Open Travel Guide
Hiking in Wales

Wales Hiking & Trekking Guide 2026

Where to walk in Wales — from easy half-days to serious treks, with honest difficulty grades.

By Updated Reviewed by Daniel Mercer

Wales has 10+ hiking trails covered in this guide, led by Snowdon via Llanberis Path, Pen y Fan and Corn Du (Brecon Beacons) and Snowdon via Pyg Track. Each entry below includes the practical details — what it costs, when to go, and how to plan around it.

Wales is a Celtic nation of the United Kingdom renowned for its dramatic landscapes, medieval castles, and vibrant culture. From the soaring peaks of Snowdonia to the rugged Pembrokeshire coastline and the charming capital city of Cardiff, Wales offers extraordinary diversity in a compact area. Welsh language, music, and traditions remain alive and celebrated, giving the country a distinct identity that sets it apart from its neighbours.

Top trails

Routes worth lacing up your boots for.

  1. 1

    Snowdon via Llanberis Path

    14.5km (9 miles) return6–8 hours return1,085m (3,560ft) summit

  2. 2

    Pen y Fan and Corn Du (Brecon Beacons)

    8km (5 miles) return3–4 hours return886m (2,907ft) — highest peak in South Wales

  3. 3

    Snowdon via Pyg Track

    11km (6.8 miles) return5–6 hours return1,085m (3,560ft)

  4. 4

    Pembrokeshire Coastal Path (St Davids Head section)

    10km (6.2 miles) circular3–4 hours150m cumulative

  5. 5

    Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach (Glyderau)

    13km (8 miles) circular6–8 hours999m (3,278ft) summit

  6. 6

    Cadair Idris (Minffordd Path)

    9km (5.6 miles) return5–7 hours return893m (2,930ft)

  7. 7

    Worm's Head Walk (Rhossili)

    6km (3.7 miles) return to Worm's Head tip2.5–4 hours (tide-dependent)80m

  8. 8

    Offa's Dyke Path (Llangollen Section)

    18km (11 miles) day section (full path is 285km)5–7 hours (day section)450m cumulative

  9. 9

    Brecon Beacons Four Waterfalls Walk

    11km (6.8 miles) circular4–5 hours280m cumulative

  10. 10

    Vale of Rheidol (Devil's Bridge Walk)

    7km (4.3 miles) loop including gorge descent2.5–4 hours200m

Trail difficulty levels

Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.

Easy

Flat or gentle paths; suitable for casual walkers and families; good footwear but not full walking boots necessary. Examples: Pembrokeshire coastal sections around St Davids, Bute Park Cardiff

Moderate

Some ascent and descent; good walking boots required; suitable for fit walkers. Examples: Pen y Fan from Pont ar Daf, Cadair Idris via Llanfihangel, Brecon Four Waterfalls

Strenuous

Significant ascent, rugged terrain, navigation required; full mountain gear essential. Examples: Snowdon Pyg Track, Glyder Fawr, Cadair Idris Minffordd, Carneddau traverse

When to hike

Seasonal conditions in Wales.

Items

Local hazards

What to watch out for on the trail.

Medium

Hazard: Rapidly changing weather on high ground — always carry full waterproofs and an extra layer regardless of forecast

Medium

Hazard: Tidal cuts: Worm's Head and other coastal headlands have strict tide windows — always check before crossing

Medium

Hazard: Navigation: summit plateaux (Glyderau, Carneddau) have no visible paths in mist — carry a compass and OS map and know how to use them

Medium

Hazard: Exhaustion and hypothermia: Wales rescues many underprepared hikers each year; start early, don't underestimate distance

Medium

Hazard: No mobile signal in many upland areas — download offline maps via OS Maps or ViewRanger

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