Hikes in Wales

Elidir Fawr is known as the “Electric Mountain” for the hydro station hidden deep within—and the views from the top will have you feeling pretty electric yourself. This walk from Deiniolen offers convenient access to the northern reaches of the Glyderau range, with four summits to conquer. It’s an excellent adventure for seasoned walkers with a half-day to spare.

Rhinog Fawr is known as one of Snowdonia’s wildest mountains. This walk from Graigddu-isaf provides relatively easy access to one of the most remote and breathtaking corners of Snowdonia National Park. It’s a climb that requires a good deal of effort and route-finding, but the views from the summit are worth the work.

As the tallest mountain in Wales, Snowdon offers plenty of choices for exploring its legendary slopes. This route via the South Ridge provides some respite from the seemingly inescapable crowds while also providing convenient access from the village of Rhyd-Ddu. Easily navigable trails lead you past abandoned quarries and up the South Ridge to Snowdon’s peak before descending along the Rhyd-Ddu path back to your starting point. This is a perfect option for those keen on a big adventure with a little less route-finding expertise.

A walk along the Roman Steps is a wondrous adventure back in time. While the Romans may not have actually laid down the steps themselves, their medieval origins provide a historical complement to the stunning natural beauty surrounding them. This out-and-back walk starts from the car park at the eastern end of Llyn Cwm Bychan, travelling along a well-worn path to the edge of the Rhinog Natural Nature Reserve. Through wood and fields, over rivers and streams, this is an excellent choice for a straightforward outing with plenty of opportunities to extend the adventure.

This out-and-back walk up Yr Aran from Rhyd Ddu offers a fantastic adventure with the convenience of easy access and shorter time requirements than many of Snowdonia’s famous peaks. A path from the car park leads you up through open grassland, and your main ascent includes a stone wall for guidance. Panoramic views of Snowdon and the Rhinogydd mountains greet your arrival at the summit, and returning is as easy as retracing your steps.

The Roman Steps are found in one of Snowdonia National Park’s most remote areas, perfect for those keen on a proper adventure. This circular walk begins and ends along the shores of Llyn Cwm Bychan. The paths are narrow and rugged in many spots, so take care as you work your way along these medieval slabs. There are plenty of lakes and rivers to spot from various points around the loop.

The Torrent Walk is a lovely choice for families, friends, or simply anyone that loves a good riverside outing. The shores of the Afon Clywedog make for a beautiful walk, with woods full of oak trees and bluebells to explore. It’s a simple circuit along both sides of the river, with convenient access from the town of Dolgellau less than three miles away.

The Aber Falls Lollipop Walk is one of the many routes for enjoying these beautiful waterfalls. A clear path leads south from the Aber Falls car parks towards the main site, with a handful of vantage points for admiring the river as it tumbles over the cliffs. A separate path on your return provides a bit of height for newly found views before linking up with the main path to bring you back to the start.

Cader Idris is one of Snowdonia’s most beloved mountains, and the Pony Path is the easiest way to summit it! This out-and-back walk leads through a short section of woods and rivers before steadily climbing up the slopes of Cader Idris. The path is well-maintained and easy to follow, with just enough scrambling near the top to provide that kick of adventure you’re looking for on a proper mountain walk. With spectacular views accompanying your every step, this route is a sure-fire winner.

For a full-day adventure in Snowdonia, the Moelwyn Mawr circular walk is a fantastic choice. This route includes three summits that provide a hearty challenge and wonderful scenery, without some of the steeper or more technical portions that its neighbours present. Setting off from the village of Croesor, you’ll tackle the grassy slopes of Moelwyn Bach before crossing over to the rockier Moelwyn Mawr with views over Llyn Stwlan. Then it’s an exploration of the abandoned Rhosydd quarry before turning at the shores of Llyn yr Adar for your final ascent of Cnicht. A lovely stroll back through the forest concludes the circuit.

The Coed Nant Gwernol walk is a quick and easy circular route that offers convenient village and railway access. The Nant Gwernol River is the central focus, with verdant woods and tumbling waterfalls to enjoy. Remnants of old quarries and railways make for interesting points of exploration.

Rhobell Fawr may not be one of Snowdonia’s tallest or most striking mountains, but its relative isolation provides plenty of room for views. Known for its lovely summer wildflowers, Rhobell Fawr is a great option for a hearty yet not overly taxing day on the hill. Best of all, there are very few crowds to deal with here.

Harlech to Llandecwyn is a beautiful walk that follows an ancient Bronze Age route through the Snowdonia foothills. The iconic Harlech Castle makes for an impressive starting point. A winding countryside path passes through massive standing stones and sublime prehistoric monuments as you walk north to Llandecwyn.

Arenig Fawr is a central Snowdonia mountain offering spectacular views in every direction from its summit. This out-and-back route starts just across the road from Llyn Celyn and meanders around the shores of Llyn Arenig Fawr before tackling the mountain itself. A memorial at the top provides a slice of historical context to this particular peak.

The Moel Eilio Local’s Walk is a short and sweet outing to the summit of Moel Eilio. This is an excellent choice for those who don’t have the time or inclination to tackle the circular walk that includes several of Eilio’s neighbours. The trail is well-worn and easy to follow, with very few turns to navigate.

Llyn Mair was created in the late 19th century as a father’s gift to his daughter, and it remains the perfect place for families today. With over 30.0 km of footpaths to explore, it’s a charming area to bring the kids or just to stroll around and enjoy the scenery. Don’t forget a picnic lunch—the perfect way to extend your outing at the lake!

If you can only scramble up one mountain in Wales, Tryfan has to be the pick. This iconic peak is best climbed via the North Ridge, the most direct and recognized route to the summit. With plenty of famous sights accompanying the steep ascent, this is a bucket-list adventure for those with experience and a head for heights.

Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach are two of the most iconic peaks in the entire UK! These neighbouring summits combine rugged terrain and incredible views with relatively easy access. This circular walk starts from the shores of lovely Llyn Ogwen, ascending Glyder Fawr via the Devil’s Kitchen and some challenging rocky scree. From the summit of Glyder Fawr, the stroll across to Glyder Fach provides stunning scenery in all directions. Massive boulder cairns and the iconic Cantilever Stone greet you at the top of Glyder Fach. Multiple routes for descent give you options to suit the weather and your skill set. Return along the shores of Llyn Bochlwyd to wrap up a fantastic adventure.

Aran Fawddwy is the only peak in South Snowdonia to tower over 900 m, and climbing it from Llanuwchllyn is a daunting task with major rewards in store! With plenty of kilometres ahead and even some fun scrambling sections, the walk up Aran Fawddwy is worth it for the airy views over the Arans and Snowdonia beyond. While normally challenged from Cywarch, the route from Llanuwchllyn is a lightly-travelled, nature-wrapped adventure just waiting for you.

Of all the trails up Snowdon, Ranger Path is one of the easiest to follow. This rewarding trek delivers all the spectacular views you’d expect from Wales’ highest mountain, but without the crowds, technical sections, or route finding of other paths. Enjoy conquering Ranger Path and revel in the best view available over Snowdonia National Park from the summit.