The best road trips in Wales

The best things in life are free, as they say, and sometimes there is no better thing to experience in life than seeing something truly spectacular with your very own eyes. Whether you’re looking at heading off on a solo trip of discovery, taking the family on a sightseeing driving tour, or looking for the best driving roads in Wales to explore with the love of your life by your side, we want to make sure you see the absolute best of this beautiful country, which is why we’ve put together a guide to the best places to head for a Wales road trip.

From the dramatic scenery of Snowdonia to the idyllic stop-off points along the stunning coast, to the emerald hills of the Brecon Beacons, where magical waterfalls and enchanting woodland are nestled away just waiting to be discovered; there is so much to adore about this wonderful land, and with so many properties to choose from, you can venture out and see much of it with a stay in one of our cottages in Wales!

Where do you want to road trip in Wales? Skip ahead...

• The Black Mountain Pass
• Swansea to Rhossili
• Abergwesyn Pass
• Aberystwyth to Rhayader
• The Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion coast 
• Betws-y-Coed to Holyhead, via the Llanberis Pass

The Black Mountain Pass, South Wales

Image credit: ma55dan on Instagram

Epic vistas and tight hairpin turns come together in a truly monumental fashion on the Black Mountain Pass. The unrivalled scenery and swooping route create a mammoth road trip that twists its way through the Brecon Beacons National Park, enveloping all there is to love about the region with lush hillsides, flourishing fields and wildlife scattered across every acre. Starting from Llandovery and finishing in Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen, this 20-mile stretch has been featured in many a motor journalist’s glowing write up, not least BBC’s Top Gear, which catapulted the road to infamy.

Stop off and see: The jaw-dropping views are some of the finest in the UK, with ‘dragon humps’ at Pont Aber and Herbert’s Pass being two of the highlights. Weave your way through the pass, dropping low and rising high, crossing paths with tractors, trucks and car enthusiasts, as well as a plethora of wildlife and delightful flora and fauna. You won't find a more remarkable route in Wales, so be sure to stop off at some of the many viewpoints to absorb the spectacle of where you are.

Swansea to Rhossili on the A4118, South Wales

Image Caption: ffilmic on Instagram

The Gower Peninsula is home to some of the most exquisite beaches and coastal scenery in the UK, let alone Wales! Taking this route allows you to start in a city crammed with amenities and cosmopolitan style, before venturing off on a journey through alluring villages and along winding bends. Swansea itself is truly an urban utopia, with a plethora of shops and restaurants to while away the hours. From here, you’ll be travelling into the rural landscapes of the Gower, where the landscapes become increasingly beautiful, and the facilities become markedly less. Heading along the A4118, you’ll encounter the picturesque village of Nicholaston and the hamlet of Knelston to name but a few, before trundling on a little further to the utterly spectacular Rhossili Bay.

The highlights: The sights and sounds of Swansea’s city life! Not least the harbour where you will discover an abundance of restaurants serving delicious food and cuisine from around the world. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for shipwrecks scattered along the bays, too; there’s plenty of historical significance burrowed just beneath the surface of the sands! The beach at Rhossili is named as one of the top ten in the world, so you’ll be sure to experience a tremendous spectacle once you arrive at your end-point. Just park up, hop out, and wander this stunning stretch of sandy heaven with the sea breeze in your hair and uninterrupted views of the sapphire waters.

Stay in South Wales

We have some stunning holiday cottages in South Wales that make the perfect base for driving these breath-taking roads and admiring your enchanting surroundings

Abergwesyn Pass, Powys, Mid Wales

Image credit: sam_tibbs on Instagram

Twisting and turning across green pastures and craggy rock precipices, thick woodland and nerve-jangling descents, this narrow stretch across the Cambrian Mountains is not for the faint-hearted. Taking in the Devil’s Staircase, a tremendously steep section of roadway through desolate sections of Mid Wales, you will experience areas of the country less traversed by many, with lots of secluded spots in which you can revel in the peace and tranquillity of the mountainous scenery all around you. The breathtaking backdrop of snow-capped peaks and quaint little villages contrast each other perfectly to create an inspiring route transcending many other road trips you may have undertaken prior.

