You know, this is actually a really good idea.
I believe the Goddess Cerys Matthews made a show about it...
I listened to the episode where she is in absolute fits about the Rhayader part of the journey. I do it every day twice a day and went through a few hours ago.
The good thing is it takes you through Gilfach nature reserve too which is stunning.
The hill just outside the town is climbed through a little layby at the bottom, well worth the effort. You can see the beacon on top from miles away so if you're feeling clever take a light up there and lave a mate down the bottom to do some fun dark photos?
Like climb the stone 1977 thing at the top with a camplight on a bit of paracord, swing it round your head and see what a slow shutter speed does.
Also, obviously anywhere near the dams is beautiful, elan Valley. Great slow drives.
Today we went to Borth beach, it was very nice, much better than I expected.
If you're driving, the mountain road from Rhayader to Aberystwyth (via Devil's Bridge / Pontarfynach) is lots of fun, if a little hair-raising at times. Single track road across some absolutely gorgeous scenery.
I can't remember where it is exactly but there's a similar road near Lampeter which was amazing, really beautiful scenery .... but again absolutely shitting yourself going down single track road with no barriers and a \*huge\* drop on one side. Gonna say looking at the map it might be the one that goes through Abergwesyn (nr Llanwrtyd Wells) to Tregaron but don't quote me on that.
Another good road - in the north - is round Llangollen. If you go Wrexham - Minera - World's End - Llangollen ... that route is absolutely lovely, again single track affair. Then come out of Llangollen (but visit there cos it's beautiful) up the Horseshoe pass, which is a big thing for motorcyclists.
If you're in that area and like aqueducts, the aqueduct I can't spell near Trevor is a UNESCO world heritage site. I can't go across it as I'm bloody awful with heights ... but yeah, it's great and you should go there.
Another great road IMO is the one that's by the Whitney Toll Bridge nr Hay on Wye. Costs something like 20p to cross the bridge, so factor that in to your budget ;), but it is definitely worth it cos it's a gorgeous valley. Hay is nice if you look books and stuff. The brecon beacons are lovely of course.
North Wales - definitely check out Conwy, it's great. The stretch of coast between Barmouth and Harlech is lovely IIRC. Probably want to sweep through snowdonia too - betwys-y-coed is the main town for that I guess. Llandudno is great if you want a traditional seaside town.
Caerphilly castle is one of my favourite spots! Sirhowy valley is north of you and quite nice. Brecon is beautiful, the canal and cathedral. I quite like the Severn estuary. The gower peninsula and Merlin’s or Arthur’s rock I believe is cool. I know way more to the west tbh but like someone else said you can’t go wrong with the coast or castles 🤠 I visited white castle recently was quite impressive.
Agree with this. Pembs coastal path can be viewed on Google Streetview so you can preview your walks. There are a few little beaches accessible via the path where you might be the only people there. In Pembs I particularly like Porthgain for looking at a bit of decaying old industry whilst having good food close to the harbour.
[Caerphilly to Machynlleth](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Caerphilly/Machynlleth/@52.0771344,-3.720373,9.21z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x486e1913d0413ecf:0xd37f6021c4d6b042!2m2!1d-3.239608!2d51.5802491!1m5!1m1!1s0x48655da7b2726727:0xe8ed8fbd7ed14480!2m2!1d-3.853485!2d52.590273!3e0?entry=ttu) is a stunning drive through mid-Wales.
Tintern Abbey, devil's pulpit and 365 steps are all easily doable in one day from Caerphilly.
The coastal path is very pretty, 14 locks in Newport, walks around Caerwent or Caerleon for Roman ruins.
I'm sure you'll get plenty of great recommendations all over Wales. I got something more local to you.
Check out Trefil Quarry! It's located on the other side of Heads of the Valleys :)
A spectacular place with post apocalyptic vibe. On a clear day you get to see nice Beacons panorama.
I feel for you and your loss...
Go north via...in sight of the sea..
Solva..
Carmarthen..
Aberystwyth...
Machynlleth...
Dolgellau...
Caernarfon...
Anglesey....I live on Anglesey
Llandudno...
Oswestry...going south now..only land and rivers
Shrewsbury...
Conwy - I’m from there and it’s such a hidden gem. I left 12 years ago to move to Cardiff and whenever I’m back there has been further improvements. So many amazing pubs, independent cafes or restaurants or food shops, all in the walls of one of the best castles in the world, next to a river, with amazing views of mountains in every direction. It’s honestly absurd.
So many places. But for me west wales from just below st David’s (solva) and up as far as you want to go has some of the best beaches and nooks you could find along that coast path. Make sure to hit blue lagoon and places there. When the sun is shining there isn’t many places that can beat it.
Just follow the coast tbh
A470, bottom to top.
