A series of walks has been created to put North Wales on the path to prosperity – with the help of a new smartphone app designed to keep visitors on track.
With funding from Welsh Government via Visit Wales, Tourism Partnership North Wales is aiming to capitalise on the fact that walking is by a country mile the UK’s most popular recreational activity.
The six circular walks are along the Wales Coast Path – all the way from Flintshire to Gwynedd – and are around 11 miles each in length.
The announcement comes on the heels of news that the Wales Coast Path brought £32 million to the Welsh economy over 12 months.
It’s also been hailed as a must-do activity by the popular Lonely Planet travel guide organisation.
With 44.5 per cent of adults regularly enjoying a walk of more than two miles, walking is the most popular physical activity in Britain and has been identified as a key part of the new Tourism strategy for Wales ‘A Partnership for Growth’.
Regional Strategy Director Dewi Davies said: “We’re very pleased to support the development of the product offer around the Wales Coast Path in partnership with Visit Wales and Natural Resources Wales.
“We have more than 870 miles of magnificent coastline in North Wales and some brilliant walking experiences along the Wales Coast Path which is proving a massive hit.
“We therefore made it our special mission to identify six fantastic circular walks in order to make it easier for the customer so they can enjoy them by starting and ending the walk in the same place.
“The Wales Coast Path has attracted three million walkers and generated £32 million in spending by visitors.
“Geographically, we’re very well placed as a destination for a day visit a short break or a long stay because we’re virtually on the doorstep of around 20 million people in the North West and the Midlands.
“That’s why we developed the six circular walks as part of our Walking North Wales campaign.
“They’re spread across the coastline, starting in Flintshire, going through to Denbighshire, Conwy, Isle of Anglesey, Gwynedd and right down across into mid Wales through Meirionnydd.
“Each walk is based on our stories, myths and legends here in North Wales and all of them have our unique and stunning scenery as a backdrop.
“All walks are downloadable from a smartphone or tablet app called WCP Trails North Wales. This is available for both android and iphones and can be used before you start your journey, so if you are in an area of poor reception you’ve still got guidance all the way through.
“The app will give you the route map, the points of interest, and lots of helpful information so you don’t go off the beaten track.
“Each walk can also be printed from the Walking North Wales website to give hard copy information on each walk.”
Dewi Davies added: “We know how successful the Wales Coast Path has been and we’re going to build on that great success.
“These walks aren’t just for visitors because they can also be enjoyed just as much by people who live in North Wales.
“We know how popular North Wales is for our near neighbours in the North West and the West Midlands, and these circular walks provide even more great reasons for them to come here.”
For more information go to http://www.walkingnorthwales.co.uk/home.php?/wcp_trails_north_wales
The 6 circular walks are:
Conwy Ancient Secrets
Penmaenmawr to Llanfairfechan in Conwy
Giant Slayer Walk
Nant Gwrtheyrn to Tre’r Ceiri Iron Age Hillfort in Gwynedd
Holy Well of Celtic Legend
St Winefride’s Well to Duke of Lancaster Ship in Flintshire
Menai Strait Spectacular
Llanfair PG to Menai Bridge on the Isle of Anglesey
Prestatyn Coast & Waterfall
Prestatyn to Dyserth in Denbighshire
Shimmering Snowdonia Sandbanks
Porthmadog to Black Rock Sands in Gwynedd
