Hiking in Wales

Embarking on a hiking adventure in Wales is an exhilarating experience, offering an unparalleled blend of breathtaking landscapes and outdoor exploration. As you traverse the scenic trails of Snowdonia National Park, you’ll be captivated by the rugged terrain, adorned with ancient castles and cascading waterfalls. The Cambrian Mountains beckon with their untamed beauty, providing a challenging yet rewarding ascent for avid hikers. Along the way, you’ll encounter enchanting woodlands, where the vibrant hues of native flora create a picturesque backdrop.

Wales boasts an extensive network of well-maintained footpaths, ensuring that every step unveils a new panorama of rolling hills and pristine lakes. A trek along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path reveals dramatic cliffs and hidden coves, while the Brecon Beacons National Park showcases panoramic vistas that stir the soul. Whether you’re a seasoned trekker seeking mountainous peaks or a leisurely stroller embracing the tranquility of meandering valleys, a hiking holiday in Wales promises an unforgettable communion with nature.

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  4 Waterfalls Walk from Gwaun Hepste Car Park – Brecon Beacons National Park
  The Four Waterfalls Walk in the Bannau Brycheiniog is one of the best walks you can do, and although quite a tough day, it is definitely a family day, and you even get to walk under a waterfall.
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  Sugar Loaf, Abergavenny – Up St Mary’s Vale Wood, Down Deri Allt Valley
  This is the very first mountain I hiked up, and for a long time it was the only one I did every Sunday morning, and gradually I built up the confidence and the kit to go explore other places, but this mountain is a classic, and it has fantastic views, and the good thing is, it has easier & harder routes up and you can add it into other routes just as easily.
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  Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) in Eryri National Park via Watkin Path and South Ridge Circular Walk
  The Watkin Path is one of six routes up to the summit of Yr Wyddfa, and in my opinion it is the toughest, the steep slopes near the top particulary from the Rhyd Ddu Path are challenging, and not to be underestimated. The first part however is an easy gradual climb through the tree’s and then as you enter the clear, you will see the peak and also the Rhaeadrau Waterfalls which you will pass, and maybe as we did, have a little swim in!
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  Blaen-Y-Glyn Waterfalls Circular Walk, Wellington Bomber Memorial & Fan-Y-Big Diving Board
  The Brecon Beacons Blan-y-Glyn Waterfalls has many circular walks you can follow, and this is right up there with one of the best, and is also I’d say in the difficult range, especially if you are doing this in winter. This loop takes in a large number of waterfalls at the start and at the end, a World War 2 Canadian Wellington Bomber memorial, the diving board at Fan-Y-Big then glacial ridge walks most of the way around, it’s a challenging walk, but so rewarding and beautiful.
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  Blorenge Circular Walk, from Llanfoist nr. Abergavenny – The Punchbowl & Keepers Pond
  The Blorenge is one of three mountains that surround the town of Abergavenny, the other two which you can see from the top are the Sugar Loaf and the Skirrid. These are a part of the Black Mountains at the foot of the Brecon Beacons and at the bottom of the Blorenge is the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, which you will walk under as you start this walk.
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  Beat The Beacons (BEAT) 2023 – 22 Mile Endurance Route – Highest points in the Brecon Beacons
  Beat The Beacons starts and finishes at Henderson Hall in Talybont-on-Usk takes place in the Brecon Beacons. There are 3 routes available, 22 miles, 15 miles, and 10 miles. The 22-mile Endurance route visits the highest points in the Brecon Beacons. The 15-mile Adventure route follows a similar path to the 22-mile route, but avoids the highest points. The 10-mile Taster route is a walk on lower elevation footpaths, designed for lesser experienced walkers, families, and children.
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  Crickhowell, Llangattock Escarpment circular up to Craig Y Cilau & visit Eglwys Faen or Church Cave
  Crickhowell and Llangattock have a large number of hiking and walking routes in and around the villages and mountains, and this once again starts in the Crickhowell Secondary school car park, which is always available to park in as I mostly head out on Sundays, so when visiting Crickhowell, be sure to try that School car park first.
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  Twmbarlwm Walk Circular – Iron Age Hill Fort above Cwmcarn, South Wales
  Many people will know this area for different reasons, the Cwmcarn forest drive is very popular and a really nice day out, and this mountain is also very popular with mountain bikers, and add in the Twmbarlwm Walk, and you have an all-round beautiful spot for everyone, this is a beautiful walk, topped off with a visit to the Iron Age Hillfort.
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  Talgarth Walking Festival – The Three Pens of Crickhowell Circular
  The 2023 Talgarth Walking Festival, the 9th event, took place between Friday April 28th and Monday May 1st. This year they had 26 walks which covers all tastes and abilities, and we choose one on the Sunday which was called ‘The Three Pens of Crickhowell’. The three Pens being ‘Pen Gloch-y-pibwr’ (675m), ‘Pen Allt-mawr’ (720m) & ‘Pen Cerrig-calch’ (711m).
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  The South Wales Three Peaks Trial Challenge 2023 – In Partnership with Outdooractive
  The South Wales Three Peaks Trial is an organised challenge walk arranged each year in March by the Cardiff Outdoor Group. Since 2010 Longtown Mountain Rescue Team provide support with marshalls on all the mountain top checkpoints.
