The dramatic scenery of Wales has lured visitors for centuries. And most of them would tell you the same thing – you need a car to see the best of it.
I’ve devised this list of the best scenic drives in Wales to guide you to the most beautiful corners of the country. These drives range from classic mountain passes to gorgeous coastal lanes.
These drives also visit all three National Parks in Wales, as well as the serene Cambrian Mountains, the rural heart of Wales.
I also suggest places to see nearby for each drive, and places to stay in the area. Enjoy!
A Note On Welsh National Park Names:
Two of Wales’ three National Parks have recently prioritized their Welsh names over the more commonly used English names.
So the Brecon Beacons are now known by their Welsh name, Bannau Brycheiniog.
And Snowdonia is now known as Eryri.
I use both Welsh and English names for each National Park throughout the article.
A4069 Black Mountain
The A4069 is the famous Top Gear road, much loved by the presenters of the BBC motoring TV show.
It’s an awesome road, traversing around 5 miles (8 km) of the open moorland of the Black Mountain (Mynydd Du), the westernmost part of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park. The road climbs from Brynamman, soon reaching the wild open country. The higher you climb, the better the views.
You eventually reach the escarpment ridge, from where there are superb views north over the patchwork of green fields and hills to the north. Youi can head north from here towards the market town of Llandovery. Otherwise a left turn through the backroads takes you to one of the best castles in South Wales, the mighty medieval ruin of Carreg Cennen Castle. Or you could take a right towards Llanddeusant, and the beautiful mountain lake of Llyn y Fan Fach.
Where To Stay: The Cawdor, Llandeilo – superb boutique hotel a few miles from Carreg Cennen Castle
B4560 – Mynydd Llangattock
The A465 Heads of the Valleys road is the dividing line between the formerly industrial South Wales and the stunning countryside of the Brecon Beacons. The contrast is astonishing. Turn north on the B4560, away from the industrial estates of Ebbw Vale, and suddenly you’re in another universe.
The B4560 is a very popular road with drivers who enjoy massive wide panoramas. After a mile or two of moorland, the views begin – vast open space all around you.
The road continues down to the Usk Valley and the village of Llangynidr, but some of the minor roads leading off it – such as the ones leading to Llangattock and Crickhowell – are also well worth exploring.
Where To Stay: The Bear Crickhowell – 15th century inn in the middle of town, great base for exploring the Black Mountains
A470 Cardiff to Llandudno – Bwlch yr Oerddrws
The A470 is the Mother of All Welsh Roads. It’s a rarity in Europe in that it runs the length of the country, from south coast to north. And an A470 road trip is one of the best introductions to the country and one of the best ways to get more intimate with Wales.
You could drive the A470 in as little as five hours, but could easily take five days. It takes you through the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) and Eryri (Snowdonia), two of the country’s three National Parks, also passing six fine Welsh castles along the way.
You could drive the whole route, from Cardiff to Llandudno, or if you’re driving from London or the English Midlands, join at Mallwyd (via the A458 from Shrewsbury). Within a few miles, you climb Bwlch yr Oerddrws (pictured), the Pass of the Cold Door, as you enter Snowdonia National Park. You then pass the eastern flank of Cadair Idris, before dropping to sea level and climbing all the way back up again to Trawsfynydd Lake and the Rhinog Mountains.
The A470 eventually skirts the popular village of Betws-y-Coed before settling down for the final push down the Conwy Valley to Llandudno.
See Also: A470 Road Trip – The Ultimate Road Trip Through Wales
B5113 – Nebo Road
This fantastic ridge road runs from the A5 at Pentrefoelas to Llanrwst and the A470, offering a dramatic alternative route bypassing Betws-y-Coed.
The road runs through upland farmland on the ridge above the Conwy Valley, giving you an astounding panorama of the eastern flanks of Eryri. The nearest peak is Moel Siabod, while further away you can make out the distinctive outline of Tryfan, and the Carneddau to the north of that.
The views are magnificent for three or four miles. At some point you’ll be tempted to step outside to make a photograph – there’s one large car park near the hamlet of Nebo.
