0:00:02 > 0:00:05In 1995, actor Hugh Grant went up a hill but came down a mountain.
0:00:05 > 0:00:08Today, it's the turn of this Welshman to go one better
0:00:08 > 0:00:13and go up two hills and come down two mountains.
0:00:13 > 0:00:14Are you ready?
0:00:14 > 0:00:16DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS
0:00:22 > 0:00:23DRAMATIC THUD
0:00:23 > 0:00:25SWOOSHING
0:00:59 > 0:01:02In this programme, we have a tale of two mountains
0:01:02 > 0:01:05and two great walks at opposite ends of the country
0:01:05 > 0:01:09both easy to get to, with stunning views, fresh air
0:01:09 > 0:01:11and a healthy dollop of exercise.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15Coming up will be a walk in the Welsh capital's backyard,
0:01:15 > 0:01:19up Garth Mountain, made famous in the film that tells a tale
0:01:19 > 0:01:22of how the locals increased the height of their hill
0:01:22 > 0:01:25so that it could be officially called a mountain.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27But our first walk is up north on Anglesey
0:01:27 > 0:01:31along a cliff-top path overlooking spectacular craggy cliffs
0:01:31 > 0:01:34and the wide expanse of the Irish Sea,
0:01:34 > 0:01:38and up another hill that is in fact a mountain, Holyhead Mountain.
0:01:38 > 0:01:43That big harbour wall over there, the Holyhead Breakwater,
0:01:43 > 0:01:45is more than two kilometres in length
0:01:45 > 0:01:47making it the longest in Europe.
0:01:47 > 0:01:52It was built from rock taken from the side of that mountain over there,
0:01:52 > 0:01:55Holyhead Mountain, which is where our walk takes us today.
0:01:55 > 0:02:00Up it and around it and I need a guide to help show me the way.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05As path officer, Rosie Frankland is in charge
0:02:05 > 0:02:09of the 125 miles of Anglesey's coastal trail.
0:02:09 > 0:02:11# Oh, Rosie... #
0:02:11 > 0:02:13In her spare time, Rosie enjoys a bit of paddling.
0:02:13 > 0:02:18Not the sort that involves dipping your toes in shallow water,
0:02:18 > 0:02:20but paddling a sea kayak.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23And one of her favourite places to do it is right here
0:02:23 > 0:02:28around the rocky inlets of Anglesey's north-west coast.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30KAZOO PLAYS
0:02:30 > 0:02:33- Hello, Rosie.- Good morning, Derek.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37'I've arranged to meet Rosie here at the Breakwater Country Park
0:02:37 > 0:02:40'which is where our circular walk begins today.'
0:02:41 > 0:02:46So here we are, sort of on an island, off an island, off an island,
0:02:46 > 0:02:49at the north-west tip of Anglesey's Holy Island.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53Our walk starts a short distance from the busy port of Holyhead,
0:02:53 > 0:02:55taking the coastal path to North Stack,
0:02:55 > 0:02:59then a short, steep climb to the summit of Holyhead Mountain,
0:02:59 > 0:03:01and on to South Stack and Ellin's Tower
0:03:01 > 0:03:03before returning around the mountain
0:03:03 > 0:03:06to our starting point at the Breakwater Country Park,
0:03:06 > 0:03:10a five-mile circuit with sea views in every direction.
0:03:12 > 0:03:17- So what's this place then? - Well, Derek, this is the Breakwater Country Park.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21Now a very peaceful setting but once a hive of industry.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23It's one of many quarries around Holyhead Mountain
0:03:23 > 0:03:26that was used to basically excavate rock
0:03:26 > 0:03:29to build the Holyhead Breakwater.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34Around 1,300 men were employed to build the breakwater.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38A massive project which took nearly 30 years to build
0:03:38 > 0:03:41by the time it was finished in 1876.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48- So this is part of the Anglesey coastal path?- It is, yeah.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51It's part of the 125-mile coastal path.
0:03:51 > 0:03:56- And how much are we doing today? - About four miles.- I can manage that.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06This is a fairly new section of the coastal path.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10- When was it built? - About six or seven years ago.
