6 Of The Best Day Hikes In Wales (Under 5 Miles)
Wales has some of the best places to go walking of anywhere in the world. Here are some of the best day hikes in Wales that are under 5 miles.
When you’re in the mood for some serious walking there is the Wales Coastal Path that runs 870 miles along the coastline of Wales. And when you don’t have the luxury or the time for a serious hike, but you want to get out into the Welsh countryside and get your blood pumping, there are these shorter walks. These walks are long enough to make you feel like you’ve walked and short enough that you’re not completely knackered afterward.
Bute Park, Cardiff
Bute Park is called the “green heart” of Cardiff. At 130 acres, it is one of the largest and most beautiful parks in the U.K. It borders the River Taff and there is an arboretum, flower gardens, grassland, and woodland. It also has one of the best urban tree collections in the U.K. You can easily spend hours walking, having a picnic and just generally hanging out. It’s also part of the Taff Trail, so if you wanted to walk further, you could. Find out more about Bute Park.
Penmaen to Three Cliffs Bay, Gower Peninsula
Writer Wynford Vaughn Thomas called the Gower Peninsula “a secret people hug to themselves”. It is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in Britain, which means it is protected and no touristy things can be built here. The walk follows a shoreline of sand dunes, salt marsh, and limestone cliffs. There is also a Neolithic Giant’s Grave and the ruins of 13th-century Pennard Castle. Find out about the Penmaen to Three Cliffs Bay Walking Route.
Eagle’s Nest and Wyndcliff Wood, Wye Valley, Chepstow
The Lower Wye Valley has been an inspiration for the Romantic poets and painters for hundreds of years. And it’s an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Wyndcliff Wood is a gorge woodland with ancient beech, yew, lime, ash, and hazel trees. The Eagle’s Nest has epic views of Wintour’s Leap, the Severn bridges and estuary, and, on a clear day, the Cotswold and Mendip hills. The route is way-marked and easy to navigate. Find out more about the Eagle’s Nest and Wyndcliff Wood.
Slice Of The Mawddach Trail, Dolgellau
This 2 1/2 mile trail starts at the picturesque town of Dolgellau and follows the southern edge of the spectacular Mawddach Estuary to Penmaenpool. Part of the 9-mile Mawddach Trail, it is a stunning multi-use path following one of the most scenic old rail paths in Wales. The trail is clearly marked, easily followed, and essentially flat. Most of its length is at least 3 meters wide, so it’s good for pushchairs and wheelchairs. There are views of Cadair Idris and views toward Diffwys and the Rhinogydd and up the valley to Y Garn and the Aran Mountains that are amazing. Find out about the Mawddach Trail and the Mawddach Estuary.
Abermawr Wood Walk, Pembrokeshire
This easy 2-mile trail takes you along Abermawr Beach and through Abermawr Woods on the Pembrokeshire Coast. It is an area of wild woodland and unspoiled beaches and behind the beach, there is a marshland that is teaming with wildlife. You’ll pass along a pretty shingle beach and enjoy woodland trails, great coastal views, and bluebells in the spring. At very low tide you can see the tree stumps of an ancient 8000-year-old forest. The small hut above the beach was once a telegraph hut and is now luxury accommodations.
Aber Falls Walk
This 3-mile trail to the 115 foot Aber Falls (Rhaeadr Fawr in Welsh) is a short and easy walk to one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Wales. It is near the quiet village of Abergwyngregyn in North Wales. The valley of the Coedydd National Nature Reserve is a hidden gem with an abundance of wildlife and stunning woodland and mountain scenery. There are also iron age sites with standing stones on your way. It’s a good trail for pushchairs (strollers), so you can take your little ones without any trouble. Find out more about Aber Falls Walk.
