Some of the United Kingdom’s best hiking trails can be found in North Wales. With its stunning mountain ranges, coastal cliffs, and diverse terrain, hiking in North Wales is a hiker’s paradise.
From the towering peaks of Snowdonia National Park to the serene coastal paths of Anglesey and the historic trails of the Llyn Peninsula, this region offers something for every type of adventurer. If you’re looking for a difficult summit hike, a gentle woodland walk, or a scenic coastal route, North Wales delivers unforgettable experiences at every turn.
Best Trails for Hiking in North Wales
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The Pony Path
This 9.7-kilometre hike up Cadair Idris will have you climbing the 893-metre mountain like a pony. Cadair Iris is the tallest mountain in southern Snowdonia and can be seen for miles. The trail crosses a variety of terrains, including wooded pathways, open fields, and loose, rocky portions. This path must be climbed slowly because the elevation increases with each step.
There’s even some scrambling to be expected, but don’t worry, the views at the top make all the effort worthwhile. The gorgeous Mawddach Estuary and Rhinogydd Hills will stretch out in front of your eyes as you suck a deep breath into your lungs as well as your soul. There are also several stone ruins and pillow lava rock structures to marvel at while hiking The Pony Path.
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Moel Hebog, Beddgelert
Moel Hebog is one of the more challenging trails for hiking in North Wales, and is for the more experienced hikers who love a challenge. This Snowdonia mountain path to Moel Hebog’s peak rises above Beddgelert and is steep and challenging, with portions of intense scrambling adding to the trail’s difficulty. As a result, this North Wales hike is best experienced in dry weather. Along the trail, you will also see the beautiful views of Lake Llyn Gwynant and Lake Llyn Dinas.
This trail features a mix of forest paths, open hillsides, rocky sections, and grassy slopes, giving you an experience of immense adventure. After the initial climb, the slopes become grassy with less scrambling, providing a slightly easier terrain as you approach the top. Interestingly, Beddgelert is named after Gelert, Prince Llewelyn loyal dog, Gelert. According to legend, the prince mistakenly killed Gelert, thinking he had harmed his child.
However, the dog had saved the child from a wolf. Today, hikers often visit Gelert’s grave in Beddgelert after completing the hike. This is a round-trip, 10-kilometre hike with an elevation of 783 meters and takes about 4-5 hours to complete, depending on your pace and experience. You can park at the Cae Clyd campsite and follow the path from there. Because this is an out-and-back type trail, you will go back to the campsite.
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Snowdon via the Watkins Path
The Watkins Path is one of the most scenic and challenging routes to the summit of Snowdown. The trail commences near the village of Bethesda in North Wales, starting close to Pont Bethania (Bethania Bridge) and Craflwyn National Trust property near the town of Beddgelert. Interestingly, this park was the first designated footpath in Wales, officially opened in 1892 by British Prime Minister William Gladstone. You’ll find a plaque commemorating the trail’s significance at Gladstone Rock, about halfway up—the perfect excuse for a quick rest.
Watkins Path is about 13 kilometres and is a loop-type trail. You will also ascend 1 005 meters from start to summit, and because of this, the route is considered to be rather tricky. Make sure to allocate 6 to 8 hours for this hike’s completion. The path starts in wooden areas, with views of waterfalls along Afon Cwn Llan. It then opens up into more exposed sections with sweeping vistas. Be sure to keep an eye out for waterfalls (or should I say, ear?), an abandoned quarry with ruins of old mining buildings called Cwm Llan Quarry.
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The Cambrian Way
There is no doubt that hiking in North Wales could be much more complicated than expected. One such trail is The Cambrian Way, and the best section of this trail is the North Wales section. It’s a challenging trail to follow and has been baptised as one of Britain’s most strenuous trails. Anyone who can stay on the main route and complete this entire task in one go deserves a medal. There are several steep spots to conquer, but there are many simple stretches to bring your heart rate down again.
This trail for hiking in North Wales heavily depends on the weather, with exposed sections being at the mercy of the wind. The North Wales section takes hikers through Snowdonia, with an optional ascent up Mount Snowdon, Wales’ highest peak at 1 085 meters. Mount Snowdon offers several routes, from the gentler Llanberis Path to the more challenging Crib Goch. The trail’s northern end finishes in Conwy, home to Conwy Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Aber Falls River Walk
This trail is also known as the Rhaedr Fawr trail – it’s the Welsh name, and the trail is filled with so many natural wonders to marvel at. Aber Falls is located in the Aber Valley near the village of Abergwyngregyn, about 13 kilometres east of Bangor and close to the North Wales coast. The walk starts from Aber Falls car park, which has a small parking fee. The car park gets full fast, so be sure to arrive early. It’s an easy-to-follow path from the car park to the waterfall, following the Afon Rhaeadr Fawn, also known as River Abbey.
This trail is about 4 kilometres long and has a gentle ascent of 60 meters. Moreover, it is also an out-and-back type trail and takes about 1.5 to two hours to complete. The hike ends at a spacious viewing area where you can stand just a short distance from the 37-metre Aber Falls. Moreover, the area around Aber Falls is filled with wildflowers in spring and summer, including bluebells, foxgloves, and heather. Not only is this one of the easiest trails for hiking in North Wales, but it is also one of the most scenic.
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Views Galore when Hiking in North Wales
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You will always be graced with amazing views if you’re hiking in North Wales, whether stumbling over rugged mountain peaks and through lush valleys or dotting footsteps all along the coastline. In North Wales, no matter where you look, it will be beautiful. So, if you want the experience of a lifetime, then hiking in North Wales is a good place to start planning it!
