NEWS 2012

2012: a year to remember

2012 will be a year of pageants, processions and celebrations. Britain is to play host to the Olympic Games, Queen Elizabeth II will celebrate her Diamond Jubilee, and it will be 80 years since the Mass Kinder Scout Trespass which gave rise to Britain's national parks and the inalienable right to roam.

But perhaps these high profile events should not overshadow another momentous occasion, particularly for outdoors enthusiasts, which will mark the opening of one of the longest walking routes ever created in the world.

The Wales Coastal Path, said to be five years in the planning, will officially open on 5 May 2012, and is said to run for 870 miles around the entire natural coastline of Wales. Beginning on the Welsh borders, in the ancient city of Chester, the route will link many existing footpaths with newly created trails that have been kept as close to coastal areas as practically possible.

The trail will traverse all manner of terrain from the shoreline near the crazily, conflicting tides along the Menai Straits to the preternaturally stunning coastline close to Aberaeron, Ceibwr Bay and Strumble Head.

The stretch closest to Ty Nant and Glyn-yr-Aur is said to run to 89 miles and is more specifically known as the Menai, Llyn & Meirionnydd section. Barmouth is the nearest access point, and visitors can head northwards towards Harlech, Porthmadog and Criccieth, although perhaps not all within one day. Or they can trek southwards across Barmouth Bridge to Tywyn, Aberdovey and beyond.

Reportedly, this new footpath came about after the resounding success of the coastal walkways around Anglesey and Pembrokeshire. Now, visitors not only have 2740 km of tracks within Snowdonia to explore, but they should have more or less uninterrupted views of the endlessly mesmerising and inspiring Cardigan Bay.

Cardigan Bay by Graham Well

The trail heads inland sometimes where necessary, but typically meanders as close to the coastline as possible and ends at the former Roman fortress town of Chepstow. From here, people can actually join with the Offa's Dyke national trail which would see the combined trails run to a grand total of 1030 miles.

The trail cost nearly £15 million to create and was a joint venture by the Welsh Government, the Countryside Council for Wales, sixteen local authorities and two national parks.

A spokesperson further explained: "The idea was developed out of a desire to build on the economic success of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Trail and the Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path.

"While the coast path is important for the Welsh economy, it is also seen as an important initiative in encouraging both locals and visitors to discover and enjoy Wales' outdoor spaces and the health and welfare benefits it can provide."

The whole path, which is divided into eight sections, will be accessible to walkers, however some sections will also allow cyclists, horse riders and people with restricted mobility.

Major events are planned along the coastal path on its official opening day, and some major walking events under the Big Welsh Coastal Walks banner head will also be arranged.

Ramblers Cymru will be the chief organisers of these treks which aim to get visitors and locals in Wales out on the trails in a series of organised hikes, that will cater for all levels of fitness and ability.

FACTFILE: MASS KINDER SCOUT TRESPASS

The beginnings of Britain's national parks, ramblers' collective right to roam and the recent Countryside Rights of Way Act could all perhaps be traced back to one iconic event that took place almost 80 years ago.

On 24 April 1932, a group of activists and ramblers, led by Benny Rothman, marched on Kinder Scout in the Peak District, in a bid to protest about ramblers and walkers restricted rights on open access land.

They deliberately trespassed on what was then private land, in a bid to pressure that authorities and powers that be to give walkers more freedom to ramble in the countryside.

The trespass began at Bowden Bridge Quarry, near Hayfield, and the ramblers trekked via William Clough to the plateau of Kinder Scout where scuffles were said to have broken out with gamekeepers. Several members of the group were arrested and some were ordered to spend several months in prison on the charges of incitement and riotous assembly.

The Mass Trespass however forced a major rethink over the general public's rights of access to the countryside. Just under 20 years later a National Parks Act was brought into force, and in 1951 the Peak District became the first ever national park to be created, with Snowdonia soon after.

The Ramblers movement has since grown, and has under the Countryside Rights of Way Act seen people have more freedom to roam on mountain, moor, heath, down and common land. Existing footpaths and bridleways still remain legitimate routes to navigate, and the act allows a regular review of footpaths in a bid to create new rights of way where appropriate.

Mounting concern over bikers in Wales

Mountain-biking has become an increasingly popular sport and pastime in Wales, so much so that visitor numbers to the biking trails in the Coed-y-Brenin are said to have sky-rocketed in the past seven years.

