Porthcawl, South Wales, UK by Andrew Evans

Safety first!

First things first, wild swimming is nothing like a few lengths in your local pool and there are a few things to consider before you make a splash. Firstly, never swim in the wild alone. Unlike a 25m pool, there are no signs which tell you about depth or potential dangers like sharp rocks, thick weeds or strong currents. Ensure someone is on hand to provide help just in case you get into trouble.

Secondly, do your research. Learn about currents if you are swimming in rivers, find out about tides if you’re planning an offshore dip. If you are not a confident swimmer make sure you choose a spot where the water is relatively clear and free of currents and tides. For beginners, lakes are often a safer starting point.

Finally, prepare for the cold. You may like to take a wetsuit along if you’re particularly prone to the chills. Ensure you have warm towels and clothing with you too so that you can warm up as soon as you get out. In the spirit of bravado it can be easy not to take the cold seriously yet very cold water can be a serious hazard.

Got that? Great! Now let’s take a look at some of Wales’ most spectacular wild swimming spots…

Lakes

If you’re new to wild swimming, lakes are the best place to start. Wales has an incredibly diverse selection of lakes for you to cool off in, from high altitude tarns with spectacular views, to wooded glens in secluded spots.

Llyn y Fan Fach is a stunning lake, high up close to the Black Mountain in the Brecon Beacons. At high altitude you should expect cold temperatures but you should also expect incredible sunsets, mountain views and true escapism.

Meanwhile, for a very different Welsh wild swimming experience, try the Blue Pool at Golwern Quarry close to Fairbourne on the West coast of Wales near Cardigan Bay. Surrounded by steep rock faces, this inviting pool is accessed through a short tunnel.

Llyn y Fan Fach Lake, Wales, UK by SNappa2006

Rivers

River swimming can be challenging if you’d never done it before, especially if there is a current to contend with. However, make sure you’re prepared for this and river swimming in Wales can be a truly liberating and exhilarating experience.

The best rivers to swim in are those which slow to river pools. Here you will be able to enjoy plunge pools and lakes without a strong current, but still swim for a distance if that’s your thing! The Upper Wye is a popular river with wild swimmers. Close to Bulith Wells, you’ll find the Pen-doll Rocks where the Wye is transformed into a long formation of rapids and river pools – perfect for a cooling dip or a real swim. With rock gorges upstream and sandy bays downstream there’s plenty of varied natural beauty to enjoy too.

Swimming Pool on the Upper Wye, Wales, UK by Graham

Sea swimming

The Welsh coast is renowned for its beauty, from the stunning Pembrokeshire coast and Gower Peninsular in the South to the wide white sands of Cardigan Bay, there are hundreds of incredible sea swimming spots in Wales.

There are even beautiful swims to be enjoyed close to the capital. Just 30 minutes outside Cardiff you’ll find Ogmore by Sea and nearby Southerndown where, beneath the beautiful Dunraven Castle, you’ll find rugged beaches and bracing, scenic swims.

If you prefer your beaches sandy and endless try Rhossili Bay on the Gower Peninsular or Amroth in Pembrokeshire. Aberdyfi in Gwynedd, meanwhile, is famed for its watersports. Keep an eye on the tides and soak up your beautiful surroundings.

Author: Best of Wales scour the Welsh countryside to bring you the most inspiring properties in the most incredible locations. To find the perfect base from which to experience Wales, browse our stunning West Wales Holiday Cottages today.

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Photo by admin

You can find there a number of endemic species of plant. The rock is also a home to sea gulls and falcons. If you manage to get onto the top, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the countryside. Peñón de Ifach is widely popular among climbers who test their strength and abilities here. The number of tourists is regulated due to the protection of site.

Otherwise, the resort of Calpe looks, of course, like any other local sandy beach resort with crystal clear Mediterranean Sea. You can try a wide range of water sports here. You can also visit The Old Church (Iglesia Antigua) here which was built in 14th century and is located just in the town centre.

