Carmarthenshire walks

The Wales Coast path runs the length of the Carmarthenshire coastline from Amroth to Llanelli, a distance of some 27 miles (43km). There are habitats of all sorts including dunes, salt marshes, pine forests and beaches. For a walk with spectacular views, Amroth to Pendine takes in high clifftops and the famous Pendine Sands where many landspeed records were made. The section through Pembrey Country Park with its conifer forest takes you down onto to the sand dunes of Cefn Sidan beach.

Between Burry Port and Llanelli you join the Millennium Coastal Path which is wide and flat, ideal for buggies, wheelchairs and bikes. It runs through the Millennium Coastal Park around the Burry estuary, lapped by sandy beaches with the backdrop of a vibrant nature reserve. There are lots of parking spots and it's easy to access the path.

Read more: 870 miles to enjoy along the Welsh coast

Carmarthenshire's countryside is home to all sorts of birds, wildlife and rare plants. Budding botanists can keep any eye out for orchids in the flower-rich meadows around Cwmdu. You're also likely to see hosts of butterflies in summer including the rare brown ringlet. There are various routes from just a mile or so to a little under five (7km).

Another wildlife haven is WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre. Set in 450 acres, there are easy walks to get close to the birds, insects and flowers. Many are wheelchair and buggy friendly. At the right times of year, keen birdwatchers can spot kingfishers, little egrets and woodpeckers, as well as dragonflies, butterflies, voles and wild flowers.

Once on the brink of extinction, red kites are increasingly easy to spot in Carmarthenshire - a real conservation success story. Walks around Cil-y-cwm offer a good change of seeing them soaring high above vast views of the countryside and a cascading waterfall in Cwm Rhaeadr. You'll likely see flycatchers and warblers in summer months too.

You may well see red kites at RSPB Gwenffrwd-Dinas nature reserve as well, along with all sorts of other birdlife including wagtails and dippers. An easy stroll of a couple of miles here takes you through ancient woodland and alongside the tranquil river.

Read more: Up close with the red kites in Wales

The Heart of Wales rail line meanders from Swansea right across the country to Shrewsbury and there's a walking trail that interlinks with many of the stations. You can walk one way and then train back. The Carmarthenshire section runs for around 70 miles (100km) from Llanelli on the coast to Cynghordy in the Afon Bran valley, taking in wild countryside, spectacular viaducts and craggy castles.

For a good day's walking, the section between Pontarddulais and Ammanford (route 15) offers vast views of Loughor Estuary and the Gower peninsula. Or else try Llandeilo to Llangadog (route 13) and see the hilltop ruins of Castell Carreg Cennen and Carn Goch Iron Age hillfort. Both walks are around 10 miles (15km). Make sure to check train timetables as services are not that frequent, particularly at weekends.

Read more: Things to do in Carmarthenshire

There are lots of lakes and watery spaces to explore in Carmarthenshire. Most well known are the Fans walks which take in the epic scenery of the Brecon Beacons skirting the high mountain lakes of Llyn y Fan Fach and Llyn y Fan Fawr. This is proper hiking with steep sections and vast views of a landscape shaped by mighty glaciers. But it can get busy at times.

At quieter Carmel Woods Nature Reserve you only see the lake - Pant y Llyn - in autumn and winter. It's the only turlough, or seasonal lake, in Britain. The walk takes you through peaceful woodland, to the top of the old limestone quarry.

Llyn Lech Owain country park features a shimmering lake and a unique peat bog habitat. There are lots of trails and many are accessible for wheelchairs and buggies. Or how about a waterfall walk? Cwm Rhaeadr means 'valley of the waterfall'. You see glimpses of it as your approach through the trees. The shorter trail here is accessible for all and passes two tranquil ponds on the way.

This is Wales, so there are castles everywhere! Carreg Cennan has a dramatic location perched on a hilltop. You can choose from a short 1.6mile (2.5km) or longer 3.7 mile (6km) walk around it, taking in ancient woodlands, babbling brooks and a section of the Beacons Way. Kidwelly Castle is nicely preserved, ideal for kids to go rampaging. There are more walks around Kidwelly for all levels, including smooth tracks ideal for buggies and wheelchairs, taking in the oldest canal in Wales and the Mynydd Y Garreg mountain.

Culture fans can stroll around Laugharne. Along with wonderfully romantic castle ruins, it's the location of the boathouse where writer Dylan Thomas wrote many of his works. The waymarked Dylan's Walk (3 miles, 5km) offers expansive views of the estuary.

And perhaps in the best location of all, the brooding ruins of Castell Llansteffan is perched on a headland looking across the Tywi Estuary and Carmarthen Bay. There are lovely walks here offering cliff top views, quiet country lanes and hidden bays.

Read more: Discover cultural Carmarthenshire

For something genuinely different, go for a walk after dark! Carmarthenshire has some of the UK's darkest night skies, ideal for stargazing on a clear night.

A walk around the deep, glassy reservoir at Llyn Brianne in the Upper Tywi Valley is an ideal way to enjoy the starry expanses reflected in the waters. Llanllwni mountain is another dark sky reserve offering far-reaching views of vast skies. Both locations are great spots to try your hand at some dark sky photography too.

It's important to go correctly equipped and make sure you have your route well researched. Better still, go for a guided walk with an expert who can point out the constellations and give you tips on taking photos.

Read more: Top five places in Wales for dark skies photography