The gorgeous mountain bothies where you can get away from it all with nothing but a place to sleep and fire to keep warm
We all have days where we want to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and get some peace and quiet.
And this is about as far away from it all as you can get.
These isolated shelters – called bothies – are dotted around Wales.
But before we go any further, it’s worth pointing out that if you’re looking for a holiday home they may not be the best place for you.
It’s closer to camping – without a tent.
When visiting a bothy, it’s important to assume that there will be no facilities whatsoever.
That means no tap, no sink, no bed, no lights and, even if there is a fireplace, perhaps nothing to burn.
Read more: 17 of the most beautiful, quirky and interesting places you can stay with Airbnb in Wales
Bothies may have a simple sleeping platform but, as there is no booking service, you may turn up to a full house already.
But that’s no problem at all, as sleeping on a stone floor all adds to the authenticity of your countryside adventure.
So it’s a good idea to make your own arrangements for water and wood for the fire.
It would probably be worth shoving some of both into your backpack before setting off.
Few of the bothies have toilets, so you’ll have to walk at least a couple of hundred metres from the bothy and 60 metres from the water supply with your spade.
Where are the Welsh bothies?
Arenig Fawr
The property in Arenig Fawr sleeps three people, has no fuel on site and doesn’t allow any dogs.
The easy-moderate climb to the summit of the mountain takes about 2 1/2 hours from Llyn Celyn.
There are no readily identifiable footpaths but the route is marked by an old boundary fence.
For your nearest water supply, there is a reservoir beneath the mountain, which provides drinking water to Bala and the surrounding village.
Dulyn
Llyn Dulyn, or Black Lake, is on the edge of the Carneddau range in Snowdonia.
Dogs are allowed but required to stay on leads at all times.
There is no fuel available.
Grwyne Fawr
After recent modifications, the sleep bunk in this small bothy in the Breacon Beacons has been reinstated and it now sleeps three.
No dogs are allowed.
Moel Prysgau
This bothy was completed in October 2011 and has been re-roofed.
It also has a brand new internal snug, several sleeping platforms and a wood burning stove.
Vehicles should not be taken to the bothy or the surrounding forestry roads.
Nant Rhys
This Mid Wales bothy has an open downstairs but a closed upstairs.
Nant Syddion
The bothy in Nant Syddion is an earth privy, with rams grazing in the surrounding fields.
They ask that the field gate is shut and wicket gate closed to prevent sheep from entering the bothy.
Penrhos Isaf
This bothy is in the middle of a beautiful forest.
As a result, there is a fire risk to the surrounding forest and no fires are to be lit during dry periods (March to May).
At other times of the year, only small fires are to be lit in the stove – so wrap up warm.
Dogs are also to be kept on leads.
Lluest Cwm Bach
This bothy only allows camping and fishing by permission of the estate.
There is no local fuel source, so be sure to bring some along.
What might I need for one of these trips?
Start with all the equipment you would take when camping, minus the tent: sleeping bag, first aid kit, stove with fuel, matches, food, potholders, can/bottle opener, cups, toilet roll, clothes, shoes, warm coat, rain coat, toiletries, towel, torch, penknife, maps, batteries.
For more information visit: http://www.mountainbothies.org.uk/index.asp
