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The best Wales road trips
Visit Wales with these Welsh route planner travel guides
If you’re planning a road trip through Wales, the adventure begins the moment you cross the border. Many travellers start where England and Wales meet, exploring the leafy trails of the Forest of Dean and the peaceful bends of the Wye Valley before turning west into Wales itself.
From there, you’ve got three incredible routes that make up the Wales Way.
Follow the North Wales Way as it sweeps along the coastline all the way to Anglesey, or take the Coastal Way, which tracks the edge of the country from the Llŷn Peninsula down the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast. And then there’s the Cambrian Way, which runs right through the middle of Wales — the “spine” of the country — passing landscapes like the Brecon Beacons and the peak of Yr Wyddfa.
Finding your own road trip through Wales
With an Uncover Britain Road Trips membership, you don’t just get a map — you get a whole set of insider tips and ready-made itineraries for Wales and the rest of the UK. It becomes easy to build a road trip that actually feels like your trip, choosing from local attractions, scenic stops and overnight stays like campsites, Secret Stays®, cosy hotels and more. Take one route from start to finish, link a couple together, or reshape everything to match your own pace.
A motorhome holiday in Wales is one of the best ways to explore the country. You can pull over for a view that catches your eye, take a detour to a castle you’ve never heard of, or slow things down for an afternoon by the sea. And the landscapes here change quickly and beautifully — from the rugged mountains of Snowdonia to the soft, rolling hills of Pembrokeshire.
Wherever you decide to go, Wales rewards you with big scenery, peaceful moments and that feeling of discovering a place properly, not just passing through it.
Forest of Dean & Wye Valley: Ancient Trees and Timeless Valleys
• Wander through ancient woods where the air feels cooler and the light shifts as the trees open and close around you. Some paths lead to quiet corners you wouldn’t find unless you happened to look twice, and others open suddenly onto views that make you stop without even thinking about it.
• Adventure along the River Wye, with kayaking, canoeing, and scenic cycling routes through dramatic valleys and cliffs.
• And make time for Tintern Abbey. Standing there among the arches and old stone walls feels less like visiting a historic site and more like slipping into another moment in time. It’s the kind of place that stays with you long after you’ve driven away, one of those quiet highlights that give this part of Wales its magic.
Wales’ West Coast (Coastal Way): Waves & Wonders
Discover Wales’ wild coastline at an easy, unhurried pace — the kind where you catch glimpses of dolphins out in Cardigan Bay, stumble upon little coves hidden between cliffs, and follow stretches of the Wales Coast Path that feel wonderfully remote.
Unwind in seaside towns where everything feels a bit softer and slower — the golden beaches, the smell of chips and sea salt, the sound of kids running across the promenade. Grab fresh seafood, wander along the front, or just sit and let the day drift by. These are the kind of places where you realise you’re properly on holiday.
And the history along this coastline is impossible to miss. Harlech Castle rises above the dunes like it’s still keeping watch, while St Davids Cathedral sits tucked into its little valley, peaceful and humbling. Many viewpoints along the way will make you stop the car without planning to — the sort of pauses that become your favourite memories.
Cambrian Way: From Captial to Castles and Countryside
Explore Wales as it shifts from deep green valleys to high, open peaks — places where waterfalls tumble over rock faces and the skies above the Elan Valley turn unbelievably dark and full of stars.
Feel the past all around you, whether you’re wandering Cardiff’s old industrial neighbourhoods, climbing the steps of a medieval castle, or hearing the whistle of a heritage railway echo through a quiet mountain town.
Then dive into Wales’ wilder side: hike the Brecon Beacons, roam the wide, empty spaces of the Cambrian Mountains, and finish among the towering ridges and lakes of Snowdonia, where every trail seems to lead to a new, unforgettable view.
Wales’ North Coast: Ancient Routes & Coastal Wonders
Walk in the footsteps of kings as you wander through Conwy, Caernarfon, and Beaumaris — castles that rise over their towns with a presence you feel long before you reach the gates. Following this medieval, UNESCO-listed route feels a bit like stepping into the past.
Carry on along coastal paths and tucked-away coves, where the views open suddenly to big skies, cliffs, and the wild edges of Anglesey’s shoreline. It’s the kind of coast that makes you pause more often than planned.
And take your time with the region’s heritage — from ancient ruins scattered across the landscape to the Slate Valley, where old quarries and workshops tell stories of craft, community, and a way of life that shaped North Wales for generations.
