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Spring Walks in Mid Wales | Routes and Trails from March to May

Spring is the best time to walk in Mid Wales. The paths dry out, the days get longer, and the hillsides shift from brown to green within weeks. If you are looking for spring walks in Wales that do not involve dodging other walkers, this is the part of the country to head for.

Long-distance trails

Glyndŵr's Way runs 135 miles from Knighton to Welshpool through the heart of Mid Wales. It crosses open farmland, forest tracks and hill ridges with views across to the Brecon Beacons and Southern Snowdonia. In April and May, the route is at its best. The ground is firm, the air is clear, and you might walk entire sections without meeting another person.

The Ceredigion Coast Path follows the clifftops from Cardigan to Ynyslas through some of the finest coastal walking in Wales. Spring brings wildflowers to the cliff edges, and the sea looks different every time you stop to take it in. The section between New Quay and Llangrannog is hard to beat.

Shorter walks and circuits

Not every walk needs to be an expedition. The Elan Valley trails follow the edges of the reservoirs through oak woodland and open moorland, with flat paths that suit families and anyone who just wants a good walk without navigating. The Hafren Forest trails above Llanidloes follow the infant River Severn and are quiet even at weekends.

Around Machynlleth, the hill paths behind the town lead up to views across the Dyfi Valley. From Dolgellau, the Precipice Walk is a low-level circuit with views down to the Mawddach Estuary that look their best in spring light. And the canal towpath at Welshpool is dead flat, easy underfoot and good for a slow morning with a coffee stop at the end.

Bluebell woods

Mid Wales has some of the best bluebell woods in the country. The ancient oak woodlands around Dolgellau and the Mawddach come alive in late April and May. Coed Ganllwyd and the woods along the Mawddach Trail are reliable spots. In Radnorshire, the lanes around Knighton and Presteigne lead through woods that nobody much visits, which is part of their appeal.

What to know before you go

Spring weather in Mid Wales is changeable. A clear morning can turn to rain by lunchtime, and exposed ridges are colder than you expect. Bring layers, a proper waterproof and sturdy boots. Most trails are well marked, but a map and compass are worth carrying on longer routes where mobile signal disappears.

Accommodation close to the best walking routes fills up over bank holiday weekends and half terms. Book ahead if you have specific dates, or come midweek when the paths and the pubs are quieter.

Browse walking and hiking activities across Mid Wales below.

Inspiration

Gardens and Parks to Visit in Mid Wales

From the terraced gardens at Powis Castle to the country park at Craig-y-Nos, Mid Wales has gardens and green spaces that reward a slow visit. Come in spring for bluebells and snowdrops, or summer for long borders.
Ceredigion Coast, Mid Wales
Discover the Magic of Bluebell Season in Mid Wales

Discover the Magic of Bluebell Season in Mid Wales

Number of results: 117

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Coed y Brenin | Walking Trails (NRW)

Address

Coed y Brenin Visitor Centre (NRW), Ganllwyd, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2HZ

Telephone
01341 440747

coedybrenin@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Dolgellau

Three walking trails are waymarked and start from Coed y Brenin Visitor Centre car park.
More walking trails start from our other car parks within Coed y Brenin Forest Park.
Teifi Loop Walk

Address

Llandysul, Ceredigion, SA44 4DN

Telephone
01239 613230

cardigantic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Ceredigion

Part of Llandysul Trails - Teifi Loop Walk
Start: SN418406 - Car Park, Llandysul
Suitable for: Moderately fit walkers
Grade: Moderate
Distance: 5.63km/3.5M
Time: 2.5 hours (excluding rest stops)
Ceredigion Coast Path | Llangrannog - New Quay

Address

Llangrannog - New Quay, Llangrannog, Ceredigion, SA44 6SD

Telephone
01239 613230

CardiganTIC@Ceredigion.gov.uk

Llangrannog

3rd section of the Cerdigion Coastal Path
Total distance 15km (9.4 miles)
Llangrannog to Cwm Tydu 9.4km (5.9 miles), grade/moderate
Cwm Tydu to New Quay 5.6km (3.5 miles, grade/moderate
Pererindod Melangell Walk

Address

Llyn Efyrnwy | Lake Vyrnwy, Llanwddyn, Powys, SY10 0LY

Telephone
01691 870346

vyrnwy@rspb.org.uk

Llanwddyn

A spectacular 15 mile walk passing by Lake Vyrnwy, and leading to Britain's oldest Romanesque shrine at the ancient church of Pennant Melangell.
Brecon Town Walk | Priory Groves

Address

Aberhonddu | Brecon, Powys, LD3 7AD

Telephone
01874 624437

enquiries@beacons-npa.gov.uk

Aberhonddu | Brecon

Priory Groves is a mixed woodland, bordering the Honddu river, with oak, beech, hazel and alder trees.Near the river, look out for dippers at any time of year, and grey wagtails in summer. In spring and early summer there is a good display of wild…
Borth Walk

Address

Y Borth | Borth, Borth, Ceredigion, SY24 5JU

Telephone
0300 065 3000

Borth

Start: Borth High Street
Grid Reference: SN 608 901
Distance: Walk A: 4.4 km – 2.7 miles
Walk B: 10.7 km – 6.6 miles
Grade: Easy
Terrain: Roads, firm tracks, sand and shingle
Maps: OS Explorer – OL 23 & 213
Rhaeadr Ddu & Coed Ganllwyd | Walking Trails

