Wales is an idyllic setting for a walking holiday, from the lush landscapes of the national parks to the stunning coastlines, we have routes suitable for all kinds of hikers.
In this article, I’ll share the best places in Wales to base yourself for a walking holiday with access to plenty of hiking and walking trails. So grab your boots, and let’s get started!
Note: If you’re looking for multi-day walks with overnight stays, you’d be better off seeing my article on the best long-distance hikes in Wales.
1. Llanberis, Snowdonia
The most obvious place to stay in Wales for those that enjoy walking is Llanberis in Snowdonia. The small village sits at the foot of Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales (shown above), and the main path to the summit begins right in the village itself.
As well as the mighty mountain, you can also visit Padarn Country Park where you’ll find a route that will take you around the lake (allow up to 3 hours for this) as well as several smaller waymarked trails.
It’s not just the hikes that make Llanberis one of my favourite places to stay in Snowdonia. It’s also home to the National Slate Museum, the ruins of Dolbadarn castle, a scenic lake railway, and lots of amazing viewpoints.
2. Beddgelert, Snowdonia
Beddgelert is another of my favourite spots to base yourself in Snowdonia. The village itself is a cute stone village that’s full of charm and character. But walkers will be especially drawn to the large number of walking trails that begin and end in this area.
My personal favourite is the Dinas Emrys Trail which begins at the National Trust car park just outside the village. Not only will you be rewarded with stunning views of the lake, Llyn Dinas, and right across the Nantgwynant valley, but it’s also a route with historical significance and a story that ties in with the origin of the red Welsh dragon.
There are lots of other walks around Beddgelert for all difficulties, including the easy Beddgelert circular trail through the village (where you’ll see the grave of Gelert the dog), the Lôn Gwyrfai Trail, and the more challenging Moel Hebog Circular.
3. Anglesey, North Wales
Anglesey is the large island in North Wales, connected to the mainland by two bridges. Being an island, it’s a great spot if you enjoy coastal walks as the Anglesey coastal path runs around the entirety of the coastline.
Of course, this is a little too long to walk in one go (unless you enjoy multi-day trekking), but there are some great parts that you can cover such as Beaumaris to Penmon Point and the Church Bay to Ynys Y Fydlyn circular walk.
Anglesey has a lot of diversity so if you prefer mountain walks, you can check out Holyhead mountain, those that enjoy lake walks can walk around Cefni Reservoir, or for something different you can take a short walk around Parys Mountain, a former copper mine.
Stay anywhere on the island and you’ll easily be able to take day trips to most areas. I particularly like staying near Llangefni because it’s very central but you can see my guide of where to stay in Anglesey for a rundown of other popular locations.
4. Brecon, Brecon Beacons
Unsurprisingly, Wales’ second largest national park, the Brecon Beacons, is also a great place to stay for hikers. The most famous hike here is Pen-Y-Fan, the highest mountain in South Wales, but other popular trails include Llyn Y Fan Fach, Table Mountain, and the Dragons Back Circular.
One area of the Brecon Beacons is known as Waterfall Country because it has so many waterfalls in one space. There are several walking routes you can follow here, but my favourite is the Four Falls Trail (shown above) which will take you past four unique waterfalls as the name gives away.
The walks and other attractions in the Brecon Beacons are fairly spread out, so I recommend staying somewhere reasonably central to minimise your journey times.
Stay in Brecon for plenty of accommodation choices and a variety of restaurants and cafes for eating out or see my dedicated guide on where to stay in the Brecon Beacons for a rundown of a few alternative options.
5. Dolgellau, Snowdonia
Whilst most visitors will stay in the northern parts of Snowdonia near landmark walks such as Snowdon, there are some equally great places to stay in the southern area such as Bala, Machynlleth, and Dolgellau.
I particularly like the location of Dolgellau because you are near Cadair Idris to the south (see above) which is one of my favourite mountains in Wales, and Coed Y Brenin Forest Park to the north where you can access three waymarked trails starting from the visitor centre.
