7 Unforgettable Wales Road Trips
Embark on an unforgettable Wales road trip where you’ll drive down some of the most magnificent roads, featuring picturesque landscapes, sandy beaches, magical castles, stunning coastline and more.
Whether you’re looking to explore nature and enjoy peaceful walks or you’re after an adrenaline-filled adventure, check out our list of the best road trips in Wales and all the wonderful things you can do whilst visiting.
- Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) road trip
- Hiking: Grab your walking boots and start hiking through the stunning national park. You’ll find a range of trails to explore, including the Pen Y Fan, the Dragon's Back and the Sugar Loaf Mountain. You can also see magnificent waterfalls by taking on the Four Waterfalls Walk (Sgwd y Pannwr, Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn, and Sgwd-yr-Eira.)
- Water sport activities: No matter what the weather, enjoy the waters of the calm canals and reservoirs or take on extreme water sports over waterfalls. There’s plenty to do on the water, including fishing, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding and white water rafting. You can also explore the national park by booking a cruise.
- Adrenaline-filled activities: For thrill seekers of all ages, you can take on rock climbing, abseiling, bouldering, mountain biking, zip-lining, horse riding and more. On this Wales road trip, you can also enjoy geocaching, orienteering and foraging.
- Stargazing: Do you fancy watching the night sky light up with glittering stars? Well, Brecon Beacons has been designated as an International Dark Sky Reserve and the local community works tirelessly to ensure the region’s light pollution is minimal, so visitors can enjoy stargazing. If you’re lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the northern lights.
- Castles: Get stuck into the rich history of the Brecon Beacons and explore the many castles in and around the national park. Some magical castles to visit include Abergavenny Castle and Museum, Carreg Cennen Castle, Dinefwr Castle, White Castle, Crickhowell Castle and Brecon Castle.
- Explore nearby towns: The national park is surrounded by quaint towns bursting with character. If you have time, take a stroll through the following towns: Abergavenny, Brecon, Crickhowell, Hay on Wye, Llangorse, Talgarth and Talybont on Usk.
- Brecon Mountain Railway: Take a break from driving on your Wales road trip, park up in Brecon and take a trip on the Brecon Mountain Railway. You’ll go on a scenic journey through the Brecon Beacons National Park and Pontsticill, along the full length of the Taf Fechan Reservoir, before climbing to Torpantau. Depending on what time of year you visit, you may be able to catch a seasonal special, which includes an hour-and-a-half journey to Santa’s grotto or to meet the Easter Bunny.
- National Showcaves Centre for Wales: Explore the underground world at the National Showcaves Centre for Wales. There are three different and unique caves to explore: Dan-yr-Ogof, Cathedral Cave and Bone Cave. With your tickets, you can also visit the Dinosaur Park, the Shire Horse Centre, the Iron Age Village, the museum, farm, stone circles, fossil house and indoor and outdoor playgrounds.
- Pembrokeshire road trip
- Pembrokeshire Coast National Park: The second of the three largest parks in Wales is the Pembrokeshire National Park. Here, you can go on numerous walking and cycling trails or enjoy birdwatching, coasteering, bouldering, swimming, surfing, fishing and more.
- Beaches: Pembrokeshire has many blue flag beaches, including Amroth, Newgale, Saundersfoot, Dale, Whitesands, Coppet Hall, Tenby North, Tenby South, Poppit Sands, and Broad Haven. Here, you can play in the sand, splash in the water, enjoy a tasty picnic or sunbathe in the lovely Welsh sunshine.
- Skomer Island: For the ultimate wildlife adventure, take a boat trip to Skomer Island. Between April and July, the island is well known for its puffins, Manx shearwaters, dolphins, seals and razorbills.
- Nearby towns: There are plenty of charming towns and villages in Pembrokeshire that are perfect for a stroll or to capture stunning views, visit independent cafes, explore bespoke stores and more. Fishguard is a favourite amongst visitors, and once you reach there, you can walk to Dinas Head. Other nearby towns and villages include Saundersfoot, Tenby and Pembroke.
- St Davids: A must-visit on this Wales road trip is St Davids. Although this may be the smallest city in Britain, it's well known for its incredible landscape, rugged coastline and beautiful beaches. You can walk down the cobbled streets lined with cafes and restaurants or visit St Davids Cathedral and learn about the history of the smallest city. St Davids also makes for a lovely rest stop where you can pitch up at our St Davids Club Site, just 14 minutes away.
- Strumble Head Lighthouse: Sitting between Fishguard and St Davids, you’ll find Strumble Head Lighthouse. The lighthouse was built to safely guide sea traffic between Ireland and Fishguard Harbour.
