The Cambrian Way

Tackle one of Wales’s great mountain challenges on the Cambrian Way, a demanding 479km (298 miles) long-distance walk from Cardiff to Conwy. Often following long, lofty ridgelines, this three-week trek crosses wild, rugged terrain and visits many of Wales’s highest mountains, offering experienced hillwalkers a continuous journey through the heart of the country’s most dramatic landscapes.

Often called “the mountain connoisseurs’ walk”, this coast-to-coast route crosses the Brecon Beacons, Cambrian Mountains and Snowdonia, traversing two national parks and summiting some of the most iconic peaks in Wales — including Pen y Fan, Pumlumon, Cadair Idris and Snowdon.
This comprehensive Cambrian Way guidebook is your essential companion for planning, navigating and completing this classic Welsh mountain route. Combining detailed route descriptions with practical navigational tools, it guides you step by step from south to north, helping you prepare for and enjoy one of Britain’s most challenging long-distance walks.

The route is split into 21 clearly defined stages, breaking the trail into manageable sections that support flexible itinerary planning, whether you intend to walk the entire Cambrian Way or tackle it in shorter sections
Accommodation information is provided throughout the guidebook, including hostels, B&Bs, campsites and other facilities in key centres such as Pontypool, Llandovery, and Pen-y-Pass, enabling you to choose between backpacking or carrying a lighter load
Integrated elevation profiles and OS 1:50,000 mapping give a clear picture of the terrain ahead and support confident navigation across remote upland and mountainous landscapes
Downloadable GPX files are available for your Welsh journey, providing a digital navigation option for use on smartphones and GPS devices
Practical advice on planning and preparation is included, covering essential considerations such as transport to and from the route, seasonal timing, equipment choices and navigation skills required for one of Wales’ most demanding long-distance walks


Challenging and richly rewarding, the Cambrian Way is a celebration of Welsh mountain walking. With this Cicerone guidebook in hand, you can set out from Cardiff Castle and follow the spine of Wales all the way to Conwy’s medieval walls, confident you have the detailed information and planning support needed to successfully walk and enjoy this outstanding long-distance trail.

Seasons

The southern and middle sections should be possible in all seasons but the Rhinog mountains and Snowdonia are best tackled between spring and autumn.

Centres

Cardiff, Pontypool, Abergavenny, Crickhowell, Llandovery, Strata Florida, Devil's Bridge, Ponterwyd, Dinas Mawddwy, Barmouth, Beddgelert, Pen-y-Pass, Ogwen, Conwy

Difficulty

Suitable for those with experience of long-distance walking (either with or without camping equipment), the route demands a good level of fitness and navigational competence.

Must See

Cardiff, capital of Wales, and its castle; the Black Mountains; the Brecon Beacons; the Carmarthen Vans; the Elenydd wilderness; Devil's Bridge and Rheidol Falls; Pumlumon; Cadair Idris; Barmouth; Rhinog Fawr and Rhinog Fach; Beddgelert; Snowdon; the Glyders; Ogwen Valley; Tryfan; the Carneddau; Conwy and its castle

Map key
Overview map
Route summary table

Introduction
The mountain connoisseurs' walk
Wales, its history, people and language
Geology and landscape
Plants and animals
When to go
Travel
Accommodation
Kit
Waymarking and navigation
Food, water and supplies
Emergencies
Using this guide

The route
Stage 1 Cardiff to Machen
Stage 2 Machen to Pontypool
Stage 3 Pontypool to Abergavenny
Stage 4 Abergavenny to Capel-y-ffin
Stage 5 Capel-y-ffin to Crickhowell
Stage 6 Crickhowell to Storey Arms
Stage 7 Storey Arms to Glyntawe
Stage 8 Glyntawe to Llandovery
Stage 9 Llandovery to Tŷ'n-y-cornel Hostel
Stage 10 Tŷ'n-y-cornel Hostel to Claerddu
Stage 11 Claerddu to Ponterwyd
Stage 12 Ponterwyd to Dylife
Stage 13 Dylife to Dinas Mawddwy
Stage 14 Dinas Mawddwy to Bwlch Llyn Bach
Stage 15 Bwlch Llyn Bach to Barmouth
Stage 16 Barmouth to Cwm Bychan
Stage 16/17A Bad-weather route to Moelfryn following Taith Ardudwy Way
Stage 17 Cwm Bychan to Maentwrog
Stage 18 Maentwrog to Beddgelert
Stage 19 Beddgelert to Pen-y-Pass
Stage 20 Pen-y-Pass to Llyn Ogwen
Stage 21 Llyn Ogwen to Conwy

Appendix A The checkpoints
Appendix B Glossary of Welsh words and places on the Cambrian Way
Appendix C Useful contacts
Appendix D Accommodation list