best circular walks in south wales

Oct 16 - Oct 17. North West Wales is famous for its walks. Continue on a circular walk around the nature reserve and you could discover some of the rare species of plants, birds and insects in the area. Stay up to day with our travels on Instagram and get semi-regular updates directly to your inbox via our newsletter. The Golden Road hiking trail is a fantastic route for a gentle, undulating hike offering fantastic views from the spine of the Preseli Hills. 7 of the most adventurous things to do in Belize, 10 awesome adventure dogs you need to follow on Instagram. Distance. $78. Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea There are plenty of walks and routes to choose from at Penllergare Valley Woods in Llanngyfelch / Penllergaer. South Wales, also known affectionately as 'The Valleys' by locals, is a rich historically textural part of the United Kingdom. After a quick stumble down Corn du and scramble up Pen Y Fan, youll see the crowds emerge to summit the highest peak in south Wales. A circular walk around Nevern in Pembrokeshire will take you from the medieval castle and ancient crosses in the churchyard over the northern slopes of the Preselis to view sites spanning more than 5,000 years of history. The coastal section roams over magnificent headlands with views stretching down past rugged cliffs to the surging ocean below. Along the way there are brief reminders of life: the remains of a Celtic Chapel; a long-lost ancient fort; ruined burial chambers and the dolmen of Coetan Arthur. Thirdly, although the greatest proliferation of birdlife is found on Skomer Island (one of our favourite places to visit in Pembrokeshire), this hike heads to Wooltack Point, on the headland opposite. Dale Circular. Wales has some of the best in Great Britain including the rugged Pembrokeshire coast which is famous for its coastal path. Browse below to find your perfect day out - without a car - in South West Wales! The walk also climbs to the summit of Garn Fawr, at 213 metres it is the highest point on this stretch of coast. It's the perfect walk in South Wales to disconnect from your busy life and admire the grand nature of the area. It goes without saying that like almost all of our hikes most of these Pembrokeshire walks involve a pitstop in an atmospheric pub or a well-positioned cafe. You can start the walk from St Justinians, Porthclais (National Trust) or Merrivale (St Davids) car parks. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Read more Cosheston Temporarily unavailable due to storm damage. 1.8km (1.1 miles). . Youll follow the ridgde to head back down, and complete the tough, six-mile hike. Bring your swimming gear for a dip in the sea and a bite for a relaxing lunch on the beach or headlands. Moel Tryfan and Moel Smytho, Gwynedd 13.3km/8.3 miles | 4.5 hours | hard A field full of wildflowers in the Ogwen Valley in Snowdonia - with Moel Tryfan looming in the background. 2.1 miles (3.4km). Continue south from the Cambrian Mountains and there are the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains with jewels such as Pen Y Fan and Sugar Loaf. Time: 2 hours. Starting at Knoll Beach. Length: 2.6 mi Est. Difficulty Medium |Distance 6.75 kilometres (4.2 miles) |Time 2 hours 15 minutes |Start Whitesands Car Park |Directions Clockwise on our Whitesands and Carn Llidi Walk Map. Ideal for its multiple walking trails, the route is separated into three different sections; southern, central, and northern. If you are planning on doing several of these day walks, and you intend on using public transport, St Davids is a great place to base yourself. It was invented in Pembrokeshire and the Blue Lagoon is a great place to have a go. For any of the above walks in Wales youll need to come prepared with plenty of water, snacks to keep you going, your map, compass and directions, plus a first aid kit, waterproofs and some extra layers, just in case. Lost Valley (Coire Gabhail), Glen Coe. