Jabeen Waheed

Leavenworth was a place I stumbled across on TikTok during one long, sweltering summer day last year, when all I wanted was a European-style cool-off, and what a place was presented to me.

I sighed, staring down at the text from the make-up artist I had booked for my brother’s wedding the week before. She was already an hour late, and while it was frustrating, I couldn’t quite bring myself to get truly riled up about it. After all, I’d spent the past two and a half years telling myself I would never complain about the British transport system again – and that’s because I’ve been living and working in L.A...

I don’t think I’ve ever done Griffith Observatory the ‘easy way.’ Every time I’ve gone, it’s been through the trails – the long, dusty paths that wind up through Griffith Park and make you work for it. It starts off manageable, almost casual, and then somewhere along the way you realise you’re fully in it: sun overhead, no shade, and a steady incline that doesn’t really let up.

There’s no better feeling than reaching the top of a hill after a long, gruelling hike. The uphill struggle as you chase the perfect view, the sneaky breaks to take those scenic Instagram snaps when you actually just want to catch your breath and the constant self-reassurance that you are nearly there – it’s all worth it for the triumph of reaching the top. Those views make up for the intense DOMS the next day. The hard part is over. Or so it may seem… Unfortunately, for many hikers, walkers and

The mental and physical benefits of hiking and walking have never been more important. Whether it’s to lift our mood, give us time to make some mental space or to keep our bodies feeling strong, spending time in nature can be powerful. But you don’t have to drop serious cash on lengthy train journeys or flights to find decent hiking routes. In fact, those of us lucky enough to live in the capital have everything we need right here among London’s staggering 1,572 square kilometres of green space.

The fresh air, the lush greenery, and the miles of intertwined walking trails – the outdoors has always been at our fingertips.... Or has it always been out of reach? Unfortunately, for minorities, enjoying nature has been very much inaccessible, and while commendable strides are being made recently, there is still a considerable lack of diversity for minorities when it comes to enjoying camping, hiking, and nature in the same way as their white counterparts. In fact, in a recent study conducte