Hikes in Wales

The Pen-y-Fan and Corn Du Circular Walk is an exceptional adventure in Brecon Beacons National Park that will take you up to the summit of the highest and most well-known peak in Wales, Pen-y-Fan. While out walking the trail, you will climb up the mountainside along well-traversed paths, traversing the summit of Corn Du before taking in the breathtaking views atop Pen-y-Fan. While the terrain along this route is fairly rugged, this is arguably the most popular route in the park and is often undertaken by casual walkers and families with children.

There are plenty of ways to climb Snowdon, but the Llanberis Path up Wales’ highest peak could be the perfect option for you! This trail is scenic, but you can breathe easy knowing no demanding technical sections await. As you power your way up, you’ll be treated to expansive views over the surrounding deep blue lakes, imposing peaks, and lush groves of trees. With several sections guaranteed to get the heart pumping, you’ll feel fantastic as you stand atop this legendary mountain!

The Llanbedr loop walk is the perfect way to reconnect with nature without needing to break much of a sweat. This idyllic pathway begins beachside and meanders through the lush rolling fields of Snowdonia National Park, skirting the Morfa Dyffryn National Nature Reserve and the Rhinog National Nature Reserve. Since the path is paved and gains little elevation, it’s perfect for families with strollers and those looking for a less demanding (but still very rewarding) stroll in the outdoors.

The Llyn Padarn loop walk trails alongside the tree-lined Llyn Padarn, a peaceful lake on the border of Snowdonia National Park. This simple, low-effort walk takes you along a wooded path that passes a lovely waterfall and provides excellent views of Snowdon. With modest elevation gain and unique sights like a castle and an Instagram-famous tree, Llyn Padarn is a treat for walkers of all ages.

Cnicht is a 689 m peak in the Moelwynion range known as the “Matterhorn of Wales”. The Croesor ascent is an exhilarating way to conquer this impressive mountain, beginning in the quaint village of Croesor and traversing over a wooded path before ending with a Class 1 scramble to the summit. Here, expansive views of Snowdonia National Park await. While it’s a bit of a leg-burner, the hike up Cnicht from Croesor is a rewarding trek perfect for hikers wanting to test out their scrambling skills.

When choosing a route to ascend Snowdon, the Rhyd Ddu path scores major points for being quieter, less busy, and a heart-pumping trek. Rhyd Ddu offers stunning views over Snowdonia, especially of Moel Cynghorion right beside you, and lightly technical sections to help build your confidence in the mountains. While the end of the path can be a touch harder to follow, you have the option to take a more established route to make your descent a breeze.

Swallow Falls is a short but sweet hike that walks you along the Llugwy River, to Swallow Falls, and onwards to a spectacular viewpoint. The Ty Hyll Tearoom at the Ugly House, which is actually in no way ugly, is a remarkable find, and it makes this short hike that much more distinct.

This walk has everything from waterfalls, to ruins, to an old gold mine! This is a great hike to go on if you want to learn more about Welsh history. It’s also not terribly taxing: a good adventure for the whole family.

A walk up to the height above Barmouth will give you spectacular panoramic views across the Afon Mawddach estuary, up and down the Welsh coast, and out to Cardigan Bay. With a list of views like that, you can see why it’s a hike worth taking.

The Moel Eilio Circular Walk is an excellent choice for a countryside climb. The route is long enough to provide plenty of exercise but not overly strenuous. With its main summit flanked by the two smaller peaks of Foel Gron and Foel Goch, there are plenty of viewpoints to stop and admire the gorgeous Snowdonia scenery.

The Dinas Emrys Trail is a lovely short walk that combines beautiful scenery with ancient Welsh lore. A dragon is said to sleep under the hill, so tread carefully! With lush green woods, splendid lake views, and even waterfalls, there’s much to enjoy on this route.

