OS Champion

Sam Roper-Docherty

Meet Sam Roper-Doherty

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you like to get outside?

I am a Zoology with Conservation graduate, from Bangor University. I love to hike, swim, cycle, explore and scramble. I’m a keen wildlife photographer- love all animals large or small. Visited all major UK national parks and climbed all their major peaks. From small dog walks to long camping weekends I just love being outdoors. Stargazing, bird surveying, tree identifying or just simply sitting in a good spot reading a good book.

At University I got my SCUBA diving license and have participated in many other activities such as caving, kayaking, mountain biking and climbing.

What’s your favourite route or place to go and why?

Sam Roper-Docherty’s Favourite Place – Malham Cove, North Yorkshire

I love the whole of the UK. Favourite national park would probably be the Yorkshire Dales- for its rolling hills and deep limestone gorges. Saying this, I’ve been to them all and I love them all individually. Climbed all major peaks- Snowdon, Scafell Pike, Kinder Scout, Ben Nevis, Whernside, Cheviot, Pen-Y-Fan and Cairngorm to name a few. I try never to do the same route twice as there is so much to offer.

But if I had to pick one, I’d go with Malam Cove- as I remember doing it as a child then going back a few years ago and remembering how amazing it was (OS Grid Ref SD 90098 62832). Best peak out of the ones listed would be Scafell Pike – did the back route in through a gorgeous valley and up to the top. Spent 3 years exploring Eryri National Park, so I know the area very well. Back home in Suffolk the landscape is completely different, but there is still beauty in the flat- from forests and fens to stunning coasts and meadows.

Malham Cove

Want to find out more about how to start hiking?

Read our complete guide to Hiking for Beginners, everything you need to get started from essential equipment to fitness and safety advice – Hiking For Beginners