[{"text_idx": "#000003", "text": "Notes from the Welsh Woodlands"}, {"text_idx": "#000005", "text": "This is the walking trail to accompany the book, Return to My Trees. I\u2019ve created it to help people explore the woodlands, history and legends of Wales and to reconnect with nature."}, {"text_idx": "#000006", "text": "The trail connects nearly 100 woodlands and most of the already announced major sites that will be part of the new National Forest for Wales. While it\u2019s not an official walking route for the National Forest, it is an homage to the concept."}, {"text_idx": "#000007", "text": "The Return to My Trees Trail is one continuous walking path through the heart of Wales. It starts at Chepstow castle in the south east and ends at Chirk Castle in the north east."}, {"text_idx": "#000008", "text": "The trail totals 460km and follows the route I walked when researching Return to My Trees. Except...I got lost a lot so I\u2019ve gone back to smooth out the mistakes I made and create a walking path that links many existing and established long distance walking paths with public footpaths, bridleways, country lanes and the very occasional road."}, {"text_idx": "#000009", "text": "The trail consists of 29 separate but connected walks. Some are fairly straightforward strolls though the countryside. Others a more challenging hikes over mountains and upland valleys."}, {"text_idx": "#000010", "text": "A disclaimer: As anyone who has walked with the Welsh countryside knows, public footpaths and rights of way are not always accessible and can become overgrown or blocked. These routes were correct at the time of walking them but may change."}]