Cambrian Way
This epic long distance trail runs from Cardiff on the south coast of Wales to Conwy on the north coast.
The trail runs for about 479 km (298 miles) taking you through the heart of the country. You will pass through some spectacular mountainous scenery as you make your way through the Brecon Beacons, the Cambrian Mountains and the Snowdonia National Park.
You'll enjoy riverside trails, huge clear watered lakes and challenging climbs to a series of significant peaks.
Cambrian Way stages
- Starting in Cardiff you head north west along the riverside Taff Trail towards the historic Castle Coch.
- The route continues along the woodland trails through the expansive Fforest Fawr before passing Cefn Onn Park on the way to Rudry.
- You proceed past the little village of Machen and Machen Mountain before a stretch along the edge of the Cwmcarn Forest.
- The next stage takes you to Pontypool, passing the pretty Blaen Bran Reservoir and its adjacent community woodland on the way.
- You continue north through the Brecon Beacons, climbing the to the viewpoint at Blorenge before coming to Abergavenny with its wonderful historic castle and associated gardens.
- Another challenging climb soon follows to Sugarloaf Mountain and then a descent towards Grwyne Fawr Reservoir before another climb to Lord Hereford's Knob (Twmpa), Pen Cerrig Calch and the Iron Age Hill Fort at Table Mountain in the Black Mountains region.
- You'll then descend to the pretty villages of Crickhowel and Llangattock, crossing the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal and passing through the wonderful scenery of the Craig y Cilau Nature Reserve on the way.
- You proceed west toward Pentwyn Reservoir and Pontsticill Reservoir where you turn north to climb to Fan Y Big and Pen Y Fan. This section also passes the Upper and Lower Neuadd Reservoirs to the west.
- You continue west to the Beacons Reservoir, Fan Gyhirych, Fan Hir, Llyn Y Fan Fawr and Llyn y Fan Fach.
- The next stage takes you north past the expansive Usk Reservoir to the town of Llandovery and then on to Llyn Brianne in the Cambrian Mountains.
- The route passes through the Cambrian Mountans visiting highlights such as the series of delightful lakes at Teifi Pools, the splendid rushing waterfalls at Devil's Bridge Falls and the climb to Plynlimon, the highest point in the Cambrian Mountains.
- The route then enters Snowdonia with early highlights including the riverside paths in the beautiful Dyfi Valley and the historic mill in the lovely town of Dinas Mawddwy.
- One of route's major highlights follows on the climb to Cadair Idris. This area is also a National Nature Reserve with woodland, streams, waterfalls and some wonderful geological formations such as the cliffs of Cwm Cau. Shortly after you pass the Cregennan Lakes and the Arthog Waterfalls before crossing the Mawddach Estuary to the popular coastal town of Barmouth.
- The route then enters a more mountainous section passing Rhinog Fawr and Llyn Cwm Bychan before descending to Llyn Trawsfynydd.
- You'll then pass through the lovely village of Maentwrog in the Vale of Ffestiniog before heading to Tanygrisiau Reservoir and the power station at the photogenic Llyn Stwlan Dam.
- You'll then climb to Cnicht before coming to another major route highlight at the village of Beddgelert. Here you can visit the wonderful Aberglaslyn Pass and enjoy a series of waterfalls.
- Head north from here and you will pass Llyn Dinas before coming to the highest point in Wales at Snowdon. There's a splendid mountain railway here and a number of alternative trails to the summit.
- You continue along Llyn Llydaw to the popular Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach before more lakeside trails at Cwm Idwal and Llyn Ogwen.
- The final section passes the spectacular Carneddau before descending Conwy Mountain to the North Wales coast at Conwy.
Cambrian Way Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Cambrian Way Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Cambrian Way OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Cambrian Way Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
On the route you can link up with two more long distance trails in the shape of the Brecon Beacons Way and the Snowdonia Slate Trail.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Afon Taf Cardiff, near the southern end of the route. View over the River Taff looking towards the Arms Park and Millennium Stadium with Bute Park to the left. The Taff Trail is on the right bank.
On the Blorenge in the Brecon Beacons near Abergavenny
Lord Hereford's Knob or Twmpa
Table mountain
Towards Pen y Fan
The dam on Llyn Egnant, Teifi Pools
Snowdon Summit View
Conwy Castle at the end of the route.