Latest News: Read more



Welsh hat on white with name in green; lowlands only, not mountainsCambrian Way

Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Gwynedd, Monmouthshire, Powys, Torfaen

481 km / 299 miles
Described as the Mountain Connoisseur's Walk, this route through upland Wales involves nearly 70,000ft of ascent and requires much stamina to complete. It is a tough, high-level route which should not be underestimated. Navigational skills are of paramount importance.

From the south coast, it follows a meandering northerly route over the Black Mountains, Brecon Beacons, Carmarthen Fan, Plynlimon, Cadair Idris, the Rhinogs, the Snowdon massif and the Carneddau to reach the north coast. In places there are route options.

Tony Drake, now sadly deceased, pioneered the route, and his guide was reprinted in 2016. Cambrian Way Trust now has a comprehensive website with maps and details to compliment the route guide. A new guide was published in July 2019 by Cicerone.

UPDATE October 2020 - Work to start upgrading the 150 year old Barmouth Viaduct starts in September 2020. It will affect the route of the path as it goes over the viaduct across the Mawddawch Estuary. During this upgrade the bridge will be closed temporarily on certain dates.
An alternative route is being looked into for walkers on the path and will be posted on this page. If you are planning to walk in this area, we suggest you also follow Network Rail social media for updates.
https://www.walescoastpath.gov.uk/latest-news/temporary-path-diversions/?lang=en

UPDATE May 2022 - Network Rail have announced that following the reopening of the railway line, the pedestrian and cyclist walkway had also reopened on 18th February 2022.
https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/walkway-across-iconic-barmouth-viaduct-opened-in-time-for-half-term

UPDATE September 2023 - The final stage of Network Rail's restoration of Barmouth Viaduct means that the railway line and the walkway alongside will be closed between 31st August (3rd September for the railway line) and 24th November 2023 for 'work on the metallic elements' of the bridge.

UPDATE December 10th 2023 - Barmouth Viaduct has re-opened.


Details:

Waymark: Welsh hat on white with name in green; lowlands only, not mountains
Path Type: Other Paths
Waymark: Welsh hat on white with name in green; lowlands only, not mountains
Attributes: Very Challenging
Moorland
Mountain
Start: ST181765 - Cardiff Castle, Cardiff View on StreetMap
Finish: SH783775 - Conwy Castle, Conwy View on StreetMap
User Group: Cambrian Way Trust Cambrian Way Trust
Web Sites: Cambrian Way Independent Hostels UK - Cambrian Way Accommodation The battle for the Cambrian Way Long Distance Walks in South Wales Conwy County Borough Council - Cambrian Way Cheltenham Outlier - Cambrian Way [blog] Backpack Artist - Cambrian Way [blog] Walking the Cambrian Way [Podcast] Cambrian Way, BBC documentary - 1997 [YouTube video] Long Walks - The Cambrian Way, Wales Coast Path, Snowdonia Slate Trail

Publications, Badges and Certificates:

Guidebook Walking the Cambrian Way : classic Wales mountain trek - south to north from Cardiff to Conwy  (Cicerone Press  - 2019 )
Guidebook Cambrian Way - The Mountain Connoisseur's Walk  (Cordee Ltd  - 2016 )
Guidebook Cambrian Way  (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch  - 2000 )
Other BBC Radio Wales : Country Focus : Millions of trees and the Cambrian Way  (BBC )

Maps:

You can use the interactive controls to zoom in and out and to move around the map, or click on a path or a marker for more info.(interactive map help)

Show Connected Path Outlines
Path Variants
National Trails (England & Wales)
Paths Marked on OS mapping
Other Paths
Anytime Challenges

Show Accommodation
Hostel Accommodation
Bunk House

Show Points of Interest
Walkers are Welcome

Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2016.
© OpenStreetMap contributors under Open Database Licence.
Rights of way data from selected Local Authorities.
Large scale digital mapping is provided by John Thorn.
At high zoom levels the route is indicative only.
Purchase Ordnance Survey Maps:
OS Landranger 115, 124, 125, 135, 136, 146, 147, 160, 161, 171
OS Landranger Active 115, 124, 125, 135, 136, 146, 147, 160, 161, 171
OS Explorer 12, 13, 17, 18, 23, 151, 152, 166, 187, 200, 213, 214, 215, 263
OS Explorer Active 12, 13, 17, 18, 23, 151, 152, 166, 187, 200, 213, 214, 215, 263

Walking Support Providers:

Support Providers
Baggage Handling and Self Guided Walks (Celtic Trails Walking Holidays)
Support Providers

Accommodation within 5 km of this Path:

 
 
From
Path
Along
Path
Bunk House
< 1 km
59 km
Walkers are Welcome
< 1 km
63 km
Hostel Accommodation
2 km
78 km
Bunk House
3 km
92 km
Bunk House
2 km
98 km
Walkers are Welcome
< 1 km
112 km
Hostel Accommodation
2 km
145 km
Hostel Accommodation
2 km
145 km
Hostel Accommodation
1 km
163 km
Hostel Accommodation
< 1 km
178 km
Walkers are Welcome
< 1 km
194 km
Hostel Accommodation
5 km
226 km
Walkers are Welcome
< 1 km
260 km
Bunk House
3 km
291 km
Hostel Accommodation
4 km
346 km
Bunk House
< 1 km
367 km
Bunk House
4 km
387 km
Bunk House
1 km
403 km
Bunk House
3 km
406 km
Hostel Accommodation
3 km
407 km
Hostel Accommodation
1 km
431 km
Bunk House
4 km
435 km
Hostel Accommodation
4 km
436 km
Hostel Accommodation
< 1 km
442 km
Hostel Accommodation
< 1 km
450 km
Bunk House
3 km
455 km
Bunk House
3 km
456 km
Hostel Accommodation
4 km
456 km
Bunk House
4 km
468 km
Walkers are Welcome
4 km
468 km
Bunk House
3 km
470 km
Hostel Accommodation
1 km
472 km
Hostel Accommodation
< 1 km
480 km
Hostel Accommodation
4 km
480 km

Click to show 35 more Accommodations


Connected Paths:

National Trails (England & Wales)

Downloads:

Reminder: Material downloaded from this website is for personal use only. Commercial use, reproduction, modification of all content is strictly prohibited without prior approval by the LDWA. Please Contact Us if you have any requests.

GPX Route File
Cambrian Way GPX Exchange Format Route File
Last Updated 28/11/2020 22:59:24
Login to Download
(Members Only)
MemoryMap Route File
Cambrian Way Memory Map Route File
Last Updated 28/11/2020 22:59:24
Login to Download
(Members Only)
Tracklogs Route File
Cambrian Way Tracklogs Route file
Last Updated 28/11/2020 22:59:32
Login to Download
(Members Only)

Route Profile:

477.1 km (296.5 miles)
21,402 m (70,217 ft) ascent
1,044 m (3,425 ft)  maximum height

This website uses cookies

To comply with EU Directives we are informing you that our website uses cookies for services such as memberships and Google Analytics.

Your data is completely safe and we do not record any personally identifiable information.

Please click the button to acknowledge and approve our use of cookies during your visit.

Learn more about the Cookie Law