THE ROAD TO WALES
Written by MOTORBIKE EUROPE Road Writers -
Wales, “The Land of Song" has been inhabited by modern humans for at least 29,000 years. Continuous human habitation dates from the end of the last Ice Age, between 12,000 and 10,000 years ago. You can feel this depth of culture when you stop the bike in different parts of this predominantly mountainous country, and breathe in the history.
Also known as “The land of magic and enchantment”, Wales has over 640 castles, countless Abbeys and other interesting historical sites. The Tudor Dynasty was founded in Wales, and this is evident in the many fortifications that came into existence, under their bloody reign.
You can cross paths through time, with figures like King Arthur, or Merlin the Magician, and Caerfyrddin is believed to be Merlin’s birthplace. The final resting place of The Holy Grail, is believed to be at Castell Dinas Bran, on the mountainside above Llangollen, and while you’re there, ride up to the mystical 'Land of the Dead', which lies deep in the mountains, high above Llangollen. Known as ‘The Celtic Otherworld’, or ‘Annwn’, this vast area of moorland beyond the white cliffs, was once the location of hundreds of burial chambers, dating from as far back as 2000 B.C. The whole expanse of the Land of the Dead, can be traced up to the Delyn Plateau, by the North Wales Coast.
As you ride up through north-west Wales, make sure you pass through Gwynedd, where you can visit the well-preserved, medieval bastion of Caernarfon Castle. Built in 1283 by King Edward I of England, Caernarfon Castle is steeped in history, bearing witness to innumerable wars, rebellions, revolts and uprisings, intrigues and power struggles, between the Welsh forces and the invading English, but also the Tudors and other local dynasties, loyal to the Throne.
