Wales fits three national parks, three National Trails and 15 summits over 3,000 feet into a country only about 170 miles from top to bottom. That density is what makes hiking here so rewarding. You can scramble up Tryfan in the morning and be eating dinner in Betws-y-Coed by early evening, or spend a week on Glyndŵr’s Way through mid Wales and barely meet another walker.
Where to Hike in Wales: Eleven Regions Compared
Each region has its own character, from the crowded classic paths on Yr Wyddfa to empty moorland in the Cambrian Mountains. Use this to match the hills to your experience and the kind of day you want — click a region to jump straight to its routes.
Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)
Highest: Yr Wyddfa, 1,085m
Best for: a first big summit on well-made paths
Try: the Pyg Track
Northern Eryri
Highest: Carnedd Llewelyn, 1,064m
Best for: scrambles and high plateaus
Try: Tryfan North Ridge
Southern Eryri
Highest: Aran Fawddwy, 905m
Best for: big days with fewer people
Try: Cadair Idris via Minffordd
Central Bannau & Black Mountains
Highest: Pen y Fan, 886m
Best for: grassy ridges and half-day summits
Try: the Cwm Gwdi horseshoe
Wye Valley & Monmouthshire
Highest: The Kymin, 245m
Best for: river gorge views and border history
Try: the Kymin
Western Bannau
Highest: Fan Brycheiniog, 802m
Best for: glacial lakes, legends and dark skies
Try: the Carmarthen Fans
Gower Peninsula
Highest: Rhossili Down, 193m
Best for: short, airy ridges above the beaches
Try: Rhossili Down
Cambrian Mountains
Highest: Pumlumon Fawr, 752m
Best for: solitude and river sources
Try: Pumlumon from Eisteddfa Gurig
Pembrokeshire Hills
Highest: Foel Cwmcerwyn, 536m
Best for: prehistoric ridgeways with sea views
Try: the Golden Road
This guide is for hill days: summits, ridges, scrambles and multi-day trails, each with distance, ascent, timing and a start point you can put straight into a sat nav. If you are after shorter family strolls, waterfall trails or step-free paths, our guide to walking in Wales covers those in detail.
This guide contains affiliate links. If you book through our partners we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps keep Wales.org free.
Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon): All Six Summit Paths
At 1,085m, Yr Wyddfa is the highest mountain in Wales and England. Six main paths reach the summit from different valleys, and all of them are well trodden in summer. The top is shared with the Snowdon Mountain Railway station, so it gets busy on fine afternoons. Start early or choose one of the western paths if you want space.
Llanberis Path
- Distance9 miles return
- Ascentc. 975m
- Time6–7 hours
- StartLlanberis village (LL55 4TY)
The gentlest gradient on the mountain, running roughly alongside the railway from Llanberis. It is the longest of the six but the easiest to follow, with the seasonal Halfway House café at about the midpoint. There is no National Park car park at the start, so use the pay car parks in the village.
Pyg Track
- Distance7 miles return
- Ascentc. 720m
- Time5–6 hours
- StartPen-y-Pass (LL55 4NY)
Starting at 359m from Pen-y-Pass gives the Pyg Track less climbing than the Llanberis Path, even though it is steeper and rockier. The final zigzags lead up to Bwlch Glas, where it meets the Llanberis Path and the railway for the last half mile to the summit.
Miners’ Track
- Distance8 miles return
- Ascentc. 720m
- Time5–6 hours
- StartPen-y-Pass (LL55 4NY)
A broad, almost level track past Llyn Teyrn and over the causeway across Llyn Llydaw to the ruined copper mine buildings beside Glaslyn. The easy start ends abruptly: the climb from Glaslyn up to the Pyg Track is steep, loose in places and the hardest part of the day.
Watkin Path
- Distance8 miles return
- Ascentc. 1,015m
- Time6–7 hours
- StartPont Bethania car park, Nant Gwynant
Opened in 1892 by Prime Minister William Gladstone, who addressed a crowd from the boulder now called Gladstone Rock. It starts lower than any other path, so it involves the most climbing of all six, and the final section across loose scree below the summit needs real care, especially in descent.
Rhyd Ddu Path
- Distance7.5 miles return
- Ascentc. 895m
- Time5–6 hours
- StartRhyd Ddu car park (LL54 6TN)
The quietest of the main paths, starting beside Rhyd Ddu station on the Welsh Highland Railway. The upper section follows Bwlch Main, a narrow ridge with steep drops on both sides that feels exposed in a strong wind but rewards you with views over Llyn Cwellyn and the Nantlle Ridge.