Y Garn via the Devil’s Kitchen is one of northern Snowdonia’s most popular walks. As the tenth-highest peak in Wales, Y Garn is a proper mountain to conquer, and this route is as straightforward as it gets on the big hills. The Ogwen visitor centre makes for a convenient access point, with the first section of the walk bringing you along the placid shores of Llyn Idwal. Then it’s a steep clamber up the famed Devil’s Kitchen, the most demanding part of the day. The stroll to the Y Garn summit is a rewarding one, with panoramic views of the Carneddau, Glyderau, and even Snowdon itself in the distance. Descending along the northeast ridge provides a wonderful exploration of the mountainside. There’s even a gully to navigate near the end of the route before returning to your starting point.

Carnedd Dafydd and Llewelyn are the crown jewels of the Carneddau, the largest contiguous area of elevation across Wales and England alike. This circular walk tackles both summits on an epic adventure for seasoned hikers. Easy access from the A5 marks the start of a journey, where you’ll cross streams, scramble up steep rocks, stroll along breathtaking ridges, and gaze across all of Snowdonia. The descent is no peach, but views of the lakes and valleys make it all worthwhile. A true journey for a memorable day in the hills!

The Fairy Glen is a mystical treasure along the River Conwy—a can’t-miss highlight when you’re in the area! This short walk takes you across fields and woods, then down a gorge to the water’s edge, with dazzling beauty that has to be seen to be believed. Whether you’re exploring with the kids or taking a romantic stroll, this walk will do the trick. Just don’t bother the sleeping sprites...

A trip to Aber Falls is one of Snowdonia’s most accessible adventures. The start of this well-marked circular walk is barely a mile from the expressway, yet the scenery is just as lovely as anywhere in the park. The Aber Falls themselves are a major highlight, tumbling 37 m over the rock face above, with multiple spots to view them from. With plenty of river crossings and valley views, this is a lovely walk fit for the whole family.

While there are several ways to climb this beloved mountain, walking Cader Idris via the Minffordd Path is perhaps the most scenic of them all. This route starts along rivers and waterfalls, ascends above the placid waters of Llyn Du, and brings out your adventurous spirit while clambering through rocky paths to the panoramic summit of Cader Iris. A second summit of Mynydd Moel is an extra treat to discover before descending through open moorlands with sweeping views of your Snowdonia surroundings.

The Llyn Dulyn circular walk takes you deep into the remote wilds of Snowdonia without having to summit a mountain! A winding rural lane brings you to a valley flooded with light and surrounded by slopes, the imposing Carneddau crags to the west. Walk to the shores of Llyn Dulyn (maybe taking a dip if you’re brave!) and stop by the mountain shelter of Dulyn Bothy. Stroll back through the valley, crossing a river and enjoying the views at every step.

The Llyn Elsi Walk packs plenty of brilliant scenery into a quick adventure from Betws-y-Coed. A well-signed path from the village centre brings you up into the hills right away—a steep ascent that pays off in spades once you reach the lake. A large stone marker heralds a magnificent viewpoint, with spectacular views of the Glyderau and Carneddau mountain ranges to the west and the waters of Llyn Elsi before you. A circuit of the lake follows before returning to the village the way you came. This circular walk has a little bit of everything!

Moel Hebog looms over the village of Beddgelert, inextricably linked to its people and past. While not as tall as its famous neighbour Snowdon, it still makes for a fantastic day of adventure. A circular walk provides easy access to and from the village, with lush forests and breathtaking views to be found along the way.

The Fforest Fawr Circular Walk is a beautifully scenic, albeit tricky to navigate, route in Brecon Beacons National Park that will take you over several mountain peaks to visit a reservoir. While out walking the trail, you will traverse the undulating terrain of the park and climb uphill across Fan Llia to visit the Ystradfellte Reservoir, before traversing Fan Fawr on the return leg. The path can be quite faint in certain areas along this route, so be sure to bring a GPS, trail map, and compass for navigation.