The Cambrian Way: Classic Wales mountain trek - south to north from Cardiff to Conwy

Dubbed 'the mountain connoisseurs' walk', the Cambrian Way stretches 479km between the mighty castles of Cardiff in the south and Conwy on the north coast. Traversing the heartland of Wales, the challenging route crosses the Brecon Beacons, the Cambrian Mountains and Snowdonia, passing through two national parks and visiting many of the country's iconic summits, including Pen y Fan, Pumlumon, Cadair Idris and Snowdon itself. It can be walked in three weeks (or in shorter sections) and is suitable for experienced hillwalkers with sound navigational skills. The guide presents the route in 21 stages, offering comprehensive route description illustrated with OS 1:50,000 mapping and elevation profiles. Details of accommodation and facilities are provided, along with a helpful trek planner showing their distribution along the route: although the trail passes through remote areas, it is possible to stay under a roof every night - though camping is also a possibility, should you prefer. There are background notes on Wales's history and geology and local points of interest, and a glossary of Welsh place-names, useful contacts and accommodation listings can be found in the appendices. From the Black Mountains to the Rhinogau, Glyderau and Carneddau, the route takes in lofty ridges, striking peaks and picturesque lakes. There are also fascinating glimpses into the country's ancient and more recent past: Iron Age hillforts, Norman castles, a Cistercian abbey, the Chartist Cave and relics from the mining industry. Offering superlative scenery, the Cambrian Way is a celebration of some of the best mountain walking Wales has to offer and promises a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in these celebrated landscapes.

Table of Contents:
Map key Overview map Route summary table Introduction The mountain connoisseurs and amp;#39; walk Wales, its history, people and language Geology and landscape Plants and animals When to go Travel Accommodation Kit Waymarking and navigation Food, water and supplies Emergencies Using this guide The route Stage 1 Cardiff to Machen Stage 2 Machen to Pontypool Stage 3 Pontypool to Abergavenny Stage 4 Abergavenny to Capel-y-ffin Stage 5 Capel-y-ffin to Crickhowell Stage 6 Crickhowell to Storey Arms Stage 7 Storey Arms to Glyntawe Stage 8 Glyntawe to Llandovery Stage 9 Llandovery to Tŷ and #039;n-y-cornel Hostel Stage 10 Tŷ and #039;n-y-cornel Hostel to Claerddu Stage 11 Claerddu to Ponterwyd Stage 12 Ponterwyd to Dylife Stage 13 Dylife to Dinas Mawddwy Stage 14 Dinas Mawddwy to Bwlch Llyn Bach Stage 15 Bwlch Llyn Bach to Barmouth Stage 16 Barmouth to Cwm Bychan Stage 16/17A Bad-weather route to Moelfryn following Taith Ardudwy Way Stage 17 Cwm Bychan to Maentwrog Stage 18 Maentwrog to Beddgelert Stage 19 Beddgelert to Pen-y-Pass Stage 20 Pen-y-Pass to Llyn Ogwen Stage 21 Llyn Ogwen to Conwy Appendix A The checkpoints Appendix B Glossary of Welsh words and places on the Cambrian Way Appendix C Useful contacts Appendix D Accommodation list

About the Author :
Written in conjunction with the Cambrian Way Trust. George Tod is a semi-retired IT support engineer. In 2005, at the request of Tony Drake who brought the Cambrian Way to fruition, he set up the Cambrian Way website and has continually updated and revised both this and Tony Drake and #039;s original guidebook. Richard Tyler is a retired solicitor who has enjoyed a lifetime of walking in the Welsh mountains. He has considerable experience of long-distance hill and mountain walking in the UK, Alps and Himalaya. He is chair of the Cambrian Way Trust and footpath secretary for Ramblers Powys Area.