I have completed all the Welsh National Trails and the Wales Coast Path. They have been thoroughly enjoyable journeys and I have gained fascinating insights into Welsh life from the many wonderful people I have met on the way. Confusingly, Natural England manages all the National Trails in both nations, although not Scotland.
It has three formal long-distance National Trails, but many more long-distance routes which cross the country. If you should choose to do so, you can walk the entire boundary by connecting the Wales Coast Path to Offa’s Dyke, a journey of over 1,000 miles.
Pembrokeshire Coast Path / Llwybr Arfordir Penfro
Offa’s Dyke / Llwybr Clawdd Offa
Glyndŵr’s Way / Llwybr Glyndŵr
Wales Coast Path / Llwybr Afordir Cymru
This section explores these trails in more detail. The coastal path cemented my love of coastal walking, specifically the transitions between urban and industrial landscapes. One moment you could be surrounded by skylarks filling the air with their song, the next moment, you would be walking alongside a dual carriageway and observing the later afternoon commute home. This diversity of experience gets you thinking harder and wakes you from any slumber, allowing you to appreciate the wonders of solitude and nature in the context of the modern world.
Natural Resource Wales must be thanked for an excellent job. There website and smartphone app really help. There waymark badge is one of the best, only surpassed by the amazing tern waymark for Anglesey.
More than anything, this is a friendly network of paths, and I found myself dropping into conversation easily, and exchanging life stories became the norm. It is a stereotype to say the Welsh need to know everyone’s business, but this shouldn’t be mistaken for the genuine friendship and connection they seek. I learned a great deal from all those who spent a few moments to walk with me. I would walk any one of these paths again, were it not for my desire to explore new coastlines and long-distance routes.