The legends of King Arthur and Merlin, recorded by storytellers and bards over the generations, are very much alive in Wales! His enemies the Saxons would have called him Wealas (a foreigner) which is how the word “Welsh” originated.
Our hiking adventure begins on the northwest coast of the island of Angelsey, in North Wales. We will be visiting a neolithic burial chamber, an ancient hill fort, standing stones and mystical lakes. Our first two nights will be at a family friendly hotel near the hamlet of Rhosneigr. Here we will be close to the the Welsh Coastal Path at Cymyran Beach and can walk there from our hotel within minutes!
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​The cost for the above is $2395, double occupancy. Please inquire about single supplements. A deposit of $800 is required to hold your spot on the tour. March 27, 2020 is the second payment of $800 is due, and June 27, 2020 is the final payment of $795 is due. Invoices will be emailed for the final two payments. Single supplement payments will be split between the two final payments.
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Scott Lloyd who works for the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments in Wales at the National Library in Aberystwyth will be presenting to us along the way and has served on the committee of the British Branch of the International Arthurian Society. In his recent book "The Arthurian Place Names of Wales" he traces associations back to their original sources for more than a hundred and fifty sites in Wales, dating back from the 9th century.
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For three nights we will be staying at a Historic Inn in a picturesque hamlet in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park. Weather permitting there will be an opportunity to climb Mount Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales and England.
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During our three-day stay here we will visit Castell Dinas Emrys which was once an ancient Iron Hill Fort, and later in the 5th century a retreat for the legendary Celtic warrior Vortigern, who was claimed to have fled into Wales to escape the Ango-Saxons invaders. The legend claims that he employed Myrddin Emrys (Merlin Ambrosius) to help his cause. Merlin predicted that of the two dragons that lived in an underground pool under the fort, the red Welsh dragon would defeat the white dragon of the Saxons.
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Our last two nights we will spend in the medieval market town of Dolgellau. Here we could hike along the Ffordd Ddu (Black Road), an old Roman Road above the Crogennan Lakes, or hike the Mawddach Estuary down to Barmouth. Triple harpist and storyteller Mair Tomos Ifans will entertain us during our stay here.
King Arthurs Excalibur, Llanberis
Sunday, September 27
We will meet you at cafe in the railway station in Holyhead at 2:00p.m.and be transported to a (family owned) hotel for two nights. After settling in we will be walking along the Welsh Coastal Path to a restaurant for our supper this evening! Wild Wales Tours will be buying your meal this evening.
Monday, September 28
Today we will travel to Southstack and visit a 4000 year old Celtic village and in the afternoon we will join the Welsh Coastal Path and return to our hotel by 5p.m. This evening you could eat at our hotel or walk down to the village.
Tuesday, September 29
After breakfast we will be transported to a Celtic-Roman village where will meet Scott Lloyd our guide for the next couple of days and onward to a Neolithic site. After lunch we will head up to the Snowdonia National Park to visit some of Arthurs old haunts!
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For the next three nights we will be staying in a very scenic village at the base of Mount Snowdon at a family run Guest House. Tonight we can all walk to a local pub for supper.
Wednesday, September 30
After breakfast we will set off along walks in the the National Park following some legendary Arthur trails. Tonight Wild Wales Tours will be buying supper in one of the cozy pubs in the village.
Thursday, October 1
After breakfast weather permitting some of us might want to climb Mount Snowdon the highest peak in Wales and England. Others might want to relax and amble down to the village and walk along the river Glaslyn which is very scenic. Tonight you might want to join others to eat at one of the local pubs for supper.
Friday, October 2
After breakfast we will be transported to Dolgellau (twenty miles) to stay at tour hotel for two nights. After lunch, weather permitting we could climb the iconic mountain Cader Idris or walk along Roman Road and around the Crogennan Lakes. Many good places to eat in Dolgellau this evening.
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Saturday, October 3
After breakfast we will set off hiking along some old Roman roads and trails. Tonight our last meal at an award winning restaurant around the corner from our hotel, Wild Wales Tours will be buying your supper this evening.
Sunday, October 4
After breakfast and saying our farewells to our new made friends and fellow travelers we will transport you to Barmouth to catch a train for your onward travels or a bus to Bangor. We can help and advise you on your onward travel plans.
Llyn Peris
PACKING
Travel as light as possible. Bring one medium sized suitcase, and a carry-on or two.
