Whether you want a strenuous hike through the mountains or a leisurely stroll along a beach, the region offers an abundance of superb walks that guarantee an outdoor experience to remember.
North Wales offers sweeping mountains, glistening lakes and fabulous rugged coastlines making it the ideal location for walkers, whether it is for a leisurely stroll or more strenuous hike.
Snowdon is probably the first walking spot that springs to mind. Standing at 3,560ft, it is a prime destination for walkers with many popular routes from the easy to the strenuous Pyg and Miner’s tracks.
However, many other mountains within the Snowdonia Mountain Park are just as beautiful and accessible. Cader Idris, the Chair of Idris, is at the southern end of the Park and at 2,930ft is very popular. Glyderau, known as the Glyders is a mountain group which includes five of Wales’ fifteen summits over 3,000 feet. There’s also Carneddau (the Cairns) which boasts seven of the fifteen highest peaks in the country and Rhinogau (the Rhinogs) which is a Special Area of Conservation and a National Nature Reserve.
To county has many other excellent walks and Conwy Walking Week (1-8 July) has a programme of themed guided walks which are suitable for varying abilities and range from 0.6 miles to 10 miles. The walks allow you to explore the beautiful countryside taking in waterfalls, mountains, lakes, moors and woods.
So grab your walking boots, and come and explore North Wales and the county of Conwy on foot with a Special Break at The Imperial Hotel.
Wales Coast Path
The Wales Coast Path is famed for being the only pathway that outlines an entire country. 390 miles of the total 870 mile path run along the North Wales Coastline, and all you have to do is step outside The Imperial Hotel’s front door and you are on the Conwy section which spans 34½ miles. The longest route of this section is 18 miles taking in the Victorian seaside town of Llandudno as well as the picturesque and historic surroundings of Conwy with its magnificent castle and over 200 listed buildings dating from the 14th to the 19th centuries.
If you’d rather be walking along the coast taking in the sea air, then the Wales Coast Path is for you. This is the first coast path at 870 miles long to outline an entire country and was opened in 2012. 390 miles of the Path run along the North Wales Coastline, with 34.5 miles in Conwy, and you don’t have to travel far to get to it as it runs right past The Imperial Hotel in Llandudno. Step out of the front door and you can be enjoying a walk down the Victorian Promenade to Llandudno Pier and the Great Orme or at the other end of the sweeping Bay to Little Orme. These two famous headlands have excellent walking paths where you can soak up the glorious views to Anglesey, the Isle of Man and the Lake District.
The Great Orme
The majestic Great Orme is also on the Wales Coast Path and it has many walks that take you up and around the headland. There’s also a Summit Trail, Nature Trail and Historic Trail, as well as a free walking audio trail about the wildlife and shipwrecks, geology and wartime memories with 14 waymarked audio points along the 5½ mile circular route. .
Llandudno Strolls
For a more sedate walk we recommend Haulfre Gardens which has a network of paths that lead from Llandudno’s North Shore into the well paved “invalid walk” public footpath to West Shore. Happy Valley Gardens is also on the side of the Great Orme and its paths cross between the small pools, shrubs, flowers and trees of the more formal gardens which are surrounded by the woods and grassland of the headland.
Snowdonia National Park
No visit to North Wales is complete without a visit to Snowdonia National Park. Just a 20 minute drive from the hotel and you’re in the heart of the Park which offers mile upon mile of breathtaking scenery and a network of walking trails to suit all abilities.
Snowdon stands at 3,560ft high offering many popular routes from the easy to the strenuous Pyg and Miner’s tracks.
However, many other mountains within the Snowdonia Mountain Park are just as beautiful and accessible. Cader Idris, the Chair of Idris, is at the southern end of the Park and at 2,930ft is very popular.
Glyderau, known as the Glyders is a mountain group which includes five of Wales’ fifteen summits over 3,000 feet. There’s also Carneddau (the Cairns) which boasts seven of the fifteen highest peaks in the country and Rhinogau (the Rhinogs) which is a Special Area of Conservation and a National Nature Reserve.
Visit the National Park’s website to choose the level of walk (Hard Mountain Walks to Easy Leisure Walks) and the location.
Beach Walks
As the region is famed for its beaches and with everyone having their favourite, it is impossible for us to recommend just one, but the closest is Llandudno West Shore. It’s a quiet sandy beach which at low tide reveals a large expanse of sand with views overlooking Conwy Sands.
Many of the Wales Coast Path’s routes include walks along beaches offering spectacular views so we recommend visiting the website to find one that appeals.
Garden Walk
Conwy Valley is home to the world famous Bodnant Garden which spans over 80 acres above the River Conwy with views towards the Snowdonia Mountain Range. With two parts to choose from – the upper garden around Bodnant Hall with terraces and informal lawns or the “Dell”, with a steep wooded valley and streams, you can enjoy a walk among the awe-inspiring plant collections.
May is National Walking Month, a campaign to encourage everyone to put their best foot forward and get walking, and during this month you can enjoy a superb walking holiday in North Wales with The Imperial Hotel’s Walking Break.
This fabulous two night Break includes either a cream tea on arrival or a packed lunch on day two and a three course dinner in The Imperial Hotel’s two AA Rosette Awarded Chantrey’s Restaurant on your first night from only £350.00 for two people for the two nights, so book your break now and start planning where you walking adventure is going to take you.