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Winter Walks in Mid Wales

Winter walking in Mid Wales means crisp mornings, low sun, empty paths and a fire to come back to. From frosty ridges in Southern Eryri (Southern Snowdonia) to sheltered forests in Powys and the coast path in Ceredigion, there are walks for every kind of winter day. Here's where we'd go, and what to take.

Frosty ridges: Cadair Idris, Southern Eryri

On a clear, cold day, Cadair Idris above Dolgellau is one of the finest winter walks in Wales. The Pony Path from Tŷ Nant is the most straightforward route to the summit, Penygadair. In winter the tops can be icy and snow-covered, and the weather changes fast, so only go up with the right kit and experience, and turn back if conditions change. For a lower walk with big views, the Precipice Walk near Dolgellau circles above the Mawddach estuary.

Reservoir circuits: the Elan Valley, Powys

The Elan Valley Trail runs beside the reservoirs from Rhayader towards Craig Goch on an old railway line, level and good in almost any weather. After heavy rain the dams overflow in white curtains of water. Start at Cwm Elan, the Elan Valley Visitor Centre, for maps and a warm drink.

Sheltered forests: Hafren and Coed y Brenin

When it's windy on the tops, head for the trees. Hafren Forest near Llanidloes has waymarked trails beside the young River Severn, including the walk to Severn-break-its-neck. Coed y Brenin near Dolgellau in Southern Eryri has forest trails for walkers alongside its well-known mountain bike routes.

Coast in winter sunshine: Ceredigion

On a bright winter day the Ceredigion Coast Path is at its best, with low light on the cliffs and hardly anyone about. The stretch between New Quay and Llangrannog is a good day's walk. Keep well back from the edges, which can be slippery.

Canal towpaths: the Montgomery Canal

For a flat, easy walk, the towpath of the Montgomery Canal near Welshpool is level and quiet, good for a Boxing Day stroll with the family.

What should I take on a winter walk in Mid Wales?

Waterproof boots with good grip, warm layers, a hat, gloves and a waterproof jacket. Carry a map and compass or a charged phone with offline maps, a torch and something hot to drink. Days are short, with sunset around 4pm in December, so start early and plan to finish in daylight. Tell someone your route, and check the mountain forecast before going high. See AdventureSmart.

More routes are on our walking routes page. For somewhere to dry off, see cosy Christmas cottages.

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More winter ideas

Inspiration

New Year in Mid Wales

See the New Year in by a pub fire, then walk it off on New Year's Day with nobody else about. A fresh start in Mid Wales.
Christmas in Mid Wales

Santa steam trains, candlelit country houses, market town shopping and a cottage with the fire lit. Christmas in Mid Wales is festive without the crowds.
Christmas with Dogs in Mid Wales

Winter beaches with room to run, pubs that welcome muddy paws and a cottage fire to dry off by. Christmas with the dog is easy in Mid Wales.
Cosy Christmas Cottages in Mid Wales

A wood burner, a tree in the corner and a walk from the door. Christmas cottages in Mid Wales sell out early, so it pays to book ahead.
Winter Wildlife in Mid Wales

Hundreds of red kites over Rhayader, starlings swirling under Aberystwyth pier and geese on the Dyfi estuary. Winter is a great time for wildlife in Mid Wales.
Dark Skies and Stargazing in Mid Wales

Some of the darkest skies in Britain, with the Milky Way overhead on a clear night. Here is where to go, what to look for and when.

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The Table Mountain Walk

Address

Crug Hywel | Crickhowell, Powys, NP8 1AA

Telephone
01873 812105

Powys

The Table Mountain is clearly visible from most places in Crickhowell. It is just to the north of the village on the eastern shoulder of the much larger Pen Cerrig-calch which dominates the northern views. Grid Ref: SO218185
Ystwyth Trail | Ystradmeurig - Tregaron

Address

Ystwyth Trail (Stage 2), Ystrad Meurig - Tregaron, SY25 6BJ

Telephone
01970 612125

aberystwythtic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Ystrad Meurig - Tregaron

The Ystwyth Trail is a 32.1km/20M cycle route and footpath linking Aberystwyth and Tregaron. Part of the trail follows the track of the old Great Western railway line.
Start: Aberystwyth SN584812
Finish: Tregaron SN679597
Dyfi Forest (NRW)

