The 5 Best Hiking Trails in Wales

With so many options to choose from, deciding where to go on a hiking break in Wales is no easy feat. To help you out and offer some inspiration, we’ve rounded up our top 5 best hiking trails in Wales.

Wales is renowned for its wild, unspoilt mountainscapes and picturesque coastline. With such incredible natural landscapes on offer, one of the best things to do and ways to discover the country is to go hiking.

What to Pack for Hiking Holidays in Wales

Breathable Base Layers

When hiking in Wales, it’s all about staying comfortable no matter the weather. Pack breathable base layers that keep you warm and dry when it’s cool. Merino wool, lightweight microfibre jackets and thin-wicking t-shirts are ideal. Base layers are not only great for temperature control, but also pack down small, taking up little space in your bag.

A Wind and Waterproof Jacket

A wind and waterproof jacket is one of the most important items of clothing to bring when hiking in Wales. Weather in the UK is unpredictable, a sunny day at the foot of a mountain may be very different at the summit. A good jacket keeps you dry in sudden downpours and protects you from strong winds, ensuring comfort in any conditions..

Hiking Boots

The hiking trails in Wales often lead you through stunning, unspoilt wild spaces, where the terrain is unpaved and uneven. To keep your ankles safe and supported, it’s important to wear a substantial pair of walking boots.

A good pair of walking boots should provide the support your feet and ankles need to navigate the rugged terrain. Keeping you comfortable and safe as you explore the rocky mountain paths and muddy forest trails.

The Best Hiking Trails in Wales

Offa’s Dyke Path

Offa’s Dyke Path is one of the best hiking trails in Wales. The 285-km route runs along the Welsh-English border, serving up breathtaking countryside landscapes along the way. Along with offering beautiful natural scenery, the trail also has a fascinating history.

Called Clawdd Offa, in Welsh the route is named after King Offa, the Anglo-Saxon King (AD 747 and 796). He seized power at a time of significant unrest between England and what is now Wales.

To resolve conflict and establish authority, he ordered the construction of a massive earth wall and dyke (or ditch). This defensive structure would serve as a boundary between Wales and England. The undertaking was immense, with various sections built by workers from different districts, showcasing the remarkable unity of the kingdom.

Offa’s Dyke Path: Mid, South and North Sections

Many sections remain visible today offering hikers in Wales fascinating insights into the landscapes history. Offa’s Dyke’s Path begins near Chepstow, by the the Severn Estuary and ends at Prestatyn in the north.

As you might expect from one of the best hiking trails in Wales, the scenery along the route is stunning. The path leads you through Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park and three National Landscapes: Wye Valley, Shropshire Hills and Clwydian Range & Dee Valley.

En route, you’ll pass riverside meadows, rolling hills and idyllic heather-carpeted peaks. Given the path’s length, we offer trips that explore various sections of the route. With Offa’s Dyke Path: Mid offering a 115-km trek through ancient woodlands, charming towns, and historic landmarks.

Offa’s Dyke Path: South, spans 90 km long and takes you over the Black Mountains and beautiful villages. Offa’s Dyke Path: North features limestone quarries and remarkable sights like the UNESCO World Heritage Site Llangollen Canal & Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.

Up for a challenge? You can combine the entire Wales Coast Path with Offa’s Dyke Path, to create the ultimate Wales hiking trail.

Gower Coastal Path

Gower is one of the most beautiful coastal hiking trails in Wales. The scenery along the Gower Area of Outstanding Beauty is stunning, including golden-sand beaches, craggy headlands and picturesque salt marshes. In fact, it was the first ever designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the UK. Areas of Outstanding National Beauty (AONB) have been elevated to National Landscapes since 2023.

Walkers can complete the Gower Coastal Path in between three and four days. The route winds around the coastline, beginning in either the charming village of Crofty or the seaside village of Mumbles. One of the highlights of the path is Penrhyn Gwyr (Worm’s Head).

The mile-long tidal island offers a challenging trek with rocky and uneven terrain, but its sea-serpent-like shape is incredibly beautiful. Llanrhidian Sands and the surrounding salt marshes, are a bird lover’s paradise, attracting oystercatchers, pintails and golden plovers.

The route is a part of the 1,400 km Wales Coastal Path, a continuous footpath along the country’s entire coastline. Along the Gower Coastal Path, you can spot dolphins, porpoises and sea birds including, Manx Shearwater, Guillemot and the rare Chough.

