Over the course of the 6 Nations, considered by many to be rugby's greatest championship, we will be comparing some of our favourite walking and cycling tours located in the competing nations: Scotland, England, Wales, Ireland, France & Italy.

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Wales v England

 

England: Devon North Coast & Exmoor Highlights

Devon's North Coast is a place brimming with coastal scenery and sights such as the Exmoor National Park, the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve through which the Tarka Trail passes, the Valley of Rocks, the remote moors, the sweeping sandy beaches of the Gold Coast and the quiet coastal towns such as Westward Ho! - probably the best-named town in all of England. [caption id="attachment_22503" align="aligncenter" width="900"] The Valley of the Rocks.[/caption] This self-guided walking tour is a 3-centre stay in Westward Ho!, Ilfracombe and Lynmouth where Exmoor meets the sea. Start in Westward Ho! a seaside town named after the book of the same name by Charles Kingsley. Westward Ho's! sand dunes are home to a rich variety of birds and wild flowers - keep an eye out for The Glorious Oyster at the sea front, a food truck that has fresh oysters and lobsters on ice. Walk on sections of the Tarka Trail, a 163 mile trail in a figure-of-eight that goes through landscapes little changed from those described by Henry Williamson in his classic 1927 novel Tarka the Otter. Arriving in Woolacombe take a walk along the beach on north Devon's Gold Coast, voted as one of the top 5 beaches in Europe. [caption id="attachment_22504" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Woolacombe beach[/caption] Discover the 'good-life' in rural Devon where simple walks immerse you in the pretty countryside and farmland and the wild moorland of Exmoor. If you like relaxing, yet, at times, stimulating walks, trying great local food from the land and sea, local ales and cider then the Devon North Coast and Exmoor Highlights walking tour is the one for you. [caption id="attachment_22505" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Exmoor[/caption]

Wales: Ceredigion Coast Path

[caption id="attachment_22506" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Secluded coves aplenty along the Ceredigion Coast Path[/caption] The Ceredigion Coast Path follows 60 miles of dramatic coastline on the west coast of Wales. Secluded coves, sandy beaches, rugged clifftops and charming fishing villages are some of the highlights along the path. Much of the walking follows the designated Heritage Coast which fringes Cardigan Bay, recognised for its unspoilt areas. At any time you can stroll off the path to one of the many sandy beaches to relax and enjoy the tranquil surroundings or scan the sea for bottle nose dolphins and listen to the calls of seabirds that thrive in the coastal habitat. [caption id="attachment_22508" align="aligncenter" width="849"] Bottlenose dolphins are a common sight off this part of the Welsh coast.[/caption] The Ceredigion Coast Path starts in Cardigan and finishes in Yns-las, linking the Teifi with the Dyfi Estuary. Leaving Cardigan you quickly appreciate the tranquil beauty of the area and from Aberporth you enter the Heritage Coast where you can marvel at the waterfall at Tresaith. [caption id="attachment_22507" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Aberporth[/caption] If you enjoy coastal walking with cliff top views and plenty of wildlife then give the Ceredigion Coast Path a go!

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For more information on our range of self-guided walking holidays in England & Wales contact a member of our team on info@macsadventure.com or if you would like to receive adventure travel tips and advice straight to your inbox sign up for our newsletter!