Plan the ultimate Wales road trip, from Cardiff and the Brecon Beacons to Eryri, Anglesey and Pembrokeshire. Discover scenic stops and beautiful places to stay.
Wales is one of those places where you can drive for an hour and feel like you’ve entered an entirely different landscape. One minute you’re winding through mountain roads, the next you’re beside a huge reservoir, walking along a sandy beach or stopping in a tiny village surrounded by countryside.
So, if you’re looking for a road trip that gives you a little bit of everything, this is it.
We’ve mapped out a route taking you from Cardiff, Brecon Beacons, Elan Valley, Snowdonia/Eryri, Anglesey, Pembrokeshire, and Cardiff. Combining some of Wales’ most spectacular landscapes with beautiful places to stay along the way.
Think mountain walks, waterfalls, wild swimming, castles, coastal paths, hidden beaches and plenty of opportunities to take the scenic route.
Allow around 9–12 days to do the full itinerary at a relaxed pace, although you could shorten it if you’re limited on time.
1. Cardiff & the Brecon Beacons
Start your Wales road trip in Cardiff before leaving the city behind and heading towards the mountains of Bannau Brycheiniog, better known as the Brecon Beacons.
Cardiff is worth allowing some time for before you hit the road. Explore Cardiff Castle, wander around Cardiff Bay or grab something to eat before setting off into the countryside.
As you head north, the landscape changes quickly. The Brecon Beacons are all about wide-open valleys, dramatic peaks, waterfalls and winding country roads.
One of the biggest draws is Pen y Fan, the highest peak in South Wales. If you’re after something a little less strenuous, there are plenty of waterfall walks and scenic spots to explore without committing to a full mountain hike.
Hay-on-Wye also makes a great detour if you’re a fan of independent bookshops, cafés and pretty market-town streets.
For a countryside base, Ffynnonau Woodland Cabins & Annex in Powys makes a brilliant choice. The woodland cabins offer a cosy taste of outdoor living, with the Brecon Beacons close by and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the surrounding countryside.
Sunnyside Holiday House is another option for larger groups, with seven bedrooms, countryside views and a private hot tub, around ten minutes from Brecon.
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2. Elan Valley
Next, head north into the Cambrian Mountains and one of the most atmospheric parts of the entire journey: Elan Valley.
This is the section of the road trip where you really want to slow down.
The Elan Valley is a huge landscape of reservoirs, forests, open hills and winding roads, with the scenery changing around every corner. It’s the kind of place where the journey itself becomes part of the destination.
Spend some time exploring the reservoirs and dams, stop at viewpoints and take one of the walking routes through the surrounding countryside.
And don’t be surprised if you find yourself pulling over repeatedly just because the view is too good to drive past.
Elan Valley is also a brilliant place for anyone looking for quieter landscapes. It’s less about ticking off attractions and more about getting outside, breathing in the fresh air and enjoying the feeling of being somewhere properly remote.
Lake Cottages at Cwm Chwefru makes a natural fit for this part of the itinerary, giving you a peaceful base from which to explore Mid Wales and the surrounding countryside.
For something particularly secluded, this is also a great section of the route to look for woodland cabins, rural cottages and off-grid stays.
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3. Snowdonia/Eryri
From the quiet landscapes of Mid Wales, continue north towards Eryri National Park, where the mountains become bigger, the scenery more dramatic and the list of things to do considerably longer.
This is likely to be one of the highlights of your Wales road trip.
Of course, there’s Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) itself. You don’t necessarily have to climb it, though. There are countless other ways to experience the national park, from mountain walks and waterfalls to scenic drives and lakeside strolls.
Make time for Beddgelert, one of the prettiest villages in the area, or head to Betws-y-Coed, surrounded by woodland and waterfalls.
Llyn Padarn is another must-see, particularly if you’re looking for that classic Wales combination of deep blue water and dramatic mountain scenery.
And if you’re looking for a little more adventure, this is the place to try everything from wild swimming to mountain biking, kayaking and other outdoor activities.
There are plenty of beautiful ToWander UK stays around Eryri.
Snowdonia Getaway in Gwynedd sleeps six and makes a great base for exploring the mountains and surrounding landscapes.
For something a little more secluded, Hafan Hideaways sits within Eryri National Park and offers tiny-home accommodation surrounded by mountains and countryside. There’s no Wi-Fi and little mobile signal, making it ideal if your idea of a holiday is genuinely switching off.
Or, for families, Forest Lodges near Betws-y-Coed combine forest surroundings with views towards Siabod Mountain and easy access to the area’s outdoor attractions.
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4. Anglesey
After mountains, waterfalls and forests, it’s time to swap the peaks for the coast.
Cross over onto Anglesey and you’ll find an entirely different side of Wales: beaches, cliffs, coastal paths, castles and huge skies.
Make your way to Newborough Beach and walk towards Llanddwyn Island, where you’ll find spectacular coastal views and the remains of a historic church.
