songs for winter walks (playlist)

Oli with his brother, Josh, at the Elan Valley Reservoir in Mid Wales.

I tend not to write about music on here (despite earning my living as professional musician), but I’ve decided to start sharing a few of my favourite tunes in the form of seasonal playlists.

January will be spent mainly in hibernation, but we’re also planning lots of wintry walks; so here’s a playlist of (mainly melancholic) folk, Americana, and soul, interspersed with some cheeky blues and cheerful French pop. There’s also a sprinkling of Scandi ambience for drives in the Welsh hills.

I’ve asked some friends – Oli, Chris, Steve, Dave, and Fraser – to offer up their choice picks to make things more interesting!

Click here to Listen on Spotify

All the Best – Marianne Faithfull
picked by Ash

Cover Me Up – Jason Isbel
picked by Oli

The Weed Smoker’s Dream – Hugh Laurie (feat. Gaby Moreno)
picked by Ash

Make it Rain – Foy Vance
picked by Chris

#29 strafford apts – Bon Iver
picked by Oli

Chez Keith et Anita – Carla Bruni
picked by Ash

The Small Fire – Mick Flannery
picked by Oli

The Ballad of Lou the Welterweight – The Felice Brothers
picked by Oli

Von – Sigur Rós
picked by Oli

This is not America – David Bowie & Pat Metheny Group
picked by Steve

Don’t Tell Our Friends About Me – Blake Mills
picked by Chris

Getting Some Fun Out of Life – Madeleine Peyroux
picked by Ash

Poison & Wine – The Civil Wars
picked by Ash

Here’s the Tender Coming – The Unthanks
picked my Ash

Also, here are a few of our favourite walks in England and Wales this month, to get you started:
– Cwm Idwal Walk | in the Glyderau mountains of Snowdonia.
– The Elan Valley Reservoirs
– The Llethrau | (camping and walking) 1200ft up in the Cambrian mountains
– Pistyll Rhaeadr | Britain’s tallest single drop waterfall
– Delamere Forest

What are your favourite winter walking songs? I’d love to add them to the playlist!

Happy hiking,

Ashley