Snowdon Ranger Path
- Distance8 miles return
- Ascentc. 935m
- Time6 hours
- StartSnowdon Ranger car park (LL54 7YS)
The oldest recognised path on the mountain, named after a 19th-century guide who worked from the inn at its foot, now a youth hostel. It is a steady climb above Llyn Cwellyn with long views west towards the Llŷn Peninsula.
For more detail on the classic Eryri summits, see our best mountain walks in Eryri (Snowdonia).
Northern Eryri: Tryfan, the Glyderau and the Carneddau
North of Yr Wyddfa, across the Llanberis Pass and the Ogwen Valley, the mountains get rockier and the crowds thin out. Ogwen Cottage beside Llyn Ogwen on the A5 is the hub for most of these routes.
Tryfan North Ridge
- Distance3 miles return
- Ascentc. 620m
- Time3–5 hours
- StartA5 lay-bys beside Llyn Ogwen
Tryfan (917m) is the one Welsh mountain with no walking route to the top that avoids using your hands. The North Ridge is a Grade 1 scramble on solid rock, short in distance but slow going. On the summit stand two stone pillars, Adam and Eve, and tradition says bold climbers step from one to the other. Not for anyone uneasy with exposure.
Y Garn via Cwm Idwal
- Distancec. 5 miles circular
- Ascentc. 700m
- Time4–5 hours
- StartOgwen Cottage (LL57 3LZ)
A well-built path climbs past Llyn Idwal, voted one of Britain’s greatest natural wonders in a 2005 poll, before a steep pull up Y Garn’s north-east ridge to the 947m summit. The views span the Carneddau, the Ogwen Valley and across to Yr Wyddfa. Descend past Llyn Clyd back to the Idwal path for a satisfying half-day out.
Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach via the Devil’s Kitchen
- Distance6 miles circular
- Ascentc. 900m
- Time5–7 hours
- StartOgwen Cottage (LL57 3LZ)
A pitched path climbs into Cwm Idwal, the first National Nature Reserve in Wales, before tackling Twll Du (the Devil’s Kitchen), a dark cleft in the cliffs. Above it lies Glyder Fawr (1,001m) and a boulder plateau leading to Glyder Fach (994m) and the famous Cantilever Stone. Descend by Y Gribin ridge back to Llyn Idwal.
Carneddau Circuit
- Distance10 miles
- Ascentc. 1,100m
- Time7–8 hours
- StartOgwen (LL57 3LZ)
The Carneddau form the largest area of high ground in Wales. This circuit climbs the brutally steep south ridge of Pen yr Ole Wen (978m), then follows a broad, airy whaleback over Carnedd Dafydd (1,044m) to Carnedd Llewelyn (1,064m), with wild Carneddau ponies often grazing the upper slopes. A serious mountain day where map and compass skills matter.
Moel Siabod via Daear Ddu
- Distance6 miles
- Ascentc. 750m
- Time4–5 hours
- StartPont Cyfyng, near Capel Curig
Moel Siabod (872m) stands apart from the main ranges, which is why its summit gives one of the finest views of the Snowdon Horseshoe. Climb past old slate quarries to Llyn y Foel, then up the Daear Ddu ridge, an easy scramble that is optional for most of its length. A good choice from a base in Capel Curig or Betws-y-Coed.
Our guide to the best one-day hikes in North Wales has more routes across this area.
Southern Eryri: Cadair Idris, the Rhinogydd and the Arans
The southern half of the national park, between Dolgellau, Harlech and Bala, holds some of the most rewarding hiking in Wales with a fraction of the traffic on Yr Wyddfa. Expect rougher paths and more navigation.
Cadair Idris via the Minffordd Path
- Distance6 miles circular
- Ascentc. 880m
- Time5–6 hours
- StartDôl Idris car park, Minffordd
The Minffordd Path climbs through oak woodland beside Nant Cadair to Llyn Cau, a glacial lake under sheer cliffs, then follows the rim of the cwm to Penygadair (893m). Local legend says anyone who spends a night on the summit wakes up either a poet or mad. The return over Mynydd Moel completes one of the best circuits in Wales.
