Croeso (welcome) to Wales: a land of epoch-defining history, castles galore, ravishing beaches, and mountains of myth. The country may appear small; however, the recent launch of three national touring routes, The Wales Way, shows just how big Cymru really is.
Plan your road trip in search of stiff-booted hikes, one-pub hamlets, or game-changing restaurants. Your only decision: will you go west, north, or straight down the middle?
The Cambrian Way
This is the big one. Ffordd Cambria (Cambrian Way) is an epic 185-mile trip along the dragon’s backbone of Wales, from the north coast to the south. En route, you can spot seascapes, castle-encrusted hillsides, high-level walks, petrol-blue reservoirs, and Snowdonia’s moody, skyscraping peaks in one of Britain’s most stirring landscapes — and the country’s Welsh-speaking heartland.
The cheery seaside town of Llandudno, with one of the UK’s loveliest Victorian piers, is your jump-off point. From here, the road rolls south, with arresting views of broad-shouldered peaks and slate-roofed hamlets on almost every bend. First up: the Bodnant Estate ensconced in the hilly woodlands of the lower Conwy Valley, featuring Italianate landscaped gardens and spirit-lifting mountain views. Skirting the eastern fringes of the 823-sq-m Snowdonia National Park, you could ramp up the action surfing at inland lagoon Surf Snowdonia, treetop zip-lining at Zip World Fforest, caving at Go Below, or riding Britain’s steepest mining cable railway into the 1846 Llechwedd Slate Caverns. Such highlights have put North Wales on the map as the UK’s adventure capital.
The North Wales Way
To explore the 75-mile Ffordd y Gogledd (North Wales Way), reaching from the Isle of Anglesey to Chester, you’ll need to igam-ogam, as the Welsh say, or zigzag, allowing room for detours as your spirit guides you.
Anglesey, Wales’ largest island, is a taste of what the region has to offer, with its stunning coves, surf-battered beaches, low-key fishing villages, and abundant prehistoric sites. The island’s western area is Holyhead, where ferries breeze across the choppy Irish Sea to Ireland, best sighted from the lighthouse on the wave-pounded rocky islet of South Stack. Ynys Llanddwyn at the island’s southernmost tip features a crag-topped lighthouse and ruins. North brings you to Plas Newydd on the shores of the Menai Strait, a romantic 18th-century manor with landscaped gardens.
Further north, discover the first of Edward I’s ‘iron ring’ of four World Heritage castles: Beaumaris. This moated fortress consolidates the king’s Welsh conquests. Before heading over the industrial-era Menai Bridge to the mainland, try to snag a table at Michelin-starred Sosban & The Old Butchers, featuring creative riffs on local produce. On the mainland, delve into Caernarfon Castle, which boasts polygonal towers and immense historical prowess. Afterward, pop into the low-beamed, 16th-century Black Boy Inn for a pint in one of Wales’ oldest inns.
Back on the route proper, Conwy captivates as Britain’s most complete walled town, with an impressive castle. Across the river, Llandudno is a charming Victorian seaside resort offering fun and true wilderness at nearby Great Orme.
The Coastal Way
The 180-mile Ffordd yr Arfordir (Coastal Way) weaves together spectacular coastal scenery, bounded by the Irish Sea to the west and high mountains to the east. From south to north, charismatic St Davids, the UK’s smallest city, is a launchpad for exploration. Here, a grand medieval cathedral stands, signifying one of Wales’ holiest pilgrimage sites. The surrounding Pembrokeshire Coast National Park entices adventure seekers with coasteering, surfing, or hiking along the breathtaking Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
Beyond St Davids, Abereiddi’s strikingly blue Blue Lagoon attracts swimmers and cliff-divers. Close by, enjoy expansive views at Porthgain, a delightful harbor home to the Sloop Inn for traditional pub fare, and The Shed, serving fresh seafood delights.
Swinging north, explore Abercastle, beloved by kayakers and walkers, the traditional woollen mill of Melin Tregwynt, and the remote Preseli Hills. Further north, the historic Cardigan Castle hosted the first National Eisteddfod in 1176.
Drive north to discover Llanerchaeron’s Georgian estate, and the university town of Aberystwyth, notable for its hilltop National Library and narrow-gauge Vale of Rheidol Railway. Before crossing the River Dyfi into Snowdonia National Park, enjoy a meal at Michelin-starred Ynyshir.
The last leg of your drive unveils coastal beauty after coastal beauty: the broad sands of Barmouth, Harlech Castle, vibrant Portmeirion, and the world’s oldest surviving narrow-gauge railway, the Ffestiniog Railway.
Explore the rich wildlife of the Llŷn Peninsula before concluding at the quaint, whitewashed town of Aberdaron.
This article was produced by GoTravelDaily for Visit Wales. All editorial views reflect GoTravelDaily’s policy of independence and impartiality.
