Welcome to the Edge of Wales Walk

GPS stands for Global Positioning System, and is a network of satellites that broadcast signals down to the ground. These signals allow GPS units to work out their position on the Earth to an accuracy of a few yards. We have programmed all our units with the route of the pilgrim trail by marking it out as a series of "Waypoints". These waypoints are a set of coordinates marking out a position on the ground. We placed these waypoints at significant spots along the trail, such as a gateway or stile, or at a sharp turn. The GPS works like an electronic compass that will point you from one waypoint to the next in a sequence called a "Route". The trail is currently divided up into 2 Routes, one starting at Clynnog Fawr and going as far as Porth Towyn near Tudweiliog, and the other leading from Porth Towyn to Aberdaron. Please remember that although a GPS unit is a useful tool it does have certain limitations and cannot entirely replace a good old fashioned map. It requires a clear view of the sky to receive the satellite signals and can become confused in dense woodland.

To switch the GPS on for the first time:

[click on the thumbnails for larger images]

1. Press the red power button once . The "Edge of Wales Walk" title screen will appear.

Power On

2. This will then change into "Wait tracking satellites".

Watch this for a few minutes while the machine works out where you are.

Tracking Satellites

3. When it displays the message "Ready to Navigate" you are ready to use the machine.

Ready to Navigate

4. Press the page button twice. An arrow will appear.

Press the Page Button twice

THIS ARROW ONLY WORKS PROPERLY WHEN YOU ARE MOVING. So start walking and the arrow will point you towards your first waypoint. This is a pre-programmed spot at a grid reference and the GPS arrow will point you in straight lines, as the crow flies, between these waypoints. These waypoints are positioned at major changes of direction but clearly you have to use the map and common sense when walking between these waypoints.

Follow the Arrow

5. Looking at the screen, the figure at the bottom is the number of miles per hour you are walking and the figure at the top is the distance to the next waypoint. This will be expressed in miles, but when the distance is less than 0.1 of a mile this distance will be expressed as feet.

6. It doesn't matter if you turn the machine off or need to change the batteries as it will remember which route it is supposed to be navigating and will not need to have the route reset except at changeover points such as Porth Towyn. To switch the GPS on again, simply repeat these steps.

Handy Tips:
i. When you are climbing up to the moor on Bwlch Mawr, as you leave the road from Clynnog Fawr, the waypoints come thick and fast and are nearly all situated at gates and stiles. It is important to locate this gate or style with the naked eye before you get too close to it because if the GPS locks onto the waypoint perhaps 60 or 70 feet from it then it will immediately send you on to the next gate and if you haven't seen the first gate then this could be through a stone wall! So look carefully for these gates and stiles on this section please.
ii. If you inadvertently press the wrong buttons and something clearly goes wrong simply turn the machine off by pressing the power button and then turn it on again.
iii. If you get an instruction like "need clear view of the sky" then ignore it until you are out in the open again. It will disappear as soon as you get back into open country.