Where To Stay: Royal Oak Hotel, Betws-y-Coed – old coaching inn in the centre of the village, with a busy pub serving bar meals next door
A5 Corwen to Betws-y-Coed and Ogwen Valley
The A5 was built by Thomas Telford, the ‘Colossus of Roads’, in the early 19th century, completing the route between London and the port of Holyhead. It’s one of two main routes into North Wales from England, and by far more enjoyable (if slower!) than the other option, the A55 North Wales Expressway.
The run from the border to Llangollen is lovely, but the views really start to open out after Corwen, with views of the Arenig range off to the left and moorland to the right. The lead shot in this article – with the view of the peaks of Eryri – is near the turn-off for Pentrefoelas (the turn-off for the B5113, the Nebo road above, is just after this). You then approach Betws-y-Coed, passing a stunning view (with a car park) of Moel Siabod and the Lledr Valley just before you reach the village.
Betws-y-Coed is its own magical woodland time capsule, a village that grew from an artists’ colony and is now one of the main gateways to Snowdonia. It hasn’t changed in the slightest since I first visited in the early 1980s. The A5 climbs out of the village, past Swallow Falls (one of the finest waterfalls in Wales) before levelling out on the higher ground around Capel Curig.
It then runs through the stunning Ogwen Valley, with Tryfan and the Glyderau on the left and the Carneddau on the right, past Llyn Ogwen lake. The A5 then descends down Nant Ffrancon to the slate quarrying village of Bethesda, before continuing through Bangor and across the Menai Suspension Bridge to the Isle of Anglesey.
Where To Stay: Panorama Cottages – great self-catering option in the hills above Llangollen
A487 – Newgale
The A487 is one of the longest roads in Wales, taking you all the way from Haverfordwest in the southwest to Bangor in the north. It shares tarmac with other A-roads for a considerable part of the way, including the A470 at one point. It takes you to the likes of Cardigan, Machynlleth, Porthmadog and Caernarfon along the way.
The most scenic stretch of the A487 is a few miles from its beginning, on the Pembrokeshire coast at Newgale. Here the glorious St Brides Bay coastline is suddenly revealed – the rugged cliffs of the coastline to St David’s, and sublime Newgale beach hidden behind a bank of pebbles.
As you reach the shoreline there is a minor road to the left. This – Welsh Road – runs from the village of Little Haven, a few miles to the south, passing the beaches at Broad Haven, Druidston and Nolton Haven before reaching Newgale. The views along the final approach to Newgale are astounding.
At Newgale, the A487 passes beneath the bank of pebbles before climbing the steep hill at the northern end of the beach. The road may soon be moved a short distance inland as it has been blocked by the pebbles during winter storms in recent years. The road then continues to the picturesque harbour village of Solva, and on to the tiny cathedral city of St David’s a few miles to the west.
Where To Stay: St Davids Cross Hotel – excellent 3-star hotel on the main square, a 3-minute walk from the Cathedral
See Also: Pembrokeshire Road Trip – 5 Days in Gorgeous West Wales
A4086 Capel Curig to Llanberis Pass
This is the most dramatic of our scenic drives in Wales, taking you past one of the most famous views in Wales before climbing to the top of the Llanberis Pass.
Begin at the village of Capel Curig, heading past the Plas y Brenin Mountain Centre on your left. As you do, the staggering view of Yr Wyddfa and the Snowdon Horseshoe of peaks opens out. I’ve been this way hundreds of times, and nearly always stopped for a few minutes. Take a walk down to the shore of Llynnau Mymbyr for the classic postcard view of Yr Wyddfa, it’s breathtaking.
Continue west along the valley, passing the fantastic old Pen-y-Gwryd Hotel on the way. Just after this famous mountaineers’ bolthole, turn right for the climb to Pen-y-Pass, the crown of the Llanberis Pass. From here, the road squeezes between the massif of Snowdon on the left and the Glyderau range on the right.
You could extend this into a full circuit of Snowdon / Yr Wyddfa – check out my Snowdonia Road Trip article for more information.
Where To Stay: Bryn Tyrch Rooms – great location on A5, close to mountains and the hike up Moel Siabod
Elan Valley to Cwmystwyth
The Elan Valley is one of the most famous scenic drives in Wales. It’s a 20-mile circuit from Rhayader taking you around all four reservoirs and dams built to provide water to the West Midlands in England.
