Some of the best walks in Wales are to be found in the hills and mountains. This part of the UK has been described as a ‘hiker’s paradise’ by Backpackers Magazine. Wales benefits from a rugged landscape that is hauntingly beautiful, and this means that walking in this part of the world is a real joy. There are trails here to suit all levels of hiking expertise, and the best of these would include:
Gribin Coastal Walk
The Gribin Coastal Walk in Dyfed, Pembrokeshire is a good option for hikers who are looking for something that is not too much of a challenge. It is a one mile walk that can be completed in about thirty minutes. The terrain is reasonably easy to navigate, and there is just a modest incline near the beginning of the walk ascending up a small hill. The Gribin Coastal Walk commences at Solva Harbour, and it follows a circular path through the headland that leads back to the harbour.
Snowdonia National Park Walks
Snowdonia National Park covers an area of 823 square miles. There are plenty of easy walks to choose from in the park, but if people are looking for more of a challenge they can choose to hike up Snowdon Mountain. This is the highest peak in Wales, and it is where George Mallory prepared for his Mount Everest expedition. The walks in this part of the world allow hikers to experience some of the most stunningly beautiful scenery in the world. One of the most popular hikes is the Snowdon Horseshoe which involves walking along the ridges in a loop that starts and ends at Pen y Pass. This 7 mile trail takes about 5 hours to complete, and it is not recommended for the inexperienced or anyone who is afraid of heights.
Rhossili Bay, Swansea
Rhossili Bay is located approximately 19 miles away from the centre of Swansea. This charming 3 mile beach often appears on postcards of Wales. The nicest walk here is along the beach, but it is possible to extend this hike by also going to Rhossili Down, which is located to the north of the village. The beach is covered in sand dunes, and there are also some tidal islands that it is possible to walk to when the tie is low. This can be a particularly nice place to walk in the evenings because the beach faces in a westerly direction, and this means that sunsets can be spectacular here.
Brecon Beacons National Park
The Brecon Beacons is the best hiking destination in South Wales. This National Park covers an area of 519 square miles, and it includes 7 peaks with the highest being Fan y Big, which is 719 metres above sea level. Some of the most enjoyable hiking is to be found to the west of the park around the Black Mountains. This is one of the most remote areas that people can visit in the UK, and the local scenery is breathtaking. It is important that people are cautions about hiking here because things can quickly go wrong if the weather deteriorates.
Hafod y Llan Walk
The Hafod y Llan Walk is located in Craflwyn, Eifionydd which is in North Wales – it is about 13 miles away from Bangor. This hike is approximately 4 miles, and it can be completed in less than 2 hours. Walkers get to experience a good mixture of terrain, and they will pass a large waterfall (Cwm Llan). The Hafod y Llan Walk begins at Bethania car park and ends at Craflwyn Hall.