Wales Outdoors

To RSVP for this event you will need to join us at our new home on the Tour Wales app

It's a midsummer away weekend!
We'll be heading north for an adventure day that Andy says is the very best hike in the whole of Wales! And, for the much-requested ascent of what is generally regarded as the most enjoyable mountain day in Wales, Cadair Idris.

Friday
Arrive at the campsite or somewhere locally and settle in. There might be time for a get-together in a pub. You need to arrange your own accommodation for this trip and camping is optional, you could go for glamping, a rental property or even a rather lovely hotel :)

Saturday
We'll make our way to Blaenau Ffestiniog for an adventurous hike that sees us passing waterfalls, old slate workings and venturing into slate mines. The highlight is a steep descent 'through' the mountain, following a slate incline. Likely we'll have an evening meal in a pub somewhere 'local'.

Sunday
The big one, Cadair Idris, perhaps the most beloved of mountains in Wales and a true mountain day. We'll be done by about 4pm and then head off back to our homes.

Kate and Andy will be camping at this dog-friendly campsite close to the start of Sunday's hike, Cadair Idris - https://ffermcedrisfarm.wales/

There is a charge for this weekend as we'll be turning away other work at peak season, and this is additional to our commitment of one hike per month. Spots are limited to 12 hikers. Young people are welcome if used to hiking, and of course, well-behaved dog owners can come along too :)

Wales Outdoors Kit List - Best practice kit list - Don't worry, though, we bring along all the safety kit, so you don't have to
Wales Outdoors Kit Shop - Our merchandise and small shop selling our recommended kit and kit hire options

Know before you go

• Put a shout-out here for car sharing
• This tour will take place rain or shine
• All walks are well-behaved, dog-friendly, and so if you have an issue with dogs, then these walks are likely not for you
• Although most levels of fitness can be accommodated, please be sensible when booking and know your own ability

Please Note
A good level of fitness is required for all of our mountain walks. If walking with us, please know that the weather can change, and at times we do need to keep moving, especially in winter, to remain warm and safe.

To RSVP for this event you will need to join us at our new home on the Tour Wales app

We'll park at Cwm Ivy (pay for parking in a field) and head up to the highest point on North Gower for a wide angle view of the Gower Peninsula before heading to what we are all here for, the beach :) There will be opportunities to swim as we wander along the golden sand. We have timed this hike to take place with low tide in the afternoon, giving us huge expanses of sand to hike over and enabling us to visit the only tidal iron lighthouse remaining in the UK, Whiteford Lighthouse. You can just about make it out in the pic for this event. We'll make our way back to the start by wandering through delightful pine forests and dunes.

For the route see the photos for this event.

Wales Outdoors Kit List - Best practice kit list - Don't worry, though, we bring along all the safety kit, so you don't have to
Wales Outdoors Kit Shop - Our merchandise and small shop selling our recommended kit and kit hire options

Know before you go

• Put a shout-out here for car sharing
• This tour will take place rain or shine
• You will climb 275m and hike 18km
• All walks are well behaved dog-friendly, and so if you have an issue with dogs, then these walks are likely not for you
• Although most levels of fitness can be accommodated, please be sensible when booking and know your own ability

Please Note
A good level of fitness is required for all of our mountain walks. If walking with us, please know that the weather can change, and at times we do need to keep moving, especially in winter, to remain warm and safe.

To RSVP for this event you will need to join us at our new home on the Tour Wales app

We've hiked the Cat's Back, now it's time for the Dragon... We'll ascend to the summit of Waun Fach and then enjoy a ridge walk with expansive views, as we slowly descend to Castell Dinas and back to the start point. Known locally as the Dragon's Back, this popular hike begins and ends at Pengenffordd.

For the route, see the photos for this event.

Wales Outdoors Kit List - Best practice kit list - Don't worry, though, we bring along all the safety kit, so you don't have to
Wales Outdoors Kit Shop - Our merchandise and small shop selling our recommended kit and kit hire options

Know before you go

• Put a shout-out here for car sharing
• This tour will take place rain or shine
• You will climb 620m and hike 12km
• All walks are well behaved dog-friendly, and so if you have an issue with dogs, then these walks are likely not for you
• Although most levels of fitness can be accommodated, please be sensible when booking and know your own ability

Please Note
A good level of fitness is required for all of our mountain walks. If walking with us, please know that the weather can change, and at times we do need to keep moving, especially in winter, to remain warm and safe.

To book this event, go to our new home at Tour Wales

It's a walk through the forest, discovering some of the past and current industries of mining and quarrying.

The start is from a viewpoint that not only can you see some of the extent of the forest but also a map you can walk on showing the underlying geology with mines and quarries marked out.
From there to Cannop Ponds and a glimpse of the Forest of Dean Stone Firms, which cut and shape the stone taken from quarries that we will pass later.
We then progress up the Bixlade tramway with a detour to a monument to miners lost in a mining accident, past a working Freemine and through a small working quarry.
We return to the tramway via old quarries which have returned to nature. We pass further older quarries and the quarry where the stone is taken for the FOD Stone Firms. Then we carry on to Hopwell Collery, which has a museum and cafe but also is a working Freemine with underground tours of approx 45min, which any of the group can have for an additional £12 (maximum 12 people - for info Google Hopewell Collery)
We then return to Cannop Ponds and to a picnic site with a snack wagon. From there, a forest walk back to the start.

Approx 8.5miles (13.5km) 400m Ascent
Generally good paths but with some a little rougher and steeper parts.

Start - New Fancy View point ( GL15 4HS what3words caring.branching.clerk). Free parking.

Toilets Mallards Pike Lake ( GL15 4HD, what3words crass.village.regretted) which is less than 5min drive from start.

See map for the route.

I think you will be interested in an app, the Geo Heritage of the Forest of Dean. https://www.forestryengland.uk/the-forest-dean/hidden-heritage-apps

Whoever wants to do the tour pays when they join the walk, and I will pay Hopwell upon arrival.