Discover driving routes in Wales, with route maps, worthwhile stops and practical notes. Choose a drive by its scenery, distance and estimated duration.
Head inland from Aberystwyth through Ponterwyd and the Cambrian uplands towards Llangurig, then turn south to Rhayader. This is a broad mountain-country crossing using public main roads rather than reservoir access lanes.
Cross Llangynidr Mountain on the B4560 before returning through the eastern Usk Valley. This compact circuit pairs the exposed high road with lower valley approaches, avoiding repeated runs up and down the same pass.
Climb from Llangollen over the Horseshoe Pass before continuing through Llandegla towards Ruthin. The open upland road forms the centrepiece, with lower valley approaches at either end.
Drive the A470 spine of the Cambrian Way from Cardiff’s northern edge through the heart of Wales to Llandudno. The journey changes from busier southern approaches to uplands, valleys and the northern mountain country.
Made famous by EVO magazine, this circular North Wales drive links the A543, B4501 and A5. Expect sweeping bends, open moorland and stretches of forest as you explore the countryside around Llyn Brenig. It’s a compact scenic loop, with opportunities to pause for lakeside views and a walk along the way.
Starting at Craig-y-Nos Country Park, this circular drive heads towards Sennybridg. The scenery gives a rally-stage feel before you join the A4069 for the dramatic Black Mountain crossing, looping back through Ystradgynlais to complete the drive.
Link the Mawddach and Meirionnydd coast roads with the Ffestiniog uplands and the A4212 towards Bala. This southern Eryri circuit combines coast, reservoirs and mountain-country roads without duplicating the Llanberis pass loop.
Cross the Preseli Hills on the B4329 and return through the Gwaun-side countryside. The high road and the more enclosed valley lanes create a strong contrast within a compact Pembrokeshire circuit.
Take the A5 through the Ogwen Valley between Capel Curig and Bethesda. The road runs through a mountain corridor, with the high ground providing the character of this short crossing.
Cross from the Elan Valley to Cwmystwyth on the mountain road, then continue along the B4574 towards Devil’s Bridge. Return by the A44 for a coherent upland circuit without reservoir visitor-centre or dam-access spurs.
Follow the established Coastal Way corridor between St Davids and Aberdaron. This is a major west-Wales road trip linking coastal towns, estuaries and mountain backdrops; use several days if you want time for the places around the route.
Follow the A466 north from Chepstow through Tintern and the wooded Wye corridor towards Monmouth. River-valley bends and steep wooded slopes provide the character between the town approaches.
Cross the Berwyn country from Bala towards Llangynog, then continue through the Tanat-side countryside towards Llanfyllin. This point-to-point route builds around the high crossing and its changing valley approaches.
Take the A470 north from Merthyr Tydfil through the central Bannau Brycheiniog corridor, passing the Libanus area before reaching Brecon. The trunk-road crossing offers broad upland scenery between the busier approaches.
Link Bwlch y Groes with the Lake Vyrnwy roads and the B4391 Berwyn crossing for a demanding upland circuit. The route follows mountain through-roads rather than attraction entrances or a reservoir car-park tour.
Spend a full driving day linking the Black Mountain, central Bannau Brycheiniog roads and the Epynt crossing. The A4069 and B4560 are the headline sections, with valleys and open uplands joining them into a substantial circuit.
Climb through Llanberis Pass to Pen-y-Pass before descending towards the Capel Curig side of Eryri. The mountain-road setting is the highlight of this compact point-to-point route.
Make a substantial circuit around Anglesey’s coastal road network, using the north-coast A5025 and the western A4080. The road-led loop leaves lighthouse, beach and harbour access to your own optional visits.
Cross the Tal-y-llyn side of the hills from Dolgellau towards Corris, then turn for Tywyn and return along the coastal corridor towards Fairbourne. Mountain slopes and lower coastal country make a varied longer circuit.
Cross two contrasting South Wales mountain-road sections on the A4061. Climb from Nantymoel over the Bwlch into the Rhondda, pass through Treorchy and Treherbert, then rise over Rhigos towards Hirwaun. Open uplands alternate with settled valleys, making a varied point-to-point drive with a natural pause between the climbs.
Make a broad circuit around the western and southern approaches to Yr Wyddfa, linking Beddgelert, Rhyd Ddu and Llanberis. The return crosses the pass before dropping through the mountain valleys towards Beddgelert.
From Aberystwyth’s seafront, head inland to Devil’s Bridge before climbing through Cwmystwyth into the wild Cambrian Mountains. This scenic drive winds through open moorland and dramatic valleys, passing the Elan Valley reservoirs before descending into Rhayader. Expect sweeping views, remote stretches and plenty of reasons to stop along the way.
Climb the Devil’s Staircase on the Abergwesyn–Tregaron road, then return through the southern Cambrian countryside. This circuit gives the narrow mountain road room to stand out, rather than treating it as a quick shortcut.
Combine the Horseshoe Pass with the historic A5 route into Eryri and the Ogwen Valley. This longer point-to-point drive links two famous Welsh road landscapes without adding a return over the same pass.
Explore the Llŷn countryside from Pwllheli towards Aberdaron, returning along the northern side through the Nefyn area. This peninsula circuit mixes open farming country with village approaches and intermittent coastal views.
Driving times exclude stops. Leave time for the views, check each route’s notes and make the journey your own.
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