A YOUNG hiker has completed a month-long, 550-mile walk from Derbyshire to Inverness.
Ryan Platts, 14, who was born in Barnsley and used to live in Summer Lane, now lives in Marrakech, Morocco, but visits his grandparents in Darton each year for the summer holidays. He always takes on the challenge of a long-distance walk.
This year his marathon hike took in The Pennine Way, a 268-mile trek from Edale to Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders walking up the backbone of England. It's considered the most difficult and challenging long distance walk in the country.
Ryan has already completed this section of the walk, which he also did when he was 11, and has also trekked the Coast to Coast, Offa's Dyke and Yorkshire Three Peaks.
"It was a bit different this time because there was a heatwave," he said. "But I like long-distance walking because of the sense of accomplishment - I try hard to stay within the times I set myself."
Ryan climbed Ben Nevis while on the trip in a time of three hours and 58 minutes.
He walked with Sue Field, his aunt from Dodworth, and was supported by other family members who did various stages.
Staying in youth hostels and bed and breakfasts, Ryan took in the West Highland Way - 96 miles from Milngavie to Fort William. The final stage was the Great Glen Way, 73 miles along the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness.
