Wales – Walking Trails, Landscapes & Wild Places

A Country of Mountains, Coastlines, and Valleys Shaped by Language, Land, and Time

Wales is a country defined by its walking routes, varied landscapes, and the close relationship between land and place. An extensive network of long-distance trails, public rights of way, and historic paths links mountain ridges, rugged coastline, river valleys, and small towns, creating one of the most rewarding environments in Britain for self-guided travel and walking.

The geography is compact yet remarkably diverse. High mountains rise across the north and centre, open moorland and wooded hills shape the interior, and the coastline forms an almost continuous line of cliffs, beaches, dunes, and estuaries. Routes move easily between these environments, allowing walkers to experience dramatic shifts in terrain within a single day.

Much of the countryside is protected. National Parks and National Landscapes safeguard uplands, coast, heathland, and woodland, preserving habitats where wildlife, weather, and traditional land use continue to define the character of the land. These protected areas sit alongside farms, market towns, and Welsh-speaking communities where culture and landscape remain closely connected.

Movement through Wales often follows historic lines. Drovers’ roads, quarry tracks, pilgrim routes, and early trade paths still shape today’s trails, linking passes, valleys, and coastal settlements. These routes reveal centuries of movement across the land and give modern walking a strong sense of continuity with the past.

Walking here is shaped by rhythm as much as distance. Climbs onto open ridges give way to wooded river paths, quiet farmland lanes, and long stretches of coast. Changes in light, weather, and language give each area a distinct identity, encouraging a slower, more attentive way of travelling through the landscape.

This is a country best understood step by step: through its trails, protected landscapes, and wild places that together form one of the most varied walking environments in the UK.

Explore Wales by Region

North Wales

Home to the mountains of Eryri, rocky ridgelines, lakes, and a deeply indented coastline. Historic slate paths, coastal routes around the Llŷn Peninsula, and varied terrain around Conwy and Anglesey create some of the most dramatic walking landscapes in the country.

Mid Wales

Quieter and more remote, with open moorland, reservoirs, wooded valleys, and the broad uplands of the Cambrian Mountains. Long distances, wide skies, and fewer settlements define a slower, more spacious walking experience.

South Wales

A region of contrast, where the high ground of Bannau Brycheiniog meets broad beaches, river valleys, and heritage-rich towns. Ridge walks, canal paths, and forest tracks connect upland scenery with accessible lowland routes.

West Wales

Defined by coastline and exposure to the Atlantic. Clifftop paths, sandy coves, estuaries, and small fishing villages shape routes along one of Britain’s most continuous coastal walking landscapes.

Ynys Môn (Isle of Anglesey)

An island landscape of tidal flats, low cliffs, beaches, and ancient sites. Circular coastal routes and quiet inland paths reveal strong connections between ecology, history, and Welsh culture.

The Valleys

Wooded hillsides, reclaimed industrial landscapes, and ridge-top viewpoints create routes shaped by both nature and history. Trails link former mining communities with forests, reservoirs, and open upland ground.

Wye Valley & The Borders

Gentle hills, riverside paths, abbey ruins, and hillforts define this quieter border landscape. Historic routes such as Offa’s Dyke follow ridgelines between Wales and England, offering long views and a strong sense of continuity.

Beginning to explore Wales

Wales’s trails, landscapes, and wild places form a connected network rather than a single destination. Exploring by region allows the character of each landscape to emerge naturally, revealing how geography, history, and culture continue to shape the country on foot.