View Calpe – one of the most expensive resorts in Costa Blanca Spain in a larger map

It is the oldest monument in the town and the only example of Gothic-Mudéjar architecture in this region. Another interesting sight is the fortress Torre de la Peca, which was built in the 14th century as part of a defensive fortress. Tourist attraction can also be the district Arabal formed by narrow streets and white houses. Do not miss Paternina street, which is adorned with dozens of flowering pots and houses with colorful mosaics. On the hill above the town is the Shrine of St. Salvatore, from where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside.

Calpe is one of the liveliest resorts on the Costa Blanca. It holds a lot of interesting cultural events. History lovers should not miss the Archaeological Museum or the Museum of the festivities. However Calpe is considered one of the most expensive resorts in Spain, you still can find cheap restaurants here and the access to the beach is free.

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There is a viewing platform opposite the waterfall, which offers spectacular views of the falls.

View Valaste Waterfall – the highest waterfall in Estonia in a larger map

Picture taken from Dailymail.co.uk

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Protected Landscape Area of the Eastern Carpathians was established on July 9, 1977 with the original area of 96 810 ha. Part of the area was included in the National Park of Poloniny in 1997 and the rest stayed as Protected Landscape Area of the Eastern Carpathians with only 25 307 ha. Best preserved parts of the Eastern Carpathians are protected as national nature reserves.

The area is characterized by rich forests, which are a major component of eco-stabilizing the country and a suitable environment for flora and fauna bound on the forest environment. In the small protected areas are still preserved natural fir beech forests located on flysch slopes of Laborecká highlands.

Natural forest stands are also suitable environment for protected and endangered animals, which live here, like wolf, bear, otter, Ural owl, black stork, black woodpecker, lesser spotted eagle and other species.

Protected Landscape Area of the Eastern Carpathians follows the border with Poland. It stretches from southeast to northwest, in the Low Beskydy.

There is Europe’s largest complex of beech forests and native forests in the Eastern Carpathians. You can enjoy there beautiful and wildlife forests, but various national cultural monuments as well. The greatest tourist attractions are wooden churches.

Protected Landscape Area of the Eastern Carpathians is suitable for activities like hiking, biking, fishing, horseback riding and skiing in winter.

THE MOST INTERESTING PLACES
Snina Stone (1005m above sea level) providing spectacular views of the surrounding of Snina.

Marine Eye – the largest volcanic lake in the Slovak Republic, is under Snina stone. It is one of the most beautiful natural lakes in the Slovak Republic.

Astronomical Observatory – located in Kolonica village – is equipped with the largest astronomical telescope in the Slovak Republic.

CULTURE
You can visit the main and essential festival of the region Snina, which is the presentation of local folklore (at the turn of August and September). The name of festival is “Podvihorlatský folklórní festival pod Sninským kamenem”.

Or visit Snina fair which held annually on the anniversary of the first written mention of the town Snina (in September).

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The Bicaz Gorge itself is more than eight kilometres long and today can be more readily traversed thanks to the road that now follows the canyon as it meanders its way to the countryside. Many people insist that choosing to drive along the edges of the Bicaz Gorge affords one some of the most spectacular views of the Romanian countryside.

Bicaz Gorge, Romania by Mudkipz_KGM

Nearby, you will also find the Red Lake, which is known locally as Lacul Roşu. A landslide formed the Red Lake in the early part of the 19th century. It is one of the most famous lakes in all of Romania and has attracted countless visitors over the years. Today there are number of accommodation options that can be found along the shores of the lake.

It is also interesting to note, that the Bicaz Gorge also boasts sheer rock wall faces that have attracted countless climbers to the area. As a matter of fact, the canyon is one of the most popular rock-climbing destinations in all of Romania. One of the most popular climbing sites is a section of 300 meter tall rock which overhangs the river and has been aptly dubbed the Neck of Hell by many climbers over the years. But there are also all phases which are perfect for the beginner including that of the Hasmasul Mic wall.

The entire Canyon rests within 7000 hectares large national Park that was established in order to protect more than 1150 species of plants that can be found within the Bicaz Gorge itself. And although there are a number of animal life that can be found within the gorge, for the most part the animals tend to stay away from the torrential water flows of the Bicaz River.

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