SNOWDONIA
Bryn Cader Faner Stone Circle, Harlech
This is one of the most spectacular stone circles in Britain, yet very few people venture up here. It’s actually a burial cairn of a Druid Prince, more than 4,000 years old. The stones sit proud like a crown of thorns on an ancient trackway that once linked Wales to England, lined with more standing stones and cairns. Moreover, there are many tarns to explore and bathe in. Llyn Eiddew-bach is a favorite, featuring a cliff for jumping and tracks leading up the mountainside to Moel Ysgyfarnogod, or Bare Hill of Hares, where incredible views unfold over Cardigan Bay.
HOW TO FIND IT Head north from Harlech on the B4573; turn right after three miles for Eisingrug (unsigned); after one mile take the dead-end mountain road to the right. 52.8905, -4.0141
Wrysgan Slate Mine, Blaenau Ffestiniog
North Wales once roofed the world, and the fascinating remains of hundreds of years of underground industry can still be found if you know where to look. On a spectacular mountain plateau overlooking Llyn Cwmorthin, this old mine is most famous for its incline railway and tunnel that pierces through the mountainside, visible from miles around. There are old winch wheels and cables everywhere, and a complex of workers’ accommodation in ruins, plus a vast network of interlinked caverns to explore.
HOW TO FIND IT Follow Ffordd Dolrhedyn left past the bus stop after LL41 3ST, cross the bridge, turn immediately right and park. Follow the gated power-station road half a mile to the bottom of the incline with the tunnel looming ahead. It’s a 20-minute climb from here to reach it. 52.9902, -3.9706
Klondyke Mine, Conwy
This is an eerie mill ruin slowly returning to nature and set within twisted, mossy woodland. The abandoned buildings are named after the catastrophic Canadian Klondike Gold Rush, as this was where swindler Joseph Aspinall created a hoax copper mine in 1918 to extract vast sums from gullible London investors. Even more consumed by the progress of lichen and fern are the earlier mining endeavors at Clogwyn y Fuwch, reached on a path through ancient oaks. Dating from 1790, these were some of the first slate mines in Snowdonia, where adventurers can uncover a vast set of chambers up the hillside. Continue your walk up to Llyn Crafnant lake, a mesmerizing but lesser-known lake with a hidden shoreside café.
HOW TO FIND IT It is signed Llyn Crafnant, opposite the Fairy Falls Hotel in Trefriw B5106; follow the road past LL27 0JZ to the forestry car park and toilets half a mile further right. 53.1396, -3.8560
LLYN PENINSULA AND ANGLESEY
Porth Ysgo Beach, Aberdaron
This fascinating beach was once a hive of activity, shipping rich minerals across Wales. A secret valley walk follows the stream past old mine tunnels to a clifftop engine house with rusted turning wheels. From here, steep steps descend to the wild sand and shingle bay with views out along one of the most dramatic stretches of the Lleyn coastline. The boulders are rich in volcanic green-black serpentine and a huge offshore boulder forms an island with an iron ring, once used to moor freight boats.
HOW TO FIND IT Head two-and-a-half miles east of Aberdaron on B4413, turn right at the dog-leg crossroad, signed Porth Ysgo, past LL53 8AN to find the footpath. 52.8054, -4.661
Borthwen Beach, Rhoscolyn
This south-facing white-sand beach opens out to views of Snowdon mountain. The crescent bay is scattered with islets, perfect for swimming and paddleboarding. From here, walk west along the coast path, past St Gwenfaen’s Holy Well, to find the white and black sea arches of Bwa Gwyn and Bwa Du, through which the adventurous can try swimming. The nearby pub serves delicious crab salads, making it an ideal stop for relaxation.
HOW TO FIND IT It’s at the end of a long narrow lane with a small car park. The road can become congested in summer, so it’s often easier to walk from the nearby pub. 53.2440, -4.5913
MID WALES
St Dyfnog’s Holy Well, Denbigh
Wales’s early saints revered water and founded some magical holy wells. Denbighshire has many; bathe in a trio of the country’s most holy springs at St Winefride’s Well, Ffynnon Fair, and St Dyfnog’s Well. At the latter, steps lead down into this sacred pool, a short woodland walk behind the church. Beware, the water is freezing; legend has it the saint’s penance was to stand in it!
HOW TO FIND IT Off the A525, the church is opposite the King’s Head, Llanrhaeadr. At the back left of the graveyard, a path leads 985ft up the stream. 53.1592, -3.3778
Dolforwyn Castle, Montgomery
The steep walk up the butterfly-filled lane is rewarded by yet more impressive views from the ruin of this castle, built in 1273 by the last sovereign Welsh prince, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, to resist English invaders. Wildflowers abound in the surrounding grasslands. Longer walks lead along the young River Severn and Montgomery Canal, providing stunning landscapes of central Wales borderlands.
