2012 is going to be a pretty big year for walkers. Because it will see the official opening of the world’s first national coastal path.
Yes, that’s right. A path that runs right round the coastline of an entire country. Wales, as it happens.
And since Wales is surrounded on three sides by sea, that means quite a journey - and quite a challenge. It means 850 miles of glorious unbroken coastal scenery and no fewer than 125 miles of the new All-Wales Coastal Path is on Anglesey.
Don’t go thinking that, because Anglesey has a reputation for being fairly flat, our lovely circuit will be the easy bit. Walk its entire length and you will have ascended nearly 4,174 metres, or 13,694 feet in old money.
That’s the equivalent of walking up Snowdon. Three-and-a-half times. Perhaps it would be better to start off with Anglesey’s coastal path and then see how you feel about the rest of the Wales.
It should take you about 12 days at a decent pace. Or if you’re not feeling quite that energetic you can just stroll the odd mostly flat bit (do try to avoid Holyhead Mountain).