THE FIVE BEST WALKS IN SOUTH WALES FOR STUNNING SCENERY
Wales is well known for several things: male voice choirs, an extreme love of rugby and having some of the most fantastic, unspoiled scenery to be found anywhere in the UK. Normally the best walks are kept relatively secret in order to stop a huge influx of tourists flocking there and spoiling the countryside. But here are five of the best walks you can go on across South Wales, unveiled:
#1 RHOSILLI BAY, SWANSEA
Despite being a short drive away from Swansea’s bustling city centre, Rhosilli Bay is still one of the local’s best kept secrets. With its sandy shores, beautiful cliff faces and miles of miles of rolling countryside it’s no wonder Rhosilli is such a firm favourite with ramblers across the UK. The walk itself is roughly 5 miles long and is a circular route, so you can go round as many times as you want. Some of the views you get include the Worms Head and Burry Holmes tidal islands and an astounding 360-degree view of the Gower.
#2 PENBRYN BEACH, CEREDIGION
The best walk in Ceredigion is Penbryn Beach which may not be a long one, at around 1 ¾ miles, but it is second to none for views. Due to its rural location, Penbryn makes an excellent spot for star gazing, with clear nights offering fantastic views of millions of stars and even a glimpse of the Milky Way. Nature lovers will be excited by the variety of bats that come out around Penbryn Beach at night or the birds that flock to its shores during the day.
#3 PEN Y FAN HORSESHOE, BRECON BEACONS
If it’s a challenge you’re after then why not tackle the Pen y Fan Horseshoe? The ascension for Pen y Fan is more than enough for some people, but the Horseshoe walk takes you over three other peaks – Corn Du, Cribyn and Fan y Big, a challenge for even the most experienced of ramblers. While the climb may be a real slog, the views you get at the end of it are more than worth it – on a really clear day you can see all the way to Mumbles, 40 miles away!
#4 FOREST DRIVE, CWMCARN
Another one of Wales’ best kept secrets is Cwmcarn Forest Drive – only a 20 minute drive away from Cardiff and you find yourself in a whole new set of surroundings. With a fantastic panoramic view of Cardiff, Newport and, on a good day, the English Coast this is one of the most beautiful locations in South Wales. The walk to the top can be quite strenuous, but the view is phenomenal and more than makes up for the graft.
#5 COASTAL PATH, PEMBROKESHIRE
One of the longest purpose made walking trails in the UK. You can follow the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path 299km through some of the most beautiful countryside in the UK. Of course, you don’t have to do the whole thing! There are many stopping and starting points all along the trail, allowing you to customise the length and difficulty of your walks based on your abilities and time constraints.
If you’re walking around Swansea then why not make the trip more enjoyable and stay in the luxurious Dragon Hotel? After a hard day’s walking you can relax in our spa, enjoy a delicious dinner and then rest your weary head on our extremely comfortable pillows.