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| Wales
Sports |
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Cycling
This can be done all over Wales, though the mountainous treks can
make it strenuous. There are plenty of off-road trails for mountain
bikers; the tourist board can provide more details of way-marked
routes. A new route, the 'Celtic Trail', covers some 186 miles,
70 per cent of which is off-road; the trail runs between Newport
in the east and Kedwelly in the west.
Rugby
Union
This is the national sport, and is played to the highest level of
skill. There are a huge number of local clubs and the international
team plays at the national stadium, Cardiff Arms Park.
Walking
Wales is a beautiful and mountainous country, good for walkers and
hikers. There are three national parks: the Brecon Beacons, the
Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Park and Snowdonia. The highest
peaks are in the north, where the mountains are more rugged. This
area is popular with climbers, who will find many climbs, scrambles
and chimneys of varying degrees of difficulty. There are many outdoor
centres and shops where equipment can be hired or bought, and expeditions
and tuition for all levels can be arranged. Apart from Mount Snowdon
itself (Wales's highest peak at 1085m or 3556ft), northern Snowdonia
has the ranges of the Carnedds, the Glyders, Moel Hebog and the
Nantlle Hills. In southern Snowdonia are the Moelwyns, the Rhinogs,
the Arans and Cadair Idris. A classic walk is the 'Snowdon Horseshoe',
a 9.5 mile or 15km circuit of three glacier-carved valleys near
Snowdon. Taking in the knife-edge ridge of Crib Goch on the way
to Snowdon's summit provides stunning views, but is only suitable
for experienced walkers. It is often started at Pen-y-pass, 6 miles
from Llanberis.
The Brecon Beacons offer easier, though still challenging, walking
while the nearby Wye Valley offers tranquil beauty. To the west
of the country is the 189 mile or 304km 'Pembrokeshire Coast Path',
which runs along the coast from Amroth near Tenby to St Dogmaels
near Cardigan. The area is of interest to birdwatchers, owing to
the variety and number of seabirds living on the cliffs. Other long-distance
walks include 'Offa's Dyke Path' (177 miles or 285km) which follows
the original border between England and Wales. It is strenuous in
parts with ascents and descents.
Watersports
There are excellent facilities throughout the country. Wales's three
coastlines have no shortage of harbours and marinas. Mountain scenery,
cliffs, islands and small secluded beaches are some of the attractions
here. Seals, dolphins, basking sharks and porpoise can be seen in
offshore waters. West Wales has some of the best sea-kayaking in
the world. Windsurfing can be done from many beaches in the west.
The fast streams of the Menai Straits, the narrow passage between
Angelsey and the mainland, are popular with sailors who test their
skills. Boats and tuition are available from numerous watersports
centres. Inland, lakes and rivers offer canoeing, sailing and dinghy
sailing. Bala Lake is a major area for these activities, as well
as for fishing. White water for canoeing and rafting can be found
nearby. In south Wales, watersports centres include Llangorse (for
windsurfing, canoeing and waterskiing) and Llandegfydd (for windsurfing
and sailing). |
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