10 Most Beautiful Valleys in Wales

Situated inside the Snowdonia National Park, Cwm Idwal is a picturesque glacial valley that was formed during the previous Ice Age. Here, you’ll see towering peaks in hues of red behind the charming lake, Llyn Idwal. On top of a wide variety of birds, it is home to an array of rare arctic-alpine plants. 

Besides birdwatching and hiking, exciting activities at Cwm Idwal include rock climbing and sightseeing – the region is popular with geology enthusiasts. If you’re new to the sport of climbing, we recommend starting at the Idwal Slabs, a large expanse of smooth rock faces. More experienced climbers might prefer Devil’s Kitchen. 

Conwy Valley boasts landscapes such as mountains, woodland and rolling hills, making it an ideal destination for cyclers, hikers and wildlife watchers. Encompassing the valley of the River Conwy, it's also home to many historic sites and charming villages, the most famous being Conwy, where you’ll discover the 13th-century Conwy Castle. 

While exploring Conwy Valley, you might want to stroll through the village of Betws-y-Coed, which is known as the ‘Gateway to Snowdonia’. If you’d prefer to rest your feet while soaking up stunning country views, you can ride a heritage steam train along the Conwy Valley Railway. 

Wye Valley straddles the border between Wales and England, where a meandering river winds its way through limestone cliffs, rolling hills and verdant woodlands. The good looks of this designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) have made it popular with creatives for centuries – William Wordsworth once complimented the area’s “steep woods, lofty cliffs, and green pastoral landscape.” 

Wye Valley is popular with walkers, mountain bikers, and canoeists, as well as birdwatchers looking out for species such as peregrine falcons. If you’re a history buff, you might want to explore the 12th-century Tintern Abbey, which was the first Cistercian monastery in Wales. 

While Cynon Valley is a scenic area of rolling hills surrounding a tranquil river, it’s most famous for its rich industrial heritage as a historic hub of coal production. You can learn about the valley’s mining heritage in towns and villages like Mountain Ash and Aberdare, where you’ll find the fascinating Aberdare Valley Heritage Trail. 

If you’re visiting Cynon Valley for natural views rather than history, we suggest heading over to Aberdare Park for a walk around the lake. You can also stroll along the banks of the River Cynon for views of dramatic landscapes and diverse flora and fauna. 

The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in Wales. Here, you can explore landscapes such as heather moorland, rolling hills, deep valleys and the winding River Dee. This chain of peaks is bursting with well-maintained trails that make it popular with hikers. Kayaking and fishing are popular activities along the river. 

On top of natural beauty, the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley has a range of historically significant sites, including the medieval ruins of the Castell Dinas Brân and the Valle Crucis Abbey. Towards the south of the Clwydian Range, you’ll find the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. 

Dyffryn Ogwen is nestled between the towering peaks of the Carneddau and Glyderau mountain ranges. Two of the most popular peaks are Tryfan and Pen yr Ole Wen, which offer sprawling views over the surrounding countryside. Besides hiking and climbing, popular activities at Dyffryn Ogwen include fishing and wild swimming. 

Dyffryn Ogwen is crisscrossed with numerous walking trails, one of the most popular being the Ogwen Valley Path. After exploring the valley on foot, you can take the load off your feet by finding a picnic spot around Llyn Ogwen, a glacial lake surrounded by dramatic mountains. 

Nant Gwynant is part of the Snowdonia National Park, between the mountains of Nantlle Ridge and Snowdon, Wales’ tallest mountain. Traversed by the Afon Glaslyn, the valley is surrounded by glacial lakes and lush greenery, making it a popular spot for picnicking, water activities, wildlife watching, and hiking. 

Nant Gwynant is one of the busiest jumping off points for hikes to the summit of Snowdon – the Watkin Path that leads to the peak starts in the Nant Gwynant valley. You can find out about the area’s nature, geology, culture and history by visiting the Beddgelert Information Centre. 

Nantlle Valley lies between the mountains of the Snowdonia National Park. It's named after the River Nantlle that flows through it. While walking and hiking are popular activities, the valley's main draw is arguably Llyn Nantlle, a glacial lake that attracts walkers, local fishers and wild swimmers. 

On top of being a mecca for nature lovers, Nantlle Valley is a hotspot for history buffs. You can gain insights into the valley’s mining heritage by visiting the remaining sections of the now-abandoned Nantlle Railway. Nearby historical landmarks include the Pen y Bryn Slate Quarry and the Cornish Beam Engine. 

The Vale of Ffestiniog stretches from the town of Blaenau Ffestiniog to the village of Trawsfynydd. Historically, this valley was a hub of slate mining. You can explore fascinating slate caverns near Blaenau Ffestiniog. For sprawling views of the region, ride the iconic narrow-gauge railway that connects the town to the harbour town of Porthmadog. 

Characterised by the River Dwyryd, some of the most notable natural attractions near the Vale of Ffestiniog include the scenic Trawsfynydd Lake, the Moelwyn Mawr mountain peak and the picturesque Cwmorthin Waterfall. You might also want to check out the Stwlan Dam hydroelectric power plant. 

Rhondda Fawr is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful valleys in Wales – it has produced poets, musicians and entertainers such as Max Boyce and Dic Jones. On top of being a hub for creatives, it's famous for its cultural heritage, having played a vital role in Wales during the Industrial Revolution. 

You can learn about Rhondda Fawr’s mining heritage by visiting museums such as the Rhondda Heritage Park in the village of Trehafod, where you can embark on an underground tour of a reconstructed colliery. If you fancy a spooky adventure, head to the abandoned Rhondda Tunnel that runs between the Rhondda and Afan Valleys.