Rhinog Fawr via the Roman Steps
- Distancec. 5.5 miles return
- Ascentc. 650m
- Time4–5 hours
- StartCwm Bychan, near Harlech
The Rhinogydd are the roughest mountains in Wales underfoot, with deep heather, tumbled boulders and few clear paths. The Roman Steps, a line of flagstones that is almost certainly medieval despite the name, lead from Cwm Bychan into the heart of the range before a steep, pathless pull to Rhinog Fawr (720m).
Aran Fawddwy from Cwm Cywarch
- Distancec. 7 miles return
- Ascentc. 750m
- Time5–6 hours
- StartCwm Cywarch, near Dinas Mawddwy
At 905m, Aran Fawddwy is the highest mountain in southern Eryri, taller than Cadair Idris, yet it sees only a trickle of walkers. A steep pass climbs from the head of Cwm Cywarch to a long grassy ridge with views towards Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake). Stay on the agreed paths, as much of the range is working farmland.
Central Bannau Brycheiniog and the Black Mountains
Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park contains four upland areas: the Central Beacons, the Black Mountains in the east, and Fforest Fawr and Y Mynydd Du (the Black Mountain, singular) in the west. The hills here are grassier and gentler than Eryri, but the north-facing escarpments are steep and the weather turns quickly.
Pen y Fan from Pont ar Daf
- Distance4.5 miles return
- Ascentc. 500m
- Time2.5–3.5 hours
- StartPont ar Daf, A470 (LD3 8NL)
The shortest route to the highest point in southern Britain. A wide, stone-pitched path climbs from the A470 to Corn Du (873m) and on to Pen y Fan (886m). It is the busiest hill path in Wales on summer weekends, so arrive before 8am or come midweek.
Corn Du, Pen y Fan and Cribyn from Cwm Gwdi
- Distancec. 7.5 miles circular
- Ascentc. 750m
- Time4–5 hours
- StartCwm Gwdi car park, south of Brecon
The finest ridge walk in South Wales and far quieter than the A470 approach. Climb the long spur of Cefn Cwm Llwch to Corn Du and Pen y Fan, then drop to the col and climb Cribyn (795m), whose summit looks straight back at Pen y Fan’s north face. Keep well back from the edge in cloud.
Sugar Loaf (Pen-y-Fâl)
- Distance4 miles return
- Ascentc. 250m
- Time2–3 hours
- StartNational Trust car park, Mynydd Llanwenarth, above Abergavenny
At 596m the Sugar Loaf is modest in height, but its isolated cone makes it feel much bigger. From the upper car park it is an easy climb over open common to a rocky summit with views across the Usk Valley and the Black Mountains. A good first summit for older children.
Ysgyryd Fawr (The Skirrid)
- Distance3.5 miles return
- Ascentc. 350m
- Time2–3 hours
- StartCar park on the B4521, east of Abergavenny
Known as the Holy Mountain, Ysgyryd Fawr (486m) has a deep landslip cleft on its western side that legend links to the Crucifixion. A few stones of the medieval chapel of St Michael still mark the summit. It is also the first hill on the Beacons Way.
Hay Bluff to Waun Fach
- Distancec. 12 miles return
- Ascentc. 600m
- Time6–7 hours
- StartGospel Pass car park below Hay Bluff
The Black Mountains offer longer, lonelier walking on broad moorland ridges. This route climbs Hay Bluff (677m) and Twmpa (Lord Hereford’s Knob) before heading south along the plateau to Waun Fach (811m), the highest point in the range. Navigation is tricky in mist, as the ground is featureless. Combine it with a stay in Hay-on-Wye.
See the full Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) guide for towns, attractions and places to eat around the national park.
Wye Valley and Monmouthshire: Border Hills and River Views
The hills either side of the lower Wye Gorge are modest in height but dramatic in setting, with limestone cliffs, ancient woodland and the ruins of Tintern Abbey below. Both routes here follow a stretch of the Offa’s Dyke Path, which runs the length of the valley.
The Kymin from Monmouth
- Distancec. 4 miles return
- Ascentc. 220m
- Time2–3 hours
- StartMonmouth town centre
A steep climb on the Offa’s Dyke Path out of Monmouth leads to the 245m summit of the Kymin, a National Trust property with a round house and Naval Temple built in 1800 by local gentlemen as a dining club. The view stretches down the Wye Valley, into Bannau Brycheiniog and across to the Malvern Hills in England.