Below the cliffs, you may also catch a glimpse of Atlantic grey seals, dolphins, and porpoises. With such spectacular scenery and diverse wildlife, this route easily ranks as one of the best hiking paths in Wales. If you don’t fancy walking, however, you can explore the beautiful South Wales coast on two wheels instead.

To simplify your adventure, we’ll organise daily luggage transfers, so you can enjoy the journey without carrying your belongings.

Pembrokeshire Coast Path

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path is one of the best hiking trails in Wales. The 299km route guides walkers along some of the most breathtaking coastal scenery in the whole of the UK. Starting in Amroth it winds its way to St Dogmaels, taking you through the stunning Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. It’s one of the longest and oldest sections of the Wales Coast Path, with hints of human activity from Neolithic times.

As you hike, you’ll be treated to incredible views of rugged limestone cliffs, beautiful glacial valleys, and rolling sandstone bays. In total, you’ll cross 58 beaches and 14 harbours. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path is ideal for those looking for a challenging coastal hiking trail in Wales.

Its 10,660m of ascent and descent are said to be equivalent to climbing Everest. Like the sound of this hike but don’t fancy hiking the equivalent of Everest? You can just do a section of it, to find out how get in touch with experts like us! We are familiar with the trail and can recommend the best section based on your experience level.

Great for wildlife lovers, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path takes you through RSPB bird nesting sites and seal breeding grounds.

Completing the hike usually takes between 12 and 15 days. With its diverse and breathtaking coastal scenery, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path is truly hard to beat.

Anglesey Coast Path

Escape to the Isle of Anglesey to complete another of Wales’ most scenic hiking trails. The Anglesey Coast Path follows most of the island’s coastline, offering diverse scenery from salt marshes and cliffs to woodlands.

Holyhead Mountain, the highest peak on the island, is one of the highlights of the 200 km hike. It stretches 220m high and is brimming with wildlife including snakes and lizards. Plus seals can often be seen playing in the waters.

The Sea Arches at Bwa Gwyn (Rhoscolyn) is another fantastic section of the Anglesey Coast Path. The dramatic arch lies right on the cliff edge, where pristine turquoise waters lap below. Serving up glorious coastal views, Anglesey Coast Path offers one of the best hiking experiences in Wales.

The Anglesey Coast Path takes hikers past the historic South Stack Lighthouse, perched on a small island accessible by over 400 steps. Along the northern section, you’ll find wide, sandy beaches, perfect for a peaceful break during your hike.

History enthusiasts will appreciate the route’s ancient sites. The Neolithic burial chambers at Bryn Celli Ddu and Iron Age huts near Holyhead Mountain add a historical touch to the natural beauty of the trail.

You can explore the Anglesey Coast Path on a private group Adventure in North Wales, while enjoying more of the top things to do in Wales, such as canyoning and white water rafting.

Whether you like your walks with a side of natural scenery, history or wildlife, this route has something for everyone. With so much to offer, it’s no surprise that many consider it the best walking trail in Wales.

Cambrian Way

The Cambrian Way is a spectacular 480 km hike that takes you from Cardiff Castle in South Wales to the picturesque fortress town of Conwy in the north. The trek takes you through some of the most beautiful places to go hiking in Wales.

Beginning in the capital, you’ll make your way through some of the region’s most rugged and untamed landscapes, including the country’s highest mountain Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). The majority of The Cambrian Way runs between Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) and Yr Wyddfa (Snowdonia).

One for the experienced hikers, completing The Cambrian Way is no walk in the park. It includes a challenging 22,500m ascent, plus much of the route traverses open access land and mountain ridges with unclear paths, which means you’ll need solid map-reading and navigation skills to stay on track and make your way through.

While the route can be pretty demanding, the beautiful scenery makes it all worth it. There’s something really special about having those remote, gorgeous landscapes all to yourself.

Along the way, you can stay in cosy bothies, bunkhouses, bed and breakfasts, hostels or camping. Interested in tackling the Cambrian Way? So, whether it’s the whole trail or just a section – we organise custom hiking tours in Wales. Let us help you create the perfect itinerary to match your ability and schedule.

If you’re on the lookout for long-distance hiking trails in Wales, The Cambrian Way is an amazing option.

Summary

We are spoilt for choice when it comes to places to go hiking in Wales. From a trail tracing back to an Anglo-Saxon king, to picturesque coastal paths by protected bird-watching areas and seals, there are so many incredible adventures to be had exploring this magnificent country.

Fancy a hiking adventure in Wales? Adventure Tours UK has a superb selection of self-guided and small group walking and trail running tours on offer. Reach out to plan your dream holiday exploring the best hiking trails in Wales.