Address

Dyfi Forest (NRW), Gwynedd, SY20 8QJ

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Gwynedd

The Dyfi Forest is located mainly to the north of the Afon Dyfi between Dolgellau to the north and Machynlleth to the south. Dyfi is a 6000ha forest - a spectacular landscape well worth exploring.
Talybont | Mynydd Gorddu Walk

Address

Talybont Village Green, Talybont, Ceredigion, SY24 5HE

Telephone
0300 065 3000

Talybont

Start: Tal-y-bont village green
Grid Reference: SN654 891
Distance: Walk A: 10.5 km – 6.5 miles
Walk B: 9.8 km – 6.1 miles
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Tarmac road, firm tracks, fields and woodland. Can be muddy in places
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.
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.
Lôn Mawddach | Mawddach Trail

Address

Mawddach Estuary, Southern Snowdonia, LL40 2TA

Southern Snowdonia

The walk along the estuary from Barmouth to Dolgellau is 9.6 miles (15km). This easy leisure walk is suitable for all the family and involves no climbing. A section of the trail has been adapted for people with disabilities.
Severn Way Walk

Address

Llanidloes, Powys, SY18 6EE

Telephone
01938 551000

Walk the Severn Way, a long distance footpath tracing the route of Britain's longest river, from its sources to the sea.
Coed y Foel Woods to Capel Dewi Circular Walk

Address

Llandysul, Ceredigion, SA44 4DN

Telephone
01239 613230

cardigantic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Ceredigion

Part of Llandysul Trails - Coed y Foel Woods to Capel Dewi
Start: SN418406 - Car Park, Llandysul
Suitable for: Moderately fit walkers
Grade: Moderate-Strenuous
Distance: 13.1km/8M
Time: 4.5 hours (excluding rest stops)
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.
Glyndwr's Way | Machynlleth - Llanwddyn

Address

Mid Wales, Powys, SY20 8EE

Telephone
01597 827562

helen.tatchell@powys.gov.uk

A 132 mile National Trail set in the heart of Mid Wales breathtaking countryside, dedicated to the 15th Century Welsh Prince Owain Glyndwr
Llandysul/Pont-Tyweli South Walk

Address

Llandysul, Ceredigion, SA44 4DN

Telephone
01239 613230

cardigantic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Ceredigion

Part of Llandysul Trails - Llandysul / Pont-Tyweli South Walk
Start: SN418406 - Car Park, Llandysul
Suitable for: Moderately fit walkers
Grade: Moderate
Distance: 9km/5.6M
Time: 2.5hrs (excluding rest stops)
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.
The Cambrian Way | Central Section

Address

Llanymddfri | Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, SA20 0AW

Carmarthenshire

The Cambrian Way is a challenging long distance walk through the most unspoilt countryside in Wales. Walkers will be amazed at the remoteness of the central section route through Mid Wales from the Brecon Beacons to Southern Snowdonia.
Bwlch Nant yr Arian | Walking Trails (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

Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre sits at the head of a dramatic valley and has commanding views of Cardigan Bay and the Cambrian Mountains. Expect beautiful scenic walking trails all of which are waymarked and start from the visitor centre.
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.
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.
Coedwig Gymunedol Longwood Community Woodland

Address

Long Wood, Canolfan Longwood, Llanfair Clydogau, Lampeter, Ceredigion, SA48 8NE

Telephone
01570 493355

info@longwood-lampeter.org.uk

Llanfair Clydogau, Lampeter

Coedwig Gymunedol Longwood Community Woodland is a 300 acre site of mixed woodland just north of Lampeter in Ceredigion. The woods are owned and managed by the local community and is as a free facility for walkers, riders and cyclists to enjoy all…
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.
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
Dyfi Discovery Walk | Cwrt Walk

Address

Cwrt, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8BL

Telephone
0300 065 3000

Machynlleth

Start: Village car park, Cwrt
Grid Reference:SH 688 000
Distance: 4.8 km – 3 miles (with extension 6.6 km - 4 miles)
Grade: Moderate (extension energetic)
Terrain: Tarmac road, firm tracks, fields and woodland
Maps: OS Explorer - OL 23