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Endless greenery dotted with cotton wool sheep, wonderfully wild coastlines, and quaint towns and villages that belong on a film set. Of course, it could only be Wales.
From rugged rural areas to charming coastal towns and cities, what better way to explore Wales in all its finest than by embarking on an epic cross-country road trip? Perhaps you’ve got a static caravan in North Wales , or maybe you’ve already fallen in love with the beautiful beaches of Pembrokeshire, and now you’re eager to experience Wales in more depth. Whether you’re a local or a first-timer, a road trip makes for an adventurous and worthwhile way to explore the country (without having to navigate public transport or consider cycling in Wales!)
Beyond key tourist landmarks like Snowdonia, the Brecon Beacons, and Cardiff, a completely unsuspecting side to this naturally striking country lays waiting to be discovered.
Curated by Visit Wales, The Wales Way comprises a series of three iconic routes to follow by car, bicycle or on foot across Wales, connecting the dots between stunning natural landscapes, and popular manmade attractions. The three routes include The Cambrian Way, The Coastal Way and The North Wales Way.
While each route has its own unique character and offering (‘countryside’, ‘sea’ and ‘culture and castles’, respectively), together, they highlight over 400 miles of Wales’ most jaw-dropping scenery. Explore them all if you can, or just follow one or two if your time in Wales is limited.
Here’s what you need to know about each:
The Cambrian Way
To tour Wales from top-to-bottom, get yourself onto The Cambrian Way. It takes you from the seaside town of Llandudno in Conwy, north-west Wales, right down to the lively capital city of Cardiff in the south. At 185 miles long, this is the longest of The Wales Way routes, taking you on a tour across mid Wales. If you can’t choose between a relaxing trip in remote rural north or mid Wales, or an adventurous stay in the bustling capital, this route offers the best of both worlds.
What’s more, as you’ll also get to pass through two National Parks – Eyri (Snowdonia) and Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), this route is a great choice for anyone with their heart set on visiting these top Welsh attractions. With spectacular views of the imposing Cambrian Mountains, it’s the ideal setting for a Welsh road trip to remember.
The Coastal Way
If you’d prefer to venture a little more off-the-beaten-path, The Coastal Way route could be perfect for you. At 180 miles in length, this route is almost as long as The Cambrian Way, passing through fishing villages and harbour towns dotted along the coastline, along the entire length of Cardigan Bay. You’ll begin your journey in St David’s, Pembrokeshire – named after the Welsh patron saint, St. David – and finish up in Aberdaron, at the end of the Llyn Peninsula.
Dolphin and seal sightings are common in this part of Wales, so arm yourself with a decent pair of binoculars to watch from the coastline, or treaty yourself to a dedicated dolphin-spotting boat trip. The picturesque Strumble Head Lighthouse in Pencaer, near Fishguard (pictured above) is particularly popular for dolphin-spotting. Be sure to check out the guide to Fishguard’s food and drink scene I wrote for Visit Wales, if you’ll be visiting the area. And, that’s not to forget the beloved puffins which live just off the Pembrokeshire coast, on Skomer Island!
The North Wales Way
If you’ve been dreaming of exploring North Wales by car, The North Wales Way is the route for you. You’ll travel from Holyhead, Anglesey to Broughton, Flintshire (near the border with England), covering 75 miles from east to west.
Be sure to schedule a stop at the 13th century St Asaph’s Cathedral, and the prehistoric stone monoliths in Anglesey, besides some of most well-known castles in Wales, like Conwy and Beamaris.
This is one of the most traditional parts of Wales you can visit, so you can look forward to hearing locals speak in the traditional Welsh language, not to mention eating your body weight in authentic Welsh foods like Welsh rarebit, Welsh Laverbread, and Glamorgan sausages.
Which of these Welsh road trip routes are you going to follow? Let me know in the comments.
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