Devil’s Pulpit from Tintern
- Distancec. 3 miles return
- Ascentc. 300m
- Time2–3 hours
- StartTintern village (NP16 6SE)
A short, sharp climb from Tintern onto the Offa’s Dyke Path reaches the Devil’s Pulpit, a limestone outcrop with the single best view of Tintern Abbey below, framed by a loop of the River Wye. Legend says the Devil preached from this spot to tempt the monks away from their order.
See the full Wye Valley guide for Tintern Abbey, castles and where to stay.
Western Bannau: The Carmarthen Fans and Fforest Fawr
West of the A470 the national park empties out. The escarpments of Y Mynydd Du are among the most dramatic in Wales, and the whole national park is an International Dark Sky Reserve, so a clear evening here can end under the Milky Way.
The Carmarthen Fans from Llyn y Fan Fach
- Distancec. 8 miles return
- Ascentc. 700m
- Time5–6 hours
- StartCar park near Llanddeusant, below Llyn y Fan Fach
A track leads up to Llyn y Fan Fach, where legend says a lady rose from the water to marry a local farmer, and her sons became the Physicians of Myddfai. From the lake, climb onto the escarpment and follow its edge over Picws Du (749m) to Fan Brycheiniog (802m), with sheer drops to Llyn y Fan Fawr below.
Fan Fawr from Storey Arms
- Distance2.5 miles return
- Ascentc. 300m
- Time1.5–2 hours
- StartStorey Arms, A470
Fan Fawr (734m) sits across the A470 from Pen y Fan and gets a fraction of the visitors. A short, steep climb up grassy slopes leads to a summit inside the Fforest Fawr UNESCO Global Geopark, with a head-on view of the Central Beacons. Ideal when Pen y Fan is overrun.
Gower Peninsula: Hills Above the Beaches
Gower, the first place in Britain to be designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is better known for its beaches than its hills, but the heather-topped ridges running down its spine make for short, satisfying half-day walks with sea views in every direction. None of Gower’s summits reach 200m, which makes this a good region for an easy day between bigger mountain outings.
Rhossili Down
- Distancec. 4 miles circular
- Ascentc. 230m
- Time2–3 hours
- StartRhossili village car park (SA3 1PL)
The Beacon, at 193m, is the highest point on Gower and the finest short walk in the region. A steep pull up from Rhossili village reaches the ridge of Rhossili Down, with Rhossili Bay and Worm’s Head laid out below and views across to the Preseli Hills and Y Mynydd Du on a clear day. Return along the beach at low tide for a change of scenery.
Cefn Bryn
- Distancec. 4 miles return
- Ascentc. 150m
- Time2 hours
- StartReynoldston, or the car park near Arthur’s Stone
Cefn Bryn is a long, open ridge running across the middle of the peninsula, easy underfoot and never far from a road. Walk out to Arthur’s Stone, a Neolithic burial chamber capped by a huge glacial boulder, then continue along the ridge for panoramic views over Three Cliffs Bay to the south and the Loughor Estuary to the north.
See the full Gower Peninsula guide for beaches, villages and where to eat.
The Cambrian Mountains: Mid Wales Wilderness
The Cambrian Mountains are sometimes called the Desert of Wales, not for their climate but for how few people live there. This is rolling, boggy upland where you can walk all day without meeting anyone, and the Elan Valley on its eastern edge is an International Dark Sky Park. Base yourself in Rhayader, Llanidloes or elsewhere in Powys.
Pumlumon Fawr from Eisteddfa Gurig
- Distance5.5 miles return
- Ascentc. 400m
- Time3–4 hours
- StartEisteddfa Gurig, A44 east of Ponterwyd
Pumlumon Fawr (752m) is the highest point in mid Wales, and three rivers rise on its slopes: the Severn, the Wye and the Rheidol. A farm track and then a moorland path lead to the summit cairns. Owain Glyndŵr won the Battle of Hyddgen in the valleys below in 1401.
Drygarn Fawr from the Abergwesyn Valley
- Distancec. 6 miles return
- Ascentc. 400m
- Time3–4 hours
- StartAbergwesyn valley, north of Llanwrtyd Wells
Drygarn Fawr (645m) is crowned by two huge beehive-shaped cairns that you can see for miles across the empty moorland. Paths are faint and the ground is wet, so treat this as a navigation exercise as much as a hike.