The Elan River (Afon Elan) was dammed around the turn of the 20th century. The four lakes created – Caban Coch, Garreg-Ddu, Pen-y-Garreg and Craig Goch – are dammed, with picturesque stone bridges and domes adding to the appeal. There is also another reservoir – Claerwen – a few miles off the regular circuit.
There are plenty of stopping points along the way, and a short uphill walk rewards you with the best view, over Craig Goch dam and reservoir. The road then continues behind the lake, before climbing up to meet another minor road. From here you can head right back to Rhayader, or left along the mountain road to Cwmystwyth. The latter will give you another scenic fix as it runs down a bare, steep-sided valley past a disused lead mine.
Eventually the road descends into more gentle countryside, and you can follow the B4574 to the delightful Hafod Estate and Devils Bridge.
Where To Stay: Penralley House B&B – luxury B&B in the centre of Rhayader
Abergwesyn Pass
The Abergwesyn Pass is one of the most isolated roads in Wales, carving a 20-mile route across the Cambrian Mountains between Llanwrtyd Wells and Tregaron. It’s a centuries-old drovers’ route, used by farmers to take their livestock to market.
It has a bit of everything – from a steep forest climb (or descent) called the Devil’s Staircase, the spectacular run above the River Irfon (pictured), and a section of open moorland with possibly the most photographed telephone box in Wales.
If you want to escape to the ‘Green Desert’ of Mid Wales then this is about as deserted as you’re ever going to get. It’s an awe-inspiring part of the world, an hour’s drive but you could easily make it considerably more with photo stops.
There’s also a short detour near the Nant y Cwr phone box. It’s to the remote Capel Soar y Mynydd, a Calvinistic Methodist chapel founded in 1822 for farmers in the surrounding area.
Where To Stay: Y Talbot, Tregaron – centuries-old inn on the main square in Tregaron
B4518 Llyn Clywedog Drive
The B4518 ‘big dipper’ road past Llyn Clywedog reservoir is a popular shortcut for drivers using the A470 between South and North Wales (or vice versa). It saves you a few miles and minutes, and it’s also a more scenic option than the A470 trip via Caersws.
Take the B4518 from the A470 at Llanidloes – the town centre is worth a brief stop to see the half-timbered Old Market Hall which was built in the 16th century. The B-road then ascends into the wilds of the Cambrian Mountains, eventually roller-coasting down to a corner of Llyn Clywedog.
The road climbs just as suddenly, skirting the northern shore of the lake for over a mile before heading north past the hamlet of Staylittle. You then pass the Dylife turnoff (see below) before continuing to the A470 at Llanbrynmair.
Dylife Mountain Road
The Dylife mountain road links the B4518 a couple of miles from the shores of Llyn Clywedog to the Mid Wales metropolis of Machynlleth (population 2,240).
Like the summit of Pen Pumlumon Fawr (Plynlimon) a few miles to the west, it’s an astonishing place where you feel like you’re on the roof of the world.
The road passes the Dylife Gorge pictured, then the abandoned lead mining village of Dylife (pronounced ‘Dull-EEV-eh’) and its lone pub, The Star Inn. You then pass some mine workings before the crest of the escarpment, and the staggering views begin.
The road gradually zigs and zags down the steep slope, with one stopping place, next to the slate memorial to Welsh broadcaster Wynford Vaughan Thomas. If his soul ever wanders these mountains, this is an amazing place to savour the view, which hasn’t changed one jot since he left this mortal coil almost 40 years ago.
Where To Stay: Y Star, Dylife – remote country inn serving food, also ideal for the Llyn Clywedog drive above
Sychnant Pass
This lovely mountain pass takes you from the UNESCO-listed walled town of Conwy to Dwygyfylchi and Penmaenmawr, the other side of Conwy Mountain (Mynydd y Dref).
The drive is only around 4 miles long, and is one of the best things to do in Conwy. You climb out of the town, eventually reaching the gap between the mountains and the view of Conwy Bay and Anglesey.
The road continues down to the village of Dwygyfylchi and, eventually the coastal village of Penmaenmawr on the A55. The Fairy Glen Hotel is open lunchtimes and evenings, and serves traditional pub food.