The highlights: The Llyn Brianne reservoir. This huge expanse of water sparkles in the sunlight, the sun’s rays dancing off its surface to juxtapose the emerald shimmer of conifer trees huddled all around. Take a moment to breathe in the fresh air, appreciating just how beautiful the place is in which you find yourself.

Aberystwyth to Rhayader via the A4120, Mid Wales

Either way, the sea views at Aberystwyth across the Irish Sea are spectacular! The mountain road across the captivating Cambrians and along the Elan Valley reservoir is utterly enchanting, the colours and contrast of water, wildlife and woodland offering a spectacle of nature that is hard to rival. Meanwhile, Rhayader itself is a pretty little market town full of history, so you’ll have an idyllic place to pootle and explore local Welsh culture too.

The highlights: On your course across the country, you’ll encounter some of Wales’ most prominent landmarks, including Devil’s Bridge Falls and the oldest metal mine in the UK, Cwmystwyth, both of which contrast each other and the history of Wales perfectly, shifting from natural beauty to industrial distinction.

The Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion coast via the A487, West Wales

Starting from the outskirts of Fishguard in Pembrokeshire, it is possible to travel along this beautiful road right along the western coast of Wales, through the heart of Snowdonia and right up to Bangor and the Menai Bridge where you can cross over to Anglesey. Encompassing some of the most breath-taking scenery in the country, you will experience the finest landscapes and sea views imaginable, with many sure to leave you awestruck by their magnificence.

You’ll want to make sure you have some beach essentials packed, covering everything from towels and swimming costumes to sun cream and surfboards. The sun certainly makes this journey shine out that little bit more, but that’s not to stop you heading off with windproof jackets and scarves in the winter months when it’s quieter on both the roads and the bays. Taking you through picturesque Ceredigion and towns and villages such as Cardigan, Aberaeron and Aberarth, your endpoint is Aberystwyth, an utterly delightful market town packed to the rafters with history and colourful houses lining the streets. 

The highlights:  New Quay just off the main roadway. This picture-perfect seaside town is home to a plethora of vibrant, coloured houses, its harbour sprinkled with multicoloured boats, offering delightful photo opportunities before heading back on your journey and stopping at a handful of many glorious secluded bays and sublime stretches of sand, just perfect for dolphin spotting in the turquoise seas or watching the sunset over the horizon.

Stay in West Wales

Stay central to the beauty of the country in a holiday cottage in mid-Wales nestled amongst the valleys. With a choice of directions to head and awe-inspiring spots to uncover, we have some beautiful properties that could be your perfect match.

Betws-y-Coed to Holyhead via the A4086 and Llanberis Pass, North Wales

Be captivated by the sheer beauty of North Wales and Snowdonia by taking this phenomenal road trip. Detour from the main route along the A5 to take the A4086 via Llanberis Pass, and you’ll soon discover the world of wonder that awaits. As you drive alongside lochs and lakes, their waters glistening in the light, you’ll feel a world away from day to day life on this trail. Tight bends and sweeping straights take you through tiny hamlets and dramatic valleys, creating a road that is not only a joy for passengers but the driver too.

Once you’ve experienced the raw natural beauty of Snowdonia and got out the other side at Caernarfon, head along the A487 to catch the North Wales Expressway in Anglesey to finish with a flourish by the beautiful coast.

The highlights: Perhaps the most impressive part of the journey to note is that you will drive right by the peak of Snowdon itself; this phenomenon is sure to take your breath away, even from within a car! Far too extraordinary to continue driving past, give your legs a little exercise and leave your eyes to do the fixating as you explore the lower reaches of this remarkable landmark. It’s also worth bearing witness to the ethereal sight of Swallow Falls, one of Wales’ most stunning waterfalls before leaving Betws-y-Coed.

Stay in North Wales

Nuzzled amongst the mountains and valleys, we have some truly sublime secluded cottages just perfect for you to rest weary feet and heads after days of exploring the winding roads of the region.

Wales road trip map

From the snaking mountainous roads of Snowdonia to the glorious coast roads and infamous Welsh valleys, there is so much you can discover from just hopping in the car and winding the window down as you set off on a road trip of exploration on one of our scenic drives. We’ve got some simply stunning luxury cottages in Wales for you to rest your head, so why not take a look at our collection and start planning your adventure today.