Glorious Outstanding Walks Wales/Cymru glossy coffee table book published by OS

Outstanding Walks Wales/Cymru is a lavishly illustrated volume that brings together 300 carefully curated places of interest across the length and breadth of Wales, ideal for both committed walkers wishing to explore or readers happy to discover more about them all from the comfort of their own home.

The coffee table book contains a handpicked selection of 60 walks, broken down into 26 shorter walks under three miles, 23 half‑day rambles and 11 full‑day hikes – including the ascent of Wales’ highest peak, Yr Wyddfa/Mount Snowdon.

From the natural beauty of Ynys Môn/Anglesey to Dyffryn Gwy/Wye Valley, from the industrial landscape of Blaenafon/Blaenavon to the peaks of Eryri/Snowdonia, and the castles, towns and UNESCO World Heritage Sites dotted elsewhere, the book is full of ideas to dip in and out of to find memorable Welsh day trips.

The selection of 350 photographs also showcases 48 ‘don’t miss’ sites and 42 scenic picture locations, pointing out the mountains and vales, rivers, lakes, waterfalls and woodlands, along with places of historical significance and cultural beacons that make Wales the captivating place it is today.

Outstanding Walks Cymru/Wales author Julia Goodfellow‑Smith lives in Wales and has previously written bestseller Live Your Bucket List and numerous walking and cycling books.

Her adventures and images have all been captured within Outstanding Walks Cymru/Wales’s pages.

Julia’s passion for Wales began on family holidays as a child, where she stayed at a holiday complex between Machynlleth and Aberdyfi/Aberdovey, and with every visit her love of Wales grew.

She said: “I was smitten. Here was a country, not that far from home, that had rivers, waterfalls, lakes, mountains, and oh, what a coastline! I just knew I loved being here, and that someday I wanted to live here. I had found my spiritual home. I am delighted that Wales is now my actual home, and that I have the opportunity to write books about my adoptive country, encouraging others to explore and enjoy it, as I have had the privilege to do."

“One of the things I love about this book is how much scope there was to include information about each walk, rather than focusing on turn‑by‑turn directions. This gave me an opportunity to do one of my other favourite things – poke around to find interesting stories to share, whether that’s through a historical, landscape, environmental or social justice lens.”

For Outstanding Walks Cymru/Wales, Julia was determined to capture winter conditions and invested in a pair of micro‑crampons and an ice axe to walk up the peaks with her husband Mike when weather conditions were right. The adventure resulted in an amazing image of Pen y Fan, in the Bannau Brycheiniog/Brecon Beacons, her favourite photo in the book.

Julia added: “It isn’t possible to showcase all Wales has to offer in three walks, and I have way more than three favourites. But if I were pushed, I would choose one on the coast, one in the mountains and one with archaeological or historical interest.

“Talacharn/Laugharne and the Taf Estuary is one of my favourite coastal walks because it encompasses cliffs, a castle, a sandy estuary and the sparkling waters of Carmarthen Bay – and it’s not far from home for me.

“Cadair Idris has long been a favourite mountain walk. For me, it is a Goldilocks mountain: big enough to be challenging, yet small enough to be doable; and busy enough not to feel like you are on your own, yet quiet enough not to be in crowds at the summit. On a good day, the views over the surrounding mountains, valleys, lakes and coastline repay the effort of the climb many times over.

“And in researching this book, I was surprised to find such impressive archaeological sites as Llwyneliddon/St Lythans and Coed‑y‑Bedd/Tinkinswood burial chambers, which I had never heard of before. Wales is chock‑full of fascinating archaeology, and this walk offers a fantastic introduction, within a stone’s throw of Cardiff.”

OS’s Managing Director for Leisure, Nick Giles OBE, said: “Outstanding Walks Cymru/Wales has routes for all abilities – from gentle family strolls to challenging mountain hikes.

“OS prides itself on trusted navigation – and this book is no different. It features seven regional maps, 60 walk overview maps, detailed route descriptions, and expert guidance for safe, confident walking. Plus, it comes with instant digital access. Every walk comes with a QR code linking to routes in the OS Maps app, making navigation seamless on the go. The book also includes a free three‑month OS Maps subscription to get you started.”

Outstanding Walks Wales/Cymru is available for £25 from the OS Shop.