However, mountain-biking marketing group for Wales, the Trail Managers Forum, is increasingly concerned about the very narrow socio-economic group from which mountain-bikers are typically derived. They are said to be male, aged between 25-45 and often come from outside Wales on day trips to try out a wide variety of trails.

Successive studies have also indicated that the majority of bikers are more often than not hard core enthusiasts, who are attracted to riding the most difficult stretches around specialist centres that are dedicated solely to mountain-biking.

The powers that be now want all that to change. They don't in any way want to deter the already committed and technically skilful riders, but they believe that many more people could enjoy the thrills and spills of mountain-biking, particularly women and family groups.

And over the next five years they have set themselves the task of appealing specifically to these two demographics in a bid to broaden the scope and appeal of the sport. They will be targeted through female and family- orientated media and brochures, in addition to editorial in the national and local press. More competitions and mass participation events will also be organised in order to draw samplers and dabblers into taking up mountain-biking in one form or another.

Another cornerstone of their plans, will be to invest in newer and easier trails that appeal to these two specific groups. In addition, natural trails in areas of outstanding natural beauty and within national parks will also be developed, away from dedicated centres, in a bid to encourage people to get out and explore the countryside on a bike. It's felt there is a clear need to develop separate trails for the leisure rider away from the more high octane-type of biking course that is currently more dominant.

The Trail Forum will also be devising promotions to encourage people to make mountain-biking an integral part of their family holiday. They believe up until now, many people do not even consider this as an option because not enough is done to cater to their individual wants and needs.

The Coed-y-Brenin, however, has been among the first biking centres to recognise the wisdom of appealing to a varied and a wide cross-section of the general public.

Since the centre began in the early 90s with just 11km of biking tracks, this has over two decades developed into nearly 150km of trails today, with the Beast and Dragon's Back being among the most testing and gruelling.

However, the forest rangers never lost sight of the importance of catering to beginners and families, and have recently added another easy-intermediate trail, dubbed the MinoTaur, to the two others already in existence.

The 5km trail is named after a legendary half man, half bull creature, the Minotaur who used to roam a labyrinth in the Palace of Knossos on Crete.

However, the trail itself is said to include plenty of exciting features such as singletrack, berms and excellent views of the Rivers Eden and Mawddach.

Forest ranger Andy Braund further explained: "It has all the blue grade (intermediate features) you'd expect, but they are all designed to be progressive, so it's suitable for all riders, from mums and dads who may just want to take kids down on a tag-along, adaptive mountain bike riders with disabilities, to keen new riders who want to develop their skills and aspire to ride the red and black graded trails. It's all about learning new basic and intermediate bike handling skills and having fun, to then be able to progress on to the harder trails."

The two other beginners/intermediate trails already present at the Coed-y-Brenin include the Afon trail (13km long and runs along the River Mawddach and former gold mining area) and Temptiwr (9km long and gives riders a taster of some of the more exciting biking features in the Coed-y-Brenin).

Our holiday let Glyn-yr-aur is in the thick of the mountain-biking country, high up on the private Hafod Fraith estate, while our sister cottage, Ty Nant, is but 20 minutes ride away from the forest visitors' centre, where all the seven biking trails begin.

To book a short break away or sometime longer, please call either Bob or Jane Chilton on 01341440611 or email onygena@onetel.com.

People who would like to try mountain-biking as part of their holiday, can hire bikes at Beics Brenin, at the Coed-y-Brenin Visitors' Centre, from as little as £25 per day. Please go to this website for more details: http://www.beicsbrenin.co.uk/hire/.

Or they can try Dolgellau Cycles, within Dolgellau itself, where bikes can be hired out for half day or a full day. Go this website for more information: http://www.dolgellaucycles.co.uk/hire.cfm.

Snowdonia and North Wales most popular holiday destination in Wales

Wales is seen as the perfect destination for a weekend away, or short break, according to the latest research carried out by the Welsh Government.

In a recent survey, it found approximately 75% of, the 8.69 million, UK-based visitors to Wales in 2010 stayed between 1-7 days; and the average spend per trip was found to be around £167 (for about 4 nights).

Surprisingly, although visitor numbers were down by 3%, people actually spent more than in 2009; and it was claimed that over £1.45 billion was spent by tourists and holiday-makers in Wales throughout 2010.

