THE CAMBRIAN WAY AT A GLANCE
DISTANCE: 479km / 298 miles
ASCENT: 22,460m / 73,700ft
START: Cardiff FINISH: Conwy DURATION: 15-20 days
The Cambrian Way was conceived by Tony Drake in 1971. Having played a large role in establishing the Offa’s Dyke Path and Cotswold Way, he turned his attention to creating what he dubbed the ‘mountain connoisseur’s walk’, a route that would take in Wales’ mountainous spine in one south-to-north journey from coast to coast.
But Drake’s idea didn’t quite get off the ground in the way he’d wanted. The British Mountaineering Council’s North Wales committee was concerned about the proposed section through the tricky terrain of the Rhinogydd, and subsequent resistance from the National Farmers Union –, and even Snowdonia National Park – ultimately led to funding for the trail’s creation being
