AS part of a year of events celebrating 50 years of preserving the coast, National Trust Wales has teamed up with Ramblers Cymru to launch a series of guided coastal walks, it was announced today.

To celebrate Ramblers Cymru’s ‘The Big Welsh Walk’, Europe’s largest conservation charity is calling for people to explore the nation’s coast on foot this May with routes that will showcase some of Wales’ must spectacular coastal locations.

The walks will not only highlight some of Wales’ finest scenery but also give people a chance to explore a number of wildlife sites that the Trust maintains.

The series of 11 guided walks will run until May 29 with the final event taking place in Stackpole, Pembrokeshire.

Throughout May the walks will showcase a variety of celebrated coastal locations across Wales including the Ll?n Peninsula, Anglesey, Cwm Tydu in Ceredigion and Marloes Peninsula in Pembrokeshire.

In addition to the coastal walks, the Trust will be hosting a number of events including Hidden History Days, Bioblitzes, a unique Trident Trek across the entire coast path and Big Beach Picnics in association with Keep Wales Tidy. Each will call on members of the public to become ‘COASTodians’ and make their own pledge to protecting the nations coastline.

Ramblers Cymru is marking its 80th anniversary this year and will celebrate by launching more walks than ever before; these include historic walks and family-fun coastal wanders all of which aim to get people exploring Wales by foot in May.

Here is the list of walks, prepared in liaison with National Trust Rangers and Ramblers Cymru.

• 4th May 11:00am (dur.4 hrs) – Whiteford Wander: Whiteford Burrows, Gower

• 6th May 6:30pm (dur.1.5hrs) – Mammals, Moths and Mermaids Cwm Tydu, Ceredigion

• 10th May 10:00am (dur.4.5hrs) – Rhiw’s Hidden Coast: Aberdaron, Ll?n

• 12th May 10:00am (dur.2hrs) - Birdsong walk: Marloes Peninsula, Pembrokeshire

• 13th May 5:30pm (dur.2hrs) - Seagrass, seals and shipwrecks: Porthdinllaen, Ll?n

• 18th May 10:30am (dur.5hrs) - Spring Flowers: Porth Clais & Treginnis coast, Pembrokeshire

• 20th May 06:30pm (dur.1.5hrs) - Our Founders' Footsteps: Dinas Oleu, Snowdonia

• 22nd May 10am & 1pm (dur.1hr) - Family Walks: Trwyn Cemlyn, Anglesey

• 25th May 11:00am (dur.3hrs) - Cliffs, Coves and Coppice: Pennard & Pwlldu, Gower

• 26th May 10:30am (dur.4hrs) - Cemlyn to Swtan: the scenic route Anglesey

• 29th May 07:30pm (dur.3hrs) - Creatures and constellations: Stackpole

Richard Neale, Coastal Engagement Manager for National Trust Wales, said: “The 50th anniversary of the Neptune campaign gives us an amazing opportunity to celebrate our fantastic coastline, and what better way than taking part our new series of walks that highlight parts of the coast people may have not seen before.

“Walking is a great way to explore some of the many special places which the National Trust helps to look after across Wales, and we want to encourage as many people as possible to get out and about this spring while playing their part in preserving these unique walking paths for years to come.”

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. This year we’ve teamed up with the National Trust to offer a selection of beautiful coastal walks that people can enjoy.

“We’re really spoiled for choice with places to walk in Wales, from the stunning coast path to our magnificent mountains. We want everyone to share in the joy of walking in Wales.”

For more information on the events, or to find out how to volunteer or sponsor the coast, visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wales-coast.

There will be lots of group walks, organised by Ramblers Cymru and partners throughout the month. To find a walk, visit www.ramblers.org.uk/BigWelshWalk.