Wonderful winter walking in Wales

We love winter! Firstly, there’s the exciting festivities, the plentiful food, the smell of chimney smoke and then to really top it all off, the snow speckled national parks and a back garden full of wild adventures!

There’s one thing even better than winter, and that’s winter in Wales. We know we could be classed as slightly biased, but at this wonderful time of year the views are even more incredible, the meadows have a crisp coating of frost to crunch through in your wellies lined with thick socks, the sheep's woolly coats are capped with snow and it’s the perfect temperature to wrap up in your favourite cosy knits before heading back for hot cocoa or a warming brandy by the fire.

So, without further ado, here we take a look at some of the very best walking opportunities to be had in Wales this winter.

Winter walks in the Brecon Beacons

Talgarth Waterfalls and Woodland

Start and finish point: Main car park in Talgarth 

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: Approx 8 miles

Time: 3 - 4 hours

The tiny, ancient market town of Talgarth is worth a visit in its own right, with Talgarth Mill sitting prominently alongside a delightful café perfect for stopping by to grab a refreshing cup of tea and a freshly baked loaf of bread. Talgarth is also home to one of the best local butchers in the area and provides an excellent gateway to the Black Mountains.

The walking routes from Talgarth are mostly undiscovered and worth the detour. From the main car park an uphill jaunt will lead you past the pretty St Gwendonline’s Church, across three fields, over a stile and through a grassy track until you find yourself at the beautiful Rhos Fawr Common (it sounds fancy but it really means Big Moor!). Some steps will soon take you down to Pwll-y-Wrach Falls, where, according to local legend, used to be where they’d take the older local women to see if they were witches!

See the full route.

Stay nearby: Apple Tree Lodge, Talgarth - sleeps 4 + 1 dog

Pen y Fan

Start and finish point: Pont Ar Daf car park

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 4 miles

Time: 2.5 hours approx

The highest mountain in South Wales, Pen y Fan is truly rewarding at any time of year, but once winter hits it takes on another kind of magic! It offers a steep climb and a strenuous mountain walk to the summit and you can extend it even further if you wish with the longer ‘horseshoe walk’ available to easily add on. The high altitude provided by of one of Wales’ most iconic mountains makes it the perfect route for a real seasonal walk as the chances to be greeted with snow, frost and glistening ice are very high.

Pont Ar Daf car park is your starting place for this walk. A footpath at the southern end of the car park will take you through the woods, pass the kissing gate, across a wooden footbridge over the river, uphill towards Bwlch Duwynt (meaning windy pass in Welsh) and over the southern slopes of Corn Du before reaching the saddle between Corn Du and Pen y Fan. From this vantage point, you can admire the stunning views to the south, down the Neuadd Valley to the reservoirs above Merthyr Tydfil, the town of Brecon can also be seen on a clear day, along with the summit of Cadair Idris, Sugar Loaf mountain and the Bristol Channel at Porthcawl.

Once you’ve finished taking in the sights, retrace your steps to the saddle and make your way up the pitched path to the summit plateau of Corn Du, before leaving from the northern end and climbing down the steep descent towards the heather-clad Y Gyrn – here you might catch a glimpse of grazing sheep, ponies and red grouse. Continuously following the path will take you back to the car park.

See the full route, or uncover even more incredible Brecon Beacons walks for winter adventures.

Stay nearby: Old Crofftau, Cantref - sleeps 8

Snowdonia Winter Walks

Cwm Idwal walk

Start and finish point: Ogwen Warden Centre car park

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 3 miles

Time: 3 hours

Soak up the dramatic mountainous scenery on this particularly challenging walk through the ice-sculpted Cwm Idwal, a unique bowl-shaped hanging valley which is surrounded by some of the highest peaks in Snowdonia. This fascinating spectacle is filled with the frozen waters of Llyn Idwal, a beautiful sight to behold on a cold, crisp winter’s day!

Although not a walk for the faint-hearted, it is most certainly worth the trek due to the striking views over the oldest National Nature Reserve in Wales which you will be rewarded with on route to the top. This preserved site is world famous for its rock formations, fragile plant life including alpine species and botanical specialities.

From the starting point in the car park at Ogwen Warden Centre, this winter walk leads you up a winding path allowing you to enjoy the splendid view of the mountain peaks and sharp ridges along your way to Llyn Idwal. As the path levels out, you will be positioned perfectly to admire the view of Nant Ffrancon and the slate village of Bethesda. The path will naturally take veer you off to the left, which will align you with the lake, the mounds which you will see on the Northern side of the water are moraines which were left behind when the glaciers melted – according to legend these are the burial mounds of Idwal and his men.

After walking the length of the lake, the walk will take you up some steep steps and across the scree towards Twll Du, crossing a small waterfall at one point. The path will continue to transport you down to the shores of the lake and then onto the bridge which will eventually place you back at the car park where you started.

See the full National Trust route.

Stay nearby: Cae Glaslyn Beddgelert, Beddgelert - sleeps 6

Llyn Elsi from Betws-y-Coed 

Start and finish point: Betws-y-Coed

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 4 miles

Time: 2 hours

This easy-going winter walk takes you above the gateway to Snowdonia National Park, Betws-y-Coed, to the scenic mountain lake of Llyn Elsi, hidden amongst the trees of Gwdyr Forest. Winter weather turns this already stunning route into a winter wonderland, where snow clings to branches, and where your tracks may be the only ones around.  

A wonderful alternative to the more challenging Snowdonia winter walks, completed in a couple of hours, you can be back in Betws-y-Coed in time for a warm pub lunch. Combining beautiful woodland scenery with the glassy waters of the mountain lake, Lyn Esi, and the sweeping views towards Moel Siabod, the walk offers a variety of winter landscapes, perfect for photographers!

You will take the road behind Betws-y-Coed’s St Mary’s church where you will quickly reach the forest, crossing two forestry paths before turning left at the third and then right on to the Jubilee path. You will soon start to appreciate the incredible views as the path opens out and leads you to the highest point of the route, the Monument which takes in the incredible views over the lake towards Moel Siabod, Glyderau and Carneddau. Leaving the relatively steep start to the walk behind, you will drop down to the lake and take the path around the edge, before heading back towards the town the old farm ruins, through the forest and emerging behind the Royal Oak – the perfect finish to a chilly winter walk.

See the full route.

Stay nearby: Craig Y Nos, Betws-y-Coed - sleeps 2

Book a cottage for winter in Wales

After all that walking, you’ll be more than ready to head back to your cosy cottage, put the kettle on, pop your feet up and bask in the glow of a winter day well spent. For more ideas on spending winter in Wales, be inspired by our cottages for Christmas and a variety of alternative New Year breaks, or find even more fabulous walking routes in Wales. You can also add to your winter itinerary with a variety of Christmas markets and events taking place throughout November and December.