Wales

Wales fits an extraordinary range of walking into a relatively small country. In the north, the mountains of Eryri rise through sharp ridges, glacial cwms and rocky plateaux, providing everything from accessible valley walks to exposed scrambles. The Carneddau feel broad and remote, the Glyderau are rough and dramatic, while the Rhinogydd remain stubbornly wild.

Mid Wales has a quieter character. Pumlumon, the Elan Valley and the Cambrian Mountains offer long days across open moorland, often with few paths and fewer people. This is country for walkers who enjoy navigating rather than following the person immediately ahead.

Farther south, Bannau Brycheiniog combines sweeping sandstone escarpments, waterfalls and the highest summits in southern Britain. The Preseli Hills, Gower and Pembrokeshire bring ancient ridgeways and Atlantic coast into the picture, while the Clwydian Range forms a chain of hillfort-topped summits along the northeastern border.

Long-distance walkers can cross the country on the Cambrian Way, trace its eastern edge along Offa’s Dyke or follow the entire coastline from Chepstow to the Dee Estuary.

Welsh mountains are rarely enormous, but height tells only part of the story. Weather, rough ground and wonderfully indirect paths usually provide the rest.