Dawn Stephens-Borg & Ed Roberts
12 March 2020
With three National Trails and a spectacular 870-mile coast path to explore, there are walks in Wales to suit everyone! If you're struggling to decide which stretch of coast to visit, the Wales Coast Path covers hundreds of miles of coastline, so you can choose a path to suit you. If you'd rather head for the hills, Glyndwr's Way is one of the most spectacular rural National Trails in the UK. Get acquainted with some of the best walks in Wales below!
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Walks in North Wales
From the peaks of Snowdonia to the sand dunes of the Dee Estuary, the mysterious whistling sands of the Llyn Peninsula and the castle views of Harlech and Caernarfon, there are some good walks in North Wales. Read on to discover our favourite North Wales walks with waterfalls and walks on the North Wales Coast too.
Distance: 122 miles
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
One of the best walks in Snowdonia, the Snowdonia Way clocks in at just under 100 miles long in length. If you were to include the detours to the mountain peaks you can add an extra 22 miles. Cutting across the north west corner of Wales, the trail can be completed in six to eight chunks. Beauty spots between the west coast and the north coast include The Carneddau, Moel Siabod, The Moelwyns, Coed y Brenin, Nantgwynant, Llyn Ogwen, Llyn Gwynant, Aberglasyn Pass, Llewelyn the Great’s castles, Cadair Idris and the majestic Mount Snowdon. This is the daddy and mummy of North Wales walks.
Distance: 2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
This is a short beach walk in North Wales for those that love a stroll by the sea. Set close to the Dee you can enjoy a lovely, large, golden beach with dunes and a lighthouse – the distinctive Point of Ayr beacon. Nearby Talacre is a delight for visitors to this area of North Wales. Look out for quicksand and fast-rising waters, so stay close to the shore to avoid getting stranded. Take a picnic to enjoy after a long walk in the dunes, the Point of Ayr Beach circuit is a lovely relaxing coastal walk in Wales.
Walks in South Wales
Come to South Wales for endless beach walks and interesting city walks in Swansea and Cardiff. The coast is home to some exceptionally beautiful villages and beaches. Head to the Mumbles, the bewitching Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the Gower Peninsula and Dylan Thomas country around Laugharne and Llanelli for charming walks and special day trips. Pull on your walking boots to discover some wonderful circular walking trails and easy prospects for the elderly and less able. Read on to discover the best walks in South Wales.
Distance: 186 miles
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
Opened in 1970, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path was the first National Trail in Wales and one of just 15 National Trails in Britain. This spectacular route follows the coastline for 186 miles, showcasing some of the country's most breath taking scenery. Stretching from St Dogmaels in the north to Amroth in the south, the trail is perfect for anyone hoping to catch a glimpse of the diverse coastal landscapes in Wales. Explore limestone cliffs, red sandstone bays, golden beaches and lush valleys on your journey. Pembrokeshire Coastal Path passes 58 beaches and 14 harbours, offering a wonderful choice of coastal walk in Wales.
Distance: 2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
For fans of the Welsh word tamer, this trail around Laugharne, taking in sights and places of Dylan Thomas’ former neighbourhood. It’s such a pretty part of South Wales too and can be enjoyed as gentle amble by all. Just 2 miles, this coastal walk is a circular trail that can be picked up at Laugharne Castle and runs past the estuary of the River Taf, Dylan Thomas’ boathouse, his former home and writing shed, his local pub and the heart of the village, which is said to have inspired Llareggub, the fictional setting of Under Milk Wood. The walk in South Wales curls back to the castle past the mudflats where you can see interesting birds and wildlife. It combines prospects for a lovely lunch in the village pub with a bit of history at the Dylan Thomas museum (which is at the boathouse) and some lovely scenery.
Walks in Mid Wales
Mid Wales is the holiday destination for you if you are planning to do some serious, long-distance mountain walking. It's a region of wild open spaces like no other characterised by the Brecon Beacons National Park, home to the Black Mountains, the Black Mountain, Pen-y-Fan and Fforest Fawr. This is the place for pure wilderness, a place where you can leave behind the crowds of the cities and live life to the max. For the best walks in Mid Wales, read on.
