
Best Walks and Hikes in Wales in 2026
Where to Hike in Wales
Activities in Wales
Wales Walks
There are some incredible walking trails to be discovered in Wales. While National Parks such as the Brecon Beacons, Snowdonia and Pembrokeshire Coast National Parks get all the attention, there is great walking throughout the country.
A walking holiday in Wales is not just about great walks, it’s about exploring the pretty countryside, savouring stops in charming little villages, a pint in a cozy local pub or a stunning drive along the coast. A little known fact, Wales is home to three National Parks, three National Trails and more designated Areas of Outstanding Beauty (AONBs) than any other area in the UK So walkers will be absolutely spoilt for choice while discovering the natural beauty of Wales on foot.
Within Wales, discover Britain's only coastal National Park––Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Frequently named one of the world’s most beautiful coastlines, take in the salty sea air, while admiring the crashing waves from high on a cliff. Or, perhaps follow in the footsteps of the ancient pilgrims who walked from Bangor to the treacherous crossing to Bardsey Island, also known as the “Isle of 20,000 saints”. Though, if you’re going to visit one of the more popular spots, you can’t miss the beauty of Snowdonia. This magical region is dotted with incredible, craggy mountain peaks and breathtaking wild moorlands. Considered one of the most underrated hiking destinations in all of Europe, you’re sure to find quiet walking trails bursting with natural beauty.
Have we convinced you? Start planning a walking holiday in Wales today!
What’s New for Walking in Wales in 2026
Wales remains one of the strongest walking destinations in the UK, especially for travellers who want a mix of mountain routes, coastal paths and village-to-village walking. For 2026, the main planning point is to match your route to the season: Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons can be busy on warm weekends, especially around Snowdon and Pen y Fan, while spring and early autumn often bring quieter paths and cooler walking weather. The best walks in Wales range from short lake loops like Cwm Idwal to major mountain days on Snowdon, so check the forecast carefully, carry waterproof layers and give yourself more time than the distance alone suggests.
Best Walks in Wales
Discover the beauty of the soft, rolling hills, pristine lakes and charming forests in Wales. Some of the best hikes in this region are family-friendly or perfect for beginners like Cwm Idwal Walk, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t mountains to get your blood pumping like the summit of Snowdon.
- Rhaeadr Ddu and Coed Ganllwyd Walk: Set out on a riverside walk that strolls alongside the River Gamlan and takes you to the base of stunning Rhaeadr Ddu falls for a pleasant afternoon out.
- Llyn Ogwen Walk: Follow the path to take in incredible mountain views of Tryfan and Glyderau. While the walk involves a little bit of scrambling to start, the rest of the hike follows an easy and enjoyable trail.
- Cwm Idwal Walk: This family-friendly walk is a breeze, delighting little ones with breathtaking waterfalls and incredible secret lakes that remain relatively untouched.
- Swallow Falls Walk: For a quick afternoon stroll, visit the beautiful Swallow Falls. Start off following alongside the Llugwy River and continue until you reach a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the falls.
- Snowdon via the Watkin Path Walk: Skip the crowds and discover a lesser-known route to the summit of Snowdon. This incredibly popular mountain is worth summiting for the incredible views at the top, but on our secret path––seek out a secondary lookout point at Bwlch Ciliau.
- Dolmelynllyn Estate Walk: Discover epic abandoned gold mines on this walk through an incredible estate. You’ll also pass waterfalls, ruins and plenty of historic Welsh historical sites. This walk is not only beautiful, but plenty educational!
- Barmouth Panorama Walk: This hike is great for beginner hikers who want incredible views without the technical challenge. Once at the summit of Barmouth, you can look out over the Afon Mawddach estuary, up and down the Welsh coast, and out to Cardigan Bay.
- Pyg Track to Snowdon and Miner’s Track Walk: This path makes for the shortest walk in Snowdonia, but it’s far from the easiest! Prepare for a very steep ascent and a usually very busy summit, but it’s worth it to take in the incredible mountain views. If you can’t climb, there’s a train that can take you to the tip top!
- Moel Siabod Walk: Adventure out on a naturally stunning trail that provides a little ascent at the end to get the heart pumping! While not overly difficult, the trail passes plenty of picturesque hamlets and old quarries on the way to the top.
- Snowdon Horseshoe Walk: One of the trickier trails in Snowdonia, this path is not for the inexperienced. Tackle the famed Crib Goch to take in one of the most beautiful ridgelines in Wales on this walk––though come prepared for crazy high winds at the top.
Best Walks in Wales by Type
Best Family-Friendly Walks in Wales
- Cwm Idwal Walk is one of the best family-friendly walks in Wales, with a short loop, mountain scenery and a dramatic lake setting that feels adventurous without becoming too demanding.
Best Half-Day Walks in Wales
- Llyn Ogwen walk is a strong half-day choice for big Snowdonia views without committing to a full summit day.
- Pen y Fan and Corn Du Short Walk is one of the most useful routes for walkers searching for South Wales hikes, climbing to the highest peak in South Wales on a direct mountain route.
Best Full-Day Walks in Wales
- Pyg Track to Snowdon and Miner’s Track walk is a classic full-day Snowdon route with high mountain views and a famous approach to Wales’ highest summit.
