A festival designed to get the nation walking
This May, the Wales Coast Path and Ramblers Cymru will launch a new walking festival to celebrate seven years of the uninterrupted 870-mile coast path, with walks covering the entire coastline.

Taking place 4th-19th May 2019, the festival will feature over 40 new guided walks created by Ramblers Cymru. The festival programme has been specifically designed to suit all ages and abilities, with the majority of the walks free to join.

From fully accessible and short family walks to nature walks and more challenging hikes, the festival aims to encourage people to enjoy outdoor exercise while exploring Wales' iconic coastline. All walks will be led by experienced guides offering insights into the unique wildlife, fascinating history and culture that can be found along the way.

Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas, said: “This festival is set to be an excellent addition to Wales' Year of Discovery and a way for visitors and locals to discover more about our unique Wales Coast Path. I'm delighted that the guided walks will encourage people to find out more about the landscape, history and wildlife associated with the coastal path and will also be an excellent way to be active while discovering more of Wales.”

Local authorities for each of the seven coastal regions, which include South Wales, The Gower, Ceredigion, the Llyn Peninsula, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthen, and North Wales, will help support the event, along with partners National Resources Wales, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and a number of charities including Keep Wales Tidy.

The festival, which coincides with Visit Wales' Year of Discovery 2019, will follow a theme of discovery which will be prominent throughout. The Wales Coast Path is the world's first uninterrupted route along a national coast and gives hikers access to undiscovered sections of the coast with stunning views, rugged landscapes and rare wildlife.

To learn more about the Wales Coast Path walking festival or to book walks visit:
- www.walescoastpath.gov.uk
- Register to attend the festival - www.eventbrite.co.uk/wales-coast-path-walking-festival

  
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Further information:                                                                       

The festival, which coincides with Visit Wales' Year of Discovery 2019, will aim to attract visitors to each of the seven regions outside of the tourist season, engage local residents and bring economic benefit to local businesses.                                                    

The theme of discovery will be prominent throughout, with an array of opportunities for all ages and abilities to discover the path along the way. The festival will work in collaboration with Keep Wales Tidy and local authorities in order to promote the path's environmental ethos.

The festival will work in collaboration with Visit Wales to help promote Wales as a walking destination and attract visitors to the path. This project has received funding via the Tourism Product Innovation Fund (TPIF) supported through the Welsh Government Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Welsh Government.

The Wales Coast Path is the world's first uninterrupted route along a national coast and gives hikers access to undiscovered sections of the coast with stunning views, rugged landscapes and rare wildlife.

Register to attend the festival: www.eventbrite.co.uk/wales-coast-path-walking-festival

Admission free (additional charges for linear walks where transport is required).

Festival dates:

4th May at the Great Orme

5th May at Ynys Mon

6th May at Porthmadog

11th May at Cwm Tydu

12th May at Saundersfoot

18th May at Burry Port

19th May at Llantwit Major

Editor's Notes

The Wales Coast Path opened in May 2012, making Wales the first country in the world to provide an uninterrupted route along a national coast. The Wales Coast Path showcases Wales' beaches, estuaries, cliffs, woodlands and hills. Along the path also discover city waterfronts, writers' retreats, rare wildlife and historic castles. There is 870 miles of coastline waiting to be explored in 2019, with the path a haven for hiking, wildlife and breath-taking views of the iconic Welsh coast. For information about the Wales Coast Path visit: www.walescoastpath.gov.uk/

Ramblers Cymru is the representative body for walkers in Wales who work to promote walking and develop path networks. They are part of the Ramblers, Britain's walking charity, the only charity dedicated to looking after paths and green spaces, leading walks, opening up new places to encourage all to get outside to discover the benefits of walking on health and happiness. www.ramblers.org.uk/wales.aspx

Project funding:

This project has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.

Mae'r prosiect hwn wedi derbyn cyllid drwy Gronfa Cymunedau Gwledig Llywodraeth Cymru - Rhaglen Datblygu Gwledig 2014-20, ariannwyd gan Gronfa Amaethyddol Ewrop ar gyfer Datblygu Gwledig a Llywodraeth Cymru

Press Trips & Media Opportunities

AM + A Media and Marketing Relations will be managing a range of press trips in 2019, with special support for freelancers, bloggers and vloggers. To register your interest please email Jess Rayner: jess@alexandramarr.com