Dark skies trail gains worldwide recognition Saturday, 11 January 2020 - Business by Alexandra Bánfi - Reporter

The new trail consists of nine dark sky discovery sites Click to buy photos from our newspaper ➔ Printed and digital download photos available

An Astro-tourism trail in the Cambrian Mountains has gained worldwide recognition as one of the top six new trails for 2020.

National Geographic has branded the Welsh trail as one of six best new trails to explore in 2020.

They commented: “The launch of a new astronomy tourism trail across the Cambrian Mountains is set to cast light on rural Wales’ celestial skies.”

This news follows the unveiling of six newly classified Dark Sky Discovery Sites back in October.

The trail now covers a total of 50 miles and consists of nine Dark Sky Discovery Sites.

Other Astro-tourism trails that have been listed alongside the Cambrian Mountains include the Juliana Trail in Slovenia, a 1,180-mile trail from Venice to Beijing, the Coronallacs Trail in Andorra, the Dhaulagiri Sanctuary Trek in Nepal and the Route of Parks in Patagonia.

Project manager for Dyfodol Cambrian Futures Dafydd Wyn Morgan expressed his excitement at the news: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the increased interest in the Cambrian Mountains Astro Trail, first since the article in the Cambrian News then being included in the National Geographical magazine.

“To be mentioned in the National Geographic’s Top 6 new trails to do in 2020 just shows how amazing the Cambrian Mountains of Wales is and a must visit destination for people from all over the world.”

Dafydd told the Cambrian News that there were many future events and projects lined up to make the most of the Astro trail.

Astro, landscape and time-lapse photographer Alyn Wallace was the guest of honour during the unveiling of the new Dark Sky Sites in October.

But on 15 February 2020, Alyn will be returning to the Cambrian Mountains for a ‘star party’ at Y Star Inn, Dylife, near Llanbrynmair.

There will also be a business engagement event in March, during which local businesses can gain more information on how to utilise and capitalise on the Dark Sky Sites allocation.

Dafydd said: “Through the various projects, we’d like to see local businesses making the most of the Cambrian Mountains Astro Trail and we are organising a series of workshops for businesses in 2020. We’ve seen an interest from many businesses in the Cambrian Mountains with a new dark skies camping site set up as well as collaboration with a local award-winning chocolatier.

“We look forward to officially launching the Dark Sky Discovery Site at the appropriately named Star Inn in Dylife on 15 February in the company of world-renowned landscape, astro and timelapse photographer Alyn Wallace.”

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