North Wales and Snowdonia were revealed to be, by far, the most popular holiday destinations, and 3.4 million visits were said to have been made throughout 2010 to this part of the principality. This compared to 1.68 million trips to South East Wales and 1.59 million trips to Mid Wales.

Wales is said to also have broad appeal to all socio-economic groups with people in the so-called higher income brackets or ABs making up 34% of the trips, with middle income band C1s following close behind on 31%.

Special offer at Portmeirion

Discounted spa days and beauty treatments have proliferated wildly over the last few years. Most people have heard of Groupon, KGB or Wowcher and their subscribers are inundated daily with cheaply priced offers for hot stone massages, facials, weekends away and even vouchers for a car service. Pampering and taking time out to experience a holistic treatment has perhaps never been more in vogue.

Wales has some notable treatment rooms and spa centres, and perhaps one of the most progressive is the Mermaid Spa at the Italianate hotel complex and gardens at Portmeirion.

A short drive away from Ty Nant and Glyn-yr-aur, the Mermaid Spa offers a whole range of treatments from Deep Sea Diving Aroma-Massage to Indian Ocean Head Massage and foot massage or reflexology.

The spa typically uses its own specially prepared lotions and oils, which people can also buy separately.

After long days filled with walking, cycling or sight-seeing, any of the treatments offered might provide visitors to our holiday lets with a welcome contrast to an action-packed day, and the perfect opportunity to relax and unwind.

Currently the complex is offering the Mermaid Spa Day Package, at £60 per person, which includes a glass of prosecco on arrival, followed by a relaxing spa treatment. People can choose either a back massage, an Indian head massage, a deluxe manicure or a pedicure. The package also includes a two course lunch at Castell Deudraeth within Portmeirion's grounds.

Visitors can use the spa's swimming pool for free during the summer months and the offer price also includes free entry into Portmeirion Village and the surrounding gardens.

To find out more, please ring 01766 772444. The Spa is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, and is open the remainder of the week from 10.00am - 5.00pm.

National Trust raises £1 million in record time

to preserve idyllic stretch of Snowdonia

Despite the economic downturn, conservation charity, the National Trust, has managed to raise £1 million in a record time to buy 614 acre farm Llyndy Isaf on the shores of Llyn Dinas near Beddgelert.

The farm, which is an environmentally sensitive area and also a home to rare species, was put up for sale by retiring farmer Ken Owen who had been resident in the area for over 35 years.

He said he offered it to the National Trust because he believed they would be the best custodians of the area, which also has ancient associations to the magician Merlin.

When Merlin was but a boy he was called upon by the forerunner to Arthur, Vortigern to explain why he could not build a new fort close to Llyn Dinas on the neighbouring hill of Dinas Emrys.

Vortigern had previously been a major Dark Age warlord with a power base in Powys and Shropshire, but fled westwards to avoid the invading Germanic tribes of the Angles and Saxons.

Merlin, who was to be offered as a human sacrifice, was spared when he told him the reason the site was constantly reduced to rubble was because there were two warring dragons in pool hidden beneath it. The red one represented the ancient Britons and the white one the Saxons.

The red dragon it was said eventually defeated the white dragon and threw it into the adjacent lake of Llyn Dinas. The red dragon then became the national emblem of Wales. Vortigern was then able to build his hill fort and archaeologists in the 50s and 60s believed they found some of its remains.

The appeal, to save Llyndy Isaf from commercial exploitation, was launched in late spring of 2011 and within 100 days more than £750,000 had been raised. With the backing of stars such as Catherine Zeta Jones, Ioann Gruffud and Kate Humble, donations were reaching the equivalent of almost £4000 per day, however in November 2011 they reached a plateau.

£100,000 was needed to hit the trust's required target and with a last fundraising push and appeal by wildlife show presenter Kate Humble, who has presented BBC's Spring Watch at RSPB Ynyshir, the outstanding amount rolled in - and the trust is now the farm's new owner.

Ynyslas on Cardigan Bay with remains of ancient forest/kingdom of Cantre'r Gwaelod showing

A National Trust spokesperson said: "We have been completely bowled over by the response from the public. It has been extraordinary how much people care about protecting special places like Llyndy Isaf.

"It lies in the Nant Gwynant Valley and it is one of the most well-known stretches of countryside in Snowdonia, and also home to many threatened wildlife species such as kingfishers, otters and the chough.

"Thanks to the generosity of so many, we can begin consulting with the local community and the farming unions to decide on the next step for this special part of Wales."

