{"id":26921,"date":"2020-02-05T15:24:47","date_gmt":"2020-02-05T14:24:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tourradar.com\/days-to-come\/?p=26921"},"modified":"2021-01-19T14:44:07","modified_gmt":"2021-01-19T13:44:07","slug":"dark-sky-locations-for-stargazing-in-wales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tourradar.com\/days-to-come\/dark-sky-locations-for-stargazing-in-wales\/","title":{"rendered":"Dark Sky Locations for Stargazing in Wales"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In the coming months, should you venture into the darkness of Wales’<\/a> Cambrian Mountains, you’ll find locals and travellers thrilled at the notion of observing a dark sky bespeckled with the glow of a million stars. Some of them will be keen astronomers or astro-photographers, but most of them will be adventurers like you and me just trying to get a little closer to cosmos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the near future, more adventure travellers will be <\/strong>in the pursuit of dark sky locations. Wales \u2013 having launched an official astro-tourism trail comprised of six new sites in addition to three previously established dark sky locations along the route \u2013 is being touted as the next astro-travel destination.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Travel to: <\/em>Stargazing destinations around the world <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n

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The rise of astro-tourism in an age of uncertainty<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Wales’ new stargazer trail couldn’t be more timely. Astro-tourism or astro-travel is on the rise and that could be for two reasons. Towards the end of last year, The New Yorker reported <\/a>that we’re living in an age of uncertainty where people are trying to divine meaning by connecting with something larger \u2013 more millennials are putting their faith in astrology. The more obvious reason is that stars are bloody beautiful \u2013 and thanks to light pollution, we don’t get to see them as often anymore. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The existential lure of the cosmos has fascinated humankind since the dawn of time. Centuries and centuries of technological and emotional innovation are a direct result of gazing into the endless night sky to understand everything from Earth’s rotation and how to visit the moon to more mystical things like divination and how stars and planets can shape the course of our lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If recent media soundbites are anything to go by, as a way to cope with uncertainty, millennials are turning to astrology. Editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan <\/em>\u2013 Jessica Pels \u2013 has expanded the magazine’s print coverage of astrology to nine pages in every issue. Cosmo<\/em> Readers are hooked on astrology, 74% say they are obsessed with astrology, and 72% check their horoscope every day. This could very well be why astro-tourism is on the rise \u2013 it’s time for astrology nerds and stargazers to shine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Starry light trail with Mars as seen in Wales | \u00a9 Louis Reed\/Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In a way, astro-tourism or astro-travel is a clever riff on something mere mortals, astrology lovers and wannabe space explorers have been doing unknowingly for decades \u2013 stargazing, looking for meteor showers, unique moon sightings and eclipses \u2013 just a little more mainstream. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More people than ever before are looking to escape to the stars on their travels. There’s something about looking up into the cosmos that gives us mental clarity, a sense of meaning, and connection while delivering an experience that allows us to leave the trappings of our daily lives behind and transcend towards something infinitely greater. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the launch of a new astro-tourism trail, is Wales on the way to helping travellers find more meaning in the universe? <\/p>\n\n\n

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Read the article: <\/em>Safety Tips for Hiking at Night<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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The Cambrian stargazer trail in Wales<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Located in the Cambrian Mountains \u2013 just over 50 miles long \u2013 Wales’ stargazer trail winds through scenic woodland and encompasses six new sites that have been awarded Dark Sky status in addition to three previous locations already on the route. Sites with this designation are awarded as such because they have taken steps to restrict artificial light pollution. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Devoid of light pollution, the Cambrian Mountains provide epic sightlines of the night sky. Wales’ Dark Sky Discovery sites are considered among the UK’s best spots to glimpse at celestial beauties such as Orion, The Plough and the North Star. Armed with a Cambrian Mountains & Elan Valley Dark Sky Guide which details what to look out for throughout the year and pair of binoculars or telescope \u2013 visitors can easily explore the nine sites found on the trail over the course of a few nights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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See the Milky Way with your naked eye | \u00a9 Benjamin Davies\/Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Wales’ six new dark sky locations <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wales’ best stargazing spots are located in the wilderness of the Cambrian Mountains \u2013 but all of them are easily accessed. During the day, you can spend time on Wales’ astro-tourism trail exploring the abundant wildlife, stopping to eat and drink in one of the many pubs dotted along the way, and basking in the stirring Welsh countryside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the sun sets and darkness falls \u2013 you only need to lookup. For those who are not able to trek to a remote location, fear not! All sites \u2013 both old and new \u2013 are accessible and offer stunning views of the sky from their car parks! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Elan Valley, Wales | \u00a9 Marcus Woodbridge\/Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. Mynydd Llanllwni Mountain, Llanllwni, Carmarthenshire<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Mynydd Llanllwni Mountain is located south in a village called Llanllwni in Carmarthenshire. You’ll find the village along the A485 road southwest of market town Llanybydder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Llyn Brianne Reservoir, Rhandirmwyn, Carmarthenshire<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This man-made lake or reservoir is a haven for bird watchers, anglers, mountain bikers and walkers and best combined with a trip to Llandovery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Coed y Bont, Pontrhydfendigaid, Ceredigion<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Visit the delightful woodland area of Coed y Bont located on the edge of tongue-twister village Pontrhydfendigaid in Ceredigion. There are lots of visitor activities in the area from walking trails and geocache trails to beaches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. The Arch near Devil’s Bridge, Coedwig Ystwyth Forest, Ceredigion<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Arch car park and picnic area gets its namesake from an old masonry arch that sits beside the road from Devil’s Bridge. You’ll find some lovely walking trails here through ancient trees. The Arch car park lies 15 miles east of Aberystwyth, and parking is free of charge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Pont ar Elan, Elan Valley, Powys<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Grab some hot drinks and a few blankets and make your way to this remote car park in Elan Valley to experience the magic of the night sky. With this area, you’ll actually find a few spots. You could also try the Craig Goch car park, Caerwen car park, Caerwen Dam, and the Teifi Pools. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Star Inn Pub, Dylife, Powys<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Just an hour and a half away from Snowdonia, and set in the Montgomeryshire countryside \u2013 Star Inn Pub is probably one of the best places to go stargazing in Wales. If you’re visiting Wales on tour, you can easily get to this location during some downtime. The pub itself, a 17th-century inn will delight visitors who want to enjoy delicious local food and warm Welsh experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the launch of Wales’ astro-tourism trail, the following three locations had already been awarded dark sky status. All of them offer stargazing in peaceful and remote destinations that will take you into the heart of the Cambrian Mountains. <\/p>\n\n\n\n