0:04:10 > 0:04:15We had some European funding to improve the coastal path
0:04:15 > 0:04:19so all this stone was put down to make a durable surface.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24There's North Stack, that's where we're heading.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26It's an old foghorn station.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30- I used to be frightened of foghorns when I was a boy.- Did you?- Yeah.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33FOGHORN SOUNDS
0:04:33 > 0:04:34Not any more though.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40Everybody's heard of the world-famous Pembrokeshire Coast Path
0:04:40 > 0:04:46but this path around Anglesey has equally impressive sea cliff scenery and wildlife
0:04:46 > 0:04:51together with beautiful unspoilt rocky coves and sandy beaches.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56What's this building ahead of us?
0:04:56 > 0:05:01It's an old ammunition store for the quarry. A magazine.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05It might be 50 miles shorter than the Pembrokeshire path,
0:05:05 > 0:05:09but this would be a great long-distance trail to get started on,
0:05:09 > 0:05:13especially in the spring when the wild flowers are out.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18So tell me a bit more about your job, Rosie.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20What do you like about it the most?
0:05:20 > 0:05:23Oh, I guess being outdoors is my favourite part.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26Just having this as my office.
0:05:26 > 0:05:31- I get to walk the whole 125 miles every year.- Keeps you busy then?
0:05:31 > 0:05:33It does keep me busy, yeah.
0:05:33 > 0:05:39We've estimated that there's over 300,000 people using the coastal path every year
0:05:39 > 0:05:42and it really helps support the local economy.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46- People come and stay and eat on the island.- Spend a bit of money?
0:05:46 > 0:05:48Yeah, which is important.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51I think that reinforces why the coastal path is here.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04The sea looks a bit rough, doesn't it?
0:06:04 > 0:06:07- Wouldn't want to be swimming out there.- No.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11Away from the world, you might say on the very edge of the world,
0:06:11 > 0:06:14the old foghorn keeper's house at North Stack
0:06:14 > 0:06:18has been a home and secluded retreat for artist Philippa Jacobs
0:06:18 > 0:06:20for the past 20 years.
0:06:20 > 0:06:24You can only get to it by foot or along a rough vehicle track,
0:06:24 > 0:06:28so you have to be a very committed and self-sufficient type
0:06:28 > 0:06:29to live in a place like this.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33- Philippa.- Hello.- Lovely to meet you.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37- Lovely to meet you too, thank you for coming.- Thanks for inviting us.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39- How was the walk?- Lovely, so far. - Good.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42- I'm looking forward to the rest of it.- Good.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44- This is a fantastic place to live. - It is.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- A little bit remote but lovely. - It's not that remote, really.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51- Not for me anyway.- What makes you live in a place like this?
0:06:51 > 0:06:54Because I'm a painter and I need this kind of atmosphere
0:06:54 > 0:06:58and the solitude and I need the isolation, to think.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01It's lovely today but what's it like in a force 12?
0:07:01 > 0:07:05Well, I'm lucky sometimes not to lose windows.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07I do lose windows occasionally
0:07:07 > 0:07:09cos the gusts can be about 100mph here.
0:07:09 > 0:07:14But this winter I was OK!
0:07:14 > 0:07:17This used to be an old foghorn station.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Yes, it did. It went off for the last time in 1986.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23It's been here for about 150 years.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26- Can we take a close look at the view?- Yes, do. Yes.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31The walk down to the end of the promontory
0:07:31 > 0:07:33is what the guidebooks call "airy",
0:07:33 > 0:07:36but it's really worth it for the views along the cliffs.
0:07:36 > 0:07:42- So we can see South Stack over there? South Stack Lighthouse. - South Stack Lighthouse.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45- And what's this behind us here? - This is Parliament House Cave.
0:07:45 > 0:07:46Why's it called that?