Get out more says National Trust

Most people's new year resolutions are probably gathering serious dust in a forgotten recess of their over-worked and over-stressed minds. However, conservation charity, the National Trust, is urging people to keep one year round resolution: and that's to make a determined effort to get out into the great outdoors.

There was never a better time in the trust's view to make the most of the proverbial 'green gym or outdoor gym'. Whether it's organising a formalised exercise routine or simply a half-hour stroll occasionally, the trust believes people are not making the most of the countryside around them.

As a charity that concentrates on preserving Britain's woodland, coastline and stately homes, the trust says much of the land it owns provides the perfect backdrop to keep in shape and stay fit.

The nearest trust-owned parcel of land closest to our holiday lets is the Ganllwyd Nature Reserve which contains the Rhaeadr Ddu series of waterfalls.

Walking, running or exercising around this area, which also is adjacent to the expansive Coed-y-Brenin, would certainly increase a person's stamina, strength and agility, and put them firmly on the pathway to better health.

Whatever a person's fitness goals, both our holiday lets provide the perfect base camps from which to explore the best of National Trust land within Snowdonia, as well as the rest of Snowdonia itself. Visitors to this area will definitely have a wide range of outdoors and sports-related activities to choose from.

The trust has also detailed a 31 day fitness programme at http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/servlet/file/store5/item535413/version1/outdoor-gym.pdf.

A spokesperson added: "Training outdoors can burn up to 20 per cent more calories. Outdoor workouts are even more challenging due to your body having to work harder with uneven surfaces and the natural elements.

"Being outdoors provides us with essential vitamin D, which helps us maintain strong healthy bones, by retaining calcium, not forgetting a healthy glow!"

To book a short break away, please ring 01341440611 or email onygena@onetel.com and start planning your fitness getaway now.

Even more reasons to holiday in the Coed-y-Brenin

Calling all mountain bikers: there are now even more reasons to book a break away at our holiday let Glyn-yr-Aur. Based in the heart of prime mountain-biking country or the Coed-y-Brenin forest park, our bright and contemporary barn conversion is close to over 100km of world class mountain-biking trails. But the tracks and trails have now been upgraded to include a fearsome, new technical feature - the Cavity - and 4 km of all new trail, dubbed the Minor Tour.

The Cavity, all new technical section, can be found on the section of the trails more commonly known as False Teeth. It was built over 10 years ago on the MBR trail and was so named because contractors found a set of false teeth there while developing the trail. And the Minor Tour, as its name suggests, was finished in early 2011 in a bid to attract beginners and novice to the mountain-biking sport.

Forest ranger Andy Braund said the Cavity was a new signature piece that people would want to ride again and again. Forming part of the 18km MBR trail, this new 800m section was said to have taken four months to build in total.

He further explained: "The design and build has produced a truly progressive trail where the features start off small, but gradually get more challenging as you ride along, so you have time to prepare, warm up and gain confidence.

"Some riders may well be too intimidated by the Cavity and choose to walk it. But on the approach, you're just aware of this edge where the trail appears to end, then there's just a big hole. You can't see a landing. Your speed increases as you drop in, and your carried up and out the other side."

Some commenters on a mountain-biking message board said they were looking forward to trying the new Cavity on their next trip. However, others who had tried it, warned people to take the approach to this new section slowly.

One said: "The Cavity needs some bigger signs or something to tell people to reduce their entry speed. There is little to suggest that it's a much bigger drop than other similar features."

So those wanting to check out the new sections and trails at the Coed-y-Brenin, or just reacquaint themselves with the old ones, should book a break away soon at our bright and cosy holiday cottage, Glyn-yr-Aur.

To find out more, please contact Bob or Jane Chilton on 01341 440611 or email onygena@tiscali.co.uk.

A SUMMARY OF THE TRAILS

Yr Afon

This trail of 13km should take most people about 1.5 hrs to complete. It is suitable for beginners and families and follows in the main sections of road and forestry track close to the River Mawddach. People will also pass the former workings of the Gwynfynedd goldmines.

Temptiwr

This trail of 9km in length is also said to be suitable for novices and beginners and should take people about an hour to complete. The trail is said to give people a short taster of some of the best bits of the trails close to the visitors' centre.

