a little local knowledge

kayaker · Aug 19, 2008

I will be in south wales next week on business and the firm have agreed to paying me across on me own bike. Ive decided to make a week of it and was wondering could someone out there help me out.

I was looking at off piste with the possiblility of a couple of nights wild camp (getting totally lost and having to rough it) and was wondering what the etiquette is with regards land owners, forestry commisions etc.

I ask this as I know up in north wales the speeding taliban have some strange ideas on how to give out points and take money.

any help is much appreciated (if you know of anywhere worth a look great) :thumb2

Cheers....micky

PW Cymru · Aug 19, 2008

Not really sure about the wild camping thing, but I gues if farmers find you they'll probably ask you to leave their land.

However there are plenty of places to get lost and also some reasonable camp sites (try a search).

As I'm sure you are aware the weather has been absolutely shite the last couple of week both in Wales and Ireland.

I don't think your allowed on Forestry commission land without approval.

Taff · Aug 19, 2008

I can't help but wonder whether the rumours of the North Wales Traffic Taliban are a myth. I've been there 3 times over the last year or so and have only seen 1 Police car on each trip. North Wales is generally prettier than South Wales, so it would be a pity if you didn't see some of it, and you can get from South Wales to North Wales in about 4 hours. If you go haring through towns and villages, then you're asking for trouble, and TBH the rural roads are so twisty (and the scenery so good) I doubt you'll get much of a chance to go much over 60mph anyway. I know there are a few basic campsites around the Llyn Brianne area, as you head up towards Tregaron - I've always said to my myself I wouldn't mind staying there, even though I only live about 40 mins ride away.

I'm pretty sure that if you ask a local farmer for consent to pitch a tent, they would be willing especially if you make it clear that you will leave the land as you found it. If you want help with some basic lingo just PM me.

buellzebub · Aug 20, 2008

I was looking at off piste with the possiblility of a couple of nights wild camp (getting totally lost and having to rough it) and was wondering what the etiquette is with regards land owners, forestry commisions etc.

Basically in England and Wales you CAN'T, it's ILLEGAL. However, in practice if you're "late to bed and early to rise" and particularly "leave no trace", you should be ok. But do bear in mind the opening sentence, if you're found you may well be asked to move on, and you HAVE to comply. Again in practice, use your common sense and you'll be all right. The best bet is Access Land, it's marked on OS maps, it's generally more remote and there's less chance of problems. I've also heard that a small bottle of whiskey or a discreet tenner can go a long way to placating (sp?) land owners, although I've never had to try it. Me and a mate of mine regularly go walking/backpacking and wild camping in Snowdonia and have never had a problem.
So, be discreet and be sensible and you'll be ok, and above all enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Cheers,
Mick.

kayaker · Aug 20, 2008

Taff said:
I can't help but wonder whether the rumours of the North Wales Traffic Taliban are a myth. I've been there 3 times over the last year or so and have only seen 1 Police car on each trip. North Wales is generally prettier than South Wales, so it would be a pity if you didn't see some of it, and you can get from South Wales to North Wales in about 4 hours. me.

I do north wales a lot however I have found that during the summer it is very busy with tourist traffic and I felt a bit of a leper stopping in betts-y-coe(sorry on the spelling) in among a lot of ninja turtles on crotch rockets being closely supervised by plod.

change of scenery this time, on the way home from swindon, thanks for the advice, os map purchased any good start points??(I will be carrying full luggage so I can't see me venturing into complete wilderness)

micky

ian6760 · Aug 20, 2008

Give North Wales a try.

Micky.
I've lived in North Wales all my life, and the cops aren't that bad. True they have "Arrive Alive" vans dotted about, loads of speed cameras, and even sneaky unmarked people carriers. The worst is the horse box trailer with the camera set up in the back. But these are all in areas that you shouldn't really be speeding. Hit the open roads or a mountain pass and away you go. Remember, if you see a speed camera sign, there could be one.
If you come though south Wales I would recommend following the west coast road (A487) then when you get to Dolgellau just zig zag all over Snowdonia, its all worth a look.
As for wild camping, I have always found it to be ok. If I get spotted I tend to approach them. Explain that I’m getting back to nature, tell them that I won’t leave any mess, and offer them my business card with my bike reg no. on it, and most people decline the offer, and wish me a pleasant evening. Plus the cops up here aren’t too quick at responding to calls like that, and your normally gone before they come looking.

Ian

PW Cymru · Aug 20, 2008

kayaker said:
I do north wales a lot however I have found that during the summer it is very busy with tourist traffic and I felt a bit of a leper stopping in betts-y-coe(sorry on the spelling) in among a lot of ninja turtles on crotch rockets being closely supervised by plod.

change of scenery this time, on the way home from swindon, thanks for the advice, os map purchased any good start points??(I will be carrying full luggage so I can't see me venturing into complete wilderness)

micky

Have a look at Cwmystwyth in the Elan Valley, your pretty much guarenteed solitude. The camp site is pretty good apparently.