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  Horseshoe Ridge Walk Circular – Brecon Beacons – Fan-Y-Big, Cribyn, Pen-Y-Fan & Corn-Du
  The best place to start for the Horseshoe Ridge Walk is in my opinion the Neuadd Car Par, it has the same postcode as the others, but if you’re using Google Maps to drive there, then use Neuadd Car Park Brecon Beacons
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  Dragons Back & Waun Fach Circular – Pengenffordd, Black Mountains
  The Dragons Back as you can imagine is named because you have a collection of up and down mounds that resemble the back of a sleeping dragon, as you walk up to the ‘Waun Fach’ (Small Moor) peak. This peak is the highest mountain in the ‘Black Mountains’ and the second highest peak in Southern Britain at 811m, after Pen Y Fan, which isn’t too far away.
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  The Kymin Circular, Monmouth – River Wye, Wye Valley Walk, Redbrook and the Offas Dyke Path
  Take a blanket and a bit of food and relax by the river under a tree, or on the way to The Kymin, it’s a unique walk that has a beautiful river, loads of land, Wye Valley Walk the Offa’s Dyke path, The Kymin and Monmouth itself!
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  Sugar Loaf Circular, Abergavenny – Classic, Easier, Shorter Route
  This is the very first mountain I hiked up, and for a long time it was the only one I did every Sunday morning, and gradually I built up the confidence and the kit to go explore other places, but this mountain is a classic, and it has fantastic views, and the good thing is, it has easier & harder routes up and you can add it into other routes just as easily.
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  Wye Valley Walk – Old Station Tintern, Cleddon Falls, River Wye back to Brockweir Bridge Circular
  The Wye Valley Walk can be picked up at various points, and just outside Tintern there is a little gem called the ‘Old Station Tintern’ it is the perfect place to start a hike. The Old Station Tintern has a good safe car park, and then huge open areas to explore, and recently they refurbished some railway carriages which you can walk through and learn a huge amount about the local history and information. I have posted all the pics below, so you can see for yourself.
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  Chepstow, Tutshill, Lancaut Walk, Wintour’s Leap, Woodcroft Circular – Monmouthshire
  Described as one of the most diverse wooded areas in Britain, you are walking through a secluded and mystical woodland alongside the River Wye, you will hopefully see Peregrine Falcon’s, discover St James’s Church which was built in 1100’s and make your way to ‘Wintour’s Leap’ high above the River Wye on limestone cliffs.
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  Chepstow 365 Steps, Tintern Abbey & Local Industrial History, St Arvans Circular
  The Wye Valley is such a beautiful area. This route starts at Lower Wyndcliff car park, heads to the Eagle’s nest via the 365 steps, then along the Wye Valley Walk to Tintern Abbey, you will see the industrial history of the Anghidi Valley & Tintern Abbey Furnace, the ancient iron foundry & returning through woodlands to St Arvans & back to Wyndcliff.
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  Crickhowell to Sugar Loaf, Abergavenny Circular
  It’s amazing how many of our walks have started in Crickhowell, and they are all different, and this is another special one as on the way you pass by some of the most beautiful Welsh cottages I have ever seen, and the lush green fields and woods as you head to the Sugar Loaf in Abergavenny, makes this really special.
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  Table Mountain Crickhowell, Pen Cerrig Calch (Peak), Glanusk Estate, Llangattock – Circular
  This walk I think has the best variety of tracks of all the walks, it’s not the highest peak, it’s not the longest, it’s not as famous as the Dragons Back walk just up the… Read more: Table Mountain Crickhowell, Pen Cerrig Calch (Peak), Glanusk Estate, Llangattock – Circular
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  Chepstow 365 Steps, up to a Farm House, down to St-Arvans Circular with my daughter
  This walk starts just outside Chepstow about half way to Tintern, and has spectacular views of the River Wye, the Severn Bridges, Chepstow Racecourse and the beautiful Wye Valley, also taking in the 365 steps… Read more: Chepstow 365 Steps, up to a Farm House, down to St-Arvans Circular with my daughter
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  Pen Y Fan Sunset Walk in June – Organised by Mike Croft at Undy & Redwick Roadrunners
  This is my third attempt at the Pen Y Fan sunset walk, haven’t done the sunrise yet, as in fairness it’s very early, and I try not to get up too early on the weekends,… Read more: Pen Y Fan Sunset Walk in June – Organised by Mike Croft at Undy & Redwick Roadrunners
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  2022 the year I gained walking buddies. We talk, have a laugh and take in the Welsh mountains.
  I started walking around 5 years ago, it was a way to get out and just do something different, that wasn’t expensive, didnt require much planning and almost top of the list was to help… Read more: 2022 the year I gained walking buddies. We talk, have a laugh and take in the Welsh mountains.
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  Abergavenny 3 Peaks 43km Challenge for charity – Campaign Against Living Miserably
  The ‘Abergavenny 3 Peaks’ are a group of stunning mountains, which includes the Blorenge, the Sugar Loaf and the Skirrid, all in close proximity to the town centre, which makes it a brilliant 3 peak… Read more: Abergavenny 3 Peaks 43km Challenge for charity – Campaign Against Living Miserably
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  Cloud Inversion experience from the Sugar Loaf Mountain in the Brecon Beacons
  Setting off on my usual Sunday morning walk up the Sugar Loaf in Abergavenny, was I in for a nice surprise, a ‘Cloud Inversion’ which I had no way of being appreciated from the bottom… Read more: Cloud Inversion experience from the Sugar Loaf Mountain in the Brecon Beacons