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Wales Itinerary Suggestions - combining coastal and valley walking, and some other things

Posted by on

Though I’ve done a fair bit of research in guidebooks and online, I’m still struggling a bit to come up with an itinerary for a trip in Wales, so I thought I’d invite others’ feedback about itineraries or places I might base myself.

I would have about twelve days there in the spring, and would be travelling with public transportation (which I know poses at least some modest challenges).

I think I could find much of what I’m looking for in Pembrokeshire or perhaps along the Ceredigion coast. By this, I mean doing a lot of coastal walking, getting out to Skomer Island for the puffins, and seeing some smaller towns and villages (or even larger ones if they’re interesting). For the walking, my preference would be to have a base, and then get back and forth by public transportation, but I wouldn't rule out carrying everything with me and walking from town to town.

I’d also like to do some valley walking and explore mining history, and am wondering if I should be thinking about a different region for that. And I’m also wondering if, by any chance, I could accomplish that by making stops along the Heart of Wales train line (I know it has its detractors, but it sounds very appealing to me).

Less of a priority, but something I’d be happy to add if there were enough time, would be a modest climb at Eryi/Snowdonia or the Brecon Beacons.
So with all that, any suggestions?

Thanks!

Posted by
125 posts

If you are interested in exploring mining history, the Big Pit National Coal Museum is excellent. We especially enjoyed the underground tour. The guides are former miners.

Prepare to be lowered 90 metres (300 feet) down the Big Pit
mineshaft...

Visitors wear the very same equipment – helmet, cap lamp, belt,
battery and ‘self rescuer’ – used by miners...

Once underground, you will be guided (a 50-minute walk) around the
coal faces, engine houses and stables in the company of a former coal
miner.

Your guide will explain the different ways in which coal was mined and
transported, and share some of his own experiences.

The Underground Tour
https://museum.wales/bigpit/tour/

Plan Your Visit
https://museum.wales/bigpit/visit/

Posted by
2587 posts

This map will show you the railways (coloured for each route) and main bus routes (in grey) across Wales. Note that it is not exactly to scale - the red lines in the south have been exaggerated to show a much bigger area than they in fact cover.

For the main longer distance buses in Wales see > https://traws.cymru/en

Cardiff would make a good base in the SE and has the transport system to get you to places of interest. You could for example use the T4 bus to reach the Brecon Beacons and alight at Storey Arms for the hike to the summits. I see that Big Pit at Bleanavon has been mentioned as a mine (disused) that you could go down and I think it is excellent BUT rather fiddly to reach by public transport. An easier option from Cardiff would be train to The Rhondda Heritage Park - you need Trehafod station on the Treherbert line.

Transport for Wales (TfW) is the main train operator across Wales and a section of neighbouring England. Their website has a section about taking hikes from stations.

More on Cardiff in my earlier response here.

From what you have stated, I think you would like to go by train from Cardiff to Pembrokeshire. For west Pembrokeshire, Haverfordwest would be the main railhead. However, to reach Skomer can be rather tricky using public transport. You will find it easier to take a bus to St. David’s and use that as a base for this part of the coast (excluding reaching Skomer). If you want a more busy place in Pembrokeshire, consider taking train from Cardiff to Tenby in the south of the county. Local boats take people out to nearby Caldy Island which has a monastery. See this You Tube video on Tenby:> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJCCKnLLfOA

https://www.traveline.cymru is the website you need to find out how to get about by public transport in Wales.

Beware of defunct timetables for buses that have been left on the web.

When done with Pembrokeshire, consider going by bus up the west coast to Aberystwyth. (Aberaeron is worth a stop of an hour or so). The Vale of Rhiedol Railway is worth a trip inland from Aberystwyth.

You can take trains N from Aberystwyth* to Porthmadog * Change at Machynlleth. Porthmadog would a good base for NW Wales but you may also like to take a look at Aberdovey (Aberdyfi) & Barmouth on the way?

For local buses into Snowdonia see:> https://snowdoninfo.com/sherpa-bus-service/

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