Wales: Snowdonia & the Northern Coast

Walking in Wales is like tracing routes through Britain during another era—embracing a rich, enduring culture every step of the way. Wales has an unspoiled landscape and diverse terrain of gently rolling hills, dramatic mountain ranges, calm glacial lakes, waterfalls tumbling from hanging valleys, and panoramic coastal vistas. The route in northern Wales draws you to the rugged mountains of Snowdonia National Park and to areas of outstanding natural beauty that have inspired poets—from Ruskin to Wordsworth—for centuries. You see the 13th-century fortresses of Conwy and Caernarfon, steeped in history, and walk along trails that climb to ancient hill forts, pass by typical stone churches, and lead to cottages tucked among carefully tended gardens. The Isle of Anglesey and the Llyn Peninsula beckon as you follow routes along golden sand beaches and rocky coves before concluding at cozy pubs.
    Welsh is the oldest living language in Europe today, and your encounters with charming locals will instill an appreciation for the native culture’s many distinctive features. Chief among them is Welsh hospitality, which welcomes you in a traditional inn and a fine manor house. Meals feature local cuisine such as wild sea bass, Welsh fillet steak, and Snowdonia lamb, but you may also be tempted by pub fare such as a ploughman’s lunch or fish and chips.