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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

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The Precipice Walk

Address

Dolgellau, Southern Snowdonia, LL40 1PS

Southern Snowdonia

The Precipice Walk is one of the famous attractions of Dolgellau. It passes through an interesting variety of habitats which include deciduous woodland, a conifer plantation, meadows, lakeside and sheep-walk.
Dinas Oleu Walk

Address

Abermaw | Barmouth, Barmouth, Southern Snowdonia, LL42 1LS

Telephone
01341 440238

eryri@nationaltrust.org.uk

Barmouth

The Dinas Oleu Walk takes you from Barmouth town centre through the steep narrow winding streets of the Old Town and up to the top of the gorse-covered hill, known as Dinas Oleu (Citadel of Light).
Glyndwr's Way | Knighton - Llanidloes

Address

Trail Start - Knighton, Knighton - Felindre - Abbeycwmhir - Llanidloes, Powys, LD7 1EN

Telephone
01597 827562

helen.tatchell@powys.gov.uk

Knighton - Felindre - Abbeycwmhir - Llanidloes

The 135 m/217km National Trail is a long distance walk which can be enjoyed as a continuous journey, typically taking around nine days, or over a series of weekend or day trips.
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.
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
Rhayader | Walking & Hiking

Address

Rhaeadr Gwy | Rhayader, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5BU

Telephone
01597 810561

enquiries@rhayader.co.uk

Rhayader

Get off the beaten path and explore everything that Rhayader and the Elan Valley has to offer, from gentle relaxing walks to something to challenging the most experienced climbers.
Ceredigion Coast Path | Cardigan - Aberporth

Address

Cardigan - Aberporth, Cardigan - Aberporth, Ceredigion, SA43 1JL

CardiganTIC@ceredigion.gov.uk

Cardigan - Aberporth

1st section of the Ceredigion Coastal Path
Total distance 18.7km (11.7 miles)
Cardigan to Gwbert 5.6km (3.5 miles), grade/easy
Gwbert to Mwnt 5.8km (3.6 miles), grade/easy
Mwnt to Aberporth 8km (5 miles), grade/moderate
The Beacons Way Walk

Address

National Park Visitor Centre, Libanus, Brecon, Powys, LD3 8EL

Telephone
01874 623366

visitor.centre@breconbeacons.org

Brecon

The Beacons Way walk offers some of the best views the National Park has to offer. If you want to complete the whole 163 km (101 mile) walk it takes eight days, or you can do it one day at a time at your convenience.
Dyfi Discovery Walk | Ceinws to Llanwrin Walk

Address

Ceinws, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8BL

Telephone
0300 065 3000

Machynlleth

Start: Ceinws village
Grid Reference: SH760 059
Distance: 11.3 km – 7 miles (additional 0.7km - 0.4 miles to Llanwrin)
Grade: Moderate / Strenuous
Terrain: Firm tracks, open fields
Maps: OS Explorer 215
Llandysul / Pont-Tyweli North Walk

Address

Llandysul, Ceredigion, SA44 4DN

Telephone
01239 613230

cardigantic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Ceredigion

Part of Llandysul Trails - Llandysul / Pont-Tyweli North Walk
Start: SN418406 - Car Park, Llandysul
Suitable for: Moderately fit walkers
Grade: Easy
Distance: 6.5km/4M
Time: 2.5 - 3hrs (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.
Montgomery Trails | Irresistible Offa Walking Route

Address

Trefaldwyn | Montgomery, Powys, SY15 6HN

Trefaldwyn | Montgomery

This scenic circular walk takes you through the farming fields of Montgomery east, from the remnants of ridge and furrow farming from the middle ages to Boardyhall Wood past Lymore Lodge and current farm buildings.
Walking Newtown | Brimmon Wood & Kerry

Address

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

Telephone
01686 625544

townclerk@newtown.org.uk

Newtown

The Brimmon Wood & Kerry walk starts and ends in the centre of Newtown. It is mainly off-road walking with a few short sections on quiet lanes.
Bwlch Nant yr Arian | Running Trails (NRW)

Address

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

Telephone
01970 890453

bnya@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Ponterwyd, Aberystwyth

Bwlch Nant yr Arian is famous for feeding red kites daily. Range of waymarked walking, mountain biking, running and horse-riding trails and a mountain bike skills park. Café, shop and play area.
Gogerddan Wood | Woodland Trails (NRW)

Address

Gogerddan Wood, Gogerddan, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3ED

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Aberystwyth

Follow some of the original miners' paths around this attractive woodland and discover the Castle Grogwynion Iron Age Hillfort, the Grogwynion Falls, an amazing variety of trees, and a dam dating from the 19th Century.