My home country, Wales, is steeped in history and bursting with nature. You’ll find castles from throughout the ages dotted around the nation and some of the UK’s most beautiful scenery.
From the stunning beaches located in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) such as the Gower to the mountainous region of Snowdonia National Park (Eryri), for such a small country, Wales packs in lots for the adventure traveler.
Something that I love about this country is that being one of the less popular destinations in the UK, it doesn’t attract the same amount of tourists as England and Scotland, for example.
Despite this, if you’re a solo traveler, you’ll never truly be alone in Wales with all the sheep to accompany you. It’s a well-known fact that sheep greatly outnumber people here.
Key facts about Wales
- Population: 3.1 million
- Size: 20,779 km2
- Capital city: Cardiff
- Languages: English & Welsh
- Currency: pound sterling (£)
- Interesting fact: the Wales Coast Path runs along the entire coastline of the country and takes roughly two months to walk end to end.
My top five recommendations for Wales
These are my pick of the best adventure travel destinations and activities to do in Wales.
1. Climb Snowdon: located in the heart of Snowdonia National Park, Snowdon Yr Wyddfa is the tallest mountain in the country. It can be hiked several ways, but one more adventurous than via the Snowdon Horseshoe.
2. Visit the Gower: one of 5 AONBs in Wales, you could argue that all of the nicest beaches in the country are located in the Gower Peninsula.
3. Climb Pen Y Fan: the tallest mountain in South Wales and the crown jewel of the Brecon Beacons National Park. We love a horseshoe-shaped hike here in Wales, and that’s exactly the best way to tackle the mountain—via the Pen y Fan (Brecon Beacons) Horseshoe.
4. Check out Henrhyd Falls: this is the tallest waterfall in South Wales and an absolute natural beauty. Visit after a wet period and have your jaw dropped by the cascading torrent that is Henrhyd Falls.
5. Climb Moelwyn Mawr: forming part of the Moelwynion group of mountains in Snowdonia, Moelwyn Mawr is a tough challenge, but one that’s worth it. It can be hiked by a circular route via a section of the Snowdonia Slate Trail, providing amazing views over the national park and Snowdon in the distance.
Regional guides for Wales
Find adventurous places in my regional roundups
When to visit Wales
The best time to visit Wales is April through early September. These are the warmest and driest months. The good weather tends to peak in July and August.
Although unique culture-wise, Wales is no different to the rest of the UK when it comes to weather. Rain is the predominant forecast here and outside of May to September, you’re highly likely to find the country wet and humid.
Snowdonia
Explore the heartland for mountaineering in Wales—Snowdonia.
All hiking and walks guides for Wales
From well known mountain hikes to lesser-known yet still beautiful hill walks.
Waterfalls in Wales
In Wales you’ll find eloquent cascades to gushing torrents.
Is Wales safe?
Wales is an incredibly safe country. Crime is generally low across the board compared to other nations and the vast majority of travelers have a good experience.
However, you can never be too careful as tourists in Wales do sometimes experience petty crime such as theft. Always keep valuables such as your passport, wallet and electronics safe.
All posts about Wales
How many days are enough for Wales?
Despite being a small country, for adventure travelers visiting Wales, I recommend at least two weeks to properly experience a few locations. Wales’ spots of natural beauty are spread out around the country, so you’ll need more than a few days to check them out. If you can, push for a month in Wales. This will give you time to get around the country without rushing.
What is the best way to travel around Wales?
For adventure travel/visiting places that are off the beaten track, a car is the best way to travel around Wales. Although there are good public transport links between national and UK-wide cities, for the most part, public transport lacks in destinations considered adventurous.
Where should I stay in Wales?
You’ll find accommodation for all kinds of budgets in Wales. However, for backpackers and adventure travelers, I recommend the Youth Hostel Association (YHA). YHA is a network of hostels throughout Wales, and England, offering affordable and comfortable accommodation for all ages. YHA is usually my first port of call when looking for a place to stay for a UK trip.