1920s. Monthly magazine. Price 2D
Published by Out-o’-Doors Ltd. Manchester
“The Ramblers own magazine… something fresh and breezy every month”
Out of Doors, Incorporating Countrygoer. March 1951. Cover- early lambs at Saunderton, Buckinghamshire
Out of Doors
Monthly magazine. Later incorporated Countrygoer.
Published by Open Air Publications Ltd.
The magazine of the Open Air
Outdoor adventure guide, Autumn 2017
Outdoor Adventure Guide
First published in 1995 under the name Summer Alpine Guide. A thrice-yearly (April, June, August) magazine released by ski-ing magazine Fall-Line Ski-iing to suggest, mostly, summer outdoor activities for skiers
Outdoor Enthusiast
Primarily digital format magazine. Also available in print form. Four editions (seasonally) a year. First published September 2004.
“Outdoor Enthusiast is the UK’s only multi-activity outdoor magazine”
Followed by Foot by Foot walking guide launched April 2007. Re-branded as Top Trails Guide in 2012
Published by Target Publishing Ltd.
Outdoor Fitness, August 2016
Outdoor Fitness
Monthly magazine from Kelsey Publishing-
“multi-sport, multi-activity”
Dedicated to fitness and training advice for readers undertaking outdoor challenges.
Outdoor Ireland
Over the Hills, Autumn 1951
Over the Hills
Magazine of the Holiday Fellowship. Originally published twice or three times per annum. Priced at 4d per copy when introduced autumn 1920
Popular Camping, November 1965
Popular Camping
Monthly magazine. First published circa 1960.
Published by Caravan Publications Ltd. Link House Group
Practical Camper, June 1974
Practical Camper
Monthly magazine, first published circa 1966.
Published by Haymarket Publishing Ltd.
The Rambler, Spring 1991. Cover- Linda Hart on the Dingle Way, with Dunmore Head (the most westerly point in Europe)
The Rambler
Magazine of the Ramblers Association.
Magazine was called Ramblers’ News 1949-1960, Rucksack 1960-1986, Rucksack Rambler, thereafter Rambling today
Published by Raven Marketing Group
Rambling today. Autumn 1991. Cover- the Withyham Valley on the north edge of Ashdown Forest
The Red Bulletin, UK Edition, Winter 2019. Cover- Patrick ‘Paddy’ Graham, Stelvio glacier, Italy
The Red Bulletin
Published in six countries- UK, Austria, France, Germany, Switzerland, USA.
General interest magazine published ten times a year by Red Bull Media House. First appeared at Monaco Grand Prix in 2005, released in UK in 2009. Aimed at male readers aged 25-35. Features sport, culture, music and lifestyle.
Rocksport
magazine dedicated to climbing, 1970s
The Rucksack Club journal, 1974. Cover- Himalayan village in the Thirot nala, North India
The Rucksack Club Journal
Published annually, also Meetstaff, quarterly
First published 1902
Rucksack Rambler, Issue No. 1, April 1986. Cover- Looking toward Hathersage in the Peak District
Rucksack Rambler, later Rambler
Magazine of the Ramblers Association. Published by David Green Printers Ltd.
Magazine was called Ramblers’ News 1949-1960, Rucksack 1960-1986, Rucksack Rambler, thereafter
Scottish Hosteller, 2016
Scottish Hosteller
From 1976- magazine of the Scottish Youth Hostel Association (later Hostelling Scotland)
The Searcher, October 1986
The Searcher
Monthly magazine on metal detecting published by Warners Group Publications (formerly published by Token Publishing Ltd.)
“The informed voice of metal detecting”
Sheffield Clarion Ramblers handbook, 1953-4
Sheffield Clarion Ramblers’ Handbook
Published annually by the Sheffield Clarion Ramblers. 1900 to 1958
Measuring just 3″ x 5″, gave information on walking in the Peak District, alongside local culture, history and geology.
A classic!
Sidetracked, volume seven, 2016
Sidetracked
Focuses on adventurous global travel and extreme sports.
Began as a website in 2011, moved to print in 2014 as a bi-monthly publication. Now published online and in print form tri-annually.
Offers an an annual grant to explorers through its adventure fund.
Published in UK by Sidetracked (a division of Captive Minds Communication Group Ltd.)
Singletrack 94. December 2014. Cover- Livigno, Italy
Singletrack
Mountain biking magazine published six times a year. First published 2001. Later available in a variety of digital formats.
Warners Group Publications.
The Skier
Published by George Outram & Son Ltd, 1960s
Strider, December 2015. Cover- Lake District
Strider
Journal of the Long Distance Walkers Association
Summit, Winter 2017. Cover- Tom Ritsch on powder at Les Grandes Montets, Chamonix
Summit
Quarterly journal of the BMC, dedicated to climbing/walking/mountaineering
Trail, October 2009. Cover- Carn Mor Dearg Arete
Trail
Monthly magazine published by Bauer Consumer Media.
Sister title to Country Walking magazine.
Trek & Mountain Jan Feb 2019. Tenth anniversary edition. Cover- Cairngorms
Trek and Mountain
Monthly magazine
First published October 2009
Treasure Hunting, First issue- 1977
Treasure Hunt
Monthly magazine from Greenlight Publishing
“Britain’s best selling metal detecting magazine”
First UK magazine dedicated to metal detecting First published 1977.
UK Cache Mag. February-March 2013. Cover- first cache for Team Bear Magic
UK Cache Mag
Magazine launched in 2012- Dedicated to Geocaching.
“highlights the people, culture and community of what has been claimed as the fastest growing outdoor pursuit worldwide”
Walk, winter 2018. Cover- Thetford Forest, Norfolk
Walk
Quarterly magazine of the Ramblers
Walking World Ireland, Spring 1994. Cover- Leenane Hill, Co. Galway
Walking World Ireland
Commenced 1993.
Published quarterly by Athletic Promotions Ltd.
women’s walking, Spring 2013
Women’s Walking
Published bi-monthly by Wild Bunch Media.
First published 2013. Final issue March/April 2016
Also available- women’s cycling, women’s running, men’s running
The Youth Hosteller, September 1967
The Youth Hosteller
First published quarterly, then monthly
Official magazine of the Youth Hostel Association (England and Wales). Preceded by The Rucksack (1932-1956), then retitled as The Youth Hosteller (1956-February 1972). Replaced by Hostelling News (Spring 1972-Summer 1985). Then YHA Magazine, rebranded as YHA Triangle (-Autumn 1994). A variety of publications followed. From Spring 2019, renamed The Journey (see above)
Published by the Youth Hostels Association (England and Wales)