Address

Coed Ganllwyd Nature Reserve, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2TG

Telephone
01341 440238

eyri@nationaltrust.org

Dolgellau

A network of paths on the Coed Ganllwyd reserve mean you can choose from circular walks of 100 metres up to more demanding routes that stretch over two kilometres.
Wales Coast Path | New Quay - Aberaeron

Address

Cei Newydd | New Quay, New Quay - Aberaeron, Ceredigion, SA46 0JP

Telephone
01970 612125

countryside@ceredigion.gov.uk

New Quay - Aberaeron

New Quay to Aberaeron is a popular section of the Wales Coast Path that presents no major challenges. The walk is a distance 10.5km (6.5miles)
Bala & Penllyn | Walking Trails

Address

Bala & Penllyn, Bala, Gwynedd, LL23 7AD

Bala

The Bala & Penllyn area has a wide range of Walking Trails for everyone – including: all ability, children, heritage, scenic and mountain walks - and all through stunning mountain and lake scenery of southern Snowdonia.
Montgomery | Town Heritage Trail

Address

Trefaldwyn | Montgomery, Powys, SY15 6HN

Trefaldwyn | Montgomery

2.17miles (3.5km) takes about 1.5hours and is a moderate walk with a moderate grade - Download the PDF
Black Mountains | Pen Tir Walk

Address

Brecon Beacons | Black Mountains, Cwmdu, Crickhowell, Powys

Telephone
01873 812105

Crickhowell

This walk starts on the west of this striking and distinctly shaped hill in the small village of Llangenny (240180), just to the east of the bridge over the Grwyne Fawr.
Mid Wales Rail Trails | Barmouth to Porthmadog.

Address

Barmouth Railway Station, Station Approach, Barmouth - Porthmadog, LL42 1LS

Barmouth - Porthmadog

Mid Wales Rail Trails | Points of interest travelling on the Cambrian Line from Barmouth to Porthmadog.
Circular Walk 1 - Ffrydd Farm and Penshwa Lane

Address

Y Drenewydd | Newtown, Powys, SY16 2BB

Telephone
01686 625544

townclerk@newtown.org.uk

Powys

This walk starts and ends in the centre of Newtown. It is a mixture of road and off -road walking with some sections muddy after heavy rain. It includes lovely views over Newtown and the surrounding hills. This walk is rated as moderate…
Aberdyfi | | Panorama Walk

Address

Aberdyfi | Aberdovey, Gwynedd, LL35 0ED

Telephone
01654 767321

TIC.Aberdyfi@snowdonia.gov.wales

Aberdyfi | Aberdovey

This gentle four mile walk soon gets you up above Aberdyfi, enjoying fine views over the mouth of the Dyfi estuary and south towards Borth and Aberystwyth.
Starting place: Tourist Information Centre
Starting ref: SN 614959
Bwlch Nant yr Arian | Mountain Biking (NRW)

Address

Bwlch Nant yr Arian, Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre, Ponterwyd, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3AB

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Ponterwyd, Aberystwyth

Mid Wales is a serious stop off and venue for people wishing to improve their dirt jump and pump track skills and the Mountain Bike Skills Park at Bwlch Nant yr Arian equips people to more safely enjoy their cycling out on the existing mountain bike…
Walking Newtown | Neuadd Hendidley Farm

Address

Y Drenewydd | Newtown, Newtown, Powys, SY16 2BB

Telephone
01686 625544

townclerk@newtown.org.uk

Newtown

The starting point for this walk is the Newtown Town Clock in the town centre and unfolds through Newtown's historical tapestry. It is approximately 3.5 miles and should take around 3.5 hours
Offa's Dyke Path National Trail

Address

Wales, LD7 1EP

Telephone
01597 827580

odpnt@powys.gov.uk

Crossing the border between England and Wales more than ten times in its 293km (182m), the Offa's Dyke Path passes through some of the most attractive landscape.
Tal-y-Bont Walk

Address

Talybont, Ceredigion, Ceredigion, SY24 5HE

Telephone
0300 065 3000

Ceredigion

Start: Tal-y-bont village green
Grid Reference: SN 654 891
Distance: 3.1 km – 1.9 miles
Grade: Easy/moderate
Terrain: Tarmac road and grassy tracks. Can be muddy
Maps: OS Explorer – 213
Aberdyfi Circular Walk off the Wales Coast Path

Address

Aberdyfi | Aberdovey, Gwynedd, LL35 0ED

Telephone
01286 679217

tourism@gwynedd.gov.uk

Aberdyfi | Aberdovey

Circular walk starting from the popular coastal town of Aberdyfi. Stunning sandy beach, medieval castle site, tales of sunken villages, and far-reaching views of the Dyfi estuary and Cambrian coast are all part of this short but scenic walk.
Cwm Hengae Walk

Address

Corris, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9SS

Telephone
0300 065 3000

Powys

Start: NRW forest car park. Turn R just before Aberllefenni village sign
Grid Reference: SH 769 092
Distance: 7.4 km – 4.6 miles
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Tarmac road and grassy tracks.
Maps: OS Explorer – OL 23
Dyfi Discovery Walk | Derwenlas Walk

Address

Derwenlas, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8BL

Telephone
0300 065 3000

Machynlleth

Start: Lay-by Derwenlas
Grid Reference: SN721 991
Distance: 6.2 km - 3.8 miles
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Firm tracks, open fields, some boggy areas
Maps: OS Explorer OL23