New app set to put Welsh Marilyns on similar standing as Scotland’s Munros

13.04.2023

CPRW, The Welsh Countryside Charity, is supporting the launch of a new smartphone app that is seeking to highlight the Welsh Marilyns and present climbers with challenges similar to the Munro-bagging of Scotland.

A new phone app made by walking aficionados Barry Smith, Doug Colton, both members of the Relative Hills Society, is seeking to give the Welsh Marilyns a heightened status in the mountain walking world and shine some light on some of Wales’ lesser-known hills and mountains.
Marilyns is the term given to hills and mountains with a relative height (the amount you actually climb from start to summit) of at least 150 metres (492 ft), regardless of absolute height or other merit.
Barry Smith, contributor to the app and avid mountain walker, believes that Wales’ Marilyns should be given a similar status to the Munros of Scotland:
“Having walked mountains across the UK extensively, and partaken in Munro-bagging in Scotland, we felt that there should be a better way to market the lesser-known Welsh hills and mountains and help climbers explore the lesser-known gems as well as the world-known destinations.” said Smith.
Doug Colton, designer and coder of the app, said he hopes this new app will set new challenges for many in the mountain walking community:
“Everyone knows about the likes of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Cadair Idris and Pen Y Fan, but there are over 150 Marilyns across Wales that are just as picturesque to climb, just as challenging and even more accessible. We need to market some of our hill and mountain walks better!” said Doug.
The app, available in Welsh and English, is live and available for iOS or Android phones (from the App Store and Play Store respectively).
Spokesperson for CPRW: The Welsh Countryside Charity, Ross Evans, said that the charity is more than happy to support the development of the app:
“This is an excellent initiative to promote options to get out into our glorious Welsh Countryside. Many locals across Wales will know of a local hill or mountain that is special to them that needs to be experienced by others!
This app will enable more people to find these hidden gems as well as explore wider afield, so download this app and start bagging those Marilyns!” Said Evans.
The app includes descriptions of the Marilyns, directions to where best to park for your walk, preferred routes and has a checkbox style ability to tick off your walks and share that tally with others.

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Notes to editors:
Y Marilyns app is also endorsed by Visit Wales and includes both references and links to the Countryside Code and to Visit Wales ‘Promise to the Countryside’.

Contact:
Contact Ross Evans at CPRW for more info on 07498 395 409 or [email protected]