MBR

More advanced riders should find this 18km trail more to their liking, which is said to include more open-style trails that actually pass through some of the best scenery within the Coed-y-Brenin. Most people should take around 2 hours to finish this whole course. And it now comes complete with the new False Teeth and Cavity section.

Tarw

This trail was the former Red Bull trail, which was also the very first biking trail to be laid out within the whole of the Coed-y-Brenin. But it has now been extended to a full 20km and includes plenty of technically challenging sections that include rocks, twists and turns that should almost certainly keep riders on the edge of their seats. Most people should take up to 2 hrs to finish the course, which is definitely suitable for more advanced bikers.

Dragon's Back

This 31km course is for expert riders only and is characterised by long climbs, tight single track and long, fast descents, that pass through some amazing mountain scenery. Riders should allow four hours to complete this particular course.

The Beast

This trail as its name suggests is not for the faint-hearted and is seen as the most challenging trail of all within the Coed-y-Brenin. At 38km long, the trail promises to be both physically and mentally demanding, and people should not try it if their fitness levels are low. Don't underestimate the 'bite of the Beast' say writers from MBwales.com. Taking an average of 4.5 hours to complete, people need to be really sure they're capable of lasting the course, or perhaps should just tackle it a bit at a time.

Pink Heifer

Cyflwm Coch

Audio trails go live in the Coed-y-Brenin

If you've ever wondered if you could have your very own personal guided tour of the Coed-y-Brenin by a forest ranger or expert, then wonder no more, because local ranger, Graeme Stringer, and wildlife enthusiast, Iolo Williams have joined forces to bring some of the trails much more vividly to life around the 9000 acre sized park.

Graeme recently persuaded Iolo to record a few hours worth of MP3 audio tracks that cover five miles worth of trails deep within the forest park near the Afon or River Eden. The tracks, which can be downloaded from http://www.forestry.gov.uk/coed-y-breninforestpark, complement existing leaflets and information boards about sights and places of interest within the Coed-y-Brenin itself.

For example, walkers can follow the designated routes and switch on their MP3 players at various marker posts to learn more about the Roman invasion of Britain, for example, or how the Coed-y-Brenin actually came into being.

Historically, the forest park was once part of the Nannau Estate, and was at one time owned by Prince Cadwgan in the 11th century. Eventually it was developed in to the Forest of the King (named after George V) or the Coed-y-Brenin in Welsh, in the early part of the 20th century, in a bid to satisfy Britain's growing demand for wood.

The Coed-y-Brenin is still used as a major production site for pine. However, much of the forest is being clear-felled in a bid to revive ancient woodland species such as sessile oak, rowan, ash and birch.

Today, the Coed-y-Brenin is known as perhaps one of the top mountain-biking destinations within the whole of the UK and now has 104km worth of tracks and trails totally devoted to this all action sport.

A new £1.6 million visitors' centre was constructed near the Afon Eden trail in late 2006, and this has seen visitor numbers swell to 120,000 in recent years.

The forest park is not just a haven for mountain-bikers though and also has much to offer ramblers, walkers, runners and those interested in bird watching and wildlife in general.

Iolo added: "Audio trails are fantastic because it's like going for a walk with expert naturalists, historians, geologists and archaeologists in tow. I'm sure the current trail at the Coed-y-Brenin will be the first of many."

Land managers and farmers will now be able bid for sizeable grants under a new woodland creation scheme up until the year 2013. The project forms a key part of the Welsh Assembly's Glastir land management programme, which aims to assist farmers and land managers to markedly improve their local landscapes.

A high priority is to be given to projects that set out to improve soil quality, water drainage and the habitats for wildlife and flora and fauna. And for woodland creation, farmers will be given support for the costs of developing new woods, and compensation payments for taking land out of agricultural use.

Otters return to lake near Cader Idris after an absence of three years

The Countryside Council for Wales has welcomed the return of a male otter (with his new family) to the Talyllyn Lake at the foot of the Cader Idris mountain range, which is just a 35 minute drive from our holiday cottage Glyn-yr-Aur.

Visitors to the area should be able to see the mother, father and two cubs playing in and around the banks of the 220 acre lake between Dolgellau and Machynlleth.

Conservation Officer for the council based in Dolgellau, Rhodri Dafydd, said that return of the otter meant that the waters and area around the lake were pollutant free enough to support one of Britain's most threatened wild species.