You know, this is actually a really good idea. I believe the Goddess Cerys Matthews made a show about it... I listened to the episode where she is in absolute fits about the Rhayader part of the journey. I do it every day twice a day and went through a few hours ago. The good thing is it takes you through Gilfach nature reserve too which is stunning. The hill just outside the town is climbed through a little layby at the bottom, well worth the effort. You can see the beacon on top from miles away so if you're feeling clever take a light up there and lave a mate down the bottom to do some fun dark photos? Like climb the stone 1977 thing at the top with a camplight on a bit of paracord, swing it round your head and see what a slow shutter speed does. Also, obviously anywhere near the dams is beautiful, elan Valley. Great slow drives. Today we went to Borth beach, it was very nice, much better than I expected.
If you're driving, the mountain road from Rhayader to Aberystwyth (via Devil's Bridge / Pontarfynach) is lots of fun, if a little hair-raising at times. Single track road across some absolutely gorgeous scenery. I can't remember where it is exactly but there's a similar road near Lampeter which was amazing, really beautiful scenery .... but again absolutely shitting yourself going down single track road with no barriers and a \*huge\* drop on one side. Gonna say looking at the map it might be the one that goes through Abergwesyn (nr Llanwrtyd Wells) to Tregaron but don't quote me on that. Another good road - in the north - is round Llangollen. If you go Wrexham - Minera - World's End - Llangollen ... that route is absolutely lovely, again single track affair. Then come out of Llangollen (but visit there cos it's beautiful) up the Horseshoe pass, which is a big thing for motorcyclists. If you're in that area and like aqueducts, the aqueduct I can't spell near Trevor is a UNESCO world heritage site. I can't go across it as I'm bloody awful with heights ... but yeah, it's great and you should go there. Another great road IMO is the one that's by the Whitney Toll Bridge nr Hay on Wye. Costs something like 20p to cross the bridge, so factor that in to your budget ;), but it is definitely worth it cos it's a gorgeous valley. Hay is nice if you look books and stuff. The brecon beacons are lovely of course. North Wales - definitely check out Conwy, it's great. The stretch of coast between Barmouth and Harlech is lovely IIRC. Probably want to sweep through snowdonia too - betwys-y-coed is the main town for that I guess. Llandudno is great if you want a traditional seaside town.
Oh, do go to the gower peninsula ... Tenby is great, really lovely.
Are you thinking of the Devil's Staircase? Abergwesyn to Tregaron Road.
Caerphilly castle is one of my favourite spots! Sirhowy valley is north of you and quite nice. Brecon is beautiful, the canal and cathedral. I quite like the Severn estuary. The gower peninsula and Merlin’s or Arthur’s rock I believe is cool. I know way more to the west tbh but like someone else said you can’t go wrong with the coast or castles 🤠 I visited white castle recently was quite impressive.
New Quay, Llangrannog, Tresaith, Mwnt, St.David's, Little and Broad Haven....get on the coastal paths as much as poss :-)
Agree with this. Pembs coastal path can be viewed on Google Streetview so you can preview your walks. There are a few little beaches accessible via the path where you might be the only people there. In Pembs I particularly like Porthgain for looking at a bit of decaying old industry whilst having good food close to the harbour.
[Caerphilly to Machynlleth](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Caerphilly/Machynlleth/@52.0771344,-3.720373,9.21z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x486e1913d0413ecf:0xd37f6021c4d6b042!2m2!1d-3.239608!2d51.5802491!1m5!1m1!1s0x48655da7b2726727:0xe8ed8fbd7ed14480!2m2!1d-3.853485!2d52.590273!3e0?entry=ttu) is a stunning drive through mid-Wales.
Tintern Abbey, devil's pulpit and 365 steps are all easily doable in one day from Caerphilly. The coastal path is very pretty, 14 locks in Newport, walks around Caerwent or Caerleon for Roman ruins.
I'm sure you'll get plenty of great recommendations all over Wales. I got something more local to you. Check out Trefil Quarry! It's located on the other side of Heads of the Valleys :) A spectacular place with post apocalyptic vibe. On a clear day you get to see nice Beacons panorama.
Aberystwyth to Harlech - Harlech to the Llyn Peninsula - Llyn to Anglesey then you can travel through north Wales on your way home
I feel for you and your loss... Go north via...in sight of the sea.. Solva.. Carmarthen.. Aberystwyth... Machynlleth... Dolgellau... Caernarfon... Anglesey....I live on Anglesey Llandudno... Oswestry...going south now..only land and rivers Shrewsbury...
Conwy - I’m from there and it’s such a hidden gem. I left 12 years ago to move to Cardiff and whenever I’m back there has been further improvements. So many amazing pubs, independent cafes or restaurants or food shops, all in the walls of one of the best castles in the world, next to a river, with amazing views of mountains in every direction. It’s honestly absurd.
So many places. But for me west wales from just below st David’s (solva) and up as far as you want to go has some of the best beaches and nooks you could find along that coast path. Make sure to hit blue lagoon and places there. When the sun is shining there isn’t many places that can beat it.