Over-indulged in Easter chocolate? Have a 10,000 steps target to beat? Or just fancy a decent Easter Monday walk to justify that lunch? Joshua Knapman is at hand to help
LOTS of people have started aiming to walk 10,000 steps every day – and it’s never been easier to track since wearable tech like the Fitbit burst on to the scene.
And while it’s popular with the office workers who tend to use it as a target to counter the hours of sitting at a desk, it can also be a fun way to plan walks and adventures.
On average 10,000 steps is around 7km – or about one hour and 40 minutes of walking, depending on speed and the length of your stride – but obviously this varies with the person, routes and terrains.
We’ve picked out some great routes around Wales, with the help of The Ramblers and WalkingEnglishman, that will help you hit your target. 1. Brecon, River Usk and Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal An easy, relaxing walk that is made up partly of riverside, and partly canal towpath walk. It can generally be walked by everyone, whatever the weather and is perfect for families with young children and for mature walkers, too. Distance: 6.9km. Time: 2 hours.
Find route details here: www. walkingenglishman.com/wales12. html 2. Pont-rhyd-y-groes, Coed Maenarthur, Castle Grogwynion and Ystwyth Gorge A circular walk starting from Pontrhyd-y-groes in Ceredigion – this walk takes in paths, tracks and trails, many of which were used by lead miners before the industries declined. Industrial heritage sites can still be seen, including a fine example of a water wheel at the starting point of the walk.
From Pont-rhyd-y-groes the walk is accessed by crossing Ystwyth Gorge by a wooden miners’ bridge which is crossed once more on the return to the village. In between there is woodland, forest, a hill fort, countryside and the stunning gorge of Afon Ystwyth to be seen. Distance: 7.2km. Time: 2-3 hours.
Find route details here: www. walkingenglishman.com/wales13. html 3. Cardiff Bay This walk heads around Cardiff Bay, the waterfront area built up around a freshwater lake, contained by the Cardiff Bay Barrage.
It starts at Cardiff Central railway station and finishes at Penarth railway station – and the barrage itself is more than 1km long and impounds the bay.
As you walk along the barrage you’ll be treated to spectacular views across the Bristol Channel.
Once you reach the other side, you’ll climb to a high point where you can look out over the bay, before you step on towards Penarth. Distance: 8.2km. Time: 2 hours.
Find route details here: www. ramblers.org.uk/go-walking 4. Moelwyn Mawr This walk from the hamlet of Croesor leads into one of Snowdonia’s more remote mountains. Moelwyn Mawr has a wonderful ridge at the summit.
There are excellent views throughout to the Vale of Ffestiniog in the south, to the coastline of north Wales in the west and to the Snowdonia giants in the north. Distance: 10.1km. Time: 3 hours.
Find route details here: www. walkingenglishman.com/snowdonia7.html 5. Crib Goch, Garnedd Ugain and Mount Snowdon This is a tricky, technical route – and is recognised as the one of Snowdon’s most difficult.
The walk goes via the serrated ridge of Crib Goch and the pinnacles of Garnedd Ugain, starting at Pen y Pass and finishing point at Bethania on the A498.
You’ll probably surpass your 10k steps target, but it’s a good full day of adventuring so there can’t be many complaints. Distance: 11.6km. Time: 5-7 hours.
Find route details here: www. walkingenglishman.com/wales04. html 6. Rhossili Bay, Gower Starting from the car park behind the Worm’s Head Hotel, Rhossili Village, Rhossili Bay is up there with some of the world’s most beautiful coastal locations and this walk showcases its picture-postcard sights from the Gower’s most breathtaking viewpoints.
The final leg of this leisurely walk takes you along sand and surf, with the opportunity to dip your toes in the sparkling blue-green sea before heading back up the hill. Distance: 6.9 miles. Time: 2 hours.
Find route details here: www. ramblers.org.uk 7. Cadair Idris The walk, which starts at Ty-nant, continues up the north side of Cadair Idris by the Pony Path before you head down the south side by the Minffordd Path. You’ll probably do more than your 10,000 steps but you’ll see stunning views including the waters at Tal-y-llyn. Distance: 9.8km. Time: 3-5 hours.
Find route details here: www. walkingenglishman.com/wales01. html 8. The Skirrid (Ysgyryd Fawr) This is a short energetic walk which starts from the designated parking area beside the A4521 a couple of miles north east of Abergavenny.
From the car park, walk along a track into woodland which you climb through to the mountain top.
In good visibility there are some fantastic views of the near countryside and Abergavenny.
After dwelling on the views follow the track down round north of the mountain back into the woodland and follow the track back home. Distance: 5.8 km. Time: 2 hours.
Find route details here: www. walkingenglishman.com/wales08. html 9. Mynydd Margam (and its hill forts) This route, which starts at the 19th century Tudor gothic mansion of Margam Castle, climbs to the top of Mynydd Margam, past some pretty streams and on to stunning views over Llangynwyd village and Maesteg to the hills beyond.
On the way back the leisurely route winds through a scattering of ancient monuments before returning to the impressive castle. Look out for the deer as you walk. Distance: 12km. Time: 3 hours 20 minutes.
Find route details here: www. ramblers.org.uk/go-walking 10. Rhyd Ddu, Y Garn and Nantlle Ridge This route takes in part of the Nantle Ridge, starting from Rhyd Ddu and taking on Y Garn along the way.
It takes in a little more than the average 7-8km need to reach 10,000 steps but the views will make it worth every extra step. Distance: 9.2km. Time: 3 hours.
Find route details here: www. walkingenglishman.com/snowdonia3.htm