Walking trails in Wales are among the best in the UK. From scenic coastal walks, mesmerising mountain scenery, shimmering lakes and moderate hill climbs, we take a look at our fives best walking trails in Wales.
With mental health experts hoping to encourage Brits to immerse themselves in nature, hitting up the walking trails in Wales is a great way to relieve stress and revitalise body, mind and spirit.
Pembrokeshire Coastal Path
Pembrokeshire boasts one of the most iconic coastlines in the whole of Britain. Taking in almost 60 beaches and 14 harbours, the Pembrokeshire coastal path is not only rated as one of the top five walking trails in Wales but could arguably make it on the list of top five coastal walks in the UK.
The coastline walk starts in the riverside village of St Dogmaels and ends in the small town of Amroth or vice versa. Along the way, you will witness some of the UK’s most idyllic sandy beaches and scintillating seascapes.
In its entirety, the Pembrokeshire coastal path is a whopping 180 miles long so a popular option is to dip in and out as you see fit. Beginners tend to make the 2-3 hour hike from Tenby to Saundersfoot for its spectacular views and secluded coves.
One of the most engaging walks, however, is the quaint trail around St. David’s Head – the smallest city in Wales perched on headland forged from ancient volcanic rock.
A leisurely walk will take around one and a half hours. Start from the Whitesands car park and look out for the several pre-historic monuments including a 4000-year old burial chamber.
Swallow Falls, Snowdonia
Covering a distance of just 6.7km, Swallow Falls is a relatively easy hike but you will need a sturdy pair of walking shoes. It’s ideal for beginners and leisurely hikers visiting for the weekend.
The best place to start is Betws-y-Coed. If you’re travelling by car, you will find a car park near Cunninghams. There are also plenty of cafes and hotels in the village as well as a convenience store.
The Swallow Falls walking trail can be completed in well under 2 hours. Despite the slight ascent up the iconic Snowdon – the highest mountain peak in Wales.
The average walking time is around 1-1.5 hours. Having said that, time is dependent on how often you stop to take in the scenery – and there are ample beauty spots you will probably want to dwell on.
The nature trail surrounds the national park and brings you to a bellowing waterfall and the sweeping Gwydir Forest. Check the weather forecast before you go.
Offa’s Dyke Path
Offa’s Dyke Path is another legendary trail in the UK. The 82-mile long hike connects Sedbury Cliffs with the coastal town of Prestatyn and winds in and out of Wales on the border with England.
The trail predominantly takes you along the banks for the Severn Estuary and passes through the breathtaking Hatterral Ridge of Brecon Beacons National Park.
Although Offa’s Dyke Path is not the longest of walking trails in Wales, it passes through most counties – eight. You will find a visitor centre at Knighton, about halfway along the path. There is a free exhibition and a children’s play area nearby.
To walk the Offa’s Path in its entirety will take three or four days. If you only have a day or two days, you can find descriptions of each part on the National Trail website.
Dinas Oleu
From the charming town centre of Barmouth, the steep climb through the narrow, winding streets and up the hill to Dina Oleu – an ancient Druid word meaning, Citadel of Light.
Unfortunately, there is very little of the citadel remaining, but the pleasant five-acre parcel of land overlooks the sultry waters of Cardigan Bay and the peninsula of Llŷn.
The only remains are the fragmentary Iron Age enclosure situated at the highest point of the hill. It is from here you will have the best vantage point overlooking the stunning views of golden sand beaches and the tiny fishing village below.
We recommend taking a slight detour to the Frenchman’s Grave – the resting place of Auguste Guyard who settled in Wales and tended to the slopes around Dina Oleu after fighting in the Franco-Prussian War.
Glyndŵr’s Way, Mid-Wales
If you’re planning a walking holiday in Wales, you might want to consider Glyndŵr’s Way.
Beginning in Knighton and heading into the East Radnorshire Hills, the 135-mile walk takes you through exciting stretches of ancient woodland, strolling past shimmering reservoirs, deep into wooded valleys and past remote farmland.
Along the way, you will also have the pleasure of meeting friendly locals in the quiet and Uber-charming hamlets of the mid-Wales around the mystical Cambrian Mountains.
Noted as one of the finest walking trails in Wales, the route is named after the legendary Prince of Wales, Owain Glyndŵr’, a Medieval Welsh nationalist leader who organised a rebellion against Henry IV, king of England in the 1400s.
You will want to take some time to spend enjoying the scenery at Lake Vyrnwy and the spectacular setting of Llyn Clywedog. The peace and quiet you will experience in the remote wilderness of the Welsh valleys are truly blissful and unerring.
Download the Sweatcoin app
Sweatcoin intends to encourage the UK population to engage in more exercise and improve the health and wellbeing of the nation.
By downloading the sweatcoin app, you can trace your steps every day. Each step you take counts towards a digital token you can exchange for goods with any of our partners. We have over 300 vendors offering great discounts to choose from.
Whether you’re hiking along the best walking trails in Wales or popping out the corner shop, don’t forget to take your mobile with you and record your steps in the sweat coin app. For every 1000 steps you take, you earn 1 SWC.
