A NEW free piece of software aiming to encourage families to enjoy the Wales Coast Path has launched in time for the summer holidays.

The augmented reality (AR) app has been launched to encourage local families from across North Wales to get outdoors during the holidays and to ensure the region’s fantastic views, glorious wildlife diversity, fascinating history and wondrous legends are brought to life using augmented reality, games and other fun features.

In specific locations on the Great Orme, at Borth y Gest and Menai Bridge, the new AR app will allow walkers to use their mobile devices to enjoy exciting new experiences such as meeting the leatherback turtles of Borth y Gest and learning how the endangered species can be spotted during the summer months.

Visitors can also discover the birthplace of adventurer Lawrence of Arabia in Tremadog and learn about the ancient druids of Anglesey on the shores of the Menai Strait.

To help families enjoy the app and discover the AR locations, a series of new family-friendly walks have also been created and are accessible for free via the Wales Coast Path website. Scan the panel at theRest and be Thankful cafébefore taking the two-mile route around the Great Orme to West Shore promenade.

In Bangor, families can head to the Treborth Botanic Garden, and take the circular route over the Menai Suspension Bridge, down to the Straits where they can unlock interactive features using a panel located on the Belgian promenade and stroll through native woodland. On the Llŷn Peninsula, families can take a short scenic coastal walk from Borth y Gest car park, leading to the small tidal island of Ynys Cyngar and Black rock sands.

Those using the app can simply download it before they arrive and use their mobile phone to scan one of the specially created experience panels to unlock a range of interactive features and bespoke augmented reality animations.

Users can even share their experiences with friends using the photo filter feature or by capturing images of them, their friends and family interacting with the fun augmented reality scenes.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “The Wales Coast Path is enjoyed by people from across Wales and further afield.

"The path is unique - no other country can boast a coastal path that stretches around its whole coastline.

"The 870-mile long path has much hidden history and fascinating wildlife. The new app will add to the pleasure of visiting our beautiful Welsh coast.”

The app is available for free via the Apple App Store (iOS devices) and Google Play (Android devices), searchable using ‘Wales Coast Path’.

Download the app before arrival or whilst walking the path, to unlock content at chosen locations. The app uses GPS track location in real life and trigger bespoke augmented reality animations at different points along the Wales Coast Path.