Otters' numbers are said to have declined in recent years throughout the British Isles due to a loss of suitable habitat, however after an absence of three years, the otter's return to the Talyllyn is said to be a sure sign of a thriving and burgeoning local eco-system.

Rhodri Dafydd further explained: "As one of our most attractive mammals, the otter sits at the top of its food chain and is therefore an indicator of a healthy ecosystem. Their presence shows that the habitats and water quality in this part of the Cader Idris Site of Special Scientific Interest can and do support a wide range of species."

A short film of the otters playing in the lake can be seen on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/user/rectoryonthelake.

Sport England wants more people involved in outdoor recreational activities

Sports promotional group, Sport England, hopes to dramatically boost the number of people who engage in sport or some form of recreational activity by the time Britain has hosted the London Olympics.

According to a recent survey undertaken by the group, around seven million adults across the UK regularly go running, hill walking or cycling or engage in some such other sporting activity for at least 90 minutes a week.

However, the group believes at least one million more people should be encouraged to embrace more active lifestyles and become engaged more intensely in some form of sport.

In a bid to spearhead this initiative an inquiry was set up to research how best to make sport and adventure activities more accessible to more people.

From a series of questionnaires and consultations with the general public and special interest groups such as the Woodland Trust, it became clear that too few people know about the opportunities available to them in the great outdoors. At least 43% of respondents felt more should be done to publicise and promote footpaths, cycling trails and so forth to the uninitiated.

Regular visitors to national parks were found to be well informed of the broad range of opportunities and activities available to them. But groups such as the Woodland Trust felt more needed to be done to educate the wider public about how to make the best of their time in the countryside and rural areas.

This autumn, the trust will be launching its Visit Woods campaign to advise people of the myriad of activities, footpaths and trails that can be followed with its profusion of woods and forests across the British Isles.

Sport England also discovered that from January 2009 to January 2010, cycling had become an increasingly popular sport with nearly 115,000 more people taking it up in that year alone. Canoeing was also said to have become more popular too, and an additional 17,000 people had decided to take up this sport during the same time frame.

The Sport England survey also concluded that schools should be forced to open up their sports facilities to local communities in a bid to increase sport participation, and that more guides and fact sheets were needed in general to alert people to the opportunities available to them for activities near their home and further afield.

New free walking booklet available that follows pilgrimage of local girl, Mary Jones, to find a Welsh Bible for herself and family and friends

Ever since Christianity began, there have been numerous tales about the lengths saints, ascetics and devout people were prepared to go to for the sake of their faith and for God.

However, 210 years ago, a girl who lived in a tiny hamlet at the foot of the Cader Idris, sparked a religious revival after she walked barefoot for some 28 miles to secure one of the very first Bibles ever printed in Welsh.

15-year-old Mary Jones who came from Llanfihangel-y-pennant in the southern foothills of the Cader Idris, decided her six year long wait to obtain an authentic Bible should now come to an end.

She had accrued enough in savings by 1800, and set out to the home of the Rev Thomas Charles in Bala to buy the scriptures for herself.

On arriving at the Rev Thomas' home which is now Barclays Bank in Bala, she was told that there were no actual Bibles in Welsh left for sale.

On seeing how distraught she was, it was said, the Rev Thomas Charles gave her a copy that was reserved for someone else. She managed to purchase two more Bibles, one which is preserved for posterity at Cambridge University Library and the other at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth.

Her moving story brought about the setting up of the British and Foreign Bible Society (in 1804), whose sole remit was to ensure that Bible was available in as many languages, to as many people who wanted them across the world.

And in 2010, the very same Bible Society has produced a free booklet, with a grant from the Countryside Council for Wales, that hopes to replicate the authentic journey taken by Mary over two centuries ago.

Divided into five sections, people can tackle as much or as little of this 28 mile walk as they wish. It passes along the shores of Lake Talyllyn, the Mawddach Estuary and the edges of Bala Lake into the small market town of Bala itself.

Paul Mitchell of the Countryside Council for Wales added: "The guide book is a really high quality publication with great attention to detail. I'm sure it will be useful to local and visiting walkers."

The author of the booklet, Mary Thomas, said that Mary Jones had achieved quite an amazing feat of walking through so much of Wales' wild and rough terrain without any shoes. She believed that the walk would be an inspirational journey for those who followed in her namesake's footsteps.

The booklet is available free from local tourist information offices in the Gwynedd area, or it can be downloaded from the Bible Society's website at www.biblesociety.org.uk.