5 things to do in Wales
1st March 2011
Whether you’re after a wilderness escape or a slick city break, Wales has something for every type of traveller
1. Saddle up for an equine adventure
Feel the wind in your hair, the sun on your back – and a burning ache in your thighs… With bridlepaths zig zagging the country, there are few places as spectacular as Wales for a spot of horse riding. Visit www.ridingwales.com for details of equestrian centres and public routes.
2. Find yourself in a tight squeeze
Visit the Brecon Beacons, the Gower Peninsula or Snowdonia for a caving adventure – claustrophobics need not apply. Strap on a head torch and head underground to scramble through pokey tunnels and hidden nooks on a guided tour. Some caves might be inaccessible after heavy rain, but otherwise caving is a year-round activity.
3. Get on the beaten track
If you’re after a true back country yomp, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Wales. Its long-established hiking trails wind through the best of the scenery, with views dramatic enough to tempt even the most reluctant of hikers. Try the Wales Coast path for rugged beaches and salty air, or traverse the Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail for a dramatic crossing of the country from south to north – click here for details.
4. Take the easy route
Many an active adventurer has conquered Wales’s highest mountain, but there’s no shame in taking the lazy route up. Snowdon’s steam railway scales the 1,085m peak for you, leaving you with nothing to do but sit back and enjoy that breathtaking view. Route/availability varies throughout the year; visit www.snowdonrailway.co.uk for details.
5. Catch the sporting fever
Wales loves its rugby, and there’s nowhere better to catch a match than Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. The Heineken Cup Final comes to town on the weekend of 20 May 2011 – and you’ll be hard pressed to miss it. Crowds flock to the stadium and open air screens throughout the city, so kick back with a pint of real ale and soak up the atmosphere.