Hiking Tours in Wales

If you love hearty food, a distinct culture, the great outdoors and breath-taking scenery then a trip to Wales should be on your list. The green rolling hills and atmospheric scenery of Wales have inspired many. There are pristine lakes and rivers, mountains to climb (such as Snowdon) world-class beaches and pristine coastal paths. Wales is home to the first place in Britain to be designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Snowdonia 

For most of us, when we think of Wales we think of Snowdonia. Consisting of 14 majestic peaks over 3,000 feet high, the most famous being Snowdon the summit of which is accessible by train. Snowdonia National Park is also one of the most popular hiking and climbing destinations in Britain and extends from the coast all the way to Bala Lake. 

Recommendations:  Located just outside Snowdonia National Park, you will find the wondrous Portmeirion village which is a hotel resort and visitor attraction. It looks like something from a fairy-tale, the architect Clough Williams-Ellis acquired the wilderness site in 1925 and dedicated his life to building an Italianate village, drawing heavily on the colored facades of Portofino for inspiration. 

Pembrokeshire Coast 

The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is Britain's only coastal national park. Hidden away in the far south-west corner of Wales, Pembrokeshire has rugged beauty, secluded coves, long sandy beaches, prolific bird life and a rich history. Bird watchers and nature lovers will be thrilled by Skomer Island, the largest colony of seabirds in southern Britain is home to puffins, kittiwakes, fulmars and 100,000 pairs of shearwaters.  

Recommendations:  The only way to truly experience the incredible scenery of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path is on foot. During your week of walking, you will wander through flower-filled fields, enjoy warm hospitality in quaint fishing villages and stride along high Atlantic cliffs.

Gower Peninsula 

The Gower Penninsula was voted as the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty back in 1956, and wonderfully it hasn’t changed much since! It’s on the doorstep of Swansea yet you will feel a million miles away from the city's hustle and bustle. This area is known for its rich and varied environment, from wild moors and limestones cliffs to turquoise waters and golden sand. The peninsula has the best surfing in Wales outside Pembrokeshire.  

Recommendations: Walk the Gower Peninsula  If you love walking by the sea and through areas of great natural beauty.  

Conwy

On the north coast of Wales, a short distance from Manchester, Conwy offers something for everyone. You can explore its medieval architecture, stunning castles and shop til you drop! The National Trust’s Aberconwy House is Conwy’s only surviving 14th-century merchants house and one of the first buildings constructed inside the town walls. Other interesting sights are the Elizabethan Plas Mawrand the smallest house in Great Britain. 

Recommendations: Pay a visit to Bodnant Gardens, one of Wales’ best gardens and a great place to relax and unwind. Explore its expansive lawns and intimate corners, grand ponds,and impressive terraces and well as a remarkable plant collection from all over the world.

Wye Valley 

The Wye valley offers dramatic landscapes and nature trails, its known as “an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty”. The Wye river crisscrosses the Welsh and English borders as it winds its way through the scenic and tranquil countryside. The author George Barrow once described it as “the most lovely river, probably, the world can boast of”.  As a border river, it has an intriguing history with Iron Age Hillforts and a string of castles defending its boundaries. Today, it’s a place where grapes ripen, salmon leap, markets bustle and culture thrives.  

The history of the Welsh language is a fascinating one, with it being though to be one of the oldest living languages in Europe! 23% of the population today still speak Cymraeg (Welsh) and its lilting tones are simply a delight to listen to! 

History

The Welsh language originates from the Celtic language which arrived in Britain around 600BC and evolved into Brythonic (the basis for Cymraeg). When the Anglo-Saxons invaded around the 12th century, Middle Welsh as it was called then, survived and many Welsh-speaking people can still understand this today. 

The language was banned in 1536 by Henry VIII and it began to be suppressed, as people needed to speak English to get jobs. It was revived through political campaigns in the 20th century and in 1992 it was given equal status as English. 

Some useful words

Cymru - Wales

Bore da - Good morning

Prynhawn da - Good afternoon

Iechyd da! - Cheers! 

Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch - no, that isn't a typo! Famous for being the longest place name in Europe, it translates to "St Mary's Church in the Hollow of the White Hazel near a Rapid Whirlpool and the Church of St. Tysilio near the Red Cave".

Wales is home to many wild, rugged and tranquil landscapes, so it is no wonder that they have been a source of inspiration for many Welsh authors and poets including the following;

Dylan Thomas

Perhaps Wales’ most famous poet, Dylan Thomas was born in Swansea in 1914. His popular poetry, such as ‘Do not go gentle into that good night’, as well as his turbulent personal life, penchant for partying, and emotive readings cemented his legend. Although he did leave Wales at times to earn a living in London, the threat of German air-raids on the capital during the war soon drove Thomas and his family back to the Welsh coast. At Llangain, he was inspired to write “Holy Spring” and “Vision and Prayer”. He then moved further north to New Quay, a seaside town on the beautiful Ceredigion Coast. It is said that the landscapes of New Quay inspired ‘Under Milk Wood’, a radio drama which was later adapted for stage and film.  Every year Laugharne holds a festival in Thomas’ honour and this small town attracts a range of literary and creative stars, it is a must do for all Dylan Thomas fans and is a good opportunity to combine a walking trip on Wales’ famous Pembrokeshire Coast Path!

Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl was born in Cardiff in 1916 to Norwegian immigrant parents. He is best known for his children stories, the most famous of which include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda and The BFG. Dahl was raised and educated in Wales and later at a public school in England. It is said that during his time at boarding school he was incredibly homesick for Wales and wrote to his mother every week. Dahl went on to become a fighter pilot in the RAF during the Second World War and had postings all over the world. During and after his travels, Wales remained close to his heart. As a child, the Dahl family holidayed each Easter in the harbour town of Tenby on the Pembrokeshire Coast. The cabin where they stayed is still in the possession of the Dahl family and is available to rent as a holiday home. 

Raymond Williams

Raymond Williams is the famous author of the novel Border Country, which is a fascinating semi-autobiographical novel about life in Welsh border country, telling a story about the social and historical effects on places and their communities. It is set in the fictional town of Glynmawr but this is based on William's home town of Pandy, which the national trail Offa's Dyke Path runs through. Borders are a big theme of this novel and it would make a fascinating read for anybody who is looking to set off on the Offa's Dyke Path, to give them a bit of an insight into life in this part of Wales. 

Hay Festival

Every year, Hay-on-Wye on the Offa's Dyke Path is home to the famous Hay Festival or to give it it's official title, The Hay Festival of Literature & Arts. Famous for it's charming bookshops, Hay-on-Wye hosts a multitude of events at this time, hosted in a tented village on the outskirts of town. Visitors can enjoy around 700 speakers and a festival bookshop as well as music events at night. If you are planning to walk the Offa's Dyke Path over this time, we recommend booking asap as the accommodation here gets booked up many months in advance! You can check out details on the festival's official website here - http://www.hayfestival.com/wales/home