WILD WALES | A 500km hike across Wales inspired by the Cambrian Way

In September 2021, my brother Danny and I spent 3 weeks walking across the wildest parts of Wales, on a journey inspired by The Cambrian Way. Starting in Cardiff, the 500km long route took us through the Brecon Beacons, the Cambrian Mountains and Snowdonia before finishing in Conwy in the north west corner of the country.
We hope you enjoy the walk!

[@marilyn726]

Such a wonderful video! I was totally absorbed in it ALL! Exceptional filming, photography, compilation and music too! Exudes patience, calmness, and respect for Mother Nature. Such blessings you give to all your viewers... Thank you so much. May there be many more videos to come

[@jakegraham5640]

Hi Marilyn, thank you so much for such a lovely message. I am glad you enjoyed. its such a beautiful country.

[@70something.89]

This is probably the best video of unspoilt Wales I've ever watched. I'm glad you avoided scenes like the summit of Snowdon which is like the M6 on a bank holiday these days. This is the real Wales. I consider myself very fortunate to live in Mid Wales with the Cambrian Mountains on my doorstep. I'm in my 70's and been around but Wales runs through my veins. I wish could bottle it. I'd make a fortune. Well done guys great video.

[@jakegraham5640]

70 something, thank you. And yes it felt like the real Wales, such a breathtaking place. When ever I think about where to go for a trip, my first thought is always to head west as far into Wales as I can go. Thank you again for your lovely comment

[@wendywagnerwelch367]

This is the best hiking video I’ve ever seen! I loved the choice of music and appreciated the absence of mindless talking. Thank so much for making this. Liked and subscribed!

[@jakegraham5640]

Hi Wendy, Thank you so much for that very kind comment and I'm really happy you enjoyed the film without any commentary. Wales is so beautiful, it didn't need me chatting away to show that :) Thanks, Jake

[@stevegregson4357]

Some of the most spectacular scenery on earth

[@jakegraham5640]

Hi Steve, it is such a special place, already looking forward to my next trip back there. Thanks for watching

[@Pram4]

Your 9 years old video came to my timeline, it's good to see your channel still uploading 10days ago... Such a nice achievement for life

[@jakegraham5640]

Hey, yes another KZbinr was trying to find the third part of a three part film I made 10 years ago. Not sure why it disappeared. I will be uploading another walk in the near future when I get the time to edit it. Thanks for following the channel :)

[@morgs4mountains]

Thank you for making this video. Very enjoyable watching your journey along the majority of the Cambrian Way. You have a great eye for photography. Some delightful images at the end.

[@morgs4mountains]

By far, the best Cambrian Way video I've seen to date. Perfectly pitched, beautiful edited and some wonderfully atmospheric videophotography.

[@jakegraham5640]

Morgs 4Mountains that is a very kind comment. I am glad you enjoyed it, it was a brilliant walk!

[@JarmilaXymenaGorna]

Mesmerising

[@jakegraham5640]

Thankyou Jarmila :)

[@piratasdecordoba]

Great video, good choice of music, too. 👍

[@jakegraham5640]

Thanks so much for watching :)

[@lauzthorbzarella4655]

Beautiful video! This is something I'd love to do. Thank you for sharing. Watched from the Rhondda.

[@jakegraham5640]

Thanks for the kind comment and I'm sure you would not regret it if you did it. :)

[@LordHeath1972]

One of the most inspirational videos I have ever watched.

[@jakegraham5640]

Wow thankyou for such kind words, I'm glad you enjoyed it and hopefully you are enjoying some great adventures too! Jake

[@jeremybolwell1283]

Great video, thank you for sharing. Inspiring. Lovely camera work and editing. Looks like you had more than your fair share of Welsh weather. The images speak louder than any commentary. Well done!

[@jakegraham5640]

Thanks Jeremy for the kind comment. The first week was great weather then the heavens opened on us for 2 weeks straight. All the best!

[@KyawKyawBolJohnBol]

I love nature ❤❤

[@jakegraham5640]

Me too!

[@stevegregson4357]

Wow what a life affirming achievement

[@zaneclone]

This was surprisingly emotional... I guess I love my country... :)

[@thevalleywalker]

Beautiful. Great filming and images. atb Alan

[@BRUTALBYRON]

Absolutely beautiful video. Totally inspired by it.

