The Devil's Kitchen refers to a large crack in the cliffs along the southern side of Cwm Idwal, between Glyder Fawr and Y Garn. Through the crack there flows a multi-drop waterfall. In Welsh The Devil's Kitchen is known as Twll Du, meaning Black Hole. The Devil's Kitchen gets its name because when water or steam rises up through the crack, it resembles a chimney. Legend dictates that when steam is rising from the chimney, the Devil is…
The Glyderau (commonly called the Glyders) is a mountain range in Snowdonia National Park. The range takes its name from the two highest peaks in the range - Glyder Fawr (1001m) and Glyder Fach (994m). The Glyderau range includes five of the Welsh 3000s, which are peaks in Wales standing over 3000ft in height. In the Glyderau, these peaks are Glyder Fawr, Glyder Fach, Y Garn, Elidir Fawr and Tryfan. All 11 peaks of the Glyderau can be…
Waun Fach (Little Moor) is a peat bog summit in the eastern part of the Brecon Beacons in South Wales. At 811m high it is the tallest peak in the Black Mountains. The most scenic walking route to the summit of Waun Fach is a circular loop from Pengenffordd which incorporates Y Grib, a ridge commonly known as the Dragons Back. The Black Mountains refer to an area of hills in the eastern part of the Brecon Beacons…
As a country carved by glaciers in the last ice age, the landscapes in Wales comprise of mountains, valleys and an abundance of waterfalls. Waterfalls in Wales are often steeped in legends and myths and are rumoured to be the entrance to magical fairy kingdoms. Growing up with beautiful cascades quite literally on my doorstep, I've always had a love for Welsh waterfalls. With most of my explorations almost exclusively based in South Wales, I recently embarked on…
Pen yr Ole Wen is a mountain in Wales found in Snowdonia National Park. The Welsh name Pen yr Ole Wen translates to Head of the White Slope. At 978m high it is the 7th highest peak in Wales and offers several walking routes to it's summit. Hikers can reach the top of Pen yr Ole Wen directly from Ogwen Cottage via a loose scree walk, from the North via Braich Ty Du or from the east via…
Pen y Fan
The Winter months are a great time to explore the British countryside. When Winter arrives, the crowds depart and you're presented with an opportunity to get a slice of the outdoors all to yourself. Winter walks in the UK are a great way to take that opportunity and get outside. The UK is blessed with a variety of landscapes to enjoy. From exposed moorlands to blustery coastlines, from craggy mountain peaks to sheltered ancient woodlands. Whichever terrain you…
The Brecon Beacons is a National Park in South Wales typified by flat-top peaks, waterfalls, reservoirs and glacial lakes. It's the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and explore the Welsh countryside. When visiting the Brecon Beacons you will discover a whole range of places in which to stay. Since the park is only 42 miles wide, no matter where you stay you'll always be close to top points of interest. Glamping In…
This is a guide to help you decide which of the many beautiful Gower walks to enjoy. The Gower Peninsula is an area in South Wales located west of Swansea City. It covers an area of 180km² and mostly consists of rocky coastlines, beaches and farmland. The rugged coastline is popular with walkers and coasteerers, whilst the bays offer beautiful beaches on which to relax and enjoy water sports. Just a short stroll along the coastal paths of…
As a Celtic language spoken by the ancient Britons, Welsh is one of the oldest languages in Europe. With English sovereignty over Wales in the 1500s, speaking Welsh was banned and the language was almost wiped out. However, it made revival in the 20th century and today Welsh is spoken by around 20% of the population. As a bi-lingual country all signs in Wales are shown in both Welsh and English, often with the Welsh appearing first. Many…
Spending time in the outdoors is good for our physical and mental health and nothing beats a good day in the mountains. But what do you need for a safe adventure in the mountains? Here is a quick summer day hiking packing list that will ensure you don't leave home without the items you need. 10 Day Hiking Essentials Here are the absolute must-have hiking necessities for a day of Summer hiking. These are items that permanently sit…
