The main route originally ran for 291 miles (468 km), with approximately 78,025 feet (23,782 m) of ascent using the latest digital measurements from the Ordnance Survey's 'OS Maps' website.

The Cambrian Way is a mountain walking route from Cardiff to Conwy traversing much of the highest, wildest and most scenically beautiful parts of Wales.

He continued unsuccessfully to campaign for official recognition of the walk throughout the rest of his life until ill health intervened a few years before his death in 2012.

The Brecon Beacons National Park is entered just north of Pontypool and open moorland followed to the Blorenge, thence by steep descent to the town of Abergavenny.

After ascending Sugar Loaf a horseshoe shaped route follows the finest ridges of the Black Mountains via Capel-y-ffin to Crickhowell.

There follows an east to west traverse of the elevated ridges of the Brecon Beacons including Pen y Fan, the highest point in South Wales at 886 m (2906 ft).

The moorland continues to the Black Mountain range, also known as the Carmarthen Fans, the largest common in Wales, before dropping to Llanddeusant and field country to Llandovery.

From Llandovery, the route follows the attractive River Towy valley at Rhandirmwyn, a once busy metal mining area.

The route follows the western side of the wild moorland and forest area known as the Elenydd, which includes the gathering grounds of the Elan Valley Reservoirs which serve Birmingham.

A mixture of forest and sheep grazing land leads through the windfarm on Mynydd Cemmaes and so to Mallwyd and Dinas Mawddwy.

Groups from several different organisations, Ramblers, YHA, Brecon Beacons and Voluntary Wardens Association, were allocated sections to survey.

Routes approved by the Secretary of State become the responsibility of the local authorities to create with a 100% grant from national funds.

In accordance with a codicil to Tony Drake's will, the copyright of the guidebook and Cambrian Way website were left to a trust, which was to be formed by the three people who had been helping out during the latter years of his life.

It was not until 1 October 2015 that the trust was officially formed, by which time one of the original helpers had died and another had expressed his wish to resign, leaving just one of the three named in the codicil remaining.

(5) To deal with such other matters connected or related to the provision of the Cambrian Way as a long distance walk as the Trustees think fit.

(4) To liaise with landowners, County Councils and National Park Authorities as to what action should be taken to rectify any problems and/or improve the route.

(5) To liaise with existing accommodation providers and campsites as listed in the guidebook and to seek addition establishments, particularly in remote areas.