Unique adventure in UK's most remote locations

If you're seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure in the UK, look no further than the country's network of bothies—free, remote shelters that offer a unique and peaceful way to explore some of Britain's wildest landscapes. 

While hiking to the top of a valley in Wales' Cambrian Mountains, Hugh Tucker was struck by the profound silence. The usual background noise of modern life, which we’ve learned to ignore, becomes noticeably absent, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

This quiet is perhaps the best sign that you've entered one of Britain's remote areas and a clear signal that you’re near a bothy, one of the free-to-use shelters scattered across the country's wild landscapes.

Founded in 1965, the Mountain Bothy Association (MBA) is a charity dedicated to preserving "simple shelters in remote areas for the enjoyment of all who appreciate wild and lonely places." The organization oversees over 100 bothies across Scotland, Wales, and Northern England.

The concept is straightforward. Bothies are free to use and open to anyone, with no advance bookings allowed. There’s an unwritten rule that the bothy should never be considered full (though groups of six or more and commercial groups are kindly asked not to use them). 

While grid references are accessible online, don't rely on phone signal when searching for them, and even with a clearly marked map, they can still be hard to find.

Hugh was trekking through a network of trails in an area dubbed the "Green Desert of Wales" due to its absence of settlements, roads, and infrastructure. His plan was to spend the night at Nant Syddion bothy before continuing on to Aberystwyth, the nearest large town, the following day. Given the few buildings in the area, he anticipated finding the bothy with ease. However, as he navigated a series of forestry tracks while the sun started to set, he began to question whether he would find it at all.

With a sense of relief, he finally spotted the reflection of a window through the trees and made his way down a steep path to a two-story stone building that seemed out of place in the middle of nowhere, with a spiral of smoke rising from its chimney. And that’s precisely what it was. Nant Syddion had once been the home of a lead miner and his family, and now it serves as a temporary refuge for hikers.

Each bothy is a repurposed building with a history. Most were once shepherd’s huts, farmsteads, or workers' housing. In the early 20th century, hill farming declined, and fewer people lived in remote areas, leaving many of these structures abandoned. After World War Two, hiking and mountaineering grew in popularity as recreational activities, and outdoor enthusiasts began using these derelict buildings for shelter. The MBA was founded by Bernard Heath and a group of friends to restore and maintain these shelters for others who shared their love of the outdoors.

By Naila Huseynova