National Trust urges beach-goers to get involved with "trident trek"

It is part of the commemoration of the efforts made to protect 100 miles of Welsh coast in 50 years through the Neptune coastline campaign.

It launched at Flint Dock in North Wales on Monday, June 8, and will end at Chepstow around August 5. The trek is an opportunity for the whole nation to go to the coast and join in with a massive round-Wales relay.

Progressing for two months, the walk will take in some of the most picturesque stretches of the Welsh coast protected by the trust, including Gower, Pembrokeshire and the Llyn peninsula.

The Trust’s volunteer coastal supremo Bob Smith is walking the entire Welsh coast.

He is carrying a unique trident with him, and handing it to anyone who wants to join the trek and help it on its way around Wales.

He said: "I’m really looking forward to the challenge ahead and being involved in such a unique event and great cause.

"Once the trek begins it will be possible to track the trident in real-time on our online map so that people will be able to come to the coast to meet me as I go by.”

To sign up for the Trident Trek or to follow its progress around Wales, visit http://ntwelshcoast.blogspot.co.uk.

Richard Neale is the National Trust Coastal engagement manager and project manager for the Trident Trek.

He said: “We’re extremely proud to have protected the Welsh coastline for so long, and we hope that the funds raised through doing the Trident Trek will help us continue to do so for many years to come. "The trek is a great opportunity for people enjoy wonderful views of the Welsh coastline and take part in a national movement to preserve it."

You can join the Trident Trek in two ways. Fit and active people can sign up to one of the challenge days, which vary from 16 to 24 miles in length, or you can join one of eight community events where you can carry the trident, get a behind-the-scenes guided walk with one of the expert rangers and get to do a ‘micro conservation’ task.