Wales is known partially for its beautiful landscapes, and three amazing National Parks. The three Welsh National Parks have names that sound like they came out of a fairy tale; the parks are named Snowdonia, Pembrokeshire Coast, and Brecon Beacons. These parks are lined with glorious mountain ranges, rivers, coastlines, and gardens. A whopping 20 percent of Wales is covered by the three National Parks, or 4122 kilometers. They were created in the early-to-mid nineties in order to protect and conserve the beautiful wildlife, while exhibiting some fascinating heritage in Wales.
Snowdania is mostly known for it's hiking, but there is so much more that it has to offer. If you are on a solo trek into the wilderness, or on a family vacation, Snowdonia is a good place for you. You can climb up to the top of Tryfan in the Ogwen Valley in as little as two hours. This is not for the faint of heart, however, it is actually the mountain that Edmund Hillary and co used to train for the climbing of Mount Everest. For the family, there are numerous castles and villages that you can explore to get a taste of the old heritage of this majestic land. Harlech Castle is a favorite to visit, and it even made UNESCO's World Heritage List. This castle is nestled on a bluff right in front of the Rhinogs mountain range, creating a beautiful silhouette.
Pembrokeshire Coast is the next National Park out of the three found in Wales. This park has 186 miles of coastlines, appropriately living up to its name. Water lovers, this place is for you. With numerous beaches, lily ponds, and estuaries, you will fill your need for the sound of waves and the feeling of sand between your toes. There are many rugged cliffs and islands that you can visit to get some sightseeing in. Looking for history and culture? There are castles and cathedrals you can visit at Pembrokeshire Coast, if you want to take a break from hiking and taking in the views. Pembrokeshire Coast has even made the list of the top 10 beaches to visit in the world, no matter what the weather is like.
Brecon Beacons, like the other two National Parks, is jam packed with amazing landmarks and exhilarating activities to keep you busy. Mountains, lakes, castles, caves, and waterfalls are only a few of the possible attractions here. Brecon Beacons is home to the very first international dark-sky reserve in Wales, meaning that the community works to reduce light pollution so that you can see far into space on a clear night. There are many stargazing events you can attend at Brecon Beacons, and it is said that you can see the Milky Way, nebulas, and even meteor showers.
National Parks are amazing sanctuaries that are set aside by nations to protect wildlife, while allowing people to enjoy it at the same time. In order to find the perfect balance of conservation and enjoyment, we have to make sure that we are always following the guidelines and laws set in place. Do your research before visiting any of these 3 parks, and be sure to come prepared. Too many tragedies happen at National Parks, for both human and wildlife, when we don't show it the utmost respect and care.