0:07:46 > 0:07:50Well, because the foghouse people used to think that with the guillemots
0:07:50 > 0:07:53making a racket on those ledges over there,
0:07:53 > 0:07:56it sounded like the chattering MPs in Parliament
0:07:56 > 0:07:58so they called it Parliament House Cave.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02- All talking a load of nonsense? - All talking a load of nonsense, yes!
0:08:07 > 0:08:09Leaving Phillipa and North Stack behind,
0:08:09 > 0:08:12the path takes us steeply up towards Holyhead Mountain,
0:08:12 > 0:08:15and just as I'm beginning to huff and puff,
0:08:15 > 0:08:17we bump into a group of charity walkers
0:08:17 > 0:08:21who have many more miles under their belts than we do.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24- Derek the weatherman!- How are you? - I'm good, how are you?
0:08:24 > 0:08:29- You said it was going to rain! - WALKERS LAUGH
0:08:29 > 0:08:32- Yeah, I got it right for once! - Yay, well done!
0:08:32 > 0:08:35- And there's more sunshine to come tomorrow.- Oh, excellent.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37Well, I've finished today so that'll be...
0:08:37 > 0:08:39- You can enjoy it, have a rest tomorrow.- Yes.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41So what are you guys doing up here?
0:08:41 > 0:08:45Right, I'm on my final leg now into Holyhead.
0:08:45 > 0:08:51- I've done a 125-mile trek around Anglesey in five days.- In five days?
0:08:51 > 0:08:53Yes, for Help For Heroes
0:08:53 > 0:08:58- and also in support of the Royal Irish Regiment from Shropshire. - Whoo!
0:08:58 > 0:08:59CHEERING
0:08:59 > 0:09:03It's my local regiment. It's just fantastic.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06- Well, congratulations.- Thank you very much, thank you.- Well done.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08- Enjoy your walk.- Ta-dah.- Bye.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16Looking up towards the summit, there's no doubt in my mind
0:09:16 > 0:09:21that despite being only 220 metres in height, that's well under 1,000 feet,
0:09:21 > 0:09:23this striking lump of heathland
0:09:23 > 0:09:26interspersed with jagged lumps of pale rock
0:09:26 > 0:09:28fully deserves to be called a mountain,
0:09:28 > 0:09:31whether you're going up it or down it.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35What's that sign over there? It says, "Caer y Twr."
0:09:35 > 0:09:37Fortress of the tower.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41This is the site of an Iron Age hill fort
0:09:41 > 0:09:47so over 2,500 years old and there's a huge wall encompassing the summit
0:09:47 > 0:09:50of Holyhead Mountain which is where we're heading for now.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53- So it's quite a size? - It is, it's pretty impressive.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57It would've been used to keep invaders out all that time ago.
0:10:03 > 0:10:08- Just a few more feet to go. - Yeah, we're almost there now, Derek.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12- Any chance of a cuppa on the copa? - I'm sure we can arrange it.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14You might have to hold on tight though,
0:10:14 > 0:10:16it's going to get blown away.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21- Well, we're finally at the top, Rosie.- Yeah, at last. It's great.
0:10:21 > 0:10:22And just look at the view.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32- What can we see? - Well, that's Carmel Head over there.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34High point on the island and then you've got
0:10:34 > 0:10:38the mountains of Snowdonia going down to the Llyn Peninsula.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42- Great view of the Port of Holyhead as well.- Yeah, it is, isn't it?
0:10:42 > 0:10:45You can really appreciate the breakwater from up here.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48We've also got some more remains just over to your right.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52They're the remains of a Roman watchtower and signal station
0:10:52 > 0:10:56that was used in the 4th century to send signals
0:10:56 > 0:10:59back down to the Roman fort in Holyhead.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11- Well, it is a fantastic coastline, Rosie.- It sure is.
0:11:11 > 0:11:16- We can see Philippa's place over there, North Stack where we were earlier on.- Yeah.
0:11:16 > 0:11:20And just look at the cliffs with the huge, sheer drops into the sea
0:11:20 > 0:11:23- and the little caves as well. - You can see just why it's
0:11:23 > 0:11:27so popular with rock climbers, the big cliffs.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33OK, it might look like a just a bleak heathland to you and me,
0:11:33 > 0:11:36but this is, in fact, a Special Area of Conservation
0:11:36 > 0:11:39of international importance,
0:11:39 > 0:11:42and hidden here are some very rare plants.