Star Gazing in Wales
There’s something special about Wales once daylight fades. In places like Snowdonia, the Brecon Beacons, and the Elan Valley, the landscape seems to quieten down and open up in a new way. On a clear night you might see the Milky Way sweep across the sky, and the stillness around you feels almost unreal — the kind of moment that makes you stop, look up, and let time stretch a little.
Spend time in Wales’ certified Dark Sky Reserves, where the absence of light pollution lets the stars shine with an intensity you rarely see. With wide landscapes around you and nothing but darkness in the distance, the night sky feels enormous, peaceful, and strangely grounding. It naturally slows you down; you look up, breathe, and let everything else wait.
Plan a day-to-night adventure too — explore trails, lakes, cafés, or viewpoints during the day, then settle in as the sky gradually darkens and the stars appear one by one. It’s a gentle, unforgettable way to see Wales from a completely different perspective.
Every great road trip begins with an idea — a place that pulls you in, a view you can’t get out of your head, or simply the urge to get out on the open road. You can look for fresh inspiration, find experiences that excite you, choose the kind of vehicle that suits the way you like to travel, and make use of practical road trip planning tips that keep things simple rather than stressful. However you like to explore, you’ll find everything you need here to turn your trip into something truly memorable.
Point-to-Point Guide and Plan, More Than Just a Map
Our guides are built for road‑trippers who want to go beyond some pins on a map - with flexible, curated itineraries designed to help you explore with purpose and make the most of every moment.
From 3‑day getaways to 2‑week adventures, we provide a point-to-point plan to cherry-pick from, not just how to get there. This is not just a map; it’s a thoughtful guide for a meaningful way to explore with loads of extra travel information.
Digital & Accessible – Read anytime on phone, tablet or desktop for 12 months.
Flexible Itineraries – Plan trips from 3 to 14 days with mix-and-match options.
Curated Highlights – Signposting to attractions, experiences and overnight stops.
Travel and Transport Information – including by car, parking, public transport, and air.
Maps and Route – Google Maps point-to-point, plus references and pre-populated customisable routes.
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Local & Practical Tips – Includes self-guided walking tours, hidden gems and references.
Linked for Ease – Click straight through to bookings and local info.
Printable Shortlist – Save and print your personalised itinerary.
Things to See That Will Make You Want to Go on a Road Trip in Wales
Wales is one of those places where every turn in the road shows you something new, tells you a new story, or makes you stop to take it all in. Here are some of the landscapes, coastlines, and historic sites that can make a trip you won't forget.
Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park
If you’re dreaming of dramatic peaks and wide-open wilderness, Eryri is where Wales truly shows its character. As the oldest and largest of the national parks, it’s home to jagged mountains, deep valleys and the unmistakable presence of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). Whether you walk, drive or simply admire the scenery, this is a place that stays with you.
The Brecon Beacons
South Wales opens up into the rolling contours of the Brecon Beacons, a landscape full of waterfalls, green valleys, and ridgelines that glow in the late-afternoon light. It’s an area made for wandering — a mix of quiet paths, big skies and long views that let you slow down and settle into the rhythm of the countryside.
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
For coastline lovers, Pembrokeshire is a standout. Here you’ll find soaring cliffs, long beaches, and coves tucked so neatly between headlands that they feel like secrets. Whether you’re walking the coastal path, watching seabirds or just breathing in the sea air, this stretch of Wales is endlessly rewarding.
Anglesey
Crossing the Menai Suspension Bridge brings you into a quieter, more spacious world. Anglesey blends bright beaches, ancient ruins, peaceful villages and the wonderful Beaumaris Castle. With its wildlife, wide horizons and slower pace, it’s easy to understand why so many travellers fall for this island.
Anglesey Coastal Path
If you like discovering a place on foot, the Anglesey Coastal Path offers a beautiful way to experience the island. Covering almost the entire shoreline, it takes you through dunes, farmland, cliffs, heath, salt marshes and woodlands — much of it designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The route reveals Anglesey in a way driving alone never could.
The Wales Coastal Path
Wales is unique in having a continuous footpath around its entire coastline. Stretching more than 870 miles, the Wales Coastal Path leads you through seaside towns, fishing harbours, sweeping bays and viewpoints that genuinely make you stop. Even walking a short section gives you a feel for the country’s maritime story.
Edward I Castles
History is woven into the landscape here, and nowhere is it more striking than in the castles of Conwy, Caernarfon and Harlech. Built by Edward I in the 13th century, these UNESCO World Heritage Sites still tower over their surroundings with astonishing presence. They tell a vivid story of power, ambition and the centuries-long relationship between Wales and England. You may find yourself planning your route just to see one more.
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