Where To Stay: The Groes Inn – superb village inn 3 miles south of Conwy
B4418 – Dyffryn Nantlle Road
This road only runs for a few miles through the less-visited western reaches of Eryri – but what a few miles.
The journey begins on a roundabout of the A487, continuing through the slate-quarrying villages of Penygroes and Talysarn. After which things get very interesting. The quarries on your left are part of the Welsh Slate Landscape World Heritage Site, along with several other locations around North West Wales.
But the highlight here is the view of Yr Wyddfa – Snowdon – a few miles to the east. As you approach, the great mountain is framed by the rocky crags either side. The view is even better from the shore of Llyn Nantlle Uchaf – Nantlle Lake – a short walk from the road.
The B4418 then climbs the mountain pass before descending past two lakes – Llyn y Dywarchen and Llyn y Gader. It then reaches the A4085 at Rhyd Ddu. There you can turn left towards Caernarfon, or right towards Beddgelert.
Where To Stay: Meifod House – beautiful country house 2 miles south of nearby Caernarfon, a great base for Snowdonia
Bwlch y Groes
The A470 runs through Dinas Mawddwy, just before one of its most beautiful sections at Bwlch yr Oerddrws. And another classic Welsh scenic drive also begins at the village – the minor road to Bwlch y Groes.
The head of the pass is 545 mertres (1,788 feet) above sea level, making it the second highest mountain pass in Wales. The first part of the drive from Dinas Mawddwy is a gentle climb, but the final 2 miles is very steep. In the 1920s and 1930, Triumph and Austin tested their cars for their ability to climb hills on this road. It was also the most brutal climb on cycling’s Milk Race – the forerunner of today’s Tour of Britain – in the 1970s.
The views at the top of Bwlch y Groes (the name means Pass of the Cross, as it was a staging post on a Welsh pilgrimage route) are magnificent. The nearest peak is Aran Fawddwy, to your left as you stand facing north. You can head right to Lake Vyrnwy, one of the most beautiful lakes in Wales, or head north down gorgeous Cwm Cynllwyd (Pictured) in the direction of Bala.
Where To Stay: The Brigands Inn, Mallwyd – atmospheric 4-star 15th century country inn two miles from Dinas Mawddwy on the A470.
Gospel Pass
The Gospel Pass – Bwlch yr Efengyl – is the high-point of a fantastic drive from the village of Llanfihangel Crucorney to the book town of Hay-on-Wye. It’s also (marginally) the highest mountain pass in Wales.
This narrow minor road runs along the floor of the Llanthony Valley, but before you settle in for the drive, I recommend a detour of around 4 miles each way to the gorgeous medieval church at Partrishow. This tiny, remote church has drawn visitors from far and wide for many years, and I rate it one of the most beautiful churches in Europe.
The road passes a series of farms, eventually reaching the Gothic ruin of Llanthony Priory. It’s a breathtaking sight, its arches open to the elements, with the serene backdrop of the Hatterall Ridge.
After the hamlet (and another gorgeous church) at Capel y Ffin, the road gradually climbs for two miles or so before reaching open country. Eventually you squeeze through a narrow gap between Lord Hereford’s Knob (on your left) and Hay Bluff (on your right). You then emerge onto a ridge with a staggering view of the patchwork of fields of Mid Wales below.
You could do the half-hour climb from here to Hay Bluff – one of the easier Brecon Beacons mountains – but the view isn’t really any better than from down below. From there it’s an 8-mile descent to the total one-off second-hand bookshop capital of the world, Hay-on-Wye.
Where To Stay: The Old Black Lion in Hay-on-Wye – one of the best pubs to stay in Wales
See Also: Things To Do In Hay-on-Wye
Best Scenic Drives In Wales – Final Thoughts
I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide. The first thing that strikes many visitors to Wales – especially first-timers – is the astonishing scenery.
If you’re looking for more inspiration to travel to or around Wales, Check out some of these articles below:
20 Most Beautiful Rivers In Wales
22 Incredible Landscapes In Wales
Staycation Wales – 20 Great Places To Stay In Wales
23 Best Seaside Towns In Wales To Explore
35 Best Castles In South Wales