- Castles: Pembrokeshire is full of rich history, and one way to dive into it is by visiting some beautiful castles. Some favourites include Pembroke Castle and Manorbier Castle.
- Blue Lagoon: Just five minutes away from our St Davids Club Site is the Blue Lagoon. That’s right, you don’t have to travel to Iceland to tick this one off your bucket list. The lagoon is famous for hosting water sports events, including the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series.
- Cenarth Falls: Check out this cascade of magnificent waterfalls that sit in the village of Cenarth. It's the perfect spot to snap up some pictures, enjoy a picnic or relax and watch the beautiful surrounding wildlife.
- Gower Peninsula road trip
- Walking and cycling trails: Whether you enjoy complicated treks or prefer a short and easy stroll, there are plenty of walking routes and cycling paths on this Welsh road trip.
- Beaches: What better way to spend your road trip than relaxing on a golden sandy beach and watching the sunset. Gower Peninsula is flooded with beautiful beaches, including Three Cliffs Bay, Rhossili Bay, Caswell Bay, Langland Bay, Oxwich Bay, Pwll Du and Blue Pool.
- Water sport activities: As you’re surrounded by water, you must try one of the many water sport activities available. Take part in surfing, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, fishing, sailing, coasteering, jet skiing and boating.
- Bird watching: If you’re a nature lover, you’ll adore the beautiful wildlife and birds that call Gower home. Here are just some of the stunning creatures you’ll find: second-winter black-headed gulls, choughs, adult female green woodpeckers, greenshanks, red kites, lapwings, little grebes, meadow pipits and purple sandpipers.
- Castles: Dive into Gower’s history and visit one of the many castles on your road trip. Some favourites include Kidwelly Castle, Oystermouth Castle and Weobley Castle.
- Adventurous activities: For thrill-seekers, there are many fun activities to do, including rock climbing, bouldering, caving and abseiling.
- Worm Head: This is the furthest westerly point of the Gower Peninsula, and it’s found just off the coast at Rhossili. Here you’ll see wonderful views, and you can go on a relaxing walk.
- Mumbles: Mumbles marks the beginning of the Gower Peninsula coastline. Here, you’ll find Mumbles Pier, which is lined with stores and restaurants. You’ll also find lovely galleries, a lighthouse and Oystermouth Castle.
- Nearby towns and cities: Whilst on this road trip, a few must-visit towns and cities include Swansea, Rhossili, Llangennith, and Bishopston.
- South Wales to North Wales Coast road trip (The Coastal Way)
- Cardiff: Visit the capital and largest city in Wales, Cardiff. There’s plenty to see and do for all, including visiting Cardiff Castle, the National Museum of Cardiff, Cardiff Bay and the Cardiff markets.
- Swansea: There’s a lot to do in Swansea, from kayaking and paddleboarding in the Swansea reservoir to exploring the national waterfront museum, Clyne Gardens and Plantasia Tropical Zoo.
- St Davids: As mentioned, St Davids is the smallest city in Britain, but it's flooded with rich history, wonderful views and phenomenal beaches.
- Cardigan Bay: This is the largest bay on the Welsh coast and home to many animals, including bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises, Atlantic grey seals and a variety of different birds.
- Aberystwyth: If you want to stay on the coast throughout this Wales road trip, then Aberystwyth is a great seaside town to visit on your way to the north. There’s a lot to do in the town, including a ride on the Vale of Rheidol Railway, a trip to Amgueddfa Ceredigion Museum, a walk or cycle through Bwlch Nant yr Arian Forest and a visit to the Aberystwyth Marina.
If you enjoy driving, a stunning driving road can be found from Aberystwyth to Rhayader. From Aberystwyth, join the A4120 to Devil’s Bridge, then follow the B4574 to Cwmystwyth. Here, you’ll come across a spectacular view of mountains before driving towards Elan Valley reservoirs and Rhayader or up to Snowdonia.
- Snowdonia: Covering 823 square miles and boasting some of the highest peaks in Wales, Snowdonia is one of three Welsh national parks. Whilst visiting, you’ll find many mountains, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, moorlands, forests, glacial valleys and a stunning coastline. If you love a challenge, try climbing Mount Snowdon – one of the three peaks and the highest mountain in Wales.
- Isle of Anglesey road trip
- South Stack Lighthouse: This famous lighthouse perches on its own island just off the west coast of Anglesey. It’s a great spot for photos and birdwatching.
- Plas Newydd House and Gardens: Sat on the shores of the Menai Strait, this National Trust house and garden consists of 40 acres of garden and 129 acres of woodland. It offers a spectacular view of Snowdonia, and visitors can spot stunning wildlife, including red squirrels.
