Wales is truly a place of natural wonder, with wild and mountainous scenery, stunning shorelines and incredible local legends surrounding it all. When it comes to exploring, we can’t think of a better way than on foot. Breathing in the fresh air and feeling the rocky ground beneath your feet is a surefire way to fall madly in love with Wales. This is why we wanted to share our favourite walks in Wales with you.
They vary a bit in difficulty, region and scenery, so there’s sure to be something for everyone. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just love an amble in nature, this collection of some of the best walks in Wales will have you strapping on those walking boots and enjoying nature! And don’t feel bad if you can’t pronounce some of these names – we can’t either.
St David’s Head
The Pembrokeshire coast is an iconic piece of British seascape, and one of the most gorgeous ways to experience is it the coastal walk around St David’s Head. St David’s Head is a headland forged of ancient volcanic rock located just a few miles from St David, the smallest city in Wales.
Walking at a leisurely pace, it shouldn’t take more than an hour and thirty minutes to walk the trail beginning at Whitesands car park. In other words, perfect for a sunny Saturday morning. Along the path, you’ll come across several pre-historic monuments (including a 4000-year old burial chamber), and you’ll get a great view of the stunning rocky seascape Pembrokeshire is known for.
Cwm Llwch
Beneath the highest Brecon Beacons peaks in South Wales, a challenging 8-kilometre hike will take adventurous walkers to the summit of Pen y Fan, the highest mountain in Britain. Perfect for a day-long outing, it will take at least five hours to complete the trail.
It will take you past the legendary Llyn Cwm Llwch; a glacial lake left over from the end of the last ice age which is said to be home of an invisible and enchanted island of faeries. Another story you’ll hear about the area is about little Tommy Jones, a boy who got lost in the Brecon Beacons never to return. Don’t worry though, the path is quite safe and the views on a sunny day are unbeatable.
Cwm Idwal
This list would not be complete without our favourite walk in Snowdonia, Wales’ oldest and most famous nature reserve. The walk around Cwm Idwal, which is a bowl-shaped hollow surrounding the sparkling and clear ice-age lake of Llyn Idwal. It shows off some seriously breath-taking mountain-scenery and feels perfectly emblematic of Snowdonia.
The walk is about 5km long and relatively challenging although it shouldn’t take more than three hours to complete. On your descent, you’ll also spot some views of Llyn Ogwen where King Arthur’s famous sword is said to lay buried.
Looking for somewhere to relax afterwards? Check out our cottages to rent in Snowdonia.
Dinas Oleu (Barmouth)
Dinas Oleu, meaning Citadel of Light, is an exceptional place for walking in Wales as it is the very first area donated to the National Trust. This was done by a Mrs Fanny Talbot in 1895, and it is still a beautiful piece of land to explore Welsh nature and history. A two-hour walk will take you through Barmouth Old Town and up to the hill itself.
The walk will uncover dramatic views over Cardigan Bay and Mawddach Estuary, as well as lead you on a special detour to the Frenchman’s Grave. The grave is the final resting place of local legend Auguste Guyard, who spent his life after the Franco-Prussian war tending to those very slopes. He was buried in the very place he loved the most, and we’re sure you’ll fall in love with it too.
Worm’s Head
Much more magical than its name might have you believe, the Worm’s Head just outside Rhossili in Gower, gets its name from the Nordic ‘wurm’ meaning dragon. Personally, we think Dragon’s Head, would’ve been a more suitable name but we’re not in touch with whoever decides these things. What makes the Worm’s head one of the best walks in South Wales it that you can only reach it at low tide for about four hours a day but feeling like you’re standing at the very edge of the world is well worth it.
Worm’s Head is a short and easy 1.5km walk there and back from Rhossili beach, which features the beautiful views of the bay and passes the remains of an old iron age fort. A special treat is that you can still see the shipwreck of the Helvetica from the beach at low tide.
If you’re feeling just about ready for a taste of one or more of these beautiful walks in Wales, but you’re still not totally sure where to stay on your trip – look no further! We’ve got some seriously gorgeous holiday homes in Wales to get the best out of walking and hiking trails, and if you need any help at all with your search, our concierge team is always on standby to assist you. If you’re situated in the North and would rather stay a bit closer to home, we’ve also rounded up the best walks in the Lake District, and our England Coastal Path blogs encompass all the glorious English coast that is soon to make up the world’s longest coast path.
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