Outstanding Walks Wales by Ordnance Survey
Discover Wales through 60 hand-picked walks chosen for their beauty, character and sheer "I want to go there" appeal.
Outstanding Walks Wales brings together the very best of Ordnance Survey's Pathfinder routes, curated, researched, walked, photographed and written by me, with help from my husband Mike.
This is not a guidebook with turn-by-turn instructions to take in your pocket while walking. It's a book for dreaming and planning: an invitation to roam Wales from your living room, choosing the walks that most appeal to you.
Expect gorgeous photos, interesting stories and clear descriptions of each walk, and 42 'Don't Miss' places spread across the country. When you're ready to lace up your boots, every walk includes a QR code that links to an Ordnance Survey map of the route.
Whether you're seeking your next weekend escape or simply craving a taste of Welsh wildness, this book will help you find your perfect path.
This book is ideal for:
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walkers who already know Wales well - you will undoubtedly find some new walks here, as well as some of your favourites
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ramblers who want to see more than the hiking hot-spots
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people just setting out on their countryside walking journey
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seasoned hikers looking for something a little more challenging
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those committed to walk 1000 miles this year, looking for inspiration.
Inside you'll find:
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60 walks, spread across the whole of Wales, including Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), Arfordir Pendro (Pembrokeshire Coast) and Eryri (Snowdonia) National Parks.
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42 'Don't Miss' places
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400 beautiful colour photographs.
Author
​​Outstanding Walks Wales is written by Julia Goodfellow-Smith, an author and speaker living in South Wales. Her love of the countryside, its heritage and natural history inspires her work. She is passionate about living a full and adventurous life, and helping others to do the same through her books, talks and other media.
Specifications
FAQ
Q: What makes this walking book different to other Wales walking guidebooks?
A: This book does not offer turn-by-turn instructions, but lots of photos and descriptions to help you choose your walk and plan your time in Wales. This a practical book, but it is also beautiful, with high quality photos and print - good enough to give as a gift, either to yourself or to someone you love.
Q: Is this book part of the Ordnance Survey Outstanding Walks series?
A: Yes! The series includes Outstanding Walks Lake District and Outstanding Walks Scotland.
Q: Do I need to be an experienced walker to enjoy these routes?
A: No. Routes vary in length and difficulty. Each walk is graded according to how long it is likely to take, and information on terrain and elevation gain is also offered to help you choose which walks you will most enjoy.
Q: Are the walks suitable for families, dogs or less confident walkers?
A: Some of the routes will be suitable for those with children or dogs, or for people who are not confident walkers. Each has a clear description to help you choose which will suit you best.
Q: Does the book include maps or GPS links?
A: Yes! Each walk has a small map to give you an idea of the route, and a QR code for downloading a detailed Ordnance Survey route to use on your phone or GPS device.
Q: Can I use this book to plan holidays or weekend trips?
A: Yes! This book is ideal for planning holidays and weekend trips. The book is split into 7 chapters - one for each of South Wales, Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), Pembrokeshire & Carmarthenshire, Mid Wales, Eryri (Snowdonia), Anglesey and Lleyn Peninsula, and Clwydian Hills and North East Wales - and each chapter starts with an overview map, showing how the walks and 'Don't Miss' places sit in relation to each other. The descriptions and photos will help you choose which walks you would like to do while away, or which region of Wales you would like to explore first.
Q: Is this book useful for armchair explorers as well as active walkers?
A: Yes! Even if you are not able to walk in Wales at the moment, you will enjoy mentally exploring each region. Each walk has multiple photos and stories to accompany the description.
Q: Are the photos in the book original?
A: My husband Mike and I took most of the photos ourselves while researching the book, so they are original. A minority of the photos came from other sources, all listed at the back of the book. Mike and I are not brilliant wildlife photographers, so none of the images of birds are ours!
Q: Where can I buy the book?
A: You can buy Outstanding Walks Wales anywhere books are sold, or you could ask to borrow it from your local library. I have included links here for the Ordnance Survey online shop, Amazon, bookshop.org and Waterstones. And if your local bookshop does not have a copy in stock, they will be able to order one for you.
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