Recommend me a Welsh itinerary...

[Hard-Drive]

Right then, not having had a holiday since skiing in January and having spent a shedload on the house this year, me and the other half are going to switch mobiles and laptops firmly to the "off" position, chuck tent, walking boots and mountain bikes in the car, and with no particualr plan in mind head to Wales for a cheapie week for some chilled out R&R. I just wanted to ask the PH collective about any "must do" bits or tucked away gems that we can put in our itinerary.

We've done Snowdon a few years ago, and sailed a lot from Abersoch and New Quay, but never really done Pembrokeshire, or the southern Cardigan Bay coast. We'd quite like to do a big loop, coming from the Midlands start at one end via M54/A5 and end up coming back via the M4/M5.

We'd like to take in some mountain bike trail centres too, I've done Afan and the missus has done Coed y Brenin and we'd go back to both.

Keep hearing good things about Shell Island but the website's not up to much...any thoughts?

[The Ben]

well on your way over to Pembrokshire, stop off on the Gower, its bloody amazing, lots and lots of Campsites with areas of outstanding natural beauty... However, if your over in West Wales go to St Davids, its kinda like one of those places where whilst your over that way, you might as well go... Loads of beaches that are stunning...

[mr_fibuli]

Shell island is worth a nights stay if you are going on a camping tour of wales. Quite a big place, great beaches and sand dunes, you can pitch a tent anywhere, though I think they restrict where you can go if you want to light a fire, as the far end is like a nature reserve. There is a big bar/cafe/shower block on the site, as well as various other porta-cabin toilets scattered around.

[mechsympathy]

You've already got enough for a week already There are also the Black mountains and Brecon Beacons which aren't as big as Snowdon, but they're a hell of a lot quieter. The Gower is beautiful, and the Pembrokeshire coast is spectacular. There's another good single track circuit just east of Afan, but I can't for the life of me remember what it's called.

[Hard-Drive]

Nice one, thanks for the pointers. Gower and Shell Island it is then!

[Plotloss]

St Davids is worth a look, the Cathedral is lovely as is the ruin next to it.

All round that part of Wales is lovely, Pembrokeshire being the nations only Coastal national park.

The Gower also very nice, would be nicer if it were a bit further from Swansea.

[Doug86]

I can recommend Aberystwyth! Just been at uni there for 3 years.

There is the Nant-Y-Arian bike trail there and Climachx trail just up the road. Here is a link showing the trails in Wales:

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-6rlfd3

[sleep envy]

Plotloss said:

The Gower also very nice, would be nicer if it were a bit further from Swansea.

now now

[captainzep]

For my sins I was brought up in West Wales, (despite being english). Here's some stuff.

Its all fairly pretty around there.

It rains often.

The beaches are very nice. Good coastal walks linking them.

The roads can be great fun too -but if you're unlucky enough to register the Heddlu's disapproval of your driving they'll have your license. I'd still take the Beemer though.

Climb up Carningli mountain which overlooks the nice little village of Newport. Think there's a nice pub made out of corrugated iron at Rosebush nearby called 'Tafarn Sinc' to re-fuel.

Bit further north, the Teifi valley's nice. Take a look at Gwbert which overlooks the Teifi estuary (possibly to see the dolphins chase in the returning salmon) then get some breakfast in Cardigan. Have a coffee in Cenarth on your way to Newcastle Emlyn and then buy a house from my sister.

I'm running out of ideas now frankly.

Oh and keep your hands off our sheep.

[mechsympathy]

Doug86 said:

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-6rlfd3

That's it - Cwmcarn.

[ali_kat]

I like the run to Dolgellau from Machynlleth - through Tywyn, if you have time, you can even take the slight detour up and back down Cadair Idris from Arthog



If you like walks, park up at Friog and walk up to the Blue Pool - tis said to be bottomless.

Then either continue up thru Barmouth to Harlech and visit the castle, or zigzag cross Snowdonia to Bala, and then back to Ffestinog.

[Surfr]

Doug86 said:

I can recommend Aberystwyth! Just been at uni there for 3 years.

There is the Nant-Y-Arian bike trail there and Climachx trail just up the road. Here is a link showing the trails in Wales:

Another vote for Nant-yr-Arian here from a local. Southern Ceredigion coast heading towards Pembrokeshire is beautiful too. You've already done Pen Llyn, but Have you been to the Northern coast towards Nefyn and the beautiful Ty Coch on the beach



Take in the Elan Valley too if you fancy a drive.

Edited by Surfr on Tuesday 5th August 16:31

Edited by Surfr on Tuesday 5th August 16:34