The Wales Way: Exploring the Heart of Wales on the Open Road

A road trip in Wales isn’t just about getting from A to B; it’s about those moments when you have to pull over just to take it all in. Along The Wales Way, every turn offers something new, but a few places really do stay with you.

For me, Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park was one of those places that quietly takes your breath away. Home to Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon), the highest peak in Wales, the whole area feels alive, from the rustle of heather to the rush of distant waterfalls. The trails climb through slate-grey rock and glassy lakes that reflect the sky so clearly it’s hard to tell where land ends and clouds begin. Even if hiking isn’t your thing, just driving through at sunrise, when the mist drifts low over the valleys, feels almost otherworldly.

Further south, the Brecon Beacons, or Bannau Brycheiniog, offer a different kind of magic. The landscape softens into rolling green hills, scattered farms, and hidden waterfalls tucked into patches of woodland. I remember pulling over one night near Talybont to look at the stars. There was no light pollution and no noise, just a sky so full of constellations it almost didn’t look real. The locals are right when they say the stars here feel close enough to touch. Stop in one of the small market towns for a chat and a warm Welsh cake, and it’s impossible not to feel immersed in authentic Wales.

When you reach the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, it’s the sea that does the talking. Golden sands, rugged cliffs, and secret coves appear one after another along The Coastal Way. I loved wandering the Pembrokeshire Coast Path because every bend in the trail opened up a new view, usually more dramatic than the last. Solva and Abercastle both stole my heart with their quiet harbours, boats rocking gently, and that unmistakable scent of salt and seaweed that tells you you’ve reached the edge of the land.

Heading north, the Island of Anglesey, known affectionately as the “Mother of Wales,” brings a calm and timeless feel to the journey. It’s where farmland meets the sea, and old stone churches stand watch over tiny coves. Walking a stretch of the Anglesey Coastal Path was one of my favourite moments, with views of the Menai Strait shimmering in the late afternoon light. Beaumaris Castle, with its perfect symmetry and mountain backdrop, felt like stepping into a painting. I stayed to watch the sun sink behind the Menai Suspension Bridge, a scene that made me forget time altogether.

Finally, for history lovers, nothing sums up the spirit of North Wales quite like Edward I’s Castles at Conwy, Caernarfon, and Harlech. Towering over the coast, their stone walls have witnessed more than seven centuries of change. Standing on Caernarfon’s battlements, I caught the sound of gulls and church bells drifting together on the breeze. It felt strangely poetic, as if the whole landscape was humming with memory. Visiting all three castles in one drive ties the story of Wales together in a way books never quite can.

If you like our series of blogs, check out Top 12 places to visit in Wales on your road trip, Top 10 Scenic Drives in the UK, The Best Motor Museums in the UK and themed road trip ideas. If you need to find a leisure vehicle - check out our guides for buying a motorhome, hiring a car, or hiring a campervan or motorhome.