The mini bus will have limited baggage space, and more small bags are easier to pack than one large bag. We will be near the sea often and it will be breezy, so we need to dress accordingly. The normal temperatures in September - October ranges from 50F to 75F degrees. The tour is casual and there is no dress code. If necessary, we will be able to dry our clothes at our hotels. Laundry services will also be available for a fee. Do bring gloves and a hat as well as a swimsuit if you are up for a dip in the Irish Sea!
Suggested clothing for our Walkabouts: We suggest rainproof gear (not shower proof).
• A waterproof hooded raincoat and pants
• A good pair of waterproof hiking shoes
• Three pairs of wool hiking socks, medium thickness
• Wool hat and waterproof gloves
• Low or hiking gaiters
• Knapsack to carry your lunch and snacks
• I strongly suggest walking sticks as they are very useful for balancing coming downhill
• Head light
• Binoculars
WALKING PREPARATION
In order to enjoy the walkabouts, you need to be able to walk between seven and eleven miles a day. We suggest that you prepare for the tour by walking between ten and twelve miles per week for three months prior to the trip. We all walk at a different pace, and you will have ample opportunity to walk in pairs, in groups, or alone.
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Most days we will be walking from 7-11 miles. Its really up to you how much you would like to hike. After breakfast we will set off for the day and after lunch we can arrange for you to return to the guest house or hotel to relax, on most days. This is your vacation and if you need to take a day off to walk around by yourself we can make it work for you. If some folks want to walk further than the eleven miles we can arrange that also.
ELECTRICITY
Electricity runs on a different current system in Wales and England. You will need a converter for all U.S. appliances. They can be bought on-line or in airports. All hotels will have a hair dryer, an iron and ironing board.
MEDICAL INSURANCE
We strongly recommend you buying a medical insurance plan during the time you will be hiking with us.
PHONES AND INTERNET
If you have an iPhone you can call your provider and make arrangements for your phone to work in the U.K. for a small fee. You will be able to call and receive calls from home, send emails and text approx. $30 for the month. It
works very well, automatically taking place when your airplane touches down.
The cost of the eight days and seven nights includes accommodations, all transportation, visits to the museums, all breakfasts, three dinners, one lunch, presentations and tips.
You will be paying for four dinners, six lunches and any drinks.
Most of the time we can pick up sandwiches or have them freshly made at our guest house. Sometimes we stop in a pub for lunch.
The cost for the above is $2395, double occupancy. Please inquire about single supplements. A deposit of $800 is required to hold your spot on the tour. March 27, 2020 is the second payment of $800 is due, and June 27, 2020 is the final payment of $795 is due. Invoices will be emailed for the final two payments. Single supplement payments will be split between the two final payments.
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REFUNDS
You may cancel your Wild Wales Walkabout for a full refund, minus a $100 processing fee, if you do so more than 4 months prior to your scheduled tour (May 27, 2020).
If you cancel fewer than 4 months before your scheduled tour, you will receive full refund, minus a $100 processing fee, ONLY if your slot can be filled!
If you cancel between 3 and 4 months (May 27 - June 27, 2020 ) prior to your scheduled tour, and your slot cannot be filled, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel fewer than 3 months (June 27, 2020) prior to your scheduled tour, and your slot cannot be filled, no refund will be given.
TRAVEL
There are two ferry companies: Irish Ferries and Stena Lines. Please check schedules as times may change because of high tide. Irish Ferries is the only one that has the hover craft and makes the crossing in 1 hour and 40 minutes. The traditional boat takes 3.5 hours.
We suggest that you fly into Dublin, spend the night there, and catch the ferry the following morning from Dublin to Holyhead in Wales. Another option is to fly to Manchester England and catch a train or taxi to Holyhead. It is about two hours by taxi or about three by train from Manchester, Piccadilly.
Some might want to arrive a day earlier in Dublin, as most flights will be overnight and arrive early in the morning. Dublin is six hours ahead of CST. We recommend a hotel for you while staying in Dublin.
“Wild Wales Walkabouts” is delighted to be offering this eight-day seven-night journey into the world of the legendary “King Arthur”! Our presenters and guides on the ground in North Wales are very excited to share their knowledge and passion with you on the tales of this illustrious warrior, whose legend is still very much alive in Wales!
Please email us if you have any questions or concerns.
Hywel Taff Roberts: wildwalestours@gmail.com
Hywel “Taff” Roberts