North East Wales: The Clwydian Range and the Berwyn
The hills of North East Wales are the closest Welsh uplands to Chester, Liverpool and Manchester, which makes them ideal for a weekend. Heather moorland, Iron Age hillforts and the Offa’s Dyke Path define the area.
Moel Famau and the Jubilee Tower
- Distance3 miles return
- Ascentc. 250m
- Time1.5–2 hours
- StartBwlch Penbarras car park, between Ruthin and Mold
Moel Famau (554m) is the highest point of the Clwydian Range, topped by the ruined Jubilee Tower built in 1810 for George III’s golden jubilee. The route follows the Offa’s Dyke Path along the ridge, with views to Yr Wyddfa on a clear day. One of the best family summits in Wales.
Moel Arthur and Penycloddiau
- Distancec. 4.5 miles circular
- Ascentc. 350m
- Time2–3 hours
- StartMoel Arthur car park, between Nannerch and Llangwyfan
A quieter alternative to Moel Famau, following the Offa’s Dyke Path over two of the best-preserved Iron Age hillforts in the Clwydian Range. Penycloddiau (440m) is one of the largest hillforts in Wales by area, while Moel Arthur (456m), a tightly defended fort steeped in local legend, gives views as far as Eryri on a clear day.
Cadair Berwyn via Pistyll Rhaeadr
- Distancec. 7 miles circular
- Ascentc. 650m
- Time4–5 hours
- StartTan-y-Pistyll, near Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant
Start beneath Pistyll Rhaeadr, at 80m the tallest single-drop waterfall in Wales, then climb to Moel Sych (827m) and along the ridge to Cadair Berwyn (832m), the highest point of the Berwyn. Return past Llyn Lluncaws, a small lake tucked under the crags. Few walkers, big views.
Castell Dinas Brân from Llangollen
- Distance2.5 miles return
- Ascentc. 230m
- Time1.5–2 hours
- StartLlangollen town centre
A short, steep climb from the town to the ruins of a 13th-century Welsh castle on a hilltop above the Dee Valley. The summit looks across to the limestone cliffs of the Eglwyseg escarpment, and the Panorama Walk below them makes an easy extension.
Pembrokeshire Hills: The Preseli Mountains
Pembrokeshire is famous for its coast, but inland the Mynydd Preseli rise to over 500m with sea views on three sides. These hills are dotted with burial cairns, stone circles and outcrops linked to the bluestones of Stonehenge.
The Golden Road across the Preseli Hills
- Distancec. 8 miles linear
- Ascentc. 350m
- Time4–5 hours
- StartBwlch Gwynt (B4329) to Crymych
A prehistoric ridgeway along the spine of the Preselis, passing Bronze Age cairns, the crags of Carn Menyn associated with the Stonehenge bluestones, and the Iron Age hillfort of Foel Drygarn at the eastern end. Foel Cwmcerwyn (536m), the highest point in Pembrokeshire, is a short detour south. It is linear, so arrange a lift or use two cars.
Carn Ingli from Newport
- Distance3 miles return
- Ascentc. 280m
- Time2 hours
- StartNewport (Trefdraeth), Pembrokeshire
Carn Ingli, the Mount of Angels, is a craggy hill above Newport linked to the 6th-century saint Brynach, who is said to have talked with angels on its summit. The top is ringed by the stone ramparts of an Iron Age hillfort and looks out over Newport Bay and Cardigan Bay.
Llŷn Peninsula and Anglesey: Hills Above the Sea
The hills on the Llŷn Peninsula and Anglesey are small, but they rise straight from the sea and carry some of the best preserved prehistoric sites in Britain. Perfect for a half day when the high mountains are in cloud.
Yr Eifl and Tre’r Ceiri
- Distancec. 4.5 miles return
- Ascentc. 400m
- Time3 hours
- StartCar park above Llithfaen, on the road to Nant Gwrtheyrn
Yr Eifl (564m) is the highest of three peaks above the north Llŷn coast. On its eastern summit sits Tre’r Ceiri, an Iron Age hillfort with the remains of around 150 stone huts inside its walls, one of the finest of its kind in Britain. The views take in Eryri, Anglesey and, on a clear day, Ireland.
