Road Trips along Wales Way
Launched in 2019, the Wales Way routes—The Coastal Way, The Cambrian Way, and The North Wales Way—present unique travel experiences, guiding visitors through diverse regions of Wales and unveiling its hidden treasures. These well-defined routes showcase Wales' finest, from coastal wonders and historic landmarks to national parks and enchanting villages, enriching the travel experience for adventurers exploring the country.
What is the Wales Way?
The Wales Way is a family of three national scenic touring routes in Wales, United Kingdom.
The Wales Way initiative was launched by Visit Wales, the Welsh Government's tourism marketing organisation, to promote tourism and encourage visitors to explore the diverse and scenic landscapes of Wales. The concept was introduced as a part of the wider strategy to boost tourism in the country and showcase its natural beauty, culture, and heritage.
The Wales Way routes, namely The Coastal Way, The Cambrian Way, and The North Wales Way, were introduced in 2019. Each route offers a distinct travel experience, allowing visitors to explore different parts of Wales and discover its hidden gems. The initiative was designed to provide travellers with well-defined routes that highlight the best of Wales, including its coastal attractions, historic sites, national parks, and charming villages.
The routes were carefully curated to appeal to various interests, such as beach lovers, history enthusiasts, nature seekers, and adventure travellers. By creating these scenic touring routes, Visit Wales aimed to enhance the visitor experience, promote sustainable tourism, and support local businesses and communities along the routes.
The launch of the Wales Way marked a significant step in promoting Wales as a top travel destination, attracting both domestic and international tourists. The initiative continues to evolve, with ongoing efforts to enhance the routes, improve infrastructure, and collaborate with local stakeholders to ensure a memorable and enriching travel experience for visitors exploring Wales.
The routes are designed to be flexible, so you can tailor them to your interests and time constraints. The Wales Way road trips are a great way to see the best of Wales in a short space of time. They are also a great way to get off the beaten track and explore some of the lesser-known parts of Wales. If you are looking for a road trip destination that offers something for everyone, then the Wales Way is the perfect choice.
Highlights of the Wales Way Road Trips
Each route is approximately 200 miles long and can be completed in a weekend or a week, depending on how much time you have. The routes are easy to follow, making them perfect for self-drive holidays.
Along the way, you'll have the chance to visit some of Wales' most popular tourist attractions, such as:
Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park: This national park is home to some of Wales' most iconic mountains, including Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), the highest mountain in Wales. Eryri (Snowdonia) is Wales’ oldest and biggest of the three National Parks.
The Brecon Beacons National Park: Brecon Beacons National Park, located in South Wales, captivates visitors with its breathtaking landscapes, encompassing rugged mountains, lush valleys, and cascading waterfalls, a haven for outdoor activities. Home to diverse flora and fauna, the park offers hikers, cyclists, and nature lovers an unparalleled experience amidst its scenic beauty and rich biodiversity.
The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park: This national park is home to some of the most beautiful coastlines in Wales, with dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, and hidden coves.
Island of Anglesey: Anglesey, dubbed the "Mother of Wales," boasts picturesque beaches, ancient ruins, and the imposing Beaumaris Castle, providing a rich historical and natural experience. Visitors can enjoy uncovering breathtaking coastal vistas, charming villages, and diverse wildlife, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. Plus take in the views of the Menai Suspension Bridge.
Anglesey Coastal Path: The Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path is an evolving long-distance trail that traces a significant portion of the island's shoreline. While designed mainly for walkers, specific sections of the path are accessible to cyclists and horse riders. Situated within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), covering 95% of the coast, the trail meanders through a diverse landscape comprising farmland, coastal heath, dunes, salt marshes, foreshores, cliffs, and pockets of woodland, including a National Nature Reserve (NNR).
Wales Coastal Path: The Wales Coastal Path is an epic long-distance trail that stretches for over 870 miles, offering breathtaking views of the Welsh coastline, charming seaside towns, and historic landmarks. It provides an unforgettable journey for hikers, revealing the diverse coastal landscapes of Wales, from rugged cliffs and sandy beaches to picturesque harbours, showcasing the country's natural beauty and maritime heritage. Why not complete a stage of the Wales Coastal Path on your Wales Way road trip?
Edward I Castles: The three English castles located within a combination of Wales Way routes – Conwy, Caernarfon, and Harlech – are iconic medieval fortresses built by Edward I during the 13th century to establish English control over Wales. These UNESCO World Heritage Sites symbolise historical conflicts and intricate relationships between England and Wales.
The Wales Way is a great way to see the best of Wales in a short space of time. The routes are well-planned and offer something for everyone, from stunning scenery to vibrant culture.
Uncover Britain’s: Wales Way itineraries
The routes are designed to be flexible, so you can tailor them to your interests and time constraints. The Wales Way road trips are a great way to see the best of Wales in a short space of time. They are also a great way to get off the beaten track and explore some of the lesser-known parts of Wales. If you are looking for a road trip destination that offers something for everyone, then the Wales Way is the perfect choice.
With Uncover Britain’s Wales Way itineraries, you can access a combined 750 miles (460km) of fantastic road trips, covering 32 destinations with 270 attractions referenced, plus over 120 viewpoints, 520 places of interest, 90 hidden gems, and 40 wild swim spots pinpointed on the Uncover More maps. Undertake the Wales road trip as one or as a combination of the different Wales Way road trips.
There are over 350 Wales campsites, 80 overnight stops including aires, pub stops, and almost wild spots, plus 220 hotels and over 300 B&Bs on the Overnight stay map that correlates with the routes. The three routes each create a separate Wales road trip itinerary, that can be enjoyed on its own or linked to another Wales road trip itinerary to extend your motorhome holiday. Read more about the Wales Way below and get planning your Wales road trip. Purchase this combination with our Wales membership at £10.99 for access to all four of these road trips, or buy individually from £3.99. Check out each page for more information: