Country diary: slow growth on the edge of oblivion

Buxton, Derbyshire: Yews have steel-like strength and the ability to grow in unlikely places – even out of pure rock

Dreading winter lockdown? Learn to love walking in the rain

With the right clothes and attitude, hiking in a downpour can reveal an exhilarating natural world

I walk around London at midnight – with my father’s ghost for company

The crime writer travels the City’s historic and deserted streets alone, but memories of her father are always there to guide her

‘Mystical and unspoilt beauty’: readers on their most inspiring UK walks

From the heights of Crib Goch in Wales to the history of the Isle of Portland in Dorset, here are some of your favourite walks

The Guardian view on restoring lost rights of way: in search of beauty

Editorial: The huge response to a campaign to put forgotten public footpaths back on the map shows how much we value access to the natural environment

In troubled times, a ritual walk can clear the mind and soothe the soul

A pilgrimage is healing because it encourages you to savour the moment, says Catherine Fairweather

Country diary: boulderers make the most of the rocky terrain

Llanberis, Gwynedd: They felt at the initial holds, arms taking their weight, toes stabbing at edges and pockets that might afford some lift

Country diary: into the woods and out of the ordinary

Coed y Cwm, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion: The deep leaf litter beneath my feet soaks up other sounds, creating an acoustic like that of a softly furnished library

Into the night: why walking in the dark is good for the soul

Shorter days don’t have to put a stop to walking trips, as our writer finds on a night-time ramble on the South Downs

The Guardian view on the pleasures of autumn

Editorial: It will be a difficult winter, but the natural world brings small, precious consolations