UK National Parks Winning Landscape

Taken from the Glyderau range in Snowdonia National Park. Photo by Michal Tekel

Four images from Exmoor photographers were shortlisted in the UK National Parks’ Winning Landscapes competition, but the winning image, selected by Ben Fogle, was taken by an amateur photographer originally from Slovakia.

Michal Tekel, 35, who now lives in Nottingham with his wife and two young children, has been taking photos as a hobby since he was 15. He said: “I like to visit National Parks around Britain, usually I take my family with me – and always my camera! This was only my second visit to Snowdonia. The first time we just did a family walk so this was my first chance to walk up to any of the peaks.

“I took this photo because it was a really breathtaking view – it was the combination of the mountains surrounding the lakes that I thought was really special. I’m thrilled to win, I’ve never entered a photo competition in the UK before,” he added.

Ben Fogle said, “This stunning photograph of Cwm Idwal* in Snowdonia National Park, for me, sums up the eclectic diversity and variety of our National Parks. It is a beautiful photograph in its composition of green rolling hills, rugged rock, soaring mountains, reflective lakes and thousands of acres of sky.”

The month-long competition was launched by the UK Association of National Park Authorities, in association with its partner Merrell, to highlight this year’s National Parks Week* which runs from July 30-August 5. The Winning Landscapes competition attracted nearly 400 entries and lucky winner Michal Tekel will receive his choice of outdoor footwear from Merrell’s spring/summer 2012 collection http://www.merrell.com/UK/en.

The stunning entries – featuring some ‘gold-medal-winning’ views – were submitted from every corner of the UK, revealing magnificent landscapes from waterfalls to lakes, mountain panoramas to valley views.

Kathryn Cook, of the UK Association of National Park Authorities, said, “We were truly amazed at the number and standard of the entries – 378 in total – which made our job in whittling it down to a shortlist very hard indeed! It just goes to show that our UK National Park Family, with its huge variety of landscapes and activities for all abilities that they offer, are dear to the hearts of the British people. We’re grateful to everyone who entered – and to Ben for choosing our winner.”

Emily Carr, from Merrell, said, “It’s great to see the creativity and inspiration Britain’s fantastic outdoor spaces provide for visitors and as a proud supporter of the UK National Parks, Merrell is pleased to be part of these outdoor adventures.”

The winning photo and all the other entries can be seen at www.nationalparks.gov.uk/visiting/winninglandscapes

About National Parks Week 2012 – July 30-Aug 5 2012:
This year’s National Parks Week theme is all about celebrating our beautiful winning landscapes which have inspired generations of runners, cyclists, sailors, mountaineers and Olympic athletes to train harder and aim higher (Lord Coe among them).
There will be activities and events throughout the UK’s Family of National Parks for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy. For more information see:
http://www.nationalparks.gov.uk/visiting/nationalparksweek.htm

About the winning photo:
Michael Tekel’s photo (taken with a digital Nikon D700) is taken from the Glyderau range of mountains in Snowdonia National Park. In the foreground on the right of the picture is Llyn Idwal (Lake Idwal) and the farther lake is Llyn Ogwen (Lake Ogwen). The mountain in the far distance on the right of the picture is Tryfan, one of the ‘elite’ 14 peaks in the National Park which is more than 3,000ft high. The peak on the left of the image is Pen yr Ole Wen.
There are 15 Members of the UK National Park Family – for more info see www.nationalparks.gov.uk

Published: 18 May 2012