So, do you fancy a walk this weekend? As part of the Ramblers’ 80th birthday celebrations, the country’s favourite walking group are hosting the Big Welsh Walk 2015 – a whole month of walks and walking celebrations designed to get Wales on it’s feet and exploring the beautiful countryside and coast we have on offer here.

Angela Charlton, director of Ramblers Cymru, said: “Whether you’re eight or 80, we want as many people as possible to step out for a walk in Wales during the month of May. Our groups and partners will be leading plenty of free walks to suit all ages and abilities, with lots on offer for everyone to enjoy.”

The Ramblers was formed on the 1st January 1935, and so is this year celebrating it’s 80th anniversary. It was born out of a desire to represent the rights of walkers, after the famous mass trespass of Kinder Scout in the Peak District in 1932 sought to achieve better access rights to the British countryside for working class people.

Today, the Ramblers is the largest walking organisation in the UK, and it seeks to encourage and promote walking as an enjoyable, healthy, safe and accessible pastime. The Ramblers is also key in safeguarding paths, and securing funding for new routes and for protecting the countryside so that future generations can enjoy it for years to come.

Here in Snowdonia, we have some of the finest walking places in Britain – highlands, lowlands, coastlines and countryside, you’re bound to find somewhere that inspires you. The Big Welsh Walk 2015 aims to help you get out and about to discover Wales; perhaps somewhere you’ve never been before. As well as free walk routes to download, there are also free guided walks taking place across the region. Including…..

• Two Lakes Walk – 1st May, organised by the Conwy Valley Ramblers. Leaving 10am, contact  – 01492 57372
• Blaenau Ffestiniog Walk – 2nd May, organised by the Meirionydd Ramblers. Leaving 10am, contact Denis 01766 523407 for more details
• High Points Llanegryn – 3rd May, organised by the Meirionydd Ramblers. Leaving 10am, contact Gilian 01654 712747
• Machynlleth Circular – 3rd May, organised by the Welshpool Ramblers. Leaving 10am, contact 01686 628112
• Llanberis Walk – 7th May, organised by the Caernarfon & Dwyfor Ramblers. Leaving 10:30am, contact  – Dennis & Joan 01286 870208
• Hesgyn Cairn – 13th May, organised by the Conwy Valley & Meriionydd Ramblers. Leaving 10am, contact Jean & Andy 01492 876860
• Seagrass, Seals & Shipwrecks – 13th May, organised by the National Trust, Porthdinllaen. Leaving 5:30pm, contact 01758 760469
• Llanrwst Circular Walk – 16th May, organised by the Conwy Valley Ramblers. Leaving 10am, contact Kevin  – 01492 874563
• Dinas Oleu – 20th May, organised by the National Trust, Barmouth. Leaving 6:30pm, contact 01690 713323

So, wherever you are in North Wales this May, you’re not far from one of the Ramblers Big Welsh Walks. Why not give one of them a try, and see what you can discover about our beautiful, wild Wales?

For more information about all the walks and routes available for the Big Welsh Walk 2015, click here.

And for some more inspiration on walking in Snowdonia, see some of our previous walk routes….click here.