Highland

ucheldirWales is a country of hills, mountains – and sheep!

There are more sheep in Wales than there are people; some would say that some of the sheep are craftier than some people! Their young are certainly tastier than lambs from any other part of the world…

The mountains of Wales aren’t as high as the mountains of the Himalaya or the Alps, but they’re much older and it’s far easier to reach their summits. They were indeed high mountains at one time but ice and rain have worn them down over thousands of years.

Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) in the north-west is the highest peak at 1085m and, if you’re too old or disabled or just too lazy to walk or climb, there’s a train waiting for you at Llanberis to take you to the top!

Snowdon is part of the Eryri (Snowdonia) range of mountains and this is where Wales’ highest peaks are. This area is full of enchanting valleys, cwms and lakes. Edmund Hillary and his team came here in 1953 to practise for their ascent of Everest.

Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri – The Snowdonia National Park is a vast area (2170 km²) that extends from the coast of north Wales to estuary of the River Dyfi in mid Wales.

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In mid Wales, the highest peak is Cadair Idris (893m) which stands magestically above the estuary of the River Mawddach and the town of Dolgellau. Further east lies Bwlch y Groes; this is the highest and steepest mountain pass in wales that cars can travel over.

In the far south-west lie the Preseli Hills; it was from this area that the blue stones of Stonehenge were transported over 4000 years ago.

Parc Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog – The Brecon Beacons National Park extends over a vast area (1344 Km²) of south Wales. The highest peak in this area is Pen y Fan (886m).

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