0:11:42 > 0:11:47Someone who knows where to find them is Dave Bateson, head warden of this RSPB reserve.
0:11:47 > 0:11:52- So what have we got here then? - Just having a quick look at these spotted rock-rose plants.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54We do a full count of them every year
0:11:54 > 0:11:57and they're quite scarce plants. I'm just checking out
0:11:57 > 0:11:59whether they're in flower or not yet.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01So what makes them grow here?
0:12:01 > 0:12:06They like these exposed places with very shallow, thin soils.
0:12:06 > 0:12:07So this is a top spot for them.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10In fact, this is probably the biggest colony on Anglesey.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14And if it wasn't for Dave, I'd have walked right past them.
0:12:16 > 0:12:21- So this is South Stack lighthouse? - Yeah, dramatic, isn't it? What a fantastic archetypal lighthouse.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25If you were a little kid and were told to draw a lighthouse, it'd be like that.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29- It would.- Big lump of rock, white lighthouse on the top.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33- When was it built?- 1874, the current buildings you see there.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35The light tower.
0:12:35 > 0:12:39These days it's fully automated, and operated remotely,
0:12:39 > 0:12:43would you believe, from Harwich in Essex.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47Next stop for us is the RSPB look-out at Ellin's Tower
0:12:47 > 0:12:49for a spot of birdwatching.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52And you don't need binoculars for a close-up view.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57This is amazing. You've got live images of puffins in the centre.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00- It's quite unusual to see such fantastic images.- Beautiful.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02This is coming from our live camera.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04It's happening right now as we stand here.
0:13:04 > 0:13:09This is the first time I've seen a puffin. I've been to Pembrokeshire, never seen a puffin
0:13:09 > 0:13:11probably cos I've gone at the wrong time of year.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14It's all about when you visit these colonies
0:13:14 > 0:13:17cos the birds are only here to lay the egg and raise the chick.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20They're seabirds, they live on the open water all year round
0:13:20 > 0:13:22so there's no reason for them to be on land.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26When they're here on the land, they're at risk of predation
0:13:26 > 0:13:30so they spend as little time here as possible and then get back out to sea again.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32And what's the best time of year to see puffins?
0:13:32 > 0:13:35- Is it around now, May time? - May/June is a good time.
0:13:35 > 0:13:40These little nestlings in here are young chough, around two-weeks-old.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43The heathland at South Stack is a special area for chough
0:13:43 > 0:13:47and we kind of have to manage it for them so we look after them quite well.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50Well, it's a great place to come to watch the birds.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53And hopping around outside is the parent bird.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55It might look like an ordinary crow,
0:13:55 > 0:13:57but that red beak is the giveaway.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00This is a chough, a rare birdwatching treat.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06There must be hundreds if not thousands of birds down there.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09Yeah. Fantastic, isn't it? There's about 4,500.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11What have we got apart from seagulls?
0:14:11 > 0:14:15We have guillemots and razorbills, kittiwakes and fulmars.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18And why do the birds decide to nest here, what's special about it?
0:14:18 > 0:14:21It's about geology. The guillemots and razorbills
0:14:21 > 0:14:24are laying a single egg directly onto the rock, not building a nest
0:14:24 > 0:14:28so they need a decent platform upon which to build it.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31Obviously they need to be away from predators as well because that egg's
0:14:31 > 0:14:35very vulnerable to being eaten by rats and stoats and weasels, etc.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37And also, madly enough,
0:14:37 > 0:14:41the chicks from the guillemots jump off the cliff before they can fly
0:14:41 > 0:14:44so it's very important there's water below the ledges.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48It's not just seabirds we have here. We've got some maritime specialists in the plants as well
0:14:48 > 0:14:52so we have thrift and spring squill here in front of us.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56The yellow flower, you can see, it's over the edge of the cliff so don't fall off.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00We have spatulate fleawort which grows nowhere else on earth,
0:15:00 > 0:15:01just on Holy Island.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03- Really?- Just here, yeah. - That is really special.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07It is, we're very privileged to looking after these.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09We've got to get back to the Breakwater Country Park.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13- Thanks for sharing your knowledge. - You're welcome. Nice to see you.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15- A very special place. - It's fantastic.