Holyhead Mountain from South Stack
- Distancec. 4.5 miles circular
- Ascentc. 220m
- Time2–3 hours
- StartRSPB South Stack car park, Holy Island
Mynydd Twr (220m) is the highest point on Anglesey, with the remains of Caer y Twr hillfort and a Roman watchtower on top. Loop back past South Stack lighthouse and its seabird cliffs. On a clear day you can see the Mourne Mountains and the Isle of Man.
Long-Distance Hiking: National Trails and Multi-Day Routes
Wales has three official National Trails, all waymarked with the acorn symbol and well served by guidebooks and baggage transfer companies. Alongside them run tougher unofficial routes such as the Beacons Way and the Cambrian Way.
Pembrokeshire Coast Path
- Distance186 miles
- Time10–15 days
- RouteSt Dogmaels to Amroth
- Opened1970
Almost entirely within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, this is the most dramatic coastal trail in Britain. Don’t let the sea level fool you: the constant climbs in and out of coves add up to a total ascent often compared with climbing Everest. See our coast path planning guide for stages.
Offa’s Dyke Path
- Distance177 miles
- Time12–14 days
- RouteSedbury Cliffs (Chepstow) to Prestatyn
- Opened1971
Follows the 8th-century earthwork King Offa of Mercia built along his border with the Welsh kingdoms, crossing between Wales and England more than 20 times. The high Hatterrall Ridge in the Black Mountains and the Clwydian Range near the northern end are the highlights.
Glyndŵr’s Way
- Distance135 miles
- Time9–12 days
- RouteKnighton to Welshpool via Machynlleth
- Opened2002
A horseshoe through the hills of mid Wales named after Owain Glyndŵr, who was proclaimed Prince of Wales in 1400 and held a parliament at Machynlleth in 1404. One of the quietest National Trails in Britain, with sparse accommodation that should be booked well ahead.
Beacons Way
- Distance99 miles
- Timec. 8 days
- RouteAbergavenny to Llangadog
- Opened2005
Crosses Bannau Brycheiniog from east to west over Ysgyryd Fawr, the Black Mountains, Pen y Fan and the Carmarthen Fans. Waymarking is limited on the open moorland, so you need confident map and compass skills.
Cambrian Way
- Distancec. 298 miles
- Time3–4 weeks
- RouteCardiff to Conwy
The toughest long-distance walk in Wales, linking most of its highest ground including Pen y Fan, Pumlumon, Cadair Idris, Yr Wyddfa and the Carneddau. It is largely unwaymarked and suited only to experienced, self-sufficient hill walkers.
Wales Coast Path
- Distance870 miles
- Time6–8 weeks
- RouteChester outskirts to Chepstow
- Opened2012
Opened in May 2012, it follows the entire Welsh coastline and, combined with Offa’s Dyke Path, creates a continuous route of over 1,000 miles around Wales. Most people walk it in sections. Our walking in Wales guide picks out the best coastal day walks.
Where to Base Yourself for a Hiking Holiday
The right base cuts hours of driving and lets you pick your hill on the morning, depending on the forecast. These towns and villages sit closest to the routes in this guide.
Northern Eryri
Llanberis for Yr Wyddfa; Capel Curig and Betws-y-Coed for Tryfan, the Glyderau, the Carneddau and Moel Siabod. The Sherpa’r Wyddfa bus links them to the trailheads.
Southern Eryri
Dolgellau for Cadair Idris and the Arans; Harlech for the Rhinogydd and the coast.
Bannau Brycheiniog
Brecon for Pen y Fan; Abergavenny or Crickhowell for the Sugar Loaf, the Skirrid and the Black Mountains; Llandovery for the Carmarthen Fans.
Wye Valley & Monmouthshire
Monmouth for the Kymin; Tintern or Chepstow for the Devil’s Pulpit and the lower Wye Gorge.
Gower Peninsula
Swansea or Reynoldston for Rhossili Down and Cefn Bryn, both an easy half-day from a city base.
Mid Wales
Rhayader, Llanidloes or Machynlleth for Pumlumon, the Elan Valley and Glyndŵr’s Way.
North East Wales
Llangollen for the Berwyn and Dinas Brân; Ruthin for the Clwydian Range.
Pembrokeshire, Llŷn & Anglesey
Newport or Fishguard for the Preseli Hills; Nefyn for Yr Eifl; Holyhead or Trearddur Bay for Holyhead Mountain.