[@jakegraham5640]

Thankyou! that's so nice to hear. Glad you enjoyed the vid.

[@catherinewalks1207]

Only just discovered this: a beautifully filmed and photographed journey from beginning to end.

[@jakegraham5640]

That is very kind of you to say Catherine. Thanks for watching and I am glad you enjoyed the journey :)

[@dahowells]

Amazing video editing!

[@jakegraham5640]

Thank you so much!

[@nickdipples8562]

Bit of nostalgia watching the opening scenes with blackweir and the Taff trail up to Tongwynlais.. used to ride me bike to work up there from Pontcanna to Forest Farm 30 odd years back. Hasn't changed much.

[@jakegraham5640]

Hey there, wow what a beautiful commute to work that must have been. Its nice that it hasn't changed much and has still got its rural feel considering its so close to a big city. All the best, Jake

[@WyeExplorer]

Finally I got around to watching this end to end. Totally amazing Jake - truly a wonder of a trail. You guys had the time of your lives it looked. Such a sod Pumlumon being in clag. The views from there are spectacular. I loved the photos and settled back as they passed by in tune to the music. Great score by the way. Well, all the best out there - really enjoyable. Mark

[@jakegraham5640]

Hi Mark, we certainly got all sorts of weather out there but loved it. Thanks for watching and for the kind comment too. Oh and glad you noticed the photos in time with the music :)

[@WyeExplorer]

@@jakegraham5640 I'm sure the weather did show. A trail in all its moods. A pleasure to watch photos and all. Peace.

[@brendandunbar698]

Another great adventure so well captured. A wonderful video so therapeutic to watch. The music chosen is really lovely you have a special talent and thank you for sharing your gift .

[@jakegraham5640]

Thanks Brendan, that's very nice of you to say. It was a great walk!

[@raghusrinivasan2127]

Fantastic! One of the best travelogues I have seen❤

[@jakegraham5640]

Wow thankyou. That is really kind of you to say that. I am glad you enjoyed following the journey. Wales is a special place. Jake

[@D4vidSH]

I am really happy to see you again. Enjoyed being part of your journey and seeing beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing. Have a great time! Greetings from Germany David

[@jakegraham5640]

Hi David, thanks again for watching our adventure. I hope everything is well in Germany :)

[@neneirene]

Thank you for this video. It was great escapism and very relaxing 😌

[@jakegraham5640]

Hi there, I am glad you enjoyed it and found it relaxing. And thanks so much for watching.

[@FirstClassTimers]

Incredible! Thanks for sharing, I have never seen so much beautiful green moss 😻

[@jakegraham5640]

It is so green in the valleys and gorges. Moss and waterfalls, what a great combination! Thanks for watching

[@JB_FLYA69669]

Thankyou for this great video I never knew of wales' beauty

[@jakegraham5640]

Thankyou for watching. Wales is truly stunning :)

[@metronome9719]

Fabulous record of the trip. And I know exactly who left that message for you both in the ground at 16:44 ;-) It was a pleasure, gents!

[@jakegraham5640]

Amazing you found the video! glad you liked it. Hopefully it brought back great memories. I had to put the message in as it was an unexpected highlight!

[@MrWildWales]

Fair play lads good effort! Some stunning scenes there memories to last forever 👍

[@jakegraham5640]

Thanks, I know, there will be moments from that trip that I hope I never forget. Sounds like from your name you love Wales too!

[@MrWildWales]

@@jakegraham5640 I do a fair bit of exploration of it nearly every weekend 😊👌

[@Initial80fficial]

Deffo on the bucket list! Looks an epic adventure! Great video and music to go with. I love that you got to pass the telephone and post box in the middle of nowhere! I've been waiting to go there for a while now. One day soon 😊

[@jakegraham5640]

Hello, thanks for watching the video and I am glad you enjoyed it. It is a brilliant trail, so if you ever get the chance, go for it! Haha that telephone box really was remote. Happy walking Initial80

[@richardpegg9265]

nicely done, a time of year when the route looks at its best i feel and artistically you did it great credit

[@jakegraham5640]

Thanks Richard, it is beautiful at that time with all of the autumn colours.

[@GreyGhost.]

EXCELLENT ...... many thanks fellas.

[@jakegraham5640]

Thanks for watching Paul

[@davecunnington9578]

Beautifully done!

