sport
ALL WALKS
OF LIFE
With beautiful mountains and world renowned
landscapes Wales is built for waling. Make the
most this month with Wales’ walking festivals.
For a far-flung adventure...
A little closer to home...
SNOWDONIA
WALKING FESTIVAL
MONMOUTHSIRE
WALKING FESTIVAL
Settled in the Snowdonia National Park, a mere 15
miles from the highest peak in England and Wales,
the small village of Betws-y-Coed is a popular
location amongst mountain walkers and this year
will be hosting the Snowdonia Walking Festival.
In an area which looks like a world away from the
plains of the south, with its sweeping mountain
ranges and hidden lakes, visitors will find a land
in which the possibility of a supernatural lake is
far more believable than it would be in Swansea.
During the festival walks will be guided by the
organisers, the Cadets of Betws-y-Coed, along with
an experienced expert accompanying each walk.
With local s sharing their wealth of knowledge on
the forests, lakes and mountains of the area, whilst
keeping the trips short and sweet, this festival is
great for hill walkers who haven’t yet broken in
their walking boots or found the perfect hiking
stick. LS
The fourth Monmouthshire Walking Festival
boasts several routes which cover all areas of
Monmouthshire, ideal for the keen ramblers
of south Wales. The festival promises a scenic
experience, from stunning landscapes to quaint
buildings to Welsh woodland. This festival is clearly
designed to appeal to people of any experience, not
just the hardcore walkers of the world. You can take
it easy around Abergavenny, visiting a cider house
as you’re guided through three parishes. Head west
and you could visit the borders of Gloucestershire
and dwell on the unspoilt landscapes, or instead,
walk through ancient forests around the Wentwood
reservoir, which all sounds very fairytale-esque. If
you want more of a challenge, then unsurprisingly,
the festival’s ‘challenge walk’ is perfect for that.
Spend two eight-hour days in the Black Mountains
where you can discover the peaks of Bal Bach,
Chwarel y Fan and Hay Bluff. Not one for the faint
hearted! BG
Snowdonia Walking Festival, Betwsy-Coed, Sat 26 + Sun 27 Oct.
Admission: £2 per walk. Info: www.
snowdoniawalkingfestival.co.uk
Monmouthshire Walking Festival, Fri
18-Sun 27 Oct. Info: 029 2021 8029 /
www.walkinginmonmouthshire.org
pic: MICHAEL WARREN
BIKEPARK WALES
BikePark Wales embraces South Wales’ reputation as a mountain bike destination
and provides the riders of Wales with the UK’s first full-scale mountain bike park.
BIKEPARK Wales is the first full-scale mountain
bike park in the UK. Located in the South West Wales
valleys, “built for riders by riders,” the company’s
goal is to make mountain biking accessible to
everyone from the extreme to the serene. BikePark
Wales opened in this summer after five long years of
dedicated planning.
The park offers mountain bike trails for varying
abilities and pride themselves on having the very best
network of downhill and lift-assisted trails in the UK.
Their varied routes are said to include swooping, tight
rock sections, jump trails, drop offs, and a 1km loop
specifically designed for families (quaintly named the
‘Badger Run’).
Tickets are priced at just £5 for the day, or, if you want
fun over fitness you can fork out for one-day ride pass
with an ‘uplift’ minibus that can take you to the top
of BikePark’s mountain. Buying an uplift ticket means
that you’ll get transported, along with your bike, to
the top of the mountain all day. The service is a great
BUZZ 54
choice for those who want the fun downhill speeding
without the uphill slog.
The site also promises to provide a bike for every
rider, and offer a number of reputable bike brands
including Trek, Orange and Fox. All bikes are
professionally maintained by mechanics, and are in
a suitable condition for use.
Those that have a feeling they’re going to work up
quite an appetite during their trail can look forward to
sampling some of The Woodland Café’s menu. Those
keen on bringing their furry friends along for the ride
will be thrilled to hear that the cafe is also dog-friendly,
and various activities are available to entertain the
children. All that you need, according to BikePark, is “a
bunch of energy and a sprinkle of fun!” ALICE HART
BikePark Wales, Merthyr Tydfil. Tickets:
£5 day pass, £30 including uplift. Info:
www.bikeparkwales.com
pic: ANDY LLOYD