Self-catering cottages work well for hikers: somewhere to dry boots, cook a proper meal and leave early without fitting around breakfast times.
Only got a couple of nights? Our short breaks in Wales guide has weekend ideas that pair well with a summit day.
Guided Hiking in Wales
A qualified guide takes care of navigation and safety and adds local knowledge you won’t find on a map. For summer hill days, look for leaders holding Mountain Training’s Mountain Leader award; for scrambles such as Tryfan, or winter days with snow and ice, choose a member of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI) or a mountain guide.
Supported trips on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path and Offa’s Dyke Path move your luggage between overnight stops, so you walk with a daypack only.
Hiking Safety in Wales: What to Wear and Carry
Mountain weather in Wales changes faster than most visitors expect. Temperatures fall by around 6 to 7°C for every 1,000m of height, so the summit of Yr Wyddfa is usually several degrees colder than Llanberis, and wind chill can make it feel well below freezing in winter even when the valley is mild.
Check the Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS) before any hill day. It forecasts summit-level wind, cloud and temperature for Eryri and for Bannau Brycheiniog, which is very different from the valley forecast on a general weather app.
Frequently Asked Questions: Hiking in Wales
How hard is the hike up Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)?
The main paths are demanding but achievable for any reasonably fit adult with proper boots and waterproofs. Expect 5–7 hours return and 720m to over 1,000m of climbing depending on the path. The Llanberis Path has the gentlest gradient; the Pyg and Miners’ Tracks are shorter but steeper. The main risks are weather and inadequate kit rather than technical difficulty.
Do I need to pre-book parking to climb Yr Wyddfa?
Only at Pen-y-Pass, which serves the Pyg and Miners’ Tracks. It is pre-book only through JustPark during the main season, which ran from 28 March to 1 November in 2026. Outside those dates it reverts to first-come parking. Otherwise use the Nant Peris Park & Ride and the Sherpa’r Wyddfa bus, or start from Llanberis, Rhyd Ddu or the Snowdon Ranger car park.
What is the best hike in Wales?
It depends on your experience. Yr Wyddfa via the Pyg Track is the classic. Tryfan’s North Ridge is the best scramble. Corn Du, Pen y Fan and Cribyn from Cwm Gwdi is the finest ridge walk in South Wales. Cadair Idris via the Minffordd Path is one of the best mountain circuits in the country, and the Carmarthen Fans are the most dramatic hills in the far west of Bannau Brycheiniog.
When is the best time of year to hike in Wales?
May and June give long daylight hours, often settled weather and quieter paths. July and August are busiest. September is quieter with good conditions on many days. From November to March, snow and ice can make the high mountains serious, and routes such as Yr Wyddfa may need an ice axe, crampons and winter skills.
Which Welsh mountains are good for children?
Moel Famau in the Clwydian Range and the Sugar Loaf near Abergavenny are short summits suited to younger walkers. Pen y Fan from Pont ar Daf and Holyhead Mountain suit children aged around 8 and over. Yr Wyddfa is achievable for fit children of about 8 and older on the Llanberis Path or Miners’ Track with proper clothing. For flat family walks and waterfalls, see our walking in Wales guide.
How many National Trails are there in Wales?
Three: the Pembrokeshire Coast Path (186 miles), Offa’s Dyke Path (177 miles) and Glyndŵr’s Way (135 miles). The 870-mile Wales Coast Path and the 99-mile Beacons Way are major long-distance routes but are not National Trails.
Do I need a guide to hike Yr Wyddfa?
Not in summer. The main paths are clear and well used, and fit adults with good footwear and a map can complete them unaided. A guide is recommended in winter, when snow and ice make the paths hazardous, or for walkers who want extra confidence on a first big mountain.
More Hiking and Walking Guides on Wales.org
- Walking in Wales: family, coastal and waterfall walks
- Walking Holidays in Wales
- Best One-Day Hikes in North Wales
- Best Mountain Walks in Eryri (Snowdonia)
- Coast Path Planning Guide
- Eryri (Snowdonia) Destination Guide
- Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) Guide
- Pembrokeshire Guide
- Gower Peninsula Guide
- Wye Valley Guide
- Camping and Wild Camping in Wales
Pembrokeshire-born travel writer and founder of Wales.org. Born in Haverfordwest, now based in Hertfordshire — covering Welsh castles, national parks, festivals and family staycations across all 22 Welsh counties.