[@jakegraham5640]

Thanks for watching Dave

[@LordQuiche]

Marvellous. Thank you 🙏

[@JasonWicklund]

Great video and inspiration to one day make this trip! Thanks for sharing!

[@jakegraham5640]

Thanks for watching Jason

[@taketwo3662]

Wow this looks incredible, so well filmed and love the photography at the end. Planning to hike the Glyndwr's Way in a few weeks, can't not wait!

[@jakegraham5640]

Hey, thank you for your comment. I feel like I'm constantly coming across the Glyndwr Way path via other walks and it always seems to be in lovely locations. Have an amazing time :)

[@AB-qp6yj]

Superb lads.Scenery,music. Did you stay at Tyncornel bunkhouse,at the head of the Doethie Valley.

[@jakegraham5640]

Thanks for watching the vid. We camped that night so didn't stay there. My grandad had stayed there in the passed and loved it! What a beautifully remote place

[@stimmeunderfolg]

Thank you so much for this wonderfull video. It brought some memories back as I visited South Wales quiet often a couple of years ago, due to a long distance relationship I had with a guy from Wales. Do you think a 56 year (old) girl who is ...., well quiet fit could make it? How many miles did you walk per day? Greetings from Germany 🌈🌍🎶🦋🍀

[@jakegraham5640]

Hello, thank you for the kind comment. Yes I'm sure you would be able to do it if you are fairly fit. The most important thing is being able to navigate as there are a number of trackless sections. So being competent with a map and compass is important. The great thing is you can adapt the route if you feel like some of the more challenging parts are too much. There are lots of places to stay on route too ( apart from the middle section). We did around 12-14miles a day. If you want any more info then just ask. Have an amazing time if you make it out there. Thanks, Jake

[@gaycha6589]

What a great video and accomplishment. Did you carry all your food with you? Those packs must have been heavy!

[@jakegraham5640]

Hello, it was an amazing walk. Wales is one of my favourite places. There were lots of places to resupply on food along the route. In some places, on a daily basis, but in others you would have to carry up to 3 days of food. So the pack weight changed depending on that. The bags were probably on average around 15kg. All the best on your adventures. Jake

[@madmikesworld5713]

I’m setting off this June 2023. Did you follow the route as it says inspired and was 20 days a good pace was it slow due to filming and taking photos for a really good quality video

[@jakegraham5640]

Hey, I bet you are excited, not too far away now. We did generally follow the route but the second half of the trip was so wet that we had to alter our route a bit and avoid some of Snowdonia's highlights. But either way, 3 weeks felt like a good pace if following the route exactly. The filming and photos did make walking a bit slower so you may be able to more miles in a day than we did. Have a great trip!

[@madmikesworld5713]

@@jakegraham5640 yes I know others will be walking in June but I always have a massive build up prior to walks as it’s part of the adventure for me. The walk is the journey, the full experience is the adventure. I’m going to post up another video today before I actually start on my true prep videos.

[@jakegraham5640]

@@madmikesworld5713 Very true. Great I will take a look once its up!

[@anthonyhumphries5895]

What an absolutely amazing video. Spectacularly edited and beautiful to look at, I could honestly watch it all day. Over the last 2 years I've become quite obsessed with hiking and spending as much time as I can out in the wild. I am yet to do cambrian way but your video has definitelly planted that seed now and am going to have to start planning. I've done the beacons way and it was probably the best thing I have ever done. I have a few questions about your trip if you don't mind? Was it purely map and compass you used or did have a handheld gps at all? How often do you do these types of trips? And can I come on the next one 🤣?

[@jakegraham5640]

Hey Anthony, sorry for the slow reply. Thanks for your message, and kind words. I haven't done the Beacons Way but it looks great. You are right, it is obsessive and it feels like doing the longer walks makes even more seem possible. I highly recommend the Cambrian Way, and you can pic alternative routes if you are not up for some of the peaks. We did a lot of that in Snowdonia as we had such rainy weather. Yes we (my brother and I) always use a map and compass. We have never used GPS or a mobile to navigate on any of our walks. This is just personal preference though as we like the idea of using a physical map and seeing the greater area. It makes the experience feel more authentic. Obviously it makes your pack bit heavier. The cicerone guide is also great! I would say we do these trips every couple of years but always have lots of ideas in the pipeline. I have vids from the other big walks on my channel. Good luck with the Cambrian Way if you decide to do it and ask away if there is anything else you want to know about the route . :)