Dragon's Spine, Wales
Wales
The Cambrian Way from Cardiff through the spine of Wales, the Brecon Beacons' sandstone moorland and waterfalls, the empty Cambrian Mountains that form the water divide of Wales, Snowdonia's rocky summits, and the walled medieval town of Conwy at the northern end. The longest upland route in Wales through the least-visited highland terrain in Britain.
Explore on the interactive map →Stops along the route
- Cardiff
Cardiff Castle's Norman core and Victorian Gothic apartments by the Marquess of Bute anchor a compact, walkable capital. The A470 north is the spine road that stitches the whole route together.
- Brecon Beacons
Pen y Fan (886m) crowns Britain's southernmost high moorland, and Sgwd yr Eira waterfall can be walked behind its curtain. The park holds the world's first UNESCO-designated International Dark Sky Reserve.
- Elan Valley
Five Victorian dams built 1893-1904 to supply Birmingham flood a wild mid-Wales valley of drowned oak woods. Nearby Gigrin Farm draws up to 600 Red Kites to its daily 2pm feeding, a breathtaking spectacle.
- Aberystwyth
A Victorian seaside university town on Cardigan Bay with a clifftop funicular railway and the National Library of Wales. It marks the western edge before the route turns north into the mountains of Snowdonia.
- Cadair Idris
A volcanic massif rising to 893m above the Mawddach Estuary, with a glacial lake cupped in its summit cwm. Legend holds that anyone sleeping on the summit wakes either a madman or a poet.
- Beddgelert
A stone village at the confluence of the Glaslyn and Colwyn rivers deep in Snowdonia, legendary burial place of Gelert the faithful hound. The Aberglaslyn Pass gorge begins just south of the village.
- Snowdon
Llanberis is the base for Wales's highest summit (1,085m), reached by six walking paths or the 1896 rack-and-pinion Snowdon Mountain Railway. On clear days the view takes in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man.
- Conwy
Edward I's 1283 UNESCO-listed castle and 1.6 km of intact medieval walls with all 21 towers still standing guard over the Conwy Estuary. Telford's 1826 suspension bridge completes a remarkable ensemble.
Where to Eat
- The Walnut TreeModern British
Michelin-starred restaurant near Abergavenny offering seasonal dishes in a rustic setting.
- Ynyshir Restaurant and RoomsModern British
Award-winning restaurant near Machynlleth serving innovative tasting menus with local ingredients.
- Bryn Williams at Porth EiriasSeafood
Beachfront bistro in Colwyn Bay offering fresh seafood and Welsh produce with panoramic sea views.
Things to Do
- National Museum CardiffMuseum
Explore art, archaeology, and natural history exhibits in a grand neoclassical building.
- Elan Valley ReservoirsScenic Viewpoint
Series of picturesque reservoirs surrounded by rolling hills, ideal for walking and photography.
- Conwy CastleHistoric Site
Imposing 13th-century fortress with well-preserved walls and towers overlooking the Conwy River.
Travel advisory
Many roads through the Brecon Beacons and Cambrian Mountains are single-track with passing places, and upland sections can be foggy or icy outside summer. Snowdonia passes such as the Llanberis and Pen-y-Pass roads are steep and narrow. Carry a physical map as mobile coverage is unreliable across large stretches of mid-Wales.