- Snowdon Horseshoe walk is the most serious option in the list, best saved for experienced walkers who are confident on exposed ridges like Crib Goch.
When is the Best Time to Walk in Wales
We particularly love walking in the shoulder seasons in Wales, between late summer and early autumn for incredible temperatures and smaller crowds. If you plan on tackling any of the surrounding mountain ranges, it’s important to do so when there is no snow, as it can become dangerous to hike in icy conditions.
More than that, the shoulder season offers stunning wildflowers, which bloom late into the fall season. You’ll also be rewarded with quieter hiking trails, as most tourists depart at the end of summer––leaving more to enjoy the cozy lodges and lauded restaurants without having to fight for reservations.
Best Regions to Walk in Wales
Wales offers some amazing hidden gem hiking destinations that continue to fly under the radar and make for incredible wilderness walks. We’ve always had a soft spot for Snowdonia National Park, which features stunning mountain trails and plenty of pristine lakes. Brecon Beacons Walking Routes dazzles with plenty of hidden waterfalls, incredible cave complexes for exploring and even the romantic ruins of a 13th-century castle stand on display. For a unique national park, visit the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park for the only coastal park in the U.K. Find dramatic cliff faces, beautiful deserted beaches and outstanding natural wildlife, like puffins.
Other Activities in Wales
Visitors are often surprised and the plentiful outdoor activities on offer in Wales. It’s one of the best kept secrets in our opinion, leaving plenty of natural beauty to be discovered! Caving is a popular activity in Wales, with some incredible underground worlds waiting to be discovered. For a water-based adventure activity, grab a board and hit the waves for surfing, which you can do in the world’s first inland lagoon that makes for perfect beginner waves. There are also plenty of breathtaking mountains to tackle on two-wheels for an unforgettable mountain biking experience. If you want a supported cycling holiday rather than a route guide, browse our self-guided bike tours in Europe for multi-day cycling trips with logistics arranged.
How to Plan a Trip to Wales
Ready to hit the trails in Wales? We’re here to help make planning your trip easy as 1-2-3! We’ve rounded up all the best places to stay, shop, eat and play in our complete guide to planning a trip to the Snowdonia area in Wales. Now all that’s left is time spent daydreaming and packing your bag!
Self-Guided Wales Walking Tours
If you want the route planning, accommodation and luggage transfers handled, start with our self-guided Wales tours, including the self-guided North Wales Conwy Short Break Tour for a short walking holiday in North Wales and the Offa’s Dyke Self-Guided Walking Tour along the historic England-Wales border. For a wider walking holiday search, browse our self-guided walking tours in Europe.
Walking Near Wales
Wales pairs naturally with other UK walking regions. Across the border, explore walks in England or browse more walking regions in the United Kingdom if you want to combine Wales with the Lake District, Peak District, Cotswolds or Scotland on a longer trip.
Displaying 40 of 128 routes
Route guides for Hiking in Wales
0 hours
144 hours
0
5
0
10
Snowdon Horseshoe Route Guide
Pen y Fan and Corn Du Short Walk Route Guide
Llyn Ogwen Route Guide
Ystradfellte Four Waterfalls Walk Route Guide
Llyn y Fan Fach and Llyn y Fan Fawr Circular Walk Route Guide
Crib Goch Hike Route Guide
Coed y Brenin Walk Route Guide
Brecon Beacons Horseshoe Circular Walk Route Guide
Snowdon via the Watkin Path Route Guide
Parc Bryn Bach Circular Walk Route Guide
Cwm Idwal Walk Route Guide
Torpantau, Corn Du, and Pen-y-Fan Circular Walk Route Guide
Llyn Gwynant Walk Route Guide
Pyg Track to Snowdon and Miner’s Track Route Guide
Llanfrynach and Fan-y-Big Walk Route Guide
Moel Siabod – A Stunning Walk in Snowdonia National Park Route Guide
Usk Reservoir Walk Route Guide
Rhaeadr Ddu and Coed Ganllwyd Route Guide
Talybont Reservoir Walk Route Guide
Pen-y-Fan and Corn Du Circular Walk Route Guide
Llanberis Path to Snowdon Route Guide
Llanbedr Loop Walk Route Guide
Llyn Padarn Walk Route Guide
Cnicht from Croesor Route Guide
Rhyd Ddu to Snowdon Route Guide
Swallow Falls Route Guide
Dolmelynllyn Estate Route Guide
Barmouth Panorama Route Guide
Moel Eilio Circular Walk Route Guide
Dinas Emrys Trail Route Guide
Y Garn via Devil’s Kitchen Route Guide
Carnedd Dafydd and Llewelyn Route Guide
Fairy Glen Gorge Route Guide
Aber Falls Circular Walk Route Guide
Cader Idris via Minffordd Path Route Guide
Llyn Dulyn Circular Walk Route Guide
Llyn Elsi Walk Route Guide
Moel Hebog Circular Walk Route Guide
Fforest Fawr Circular Walk Route Guide
Hay Bluff and Offa’s Dyke Walk Route Guide
1-40 of 128 routes
WE ARE HERE TO HELP
Let someone else do the hard work, book a custom tour in over 85 countries.
Chat with us on our contact page or fill out the form below!