- Bwa Gwyn: Visit the natural sea arches at Bwa Gwyn. Walkers can access the top of the arch, and those who prefer the sea can kayak through the arch. A short walk away from Bwa Gwyn is Bwa Du, also known as the Black Arch. This is another impressive natural arch that can be reached by foot but can be a slippery and dangerous walk.
- Llanddwyn Island: Extending from Anglesey is Llanddwyn Island. The island is one of the most picturesque locations in Wales, made up of rolling dunes, large rock outcrops, castle ruins, beaches and more. It’s the perfect place to escape the noise and enjoy a peaceful picnic.
- Beaumaris Castle: This fortress is labelled as ‘the greatest castle never built’ under Edward I as the castle lacked financial support, and a lot of the funding went to support Edward’s wars with Scotland. The vision for Beaumaris Castle was to have an impressive building with near-perfect symmetry and a water-filled moat and dock. Although it was never completed, the castle is still worth the visit.
- Beaches in Anglesey: You can visit plenty of beaches whilst on this Wales road trip. Some popular ones include Benllech Beach, Llanddwyn Beach, Lligwy Beach, Aberffraw Bay, Traeth yr Ora Beach and Trearddur Bay.
- The North Wales Way
- Clwyd Theatr Cymru: This regional arts centre and theatre is great for a family day out. You can check out what's on and watch a variety of different acts and artists.
- Castles Discover the fascinating history of North Wales and explore their stunning castles. Some favourites include,
- Flint Castle
- Rhuddlan Castle
- Gwrych Castle - as seen in ‘I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!’
- Conwy Castle
- Penrhyn Castle
- Beaumaris Castle
- Greenfield Valley Heritage Park: Explore 70 acres of woodland and 200 years of history at Greenfield Valley Heritage Park. The park consists of lakes, streams, ancient monuments and factories that played a part in the Industrial Revolution.
- Saint Winefride’s Well: A popular place of pilgrimage since 1115 is St Winefride’s Chapel and Holy Well. The chapel dates back to the 15th century and is a phenomenally built and well-decorated building. On the bottom floor is the spring, where pilgrims bathe in and claim it consists of healing properties.
- Welsh Mountain Zoo: As the oldest and most established zoo in Wales, Welsh Mountain Zoo makes for a fun family day out on your road trip. You can see various animals, including tigers, leopards, sea lions, camels and red pandas.
- Gwinllan Conwy Vineyard: This is an award-winning vineyard with a phenomenal view of Snowdonia. You can purchase a selection of drinks, gifts and hampers or book a wine-tasting experience and a behind-the-scenes tour.
- Charming Welsh towns: Whilst on your Wales road trip, stop to appreciate some small towns with huge personalities. Some favourites include,
- Rhuddlan
- Llandudno
- Conwy
- Beaumaris
- Holyhead
- The Cambrian Way
- National Parks: You’ll pass through both Brecon Beacons National Park and Snowdonia National Park on this Welsh road trip. Here, you can enjoy watching the local wildlife, take part in activities such as water sports, horse riding or alpaca trekking, try your hand at foraging or spot some magnificent waterfalls. There are also plenty of walking and cycling routes for all abilities, and if you want to take on the challenge of climbing Mount Snowdon, now’s your chance.
- Welsh Lavender: Enjoy a day out in the Welsh countryside, overlooking beautiful gardens and acres of blue lavender. Whilst there, you can take a picnic or visit the distillery, shop and cafe for some wonderful treats.
- Elan Valley: Explore miles of breathtaking dams, reservoirs and rugged Welsh landscapes at Elan Valley. There are plenty of walking and cycling routes around the Valley, which you can find using the map given at the Visitors Centre. If you want to enjoy a scenic driving route, you can also pick up a map and explore the Valley by car.
- Coed y Brenin Forest Park: If you’re looking for an outdoor adventure that’s perfect for the whole family, then Coed y Brenin Forest Park is a great escape. This park is perfect for mountain biking enthusiasts as it’s Britain's first purpose-built mountain biking centre. You can also enjoy peaceful walks, an animal puzzle trail, geocaching and orienteering. When you need a break, stop at the cafe for a bite to eat or pack a picnic and enjoy the views.
- Welsh cities, villages and towns: On your road trip through Wales, don’t forget to stop off at these lovely cities, villages and towns to explore the rich culture, check out the local stores and marvel at the phenomenal architecture and views. Some favourites include Cardiff, Merthyr, Brecon, Llanidloes, Festiniog, Betws y Coed and Llandudno.