0:15:15 > 0:15:16- Cheers, Rosie.- Cheers.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21So there we are. I think we've proved today that where
0:15:21 > 0:15:25hills and mountains are concerned, size really doesn't matter,
0:15:25 > 0:15:29as long as you've got great views, variety and interesting company.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35If you fancy trying one of the walks from the series,
0:15:35 > 0:15:39go to bbc.co.uk/weathermanwalking
0:15:39 > 0:15:42and take a look at our interactive website.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45It has everything you need, from detailed route information
0:15:45 > 0:15:49for each walk as well as photographs we took along the way,
0:15:49 > 0:15:52and walking maps for you to print off and follow.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58For the next walk in this programme we head to the outskirts of Cardiff,
0:15:58 > 0:16:02for an inspirational day out on another little mountain.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07The good thing about walking is that it offers something for everyone.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10Some days, you might want to get away from it all,
0:16:10 > 0:16:13enjoy some peace and quiet and at other times...
0:16:13 > 0:16:15ALL: Morning!
0:16:15 > 0:16:18You might fancy a livelier day out.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20- # Here come the girls. # - Hello, ladies.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24- Good morning.- Group hug!- Yay!
0:16:24 > 0:16:27Just what I needed. Right, are we ready to go?
0:16:27 > 0:16:30'And these ladies leading me astray today
0:16:30 > 0:16:33'are members of a group called Welsh Women Walking.'
0:16:35 > 0:16:39Our walk starts just north of Cardiff, in the village of Pentyrch.
0:16:39 > 0:16:40Leaving the village,
0:16:40 > 0:16:43we drop down through Coed y Bedw Woodland Reserve,
0:16:43 > 0:16:45to reach the village of Gwaelod y Garth
0:16:45 > 0:16:49before climbing steeply up and along to the summit of Garth Mountain
0:16:49 > 0:16:51and back to the start.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54A 4.5 mile loop up a hill and down a mountain,
0:16:54 > 0:16:58in the company of some lively ladies, led by Jacquie Williams.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01I started a group called Welsh Women Walking
0:17:01 > 0:17:04and we go out on the first Sunday of every month and raise money
0:17:04 > 0:17:09for Ty Hafan whilst we're walking and talking so it's a networking group.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11I bet you do a lot of talking, don't you?
0:17:11 > 0:17:14We are called Welsh Women Talking, that's our nickname
0:17:14 > 0:17:16and we sometimes invite guys along as well, you know,
0:17:16 > 0:17:18and families so we do all types of walking.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20How many members have you got now?
0:17:20 > 0:17:23- We've got about 300 on our database.- 300? Amazing.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25But generally we get up to 30 on a walk.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28And we've raised over £100,000 for Ty Hafan and Breast Cancer Care
0:17:28 > 0:17:30over the last two years.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33- Absolutely fantastic. - And we have lots of fun doing it.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37So why do you like walking then?
0:17:37 > 0:17:39I find it's really good for mind, body and soul.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41I say, you lose more weight off your brain
0:17:41 > 0:17:45when you're walking than off your body because you feel so great
0:17:45 > 0:17:49when you get back from a decent walk and so for overall well-being,
0:17:49 > 0:17:52it's the best thing. You have scenery, you've got great company,
0:17:52 > 0:17:56you've got the actual fitness of walking up hills.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59Absolutely beats any trip to the gym that I've ever done.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01Couldn't agree more.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04Just coming to a really busy road here so be careful when you cross.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08- Is this a route you've taken before? Is it a regular route of your? - It is.
