Wales: Brecon Beacons to Snowdonia

Route description

Start in Cardiff, with its castle in the centre and the redeveloped bay, then take the A470 north past Merthyr Tydfil into the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog). The valleys give way to open grassy mountains around Pen y Fan, the highest peak in southern Britain.

Brecon is a small market town with a cathedral at the edge of the national park. The A470 then crosses mid Wales through Builth Wells and Rhayader, a long, quiet stretch of hills and sheep farms, to Dolgellau and the coast near Portmeirion.

Portmeirion is an Italian-style fantasy village built by the architect Clough Williams-Ellis on a wooded peninsula. From there drive into Snowdonia (Eryri) to Llanberis, below the old slate quarries.

From Llanberis you can walk up Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) or take the rack railway in season, which is worth booking ahead. Finish in Conwy, with its castle and complete town walls. The A470 is slow and winding in places, and car parks at popular trailheads such as Pen-y-Pass need to be booked in advance in summer.