Distance: 95 miles
Difficulty: Moderate to strenous
With some of the finest views in the National Park, and the best hikes in Wales, The Beacons Way is a stunning 95-mile route cutting through the Brecon Beacons. Passing through some of Wales' most picturesque villages, including Llanthony and Crickhowell, the route is a great way to explore the best of the National Park. The Beacons Way can be split into eight days, but each daily route can be shortened further for a delightful afternoon stroll or a challenging mountain walk in Wales.
Distance: 135 miles
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
Glyndwr's Way is a 135-mile National Trail winding through farmland, woodland and beautiful forests in Mid Wales. This route is suited to shorter walks due to its rural nature and wonderful range of attractions along the way. Stop at Lake Vyrnwy, Powis Castle or Bryntail Mine to get a sense of the area's heritage. This Mid Wales walk officially begins in Knighton on the English border, where it links with Offa's Dyke Path. Running in a horseshoe shape, the trail passes pretty market towns and villages such as Llanidloes, Abbeycwmhir and Llanfyllin.
Distance: 10 miles
Difficulty: Strenuous
Pen y Fan is the highest point in the southern regions of the UK and this trail is an arduous circuit that climbs its way to its peak and the summit of its neighbour Corn Du. Not for the faint hearted this superb walking trail is an unforgettable experience; its hard won but enjoyable nonetheless for those who love striking views and the open country. The trail originates at Taf Fechan car park and takes in sights like Neuadd Reservoir, Fan-y-Big, Craig cwm Sere, Llyn Cwm Llwch, and some Bronze Age burial cairns. Prepare well for this walk, although its one of the most popular mountain walks in Wales, do not let this lull you into a false sense of security. It’s a fun undertaking if you take responsible standard preparations for a long hike.
Walks spanning all of Wales
For the truly active and adventurous, you can spend days or weeks at a time discovering all of the immense beauty Wales has to offer. Meander through the lush green countryside and lush green hills of the Welsh Borders, or head to the coast path to discover hundreds of miles of spectacular coastline and unspoilt beaches. Walking holidays in Wales offer a variety of unforgettable experiences.
Distance: 870 miles
Difficulty: varied
Originating in the north and ending in the south, the 870 miles long, Wales Coast Path is the longest trail and perfectly suited to anyone wishing to explore particular sections of the coastline. Much of the path is easily accessible via coastal towns, making it perfect for daily excursions. The path has been split into eight geographical areas: North Wales Coast and Dee Estuary, Isle of Anglesey, Menai Llyn and Meirionnydd, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Gower and Swansea Bay, South Wales Coast and Severn Estuary. Each section of the trail is truly spectacular, so it's well making a plan before you set off along this coastal walk in Wales.
Distance: 117 miles
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Stretching 177 miles from Sedbury Cliffs near Chepstow to the coastal town of Prestatyn, Offa's Dyke is one of Wales' most varied National Trails. Passing through eight counties and crossing the border between England and Wales 20 times, you're guaranteed an adventure on this unique route. The hike is perfect for anyone wishing to explore South Wales and the Welsh Borders, as it passes the iconic Brecon Beacons National Park, Wye Valley and Shropshire Hills. Though it takes roughly two weeks to complete the whole trail, you can enjoy sections of the path on circular walks.
This is just a small introduction to the wealth of walks in Wales that criss cross the wild and wonderful country. For even more inspiration visit these guides for more Wales walking holidays.
Our collection of luxury self-catering holiday cottages across Wales places you right at the heart of walking country. From crooked fisherman cottages and rustic boltholes to countryside barns and chic apartments, our portfolio is packed with choice for your next walking holiday in Wales. Close to the coast, in the mountains and each of the National Parks, we have properties for everybody, whether you are planning a walking holiday with friends or an extended family group or by contrast a special break for two with your partner. Bring your dog along too, as many of self-catering accommodation options in Wales welcome pets too, and how better to treat your canine that will long and vast walks in Wales.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.