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We are Paul & Mark, two curious & adventurous travellers who provide practical information to help you make the most of your travels. The walk will also take in more of the archaeology of upland Blaenau Gwent, for which good walking boots and waterproofs are essential. You can find our favourite places to stay in our guide to the best hotels, huts & B&Bs in Pembrokeshire. Stage 1 (Castleton Visitor Centre to Winnats Pass) Grid reference: SK 150 830.From Castleton Visitor Centre, turn right onto the road (A6187) and walk down the pavement for about 200 metres. Suggested hiking time: 4hrs The Jurassic Coastline is a World Heritage Site. If you prefer to hike in the afternoon then anytime after 12 PM is usually fine. Distance: 3.7 miles. The trail begins at a small car park at the Breakwater Country Park, where you . Complete with walk descriptions, step-by-step instructions and maps, there's everything you need to head out and walk the . Starting at Minehead in Somerset the trail runs along the coastline of Exmoor, continuing along the coast of North Devon into Cornwall. Take a detour to the magnificent cathedral where wealth poured in after Pope Calixtus II declared two pilgrimages to St Davids is equal to one to Rome, and three to Jerusalem. Begin the walk at the National Trust Car Park at Marloes Sands and head anti-clockwise following the route on the map linked below. You can head back inland across the fields (see map below), but for once its probably better to return along the coast. If you found this guide useful, buying us a coffee will help fuel our next adventure. Here are some of our favourites. DISTANCE: 9kmELEVATION: 273mDURATION: 2-3 hoursDIFFICULTY: ModerateBEST FOR: Woodland walk, waterfalls, wild swimming. Aonach Eagach: Is this Great Britain's scariest hike? Leaving the Blaenavon World Heritage Centre and following the line of the railway to Garn Lakes, then climbing Coity to cross open moorland the haunt of Yr Hen Wrach y Bryniau (The Hag of the Hills) to descend via Cwm Ffrywd to Varteg before returning to base. A giant Brecon Beacons walk at 15 miles long, the Llyn y Fan Fach and Llyn y Fan Fawr circular walk takes in 2 lakes. Have you explored much of the Brecon Beacons? DISTANCE: 8.2kmELEVATION: 471mDURATION: 2-3 hoursDIFFICULTY: ModerateBEST FOR: History, panoramic views, wildlife. Growing up, I was the only girl at Scouts finding thrills in the camping, rock climbing and night hikes that were rarely offered at Girl Guides. How to use this map / Click on the top left of the map to display the list of locations, then click on the locations to display further information. These rural constitutionals can take you past Iron Age remains, local farms, ancient or Arts and Crafts churches, unspoiled woodland, stone circles, and old mills. The trek will end where it started, at the Foxhunter memorial, a plaque commemorating a celebrated international show jumping horse. But if you dont have that sort of time, its entirely possible to complete some of the best sections and see many of the highlights of the Pembrokeshire Coast on shorter day walks. Walking in Harlech. 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Map and directions. The Wales Valleys Walking Festival is celebrating everything our countryside has to offer this month with a series of incredible, lesser-known walks to ease you into autumn. 2. Precipice Walk, North Wales There's a bit of everything on the spectacular Precipice circular walk: woodland, meadows, lakeside - and of course the precipice part (don't worry - it's not as scary as it sounds). Its a bleak and lonely place where the crowds disappear and the paths seem to stretch on forever. Its not always easy to find a great circular walk along the coast but this is a cracker. Just head further east along the headland before returning to the car park under Garn Fawr (free). Thank you. Starting point: Basil & Rustys Ice Cream Parlour, Machen, CF83 8NJ. Taking between one to two hours, this generally flat route will take you past various pubs (always handy should you get a thirst on), across farmland, down bridleways and through woodland which, although carpeted with bluebells in spring, can get a bit boggy at this time of year as the weather starts to turn. This walk is a testament to the notion that not all walks in Snowdonia involve the famed mountain. What? This is because Broadway is one of the best villages to visit and seeing the tower is one of the most popular things to do there. Whether you are looking for a relaxing wander or the challenge of a lifetime, the South West Coast Path covers 630 miles of world-class walking tracks. (Bus). Its dramatic buttressed craggy features and far-reaching views belie its 181-metre height. Not so much for the distance, as much as the amount of ascent and descent. This circular walk starts at Kithurst Hill, which is near the halfway point of the South Downs Way. Honestly, we really don't know how spoilt we are sometimes. Woodland Walks South Wales 1. Starting at the 19th century Keepers