Walking Festival on Anglesey Coastal Path

by Geraint
(Ynys Mon)

Details of the Anglesey Walking Festival have just been announced, and there are plans to get up to 3,000 people to walk the coastal path for charity.

The 2008 Walking Festival is planned for 16 days from May 24, and one hope is to boost the local economy by drawing walkers and ramblers from across Britain.

Apparently the 2008 event main attraction will be a special charity day on 24 May when walkers start from nine separate starting points on the Anglesey coastal path aiming to raise money for nine good causes.

Many of the planned walks will be on the coastal footpath giving people the chance to appreciate magical sea views, and the varied animals and flowers and changeable geological rock formations.

So if you are about on these dates you may recognise among the star walkers taking part, ex-Wales and British Lions hooker Robin McBryde, MP Albert Owen MP and actor John Pierce Jones (alias Mr Picton). Local AM Ieuan Wyn Jones is also planning to be there.

Events get under way with a free family fun day at historic house Plas Newydd, near Llanfair PG. This year, for the first time, walkers will have to pay a fee for each walk.

And for the first time this year, there are four routes made suitable for wheelchair users. Schools are also catered for with an interesting sounding Belgium Promenade event and a rock pool exploration at Menai Bridge.

Many walks are on the coastal footpath and feature stunning scenery, flora and fauna and varied geological rock faces.

All the walks are guided by professional, knowledgeable guides who will help hikers.

"Walkers will be able to walk and hear about the history of several coastal and rural villages including tales of shipwrecks, cannibalism, smugglers and ghosts.

They can also marvel at the island's industrial heritage on the Parys Copper Mountain and Amlwch Port walk.

There will also be the opportunity to spend evenings in the company of local historians, and a chance to dine on local Welsh produce.