Hiking Wales

[Woodsman]

Has anyone seen the feature article in the June Backpacker magazine called "Wild Wales"? It features short descriptions of hikes in Wales with grand pictures of the beautiful landscape. I always thought about doing kilted hikes in Scotland but this sheds a whole new light on the fabulous outdoors that Wales has to offer.

The article talks about trails in Snowdonia National Park to see Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach (striking rock formations); Brecon Beacons National Park where as legend has it, the Lady of the Lake (Fan Fach) gave King Arthur the sword of Excalibur; Offa's Dyke Path, a defensible rampart built by Mercia's King Offa to keep the Welsh barbarians out of Mercia. This is now the boundary between England and Wales. There is lots of history immersed in the striking background of mountains.

Anyway, lots of outworldly, "Lord of the Rings" type scenery. The article warns that May to September is best for hiking but always pack for rain, wind and cold. Summer high is 65F.

[Jock Scot]

For a small island the UK has many wild areas. Those that spring to mind outside Scotland, would be the parts of Wales that you have mentioned and there are many others,the Black Mountains of Wales come to mind. In England there is Dartmoor, Exemoor, Bodmin Moor, the Peak District, the Lakes, North Yorkshire moors, the Pennines, simply miles of stunning coastal walks and many many more superb walks that abound in the UK. Not all go through wild and hilly crags, that is true, but take the Cotswolds for example there is stunning scenery, history by the boat load and you are never far from a watering hole! Sorry Ireland I don't know you well enough to suggest places, but you have magnificent scenery and no doubt fine walks too.

[McClef]

Wales is always well worth a visit!

(and you might even spot the odd kilt (or cilt)!