Explore the Brecon Beacons by taking on this phenomenal Welsh road trip. The Brecon Beacons National Park is one of three national parks in Wales. It's flooded with picturesque views, beautiful landscapes and stunning wildlife.
To get to the Brecon Beacons, you can take the Gospel Pass, Wales's highest driving road with incredible views.
Caution: This road is a 22-mile-long single-track road, and it’s not ideal for large vehicles or motorhomes.
An alternative to this driving route, which can be found towards the west of the Brecon Beacons National Park, is the A4069, better known as the Black Mountain Pass. This driving road was made famous by Jeremy Clarkson as it appeared on Top Gear. The Black Mountain Pass takes you from Brynamman to Llangadog, where you can enjoy the national park and the small villages. From there, you can make your way around the Brecon Beacons and explore all its gems.
You can end your road trip in Abergavenny or drive to Cardiff, less than an hour away. Here, you can explore the magnificent capital and dive into its rich history and culture.
Things to do on your Wales road trip:
Nearest campsite: Rhandirmwyn Club Site
Click here for more campsites in the Brecon Beacons.
Home to traditional seaside towns, historical landmarks, majestic coastline and rich Welsh heritage, exploring Pembrokeshire is a great adventure for everyone.
Start this Welsh road trip at our Cardigan Bay Club Site, where you can take a boat trip and spot dolphins, catch some fun waves or spend time on one of the many Blue Flag beaches. If you’re travelling to Pembrokeshire from the south, you could begin this road trip at the beautiful harbour town Tenby. Here, you’ll find sandy beaches, castles, parks, a safari, and just off the coast, you can take a boat trip to Caldey Island.
The great thing about this road trip is that you’ll be driving along the coast, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to witness extraordinary views.
Things to do on your Wales road trip:
Nearest campsite:
Click here for more campsites in Pembrokeshire.
Gower Peninsula is the first area in the UK to be designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and within a glance, you’ll see why. With its varied landscape, breathtaking coastline, sandy beaches and quaint villages, you’ll love driving around the Peninsula.
Things to do on your Wales road trip:
Nearest campsite: Rhandirmwyn Club Site
Click here for more campsites in Gower.
If you’re looking to spend an extended holiday road-tripping through Wales, then this is the road trip for you. Drive from the south of Wales to the north and enjoy the phenomenal coastal route, charming towns and picturesque landscapes.
You can start your journey in the capital, Cardiff, and travel to Swansea before heading into Pembrokeshire, exploring St Davids, Fishguard and Cardigan Bay. You can then go towards Snowdonia, where you can spend several days exploring Snowdonia National Park.
Whilst driving towards Snowdonia, you can deviate from the coast when you get to our Cardigan Bay Club Site and drive through the Abergwesyn Pass. This is considered one of the best driving roads in Wales. The long road runs from Llanwrtyd Wells to Tregaron, where you’ll see a wild landscape, pine forest, escarpment and winding streams. On this road, you’ll also find the famous Devil’s Staircase, a 20-mile steep drive. This road isn't made for speed but rather a moment to appreciate the views and understand why this road was given its dark name. You can then head up to Snowdonia National Park.
Another one of the best driving roads in Wales is the Llanberis Pass (A4086). This can be found towards the top of Snowdonia, which lies between the mountain massifs of Snowdon and the Glyderau. This 18-mile-long pass consists of jaw-dropping landscapes, including stunning lakes, mountains and streams. You’ll also come across beautiful wildlife.
Things to do on your Wales road trip:
Nearest campsite:
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The Isle of Anglesey road trip consists of a 140-mile drive around the island, where you’ll drive through a beautiful coastline, see charming farmland and woodland and see local wildlife.
This island can be found on the northwest coast near Snowdonia, and it can be accessed by the 19th-century Menai Suspension Bridge or the Britannia Bridge, rebuilt in the 20th century. Both bridges offer spectacular views of the water, so you won't be missing out.
Things to do on your Wales road trip:
Click here to see campsites in Anglesey.
This Wales road trip is a 75-mile drive from the English border to the tip of Anglesey Island. Here, you can take in thousands of years of history and witness incredible views and exquisite food.
Things to do on your Wales road trip:
Nearest campsite:
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From Cardiff to Conwy, the Cambrian Way is a spectacular 298-mile road trip that cuts through the centre of Wales. On your adventure, you’ll pass through some of Wales’ most spectacular mountains and two of its national parks.
Things to do on your Wales road trip:
Nearest campsite:
Click here for more campsites in Wales.
Are you setting off on a Wales road trip for your next camping holiday? If so, make sure you’re prepped with our handy camping checklist. You can also click here for more camping advice and inspiration.