Further north, South Stack Lighthouse is another spectacular stop, particularly on a clear day when you can see across the Irish Sea.
If you’re interested in history, Beaumaris Castle is worth adding to the itinerary too.
One of the best things about Anglesey is that you don’t have to spend every day ticking off attractions. Pick a beach, find a coastal walk and give yourself permission to simply wander.
For a relaxed base on the island, Bythynnod Bryn Gollen offers contemporary cottages close to the village of Llannerch-y-medd, with the island’s beaches and coastal attractions within easy reach. The cottages sleep four to six and are dog-friendly.
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5. Pembrokeshire
Now for the longest stretch of the route, heading all the way south towards Pembrokeshire.
It’s a decent drive, so we’d recommend treating this as a proper travel day rather than trying to cram in lots of stops along the way.
Once you arrive, slow the pace right back down.
Pembrokeshire is all about dramatic coastline, hidden coves, sandy beaches and some of the UK’s most beautiful coastal walking.
Barafundle Bay is an obvious favourite, while Tenby is perfect for wandering colourful streets, grabbing lunch and exploring the harbour.
Further west, visit St Davids, Britain’s smallest city, before exploring more of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
For something slightly different, head to the Blue Lagoon near Abereiddy, where the remains of an old slate quarry meet the sea.
And if you’re feeling adventurous, Pembrokeshire is a brilliant place for sea swimming, kayaking and other water-based adventures.
For something seriously different, The Domes in Pembrokeshire offer luxury geodomes overlooking the Cleddau River. The site sits within the Pembrokeshire National Park and combines woodland surroundings with wild swimming, wellbeing activities and wood-fired hot tubs.
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6. The Gower Peninsula
Rather than heading straight back to Cardiff, take the scenic route through South Wales and the Gower Peninsula.
This is the perfect final chapter to the trip because it gives you one last dose of spectacular Welsh coastline before returning to the city.
Rhossili Bay is the obvious highlight, with its huge sweep of golden sand and clifftop views. You can also stop around The Mumbles for a seaside walk, lunch or an ice cream before continuing towards Cardiff.
Then it’s back to where you started.
Pack your walking boots, leave some room in the itinerary for unexpected stops and take the scenic route whenever you can.
You could certainly make the journey shorter, but Wales is somewhere that’s much better when you aren’t rushing.
The beauty of a road trip like this is that you can change the pace depending on what you enjoy. Spend longer hiking in Eryri, add an extra beach day in Pembrokeshire or stay somewhere remote in Mid Wales and do absolutely nothing.
And when it comes to somewhere to stay, explore ToWander UK’s collection of beautiful Welsh retreats and find somewhere worth making part of the journey.
Save this guide for your next Welsh adventure.
For this particular route, we’d recommend 9–12 days. This gives you enough time to explore the Brecon Beacons, Elan Valley, Eryri, Anglesey and Pembrokeshire without making every day a driving day.
There isn’t really a bad season for Wales, it just depends on what you want from the trip.
Spring brings longer days, waterfalls at their best and fresh green landscapes.
Summer is ideal for beaches, coastal walks, wild swimming and longer days exploring.
Autumn is particularly beautiful if you’re heading into the forests and mountains, with changing leaves and quieter roads.
And winter can be magical if you’re happy to embrace the weather, with dramatic mountain landscapes, cosy cottages and dark skies.
For the best balance of scenery and fewer crowds, we’d be tempted by late spring, early summer or early autumn.
The roads through the Brecon Beacons, Cambrian Mountains and Elan Valley are particularly beautiful. The journey through Eryri also offers spectacular mountain scenery, while the coastal roads around Pembrokeshire and Anglesey provide a completely different experience.
Our favourite route starts and finishes in Cardiff, travelling north through the Brecon Beacons and Elan Valley, continuing to Eryri and Anglesey before heading south to Pembrokeshire and returning to Cardiff via the Gower Peninsula.
Yes, although you’ll need to be more selective about your stops. We’d suggest choosing fewer overnight bases rather than trying to see absolutely everything. A week works particularly well if you focus on the Brecon Beacons, Eryri and one coastal area.
For this itinerary, we’d recommend Bannau Brycheiniog, Elan Valley, Eryri, Anglesey, Pembrokeshire and the Gower Peninsula. Together, they give you a brilliant mix of mountains, lakes, waterfalls, beaches and coastline.
Absolutely. Wales is particularly well suited to road trips because you can experience dramatically different landscapes without travelling huge distances. It’s possible to go from mountains to coastline within the same day.
The best approach is to choose a few different bases rather than changing accommodation every night. That gives you time to explore each area properly while still experiencing different types of Welsh stays.
Definitely. They’re at opposite ends of this route, which is why we’d recommend allowing enough time to make the journey worthwhile. The contrast is actually one of the best things about the trip, you get dramatic mountains in the north followed by spectacular coastline in the west.
