Explore the soaring mountains and refreshing coastal walks of North Wales

The beautiful island of Anglesey is criss-crossed with quiet lanes and paths, making it an ideal base for walkers. Its coast path runs through spectacular scenery, with 95% of it in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

This is the place to come for seabirds, wildlife and a wealth of ancient history.

The North Wales Path winds for 60 miles (96 km) along the coast from Bangor to Prestatyn, mostly along public footpaths. It takes you to traditional seaside resorts which you can reach from the path, and also gives you stunning mountain and coastal views.

Near Prestatyn, and close to the Offa's Dyke Path, the route follows the Prestatyn Dyserth Way, a 2 2/3 mile (4.3 km) former railway. Some of the most stunning views on the path are of the soaring Eryri (Snowdonia) mountains, these can be seen from Little Ormes Head, or from Castell Conwy. 

The Mynydd Hiraethog and Denbigh Moors Footpath Network includes a linear 40 mile (64km) route, together with six shorter circular routes that can each be walked individually.

The Denbigh Moors are to the north of the Cambrian Mountains and are a rare surviving part of an immense grouse moor and shooting estate. The eastern side of the moor includes the peaks of Tir Mostyn and Foel Goch, the Clocaenog Forest and the two major valleys of the moorland, the Alwen and Brenig.

The Edge of Wales, a relatively new coastal path, along the top of the Llŷn Peninsula, following pilgrim's routes to Bardsey Island. The walk is 'the only long distance walk in Britain to finish with a sea voyage to an island, and a real adventure,' according to co-ordinator Peter Hewlett.

The route takes in many of the most breathtaking views and loveliest villages in Llŷn, and is ideal for walking end to end, or in small chunks as day walks.

Take some time out and follow in the spiritual footsteps of our ancestors by following this recently created trail. The North Wales Pilgrim's Way follows a 135 mile long distance waymarked walking route, between Basingwerk Abbey near Holywell and Bardsey. You can walk it independently or join the annual pilgrimage which starts on May Bank Holiday Saturday each year. The route links 6th century churches and sites of religious significance across North Wales, taking in mountains, waterfalls, thousand year old crosses and stone circles.

The Mary Jones Walk is a 28-mile walk through the Eryri (Sowdonia National Park). It is a bracing walk to undertake in sections, but consider the 15-year-old girl the walk is named after, who walked the entire distance barefoot in 1800 to buy a bible from Bala.

She saved what little money she had for six years to afford her bible and walked from Llanfihangel-y-Pennant across valleys and around mountains to Llyn Tegid (or Bala Lake). Her journey inspired the founding of the Bible Society. 

The Wat's Dyke trail follows the route of the channel using public footpaths and quiet country lanes for a distance of 61 miles (99km) between Llanymynech, close to the Powys/Shropshire border and Basingwerk Abbey, which is within a stone’s throw of the River Dee estuary near Holywell in Flintshire.

Taith Ardudwy Way is a well signposted upland pathway of 24 miles (38km) from Barmouth in the south to Llandecwyn in the north.

The Way traverses Ardudwy, an ancient commote (an administrative area in the Middle Ages). It visits each of the parishes bordering Cardigan Bay and crosses the geological formation of Cambrian Rocks, amongst the oldest in Wales, known as the Harlech Dome. The Way is chosen to take in some of the best coastal and mountain views in Wales, visiting prehistoric sites and offers the chance to see varied vegetation and rare birds of the area.

Explore the industrial heritage of North Wales' slate landscape with this 83 mile circular walk, starting in Bangor and ending in Bethesda. The trail follows quieter routes through Eryri (Snowdonia), linking Llanberis, the Nantlle Valley, Beddgelert, Llan Ffestiniog and Betws-y-Coed. The Eryri (Snowdonia) Slate Trail can be completed over seven days or section by section. 

The Mawddach Way is a circular route around the Mawddach Estuary between Barmouth and Dolgellau. It mainly follows high up paths so brilliant views across the estuary can be enjoyed. Along the route are abandoned gold mines, mysterious lakes, a ruined abbey, the craggy presence of Cader Idris, and of course Barmouth Viaduct. The route is split up into three sections, with the aim of completing the 49.8km (31miles) in three days. It's easy to get round using public transport - TravelineCymru can help with planning.

Exploring the outdoors is fantastic fun, but please read up on the risks and make sure you are prepared.

• Find safety advice for exploring Wales' National Parks and safety tips for staying safe on the Welsh coast.
• Visit AdventureSmart.uk for information on how to stay safe whilst exploring Wales.

• Download the Y Marilyns app – find a recommended starting point a short route description and background information for Welsh hills and mountains which are 150m or more higher than the surrounding land (this is classed as a ‘Marilyn’). The app is free to download and is run by volunteers from the Relative Hills Society.
• Traveline Cymru is a useful public transport journey planner.
• There are a number of apps and online maps, where you can to find the location of electric vehicle (EV) charging points across Wales. These include the Transport for Wales EV charging points in Wales page. Several National Trust properties across Wales have EV charging points.
• Help Wales become the first Refill Nation by using nearby Refill Points to fill up your water bottle before you head off. Find out more, including how to download the free Refill app to find your nearest Refill Point on the Refill Wales website.