Exploring Wales on foot from top to bottom — O Fon i Fynwy

The first stage of this epic route begins in Holyhead, a thriving port town on Anglesey’s Holy Island. You can stock up on supplies easily here, before following the coast path above the stunning, craggy shore to cross the embankment and reach Anglesey itself. The trail continues to hug the coast, taking… read more

This stage hugs the coastline which is just as well, because it’s hard to think of a more beautiful location. As you walk, on your right side are rolling fields, farms and craggy hills, and on your left side is a succession of exquisite bays, rocky outcrops and stunning headlands.



You finish in Cemaes… read more

You continue your exploration of Anglesey’s craggy coastline, hiking above the crashing waves and through areas with ancient remnants. Hell’s Mouth and Porth Wen are particularly impressive bays with their rocky beaches and jagged cliffs. In the last section, you hike alongside the edge of Bull’s Bay… read more

With a couple of short but steep hills and the kind of views you want to write postcards about, this stage carries on along Anglesey’s coast. At the end of the first quarter, there’s a short detour to Point Lynas Lighthouse – well worth the extra effort. Later, the estuary of Traeth Dulas is quite a… read more

This stage is filled with the wonders of nature from its huge Castell Mawr Rock and vast bays to its abundance of birdlife. You follow the coastline southwards, reaching Benllech Beach and the stunning Red Wharf Bay just in time for elevenses. Between the two rises Castell Mawr, an abrupt limestone rock… read more

This is the final stage on Anglesey and the island certainly offers you a magnificent goodbye. You first walk west to discover the gorgeous remains of Penmon Priory, a 6th century monastery. After, you head south along the coast to the utterly fantastic Beaumaris Castle. Dating back to the 13th century… read more

This stage leads you a little back from the coast as it prepares to head through inland Wales. You hike first to Porth Penrhyn to see its colourful fishing boats before heading south to the River Ogwen and across peaceful farmland. Hiking east, you gain considerable height and are treated to expansive… read more

Away from the coast and into the hills, this stage has more elevation gain than the previous hikes but there’s nothing too challenging here. Instead, you begin by enjoying the fantastic waterfalls of Aber Falls before heading uphill to trace the path of a Roman Road. Ancient stone circles, tumuli and… read more

This stage takes a definitive step into some of Wales’ most extraordinary landscapes. You leave the Vale of Conwy by a steep trail to gain height that you keep all the way until the end.



Once up, you hike to Llyn Eigiau Reservoir and take a relatively easy trail between Moel Eilio and Pen Llithrig y… read more

This stage has plenty of ups and downs as you make your way around mountains and through valleys to the base of Snowdon, Wales’ highest peak. You start by hiking up from Capel Curig and descending into the next valley to Afon Lledr at Dolwyddelan, a good place for lunch. You head west using the river… read more

Heading through the heart of Snowdonia, this stage has a little bit of everything. Historic sights like the copper mines, exquisite valleys and lakes, and mountain climbs with their resplendent views.



You begin on the shore of Llyn Gwynant and follow this pretty valley westwards. The first and most challenging… read more

One of the shorter stages in this Collection, you begin fairly high and, aside from a couple of ascents, spend most of the hike descending. You begin in the village of Croesor and take a quiet road southwards, heading uphill to reach Llyn Hafod-y-llyn reservoir. You then head downhill through vibrant… read more

This is a beautiful stage that leads you along the western edge of the Rhinogs, a group of mountains that lie north–south. There’s a reasonable amount of ascent, with some steep sections. The hills here are exposed, and for every foot you ascend, your view gets better and better. Enjoy the sprawling… read more

This is a challenging stage with considerable elevation gain as well as distance. Due to the remoteness of the hike, I’ve made it fairly long so you can end in the wonderful seaside town of Barmouth. It’s worth the effort.



You begin by crossing the Afon Cwmnantcol and ascending to the ridge between Moelfre… read more

You begin in Barmouth at sea level and, over the course of this hike, ascend to the foothills of the Cadair Idris range. You can expect some tough climbs, particularly in the first half, but there’s nothing technical and the trail up from Arthog is particularly pretty.



Cregennan Lakes make for a lovely… read more

This is a stage of two halves. The first involves significant, steady ascent as you hike up to the pass between Carnedd Lwyd and Cyfrwy on Cadair Idris’ westernmost arm. The views are spectacular, and utterly worth the effort it takes to reach them. From the pass, it’s downhill until the stage’s halfway… read more

Starting in one valley and finishing in another, this stage sees you ascending for the first half and descending for the second. You spend much of this walk in the company of trees, hiking through the delightfully wooded landscape and finding waterfalls and rock ridges hidden as you go.



You finish in… read more

This is the longest stage on the route, necessitated by its particularly remote location. The initial section is uphill and after that, the way is undulating through valleys, along the edges of hills, past woodlands and alongside the shore of Nant-y-Moch reservoir. There are no villages en route so it… read more

Waterfalls, woodlands and rivers, this is a stunning stage that follows sections of the River Rheidol and the River Ystwyth as they meander westwards. You set off from Ponterwyd and hike south gaining height above the Rheidol before descending to its banks and crossing over, walking to Devil’s Bridge… read more

After a couple of tough stages, this one sees some hills but is fairly short, allowing you to really take your time and enjoy the beautiful landscapes. You ascend immediately from Pont-rhyd-y-groes and you’re rewarded with views before joining the road for a short way before hiking along several footpaths… read more