Closer to the town, you can find many easier circular routes that are great for a morning or afternoon stroll, such as the Mawwdach Trail or Torrent Circular.
You’re also just a stone’s throw from the coast where you can take a trip to the beautiful beaches of Barmouth or walk along parts of the Wales Coastal Path.
6. Fishguard, West Wales
West Wales is home to some incredible coastal walks, especially in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
No matter where you stay here, you’ll be just a stone’s throw from the coastal path where you’ll be able to enjoy views across the rugged coastline and plenty of wildlife including birds, seals, and maybe even some dolphins offshore.
On my most recent trip here, I stayed in Fishguard which is well placed for access to the coastal walking routes along the southwest coast of Wales including the St David’s peninsular but is also conveniently located just south of the Preseli Hills.
In the Preselis, you can enjoy scenic hill walks such as the famous Golden Road which runs right across the range of hills, dotted with ancient monuments and steeped in Celtic history.
7. Swansea and the Gower Peninsular, South Wales
One of my favourite spots for walkers outside of the national parks is the Gower Peninsular, a stretch of land just south of Swansea.
Despite being a relatively small area, there is a huge variety in the types of landscapes you can enjoy. For example, the Three Cliffs Bay walk encompasses one of the best beaches in South Wales whereas the Worms head peninsular walk takes you to the tip of a tidal island where you can cross Devil’s Bridge, an iconic natural bridge formed in the cliffside.
The peninsular is dotted with cosy cottages and local B&Bs which are worth checking out. But, if you’re looking for something a little fancier, you can stay in Swansea.
The city has a range of hotels, far more dining choices, and is much livelier at night. From the city, you can still reach most places on the Gower peninsular within 15-30 minutes of driving (public transport is also available).
For more information, see my full guide where I break down the different areas to stay in Swansea and the Gower.
8. Betws-Y-Coed, Snowdonia
Snowdonia is Wales’ largest national park so you won’t be surprised that I’m adding yet another place in Snowdonia to this list.
I like Betws-Y-Coed because it’s a cute village with lots of waymarked trails through Gwydir Forest Park that begin right in the village itself. Ranging from an easy 30-minute family-friendly trail up to the more strenuous Pen yr Allt walk that can take up to 3 hours.
If you want to add an extra element to your visit, there is also an orienteering trail in Betws-Y-Coed. You can pick up a map from Cotswold Outdoor in Betws-y-Coed (or download and print it for free here) and put your navigation skills to the test.
Betws-Y-Coed is also just under 20 minutes to by car to Ogwen Visitor Centre where you can walk the circular trail around the lake, Llyn Ogwen, or begin the ascent of Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach, two other mountains in the national park.
9. Chepstow, South Wales
My final recommended place to stay in Wales for walking is Chepstow where you’ll have access to the walking routes of the Wye Valley, an often-overlooked area of outstanding natural beauty.
Three national walking trails start/end in Chepstow, this includes the Wales Coastal Path, Offa’s Dyke Path, and the Wye Valley Walk.
However, the most popular walk for those staying in Chepstow is the Tintern Abbey and Devil’s Pulpit circular trail which takes around 2.5hrs and encompasses the iconic ruins of the 12th-century Cistercian monastery (shown above) which have featured in many pieces of literature, including a poem by William Wordsworth.
Related Questions
Where Can I Walk In Wales?
The best places for walking in Wales are the three national parks (Snowdonia, the Brecon Beacons, and Pembrokeshire Coast National Par), Anglesey, and the Gower Peninsular.
Is Wales Good For Hiking?
Yes, Wales is a great hiking destination with a huge variety of routes, from the rugged coastal walks along the Wales Coastal Path to some of Britain’s best mountain hikes such as Snowdon and Pen-Y-Fan.
Can You Visit Wales Without a Car?
Yes, you can visit Wales without a car, however, you’ll be more limited in the activities you can do because you’ll need to rely on public transport. Snowdonia is one of the best spots to visit without a car as the national trains run to Betws-Y-Coed and the Snowdon Sherpa local bus can be useful for getting around the national park.
Published: 29 December 2022 · Last updated: 3 July 2023