Wild Trails Wales Guide: How to Reach the Most Popular Walks in Wales Using Public Transport

Llyn Glaslyn & Llyn Llydaw on Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)

With climate concerns, fuel prices rocketing and parking nightmares at many of Wales’ most popular walking spots, even if you are lucky enough to have a car, you might be considering alternative ways of accessing Wales’ favourite walks. The good news is, many of them are accessible using public transport. This guide shows you how you can reach ten of the best walks in Wales, without a car.

Please bear in mind, accessible doesn’t necessarily mean easy, please be Adventure Smart.

1. Pen y Fan, Brecon Beacons

Pen y Fan, in the heart of the Brecon Beacons, is easily reached using public transport. Buses run from Cardiff, Merthyr, Newtown, and Hereford, where there are train stations linking up with the rest of the rail network. Other links with onward bus services include Brecon, Hay on Wye and Builth Wells. Take the T4 / T14 Trawscymru service and ask to stop at Storey Arms, right at the beginning of the trail up Pen y Fan.

View over Snowdonia from the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) on a clear day

2. Yr Wyddfa - Snowdon, Snowdonia

The Snowdon Sherpa bus travels around the foot of Snowdon, creating a link between the beginning of the various routes to the summit, villages and car parks. The S2 links up with the train station in Betws y Coed for the main rail network; the S97 with Porthmadog’s train station, and the S4 with the steam train services between Caernarfon & Beddgelert. These buses also connect to buses for onward travel in Llanberis & Caernarfon, and to the park and ride services for Pen y Pass.

3. Waterfall Country, Brecon Beacons

The X7 bus service connects with Glynneath for walks at Pontneddfechan in Waterfall Country with train stations in Neath & Swansea from where you can connect directly onto the main line serving Cardiff & London. During summer months there is a park and ride service between Glynneath & Pontneddfechan. You can also take the 906 between Glynneath and Pontneddfechan if you want to save the additional walk between the town and the village.

Walking the coast path on the St David’s Peninsula

4. St David’s Peninsula, Pembrokeshire

Train stations at Haverfordwest and Fishguard (where there’s also a ferry service to Ireland!) are linked to St David’s coastal bus services. These also stop at many villages along the coast path, providing great opportunities for extended linear walks on the coast path around St David’s Peninsula. During the winter try the Fflecsi service.

Spring 2023 update: the coastal bus services have been temporarily suspended, but the Fflecsi service covers this area so use that until hopefully the coastal bus services are resumed.

Llyn Cau, Cader Idris via the Minffordd route.

5. Cader Idris, Snowdonia

The T2 Trawscymru service stops at Minffordd for the popular Minffordd route up Cader Idris. This service connects to train stations at Machynlleth, Porthmadog, Bangor and Aberystwyth.

Walking the Wales Coast Path at Rhossili

6. Rhossili Bay, Gower Peninsula

Bus route 118 connects Rhossili Bay, with fantastic coastal walking, to Swansea, for onward train and bus services. Swansea is on the main London-Cardiff-Haverfordwest train line.

7. Cwm Idwal & Ogwen Valley, Eryri (Snowdonia)

One of the most popular walking areas in Eryri (Snowdonia), walks such as that at Cwm Idwal as well as more difficult climbs like Tryfan, begin from the Ogwen Cottage area in Eryri. Parking here has become a big issue, so why not take the T10 service from Bethesda or Betws y Coed where you can connect via train?

8. Wye Valley Walk, Tintern

The Lower Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is home to one of the best sections of the Wye Valley Walk long distance trail. You can take the train to Chepstow, where you begin the walk towards Tintern. Then take the 69 bus back to Chepstow or on to Monmouth for additional bus routes.

Porth Dinllaen on Pen Llyn - Image Copyright Mari Owen

9. Porth Dinllaen, Lleyn Peninsula

Home to everyone’s favourite pub on the beach, this is a popular walk, best enjoyed by avoiding clogging up the narrow lanes to reach it. Take the 8 bus from the train station in Pwllheli, or on Monday - Friday during the summer take advantage of the brilliant Fflecsi service.

10. Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire

Take the 387 / 388 Coastal Cruiser bus from Pembroke Dock to Stackpole Quay for the walk to Barafundle Bay. Parking can be problematic here to say the least, so the bus is a great, less stressful option. The bus connects you directly to the train station in Pembroke Dock, and even the ferry to Ireland if you need it!

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Did you find this guide useful? Please let me know in the comments below. I try to keep all the links up to date but please let me know if you find a broken link.

Did you know we offer a guided service for all of these walks where we can meet you there? Please get in touch if you’d like to find out how we can help you.