0:18:08 > 0:18:13I live in St Fagans so I do this either walking it with my dog,
0:18:13 > 0:18:14we walk it as a group.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17Sometimes I even try and run it and you can see there,
0:18:17 > 0:18:20that's the way we're going so we're going through the woodland,
0:18:20 > 0:18:24up the side of the Garth, across the ridge at the top
0:18:24 > 0:18:26and then back down so that's our day.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29- How long is it?- It takes about two hours to do the walk.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31Come on, let's get going.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35# Why does it always rain on me?
0:18:35 > 0:18:38# Is it because I lied when I was 17? #
0:18:38 > 0:18:42Despite the rain tipping down, nothing stops these girls
0:18:42 > 0:18:44having a good, old natter and Jan tells me
0:18:44 > 0:18:47how much of a change there's been to her life
0:18:47 > 0:18:49since she joined the group,
0:18:49 > 0:18:53a change that took her to the summit of Kilimanjaro.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55It's a bit of a joke within the group that I was the one
0:18:55 > 0:18:59that used to park closest in Tesco to the store and not walk.
0:18:59 > 0:19:04I started joining in the first walk and that was in Pen y Fan.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07I'd never been to the Brecon Beacons to walk
0:19:07 > 0:19:10and I thought that was quite a challenge at the time.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14- So from Pen y Fan to Kilimanjaro? - Yes.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18But, you know, when I did Pen y Fan, that was a huge accomplishment
0:19:18 > 0:19:23but what I enjoyed then about the walking was seeing countryside
0:19:23 > 0:19:25I would never have seen before
0:19:25 > 0:19:27and such a social aspect for us as well
0:19:27 > 0:19:31so it's walking, keeping fit, also having a good time.
0:19:31 > 0:19:36- Has it really changed your life? - It's been a huge impact in my life.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47'Our route now leads us into Coed y Bedw reserve.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49'Besides giving us some shelter from the rain,
0:19:49 > 0:19:53'the woodland has a mix of plants and flowers
0:19:53 > 0:19:56'that almost gives it a lush, tropical feel.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58'Well, if you forget the air temperature!'
0:19:58 > 0:20:02The sun's coming out a bit now. Thankfully!
0:20:02 > 0:20:04'Almost hidden amongst the trees and ferns
0:20:04 > 0:20:08'is a ruined cottage where the local colliery owner once lived.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12'And the information board also tells us
0:20:12 > 0:20:16'of a spooky story of suicide in 1930.'
0:20:16 > 0:20:18"And the ghost haunts the old cottage."
0:20:18 > 0:20:21- Ooh!- Oooooh!- Ooh!
0:20:21 > 0:20:24They'll put people off coming here!
0:20:24 > 0:20:25Be very afraid!
0:20:28 > 0:20:29Ghost or no ghost,
0:20:29 > 0:20:33it really is surprising that less than a century ago
0:20:33 > 0:20:37this beautiful woodland was the site of a coal mine.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41Remarkably, the rare plants that have now taken root here
0:20:41 > 0:20:44make it a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
0:20:45 > 0:20:50This woodland is beautiful, and yet it's so close to a busy main road.
0:20:50 > 0:20:55It's a reminder of how close we are to built-up areas and a city.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00- Nice little stream.- I know, there's lots of them, actually.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03Really nice.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06The Woodland Trust have kindly provided a convenient boardwalk
0:21:06 > 0:21:09that helps us keep our feet dry in the muddiest parts,
0:21:09 > 0:21:13and there's plenty of information boards about the wildlife.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16Amazing in spring, you get all the bluebells through the woods.
0:21:16 > 0:21:21- It's like a complete purple blanket, it's beautiful. - I bet autumn is nice, as well.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24Stunning, especially once we go up. Really gorgeous.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26- Right, shall we carry on? - Yeah. Why not?
0:21:26 > 0:21:30Girls, look out for the woodland... Speckled Wood butterfly.
0:21:30 > 0:21:31We're looking.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36# Shine, shine, shine on... #
0:21:39 > 0:21:42- Ooh, a nice bit of sun, here. - Yeah, I arranged it for us.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46Oh, thanks, Derek! Did you arrange the rain earlier, as well?
