Miles to go before they sleep?

Today saw the official launch of the Wales Coast Path which, by joining together existing routes and adding new stretches, provides for the first time a walking trail around the entire 870 miles of the Welsh coast.

Pembrokeshire's own 186 mile coast path, which dates from 1970, becoming part of the new route, I went out and took pictures of, and from, the path in order to find a image with which to mark the occasion. But in the end this shot summed it up: three exhausted hikers taking a break on the cliff top. They didn't stir when I stopped and photographed them.

In addition to walking the Welsh coast you can complete the circuit of the whole country by following Offa's Dyke trail 80 miles along the border with England. And if the periphery is not enough, you can do a figure-of-eight route by including Glyndwr's Way, 135 miles across the middle between coast and border.

Back in the day I walked Offa, Glyndwr and the Pembrokeshire coast in successive years, carrying a tent and camping along the way. I doubt I'll do much of this new trail but it's good to know it exists. And you don't have to reach the point of exhaustion to enjoy a snooze on the cliffs.