Wales Way

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The Wales Way (Welsh : Ffordd Cymru) is the name collectively given to a series of three tourist routes in Wales, UK, promoted by Visit Wales, the government agency charged with promoting tourism in the country. The three routes are the 180-mile Coastal Way, the 75-mile North Wales Way and the 185-mile Cambrian Way. [1] The Wales Way was launched in late 2018. [2]

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The Cambrian Way (Welsh: Ffordd Cambria) extends from Cardiff on the Bristol Channel north through the heart of the country to Llandudno on the North Wales coast. Highlights include the towns of Brecon, Builth Wells, Rhayader, Dolgellau, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Betws-y-coed and Conwy. It passes through both the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia national parks. This Cambrian Way should not be confused with the long-distance walkers' route, the Cambrian Way which runs from Cardiff to Conwy.

The Coastal Way (Welsh: Ffordd Arforidol or sometimes Ffordd yr Arfordir) runs from Aberdaron near the western tip of the Llŷn Peninsula around the edge of Cardigan Bay to St Davids in northwest Pembrokeshire, and running through two national parks, Snowdonia and the Pembrokeshire Coast. Highlights include Portmeirion, Criccieth, Barmouth, Aberaeron, New Quay, Newport and St Davids.

The North Wales Way (Welsh: Ffordd Gogledd Cymru or sometimes Ffordd y Gogledd) runs from Mold in northeast Wales to Anglesey, its western terminus being the Irish Sea port of Holyhead. Highlights include the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB (with the Clwydian Range hills) and the resort towns of Colwyn Bay and Llandudno and the historic towns of Ruthin and Conwy where it enters Snowdonia. [3] [4]

See also

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Snowdonia Mountainous region in north Wales

Snowdonia is a mountainous region in northwestern Wales and a national park of 823 square miles (2,130 km2) in area. It was the first to be designated of the three national parks in Wales, in 1951.

A470 road Major long-distance road in Wales

The A470 is a trunk road in Wales. It is the country's longest road at 186 miles (299 km) and links the capital Cardiff on the south coast to Llandudno on the north coast. There have been considerable road improvements in the last two decades. While previously one had to navigate the narrow roads of Llanidloes and Dolgellau, both these market towns are now bypassed due to extensive road modernisation. The 26 miles (42 km) from Cardiff Bay to Merthyr Tydfil are mainly direct and good quality dual carriageway, but most of the route from north of Merthyr to Llandudno is single carriageway that has seen improvement in the last 20 to 30 years.

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Llanrwst Welsh market town

Llanrwst is a market town and community on the A470 road and the River Conwy, in Conwy County Borough, Wales, and the historic county of Denbighshire. It developed round the wool trade and became known also for the making of harps and clocks. Today, less than a mile from the edge of Snowdonia, its main pursuit is tourism. Notable buildings include almshouses, two 17th-century chapels, and the Parish Church of St Grwst, which holds a stone coffin of Llywelyn the Great. The 2011 census gave it a population of 3,323.

Penmaenmawr Human settlement in Wales

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Conwy Valley line Railway line in North Wales

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North Wales Coast Line Railway line in north Wales

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Geography of Wales Overview of the geography of Wales

Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and whose physical geography is characterised by a varied coastline and a largely upland interior. It is bordered by England to its east, the Irish Sea to its north and west, and the Bristol Channel to its south. It has a total area of 2,064,100 hectares and is about 170 mi (274 km) from north to south and at least 60 mi (97 km) wide. It comprises 8.35 percent of the land of the United Kingdom. It has a number of offshore islands, by far the largest of which is Anglesey. The mainland coastline, including Anglesey, is about 1,680 mi (2,704 km) in length. As of 2014, Wales had a population of about 3,092,000; Cardiff is the capital and largest city and is situated in the urbanised area of South East Wales.

Transport in Wales Overview of the transportation system in Wales

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Tourism in Wales Economic sector in Wales

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Cambrian Way Long distance footpath in Wales

The Cambrian Way, initially an unofficial long distance footpath in Wales running from Cardiff to Conwy, was officially recognised in 2019. Primarily a mountain walk, it runs over many of the highest and most scenically beautiful areas of Wales. It was pioneered in the 1960s and 1970s by walker Tony Drake, who later produced a guidebook of the walk.

Dwygyfylchi Village in Wales

Dwygyfylchi is a village in Conwy County Borough, Wales. It is part of the community of Penmaenmawr which has a population of 4,353. The electoral ward of Capelulo which includes Dwygyfylchi had a population of 1,485 in 2011. It was formerly part of the historic county of Caernarfonshire.

Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Many parts of Wales are protected areas, according to a number of designations. They include the "Designated Landscapes of Wales", consisting of the three national parks and five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wales Coast Path Long-distance footpath following the coast of Wales

The Wales Coast Path is a designated long-distance trail which follows, or runs close to, the coastline of Wales.

North Wales Pilgrims Way Long-distance walking route in north Wales

The North Wales Pilgrim's Way is a long-distance walking route in North Wales, running from near Holywell in the east to Bardsey Island in the west. The first half of the trail takes an inland route, with the second half following the north coast of the Llŷn Peninsula. It measures 133.9 miles (215 km) in length, and was officially launched at Porth y Swnt, Aberdaron on 10 July 2014.

Coastline of Wales Coastlines of mainland Wales, Isle of Anglesey, and other small islands around Wales.

The coastline of Wales extends from the English border at Chepstow westwards to Pembrokeshire then north to Anglesey and back eastwards to the English border once again near Flint. Its character is determined by multiple factors, including the local geology and geological processes active during and subsequent to the last ice age, its relative exposure to or shelter from waves, tidal variation and the history of human settlement and development which varies considerably from one place to another. The majority of the coast east of Cardiff in the south, and of Llandudno in the north, is flat whilst that to the west is more typically backed by cliffs. The cliffs are a mix of sandstones, shales and limestones, the erosion of which provides material for beach deposits. Of the twenty-two principal areas which deliver local government in Wales, sixteen have a coastline, though that of Powys consists only of a short section of tidal river some distance from the open sea. Its length has been estimated at 1,680 miles (2,700 km).

References

  1. Walker, Kerry. "Discover the Wales Way". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  2. "Why the new Coastal Way is the perfect excuse to explore the secret corners of Wales". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  3. "The Wales Way". Visit Wales. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  4. "The Wales Way". Business Wales. Welsh Government. Retrieved 20 August 2020.