0:21:46 > 0:21:48No, that was nothing to do with me, honest!
0:21:48 > 0:21:51# Shine, shine, shine on. #
0:21:51 > 0:21:55As we leave the reserve and enter the atmospheric pine forest,
0:21:55 > 0:21:58Karen tells me how she got involved
0:21:58 > 0:22:03in climbing the highest summit in Africa, all 19,340 feet of it!
0:22:05 > 0:22:09It was my 40th coming up and I wanted to do something for charity,
0:22:09 > 0:22:12I wanted to do something memorable to mark the occasion.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15And you managed to climb Kilimanjaro?
0:22:15 > 0:22:20Yeah, I got up to Stella Point and I did get quite unwell on summit day,
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- as a few of us did. - Is that because of the altitude?
0:22:23 > 0:22:28It is, yeah. I was feeling fine, to be honest, until then.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31But I just realised I was losing my sight,
0:22:31 > 0:22:35and I just thought my sunglasses had got dusty,
0:22:35 > 0:22:38because there's very light scree once you get off the glacier.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40Very odd. And...
0:22:41 > 0:22:44In the end, the guide came up and took them off
0:22:44 > 0:22:47and I realised it wasn't my sunglasses,
0:22:47 > 0:22:49it was my eyes that were the problem.
0:22:49 > 0:22:55They suggested I went down, but I was really close to Stella Point then.
0:22:55 > 0:22:56You didn't want to turn back?
0:22:56 > 0:22:59No. Not having got that far, and the whole journey we'd been on.
0:23:03 > 0:23:07Leaving the forest, our route takes us through Gwaelod y Garth,
0:23:07 > 0:23:09that's Welsh for bottom of the Garth.
0:23:09 > 0:23:13The village grew around the nearby iron and coal industries.
0:23:13 > 0:23:17Today, the old workers' cottages are convenient homes for commuters to Cardiff.
0:23:17 > 0:23:22We've done the easy bit of the walk, downhill and on the flat.
0:23:22 > 0:23:27Now I'm about to find out whether the Garth is a hill or a mountain.
0:23:27 > 0:23:28Come on!
0:23:30 > 0:23:34One thing's for sure, it feels steep enough to be a mountain,
0:23:34 > 0:23:37whatever those English map-makers decided in the film.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41Some of the women find the group helps them deal with a crisis
0:23:41 > 0:23:45in their lives, like Angie, who suffered a dreadful personal loss.
0:23:45 > 0:23:51I got involved after the death of my son, six-and-a-half years ago.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54I'd gained a lot of weight, wasn't doing any exercise,
0:23:54 > 0:23:57lost all focus in life, really.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00This group came along and they were, at that point,
0:24:00 > 0:24:03looking to climb Kilimanjaro.
0:24:03 > 0:24:09I decided, after being nearly three stone overweight, I could do that.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12At that point, I couldn't even walk to the shops.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16Walking is clearly more than just exercise for the girls.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19It's as much about the support and encouragement
0:24:19 > 0:24:23they gain from each other as it is about keeping trim.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26- I bet you have a good few laughs with the girls?- Most definitely.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29- I call it my giggle bank. - Your giggle bank?- Yeah, giggle bank.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32When you're out and about and having a laugh and joke
0:24:32 > 0:24:36you actually remember these days, and when you're having a bad time,
0:24:36 > 0:24:39you draw one of those memories of the giggle bank.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43# Don't need the sun to shine to make me smile
0:24:45 > 0:24:49# Don't care if it's dark outside because I've got you... #
0:24:51 > 0:24:53- I did say it would brighten up. - You were right, you see.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56Didn't I, girls, I said it would brighten up.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59- Very good, well done. - Thank you. I rarely get praise.
0:25:03 > 0:25:07# Don't need the sun to shine to make me smile
0:25:10 > 0:25:12# Don't care if it's dark outside... #
0:25:12 > 0:25:15It's a bit of a pull up here, isn't it?
0:25:15 > 0:25:17You haven't seen the best bit, yet.