Pond, this five mile hike will take in the our legends from the surrounding Blorenge Mountain, including Garnddyrys Forge, Hills Tram Road - which connected the Blaenavon Ironworks to Llanfoist - and Keepers Cottage, once home of the game keeper of nearby grouse moors. In 1900, 30 ships and 9 warehouses made this a buzzing hub. The jagged pinnacles of rock at Marloes Sands and beneath the nearby cliffs and Gateholm make a spectacular start to this walk as you head towards Woolstack Point. Circular Walks In West Wales. Along the way it visits a tiny harbour, a dramatic deep blue pool, and magnificent Barafundle beach. Holiday Inn Gwangju, an IHG Hotel. P = Parking This walk takes in the most famous landmark on this stretch of Dorset coast - Old Harry Rocks. Before heading off on some of the best walks in the Brecon Beacons, its important to understand as much information about the area as possible so you are fully equipped ahead of your trip. Read more Llwybr Pwll Cornel, Newport Short Walk. Its a seven-mile route and begins at Bwlch Gwynt, not far from Foel Eryr or the Place of the Eagle, where youll find a Bronze Age burial cairn and wild ponies grazing peacefully. It requires some puff, but its well worth the effort. If you are really lucky you may spy thousands of Manx Shearwaters gathering on the water in the early evening. Coasteering involves scrambling along rocky coastlines and playing in the surging surf. Explore a dramatic coastline A spectacular walk around the end of the Marloes peninsula Marloes Sands and Mere Pembrokeshire Martin's Haven - the Deer Park walk 4 hours 18 minutes. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Between the Harlech and Llandanwg beaches lies an infamous path. Once you reach the car park, youll already be in awe of the fantastic views over the Brecon Beacons but the best is yet to come.Its a gentle walk across the fields towards the base of Sugar Loaf Mountain and from here it gets steep. The walks are on the longer side, with lengths varying from 9 to 15 miles. Its easier to park in Bosherston and start the walk from there. North Wales: Cadair Idris circular Length/difficulty: 6 miles/hard Glacial lakes, sea views, rugged mountain vistas - this walk on the southern fringes of Snowdonia National park has got the lot. Streaky grey slate forces its way through sandy beaches and swelling seas, forming sharp triangles of rock jutting through the golden sand and blue-green waters. Except for a couple of very short climbs to ascend the cliffs, the walk is mainly flat and not difficult. Cwm Idwal Circular Walk Offering some of the most stunning mountainous scenery in the country, the Cwm Idwal Circular Walk is a delightful valley hike through the heart of Snowdonia National Park. You can either pick up a map detailing various walks from the cafe or just go for a wander and head where the mood takes you. From colossal sculptures hewn from the living earth to ancient fables of sleeping giants and buried treasure, its landscape also offers plenty of amazing things to ponder as well as look at. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Inland, the trail meanders through the Stackpole Estate and its famous Lily Ponds. Distance: 2.5 miles, 2 to 3 hours.Grade: ModerateLess circular and more up and down, this is one of the most beautiful walks in Scotland. Starting in Riverton, this walk follows a path through the forests where you'll eventually discover what was once Hollinshead Hall, an 18 th century manor house owned by the wealthy Hollinshead family. Saundersfoot Beach to Tenby Beach. In fact, its been our editors go-to pack for the last two years. Secondly, the lovely narrow path clings to the cliff top as it meanders along the edge of the headland and cuts through swathes of yellow gorse, swaying bracken, and seasonal flowers. Boats to Skomer Island leave from Martins Haven harbour, which you pass on this walk. Roath Park is one of the best family walks in Cardiff thanks to a flat, circular walk around the lake with plenty of facilities along the way. According to legend, athlete Gutos speed and agility made him the fastest man on earth - so fast, in fact, he could run from his home at Nythbran Farm to Pontypridd and back before the kettle had chance to boil. We have partnered with Ramblers Cymru to deliver walks each station across our region has to offer. Another easy circular walk in South Yorkshire is this route which begins near Langsett and enjoys a route through little-known moorland, coming back down via the Little Don River.