HOW TO FIND IT It’s signed left off the A483, past SY15 6JG, just beyond Abermule. 52.5465, -3.2524
Pulpit Yew, Nantglyn, Denbigh
Some of the yew trees of Wales are said to predate Christianity; fourth- and fifth-century missionary saints often chose existing sacred yew grove sites to establish their new churches. At Nantglyn, a stone pulpit and steps have been built into the yew’s hollow trunk, allowing visitors to climb up and preach, just as John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, is said to have done. The tree is believed to be 2,000 years old.
HOW TO FIND IT Nantglyn is three miles south-west of Denbigh, and St James Church is just north of LL16 5PL. 53.1469, -3.4903
BRECON BEACONS
Keeper’s Pond and Pwll Du, Brecon Beacons
There are views of the Sugar Loaf mountains from this high-level pond (Pen-ffordd-goch), perfect for a summer sunset swim. Built in 1817, it once powered the Garn Ddyrys iron forge, where the remains of old furnaces and huge, oddly shaped iron slag are still visible. The forge is reachable via Hill’s Tramroad below (now known as the Iron Mountain Trail), which also links the Pwll Du limestone quarry, known for its rock walls and wilderness.
HOW TO FIND IT On the B4246, a mile north from Blaenavon, find the pond and car park, then turn off in the opposite direction for NP4 9SS. 51.7910, -3.0817
Scwd Ddwli and Horseshoe Falls, Brecon Beacons
The graceful arc and large pool of Ddwli falls on the Nedd Fechan River are probably the easiest to access of more than 20 spectacular waterfalls that run through this ancient woodland. Walk downstream to reach Horseshoe Falls, which offer fun opportunities for jumping. Turn right after a mile to discover Lady Falls, featuring a graceful column of water in a wooded amphitheatre.
HOW TO FIND IT Entering Pontneddfechan from B4242, follow the road left at the Dinas Inn for one and three-quarter miles, then go left towards SA11 5UR to find Pont Melin-fach bridge and carpark on the left after three-quarters of a mile. 51.7771, -3.5876
GOWER
Blue Pool Bay, Llangennith
Fine sands stretch across this bay toward the Three Chimneys rock arches. The caves within are said to contain gold coins from a Spanish shipwreck—an ultimate treasure hunt for kids. At the other end of the bay is one of the best rock pools in Britain, a deep natural tub with ledges for leaping into. For the adventurous, scrambling to the narrow slit-like entrance of Culver Hole at low tide reveals a large prehistoric chamber once housing many human remains.
HOW TO FIND IT In Llangennith, cross the mini roundabout towards Broughton and park at the entrance to Broughton Farm Caravan Park. Walk through the park, bearing left to find the coastal path. 51.6141, -4.2986
Paviland Cave, Port Eynon
Head down a remote valley just above the ocean foreshore, and clamber into a large, dry cave, recognized as one of the oldest ceremonial burial sites in western Europe. In 1823, the Red Lady of Paviland was found here, named for the ochre-stained bones, and initially thought to be the remains of a woman from Roman times. We now know the bones belonged to a man who died 33,000 years ago, interred with sea-shell jewellery, indicating a ceremonial burial.
HOW TO FIND IT Heading towards Rhossili on the B4247, find a footpath signposted Foxhole Slade 220 yards west of SA3 1PE. 51.5501, -4.2553
PEMBROKESHIRE & CEREDIGION
Abereiddy Blue Lagoon, St Davids
This iridescent pool was once a quarry but has long since breached to the sea, with the old wheelhouse providing platforms for leaping into the deep blue abyss below—a famous rite of passage for local swimmers and visitors alike. Walk east along the spongy, flower-edged coastal path to Traeth Llyfn, a superb west-facing sandy beach. Continue to find the old tramway leading down to the huge brick-loading hoppers in Porthgain harbour, home of the famous Sloop Inn.
HOW TO FIND IT Abereiddy (SA62 6DT) is signposted from the A487. 51.9379, -5.2087
Carreg-y-Ty, Llangrannog, Ceredigion
Hike along the coast path from Llangrannog to discover this secret cove hidden beneath steep, forested cliffs. Also known as Traeth Bach, it may be tricky to reach, down a steep stream-path with a rope at the end, but this is the most beautiful beach on the Cardiganshire coast. Swim out to the little island peninsula and explore the long sea cave that pierces through its middle. Watch for seal pups in late summer, and if you see them, stay away and do not disturb them.
HOW TO FIND IT On the coastal path one mile south of Llangrannog (pay carpark, SA44 6SL). Look for the bridge across the stream and descend; there’s a short scramble with a rope at the end. 52.1533, -4.4855
Green Bridge and Flimston Bay, South Pembrokeshire
Admire the magnificent Green Bridge of Wales rock arch and seabird-populated Elegug Stacks, then descend to this secret golden beach, accessible via a steep scramble down a gully. On a calm day, adventurers and strong swimmers might swim back around towards the Cauldron, Stacks, and Green Bridge to experience coasteering in this sensational and secluded scenery.
HOW TO FIND IT On B4319, two miles west of Bosherston turn-off, a third of a mile after Merrion Cross (SA71 5EB), turn left for Stack Rocks viewing platform and parking. Bear left on the coastal path a quarter mile to descend to Flimston Bay in a gully in the north-west corner. 51.6126, -4.9902