0:25:19 > 0:25:23- How far to the top, now? - Yeah, just round the corner.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25I've heard that said before!
0:25:28 > 0:25:30I suppose all this hard work does have its rewards,
0:25:30 > 0:25:33the views are really starting to open out.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36Are we nearly there yet?
0:25:36 > 0:25:39Come on, Derek, we're nearly there.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41Nice view of Taffs Well down there.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45# Don't need to hitch a ride
0:25:45 > 0:25:49# When I could run a million miles. #
0:25:49 > 0:25:51Thankfully, at last the path flattens out
0:25:51 > 0:25:54at a shoulder of the Garth, to reveal stunning views
0:25:54 > 0:25:58from the Brecon Beacons down the valley of the River Taff,
0:25:58 > 0:26:00all the way to Cardiff and beyond.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04Do you ever tire of this view?
0:26:04 > 0:26:06Why would you ever tire of it?
0:26:06 > 0:26:09You can't believe that this is on your doorstep.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11I think every time you come up,
0:26:11 > 0:26:14you take a little bit more in and see something
0:26:14 > 0:26:17you didn't the last time, so you can't tire of it easily.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19It also changes with the seasons.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23It looks completely different, nearly every time you come up here.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25It's beautiful.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27Beyond the Cardiff City Stadium and Penarth,
0:26:27 > 0:26:30that's Somerset we can see over there,
0:26:30 > 0:26:32and upstream, the Severn Bridge.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36The Millennium Stadium, in the centre of town, really stands out,
0:26:36 > 0:26:39And below our feet, toy-town streets and houses
0:26:39 > 0:26:42in Trefforest and Taffs Well.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44But this is not the summit. This is a kind of false summit,
0:26:44 > 0:26:46because the real summit is over there.
0:26:46 > 0:26:51- Just over there. - Come on, then.- Come on, let's go.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56That's where we're heading, known locally as the pimple -
0:26:56 > 0:27:00a mound that makes the hill a mountain at just over 1,000 feet.
0:27:02 > 0:27:07Tell me how you got involved with Welsh Women Walking, then, Jane.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10I got involved because I had breast cancer,
0:27:10 > 0:27:15and I had to have surgery, followed by chemotherapy,
0:27:15 > 0:27:18and I was very poorly after that.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20I decided I wanted to get fit again,
0:27:20 > 0:27:24and strong, and I wanted to get back to a fitness level
0:27:24 > 0:27:28which would prove that I'd beaten cancer, it hadn't beaten me.
0:27:28 > 0:27:35So I decided to set myself a challenge, to climb Kilimanjaro.
0:27:35 > 0:27:39So I trained up for that and got to the top of Kilimanjaro,
0:27:39 > 0:27:45- and shouted from the top, "I beat cancer, it didn't beat me!" - That's wonderful.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47That was my story, and my training involved
0:27:47 > 0:27:51joining Welsh Women Walking, getting ready for Kili.
0:27:51 > 0:27:55- So..- Life changing?- Absolutely.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58I was determined that I wasn't going to be a victim.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01- There is light at the end of the tunnel.- Absolutely, oh, yeah.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08The pimple might have been built by the locals
0:28:08 > 0:28:10but it was 4,000 years ago.
0:28:10 > 0:28:14It's one of four Bronze Age burial mounds on top of the hill.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17And as we near the summit,
0:28:17 > 0:28:22just to test these girls' fitness, let's have a bit of a sprint finish.
0:28:22 > 0:28:26Come on, you lot, last one to the top of the pimple makes the tea!
0:28:26 > 0:28:28Well, I've had a great day out with the girls
0:28:28 > 0:28:30and it's been a real privilege
0:28:30 > 0:28:33to be an honorary Welsh Woman Walking, just for a day.
0:28:33 > 0:28:39We made it! Derek and his babes have conquered Garth Mountain!
0:28:39 > 0:28:40Cheers Ladies!
0:28:40 > 0:28:47# Sisters are doing it for themselves... #
0:28:47 > 0:28:51Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:28:51 > 0:28:55E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk