One of my favourite things to do after eating an ungodly amount of festive food is plan a lovely Boxing Day walk.
17:46, 25 Dec 2025Updated 17:47, 25 Dec 2025
Wrap up warm and get out there this Boxing Day(Image: Portia Jones )
One of my favourite things to do after eating an ungodly amount of festive food is plan a lovely Boxing Day walk. For many of us, wrapping up and going on a bracing Boxing Day walk is an annual tradition, a chance to get much-needed fresh air and get our bodies moving after the inevitable excesses of Christmas Day.
From dramatic coastlines, heather-strewn moorlands, and steep ridges to plunging river valleys and dense pine forests, Wales has an unbeatable range of walks that you can enjoy during Twixmas. This small but mighty country is a hiker’s dream, with loads of short treks and loop walks, many of which have lovely pit stops.
I’ve rounded up some of our favourite day walks in Wales to inspire you to get outdoors and explore after a festive binge. So lace up those boots and start planning your Boxing Day walk.
Cardiff Bay Trail, Cardiff
This easy, mainly traffic-free circular trail runs just over six miles around Cardiff Bay and to the swish seaside town of Penarth via Pont Y Werin.(Image: Portia Jones )
Combine city and sea on this family-friendly Boxing Day walk. This easy, mainly traffic-free, circular trail runs for just over six miles around Cardiff Bay and across to the seaside town of Penarth via Pont Y Werin.
You can easily start at Cardiff Bay or Penarth for this lovely walk. Follow the ‘Cardiff Bay trail’ signs to complete this easy and scenic loop walk.
This relatively flat trail is designed for walkers and bikers and is a perfect way to explore the waterfront in a low-impact way.
Along the trail you’ll see some of Cardiff’s historic and modern landmarks such as the Norwegian Church, Wales Millennium Centre, the Senedd and the Pierhead building.
Source of the Severn Trail, Hafren Forest
This is Hafren Forest in its quietest, most enchanting season(Image: Portia Jones )
If you’re up for a Boxing Day walking challenge, the Source of the Severn Trail in the Hafren Forest is the ultimate day hike adventure. This seven-mile route takes you deep into the forest, past Blaen Hafren Falls and onto the open moorland of Pumlumon.
The climb to the source is steep and rugged, with stone slabs marking the way across boggy terrain. At the top, you’ll find the hidden source of the River Severn, marked by a simple carved wooden post. This quiet, windswept spot feels worlds away from the dense forest below.
The trail passes heritage sites along the way including the remains of a mine, a farmstead, and a standing stone.
Look for the map panels installed at key points. They help you gauge how far you’ve come and how much further you must go.
Worms Head Walk, Wales Coast Path
The Worms Head Walk is a family-friendly six-mile trail near the National Trust shop.(Image: Portia Jones )
For the most gorgeous coastal views in Wales, you’ll want to hike along the Wales Coast Path – an 870-mile-long designated footpath that hugs the shoreline around Wales. This long-distance route can be broken into smaller sections, making ideal day hikes and family walks in Wales.
The Gower Peninsula section of the Wales Coast Path has a series of easy, moderate and difficult walks to suit every ability this holiday season. Several popular walks in this area include Oxwich to Pennard Cliffs, Rhossili to Port Eynon, Langland Bay to Caswell Bay and Worm’s Head Walk.
The gorgeous scenery includes unspoilt coastline, limestone cliffs, beautiful headlands, and golden beaches.
The Worms Head Walk is a family-friendly six-mile trail near the National Trust shop. This route allows you to take in the stunning views across Rhossili Bay and venture out to Worm’s Head – two small and pretty islands off the headland of Rhossili that are joined to the coast at low tide by a causeway.
Garth Mountain Summit walk
More of a hill than a mountain, it’s the site where Hugh Grant’s 1995 picture, The Englishman Who Went Up A Hill But Came Down A Mountain, was filmed.(Image: Portia Jones )
The Garth Mountain walk is a roughly six-kilometre trail that takes you to the summit of 1007-foot-high Garth Mountain. More of a hill than a mountain, it’s the site where Hugh Grant’s 1995 picture, The Englishman Who Went Up A Hill But Came Down A Mountain, was filmed.
This strenuous hill walk has several starting points, and many walkers start from Taffs Well or Gwaelod-y-garth Village.
It’s one of the more challenging walks in Cardiff, so you’ll need decent hiking gear, a map, or the super handy OS app.
If you start from Gwaelod-y-Garth, you can walk through Garth Wood and experience the stillness of an ethereal pine forest. The Garth Mountain trails are waymarked, but I recommend taking an OS Map with you or using the Outdoor Active app if you are new to walking. You can follow the peaceful trails to the summit or opt for a loop around the ridgeway.
Blorenge walk, Abergavenny
Blorenge is a prominent hill in the southeastern corner of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park,(Image: Portia Jones )
Blorenge is a prominent hill in the southeastern corner of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, overlooking the River Usk valley near Abergavenny.
The Blorenge walk is a gentle hike from the car park across the mountaintop that takes around 2 hours and can be done by older children. The car park’s proximity to the summit makes this an easier walk than most in Bannau Brycheiniog.
Stroll around swathes of heather moorland, looking out over the rolling Black Mountains and signs of the area’s industrial heritage. Spring is a particularly nice time to walk this trail as the colours begin to emerge and the air feels fresh.
Pen y Fan, Bannau Brycheiniog
Pen y Fan is beautiful (Image: Portia Jones )
For some of the best views in Wales, hike up the highest peak at Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, Pen y Fan. On this scenic hike, you can enjoy panoramic views of the landscape.
Most walkers take the well-trodden route to the summit from Storey Arms Activity Centre. However, there is also a less crowded ascent via the path up from Taf Fechan Forest past Neuadd Reservoir.
Recently, watching the sunrise at the top of Pen y Fan has become extremely popular. Many experienced walkers trek by torchlight to see the dawn break over the Brecon Beacons.
Pyg Track, Eryri National Park
A temperature inversion seen from Yr Wyddfa ( Snowdon), trapping cloud below the peak(Image: Sara Jade Murphy)
Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) is loved by walkers, climbers and outdoor enthusiasts. Its nine mountain ranges cover approximately 52% of the Park and include many peaks that are over 3,000 feet.
Wales’s highest mountain, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), has become wildly popular over the last few years. Huge selfie-seeking crowds have been reported along its popular trails and at the summit, clogging up trails and causing parking mayhem.
For a slightly more peaceful day hike, head up Pyg Track early in the morning in the shoulder season. It’s one of the best hiking trails in the National Park, offering sweeping views and Instagram-worthy shots. This incredibly scenic route is suitable for beginner day hikers, as it is not too challenging or technical.
Like most trails in Eryri, the trail starts at the Pen-y-Pass car park and is signposted for ease. Parts of the hike can be steep, but thankfully, given the unpredictable Welsh weather, they are not too exposed. On this route, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the Welsh landscape, including Crib Goch and Llyn Llydaw Lake.
The Dylan Thomas Walk, Laugharne
Though small, Laugharne has long punched above its weight with its impressive cultural and literary heritage.(Image: Portia Jones)
Known as “The Dylan Thomas Walk,” this two-mile route is a must for literature lovers and anyone who enjoys a lush view.
Start at the car park near Laugharne Castle and follow the trail as it winds up to St John’s Hill, where you’ll get cracking views of the castle and the boathouse.
Along the way, watch for information boards packed with insights about Dylan Thomas and the poem that made this spot famous.
After stretching your legs, it’s time to refuel. Head to Dexter’s at Brown’s Hotel for a well-earned drink and seriously tasty food. They’re all about that farm-to-fork goodness, working closely with local producers and butchers to serve next-level steaks.
Follow this guide by Weatherman Walking to make things easier.
Llanddwyn Island Circular Walk
Llanddwyn Island on Anglesey’s west coast is home to the church of St Dwynwen – the Welsh patron saint of lovers(Image: Portia Jones)
Llanddwyn Island on Anglesey’s west coast is home to the church of St Dwynwen – the Welsh patron saint of lovers. It’s the perfect place in Wales for a bracing Boxing Day stroll and a picnic with your fave.
Discover the island on a 3.5-mile circular route starting from the Newborough Forest car park near Niwbwrch. It’s a fairly easy, straightforward track as the island of Llanddwyn is only around one kilometre long, so it doesn’t take long for the ruins of Santes Dwynwen’s chapel to come into view on your post-Christmas walk.
Route highlights include forests, sandy beaches and the Tŵr Mawr lighthouse.
Bosherston and St Govan’s Walk, Pembrokeshire
This area is a hiker’s dream(Image: Portia Jones )
A 4.4-mile circular walk that takes you on the glorious Pembrokeshire Coast Path Trail. Highlights of this walk include limestone cliffs, beaches and the famous Bosherston lily ponds, where you’ll find otters, waterfowl, and water lilies.
On this coastal walk, you’ll also find many secluded bays, caves, arches, inlets, blow-holes, and stacks that are the result of wave action on the limestone cliffs and are great for sea birds, including ravens, martins, oystercatchers, jackdaws and, of course, the chough. Wildflowers abound – the squill and sea lavender are particularly beautiful.
Follow the trail to St Govan’s head to find a secluded chapel hidden on a wild and windy beach. Walking down to St Govan’s chapel today, you can still see ‘bell rock’. Legend has it that if you make a wish while standing in the rock cleft, it will come true – as long as you don’t change your mind before you turn around.
Barry to Porthkerry Park walk, Vale of Glamorgan
Porthkerry is a great spot (Image: Portia Jones )
This pleasant coastal day walk takes you on the Wales Coast Path and offers sweeping views. You can get the train or bus to Barry Island, then walk to Porthkerry, about 3 miles. It’s a lovely walk along the coast that will help burn off a massive Christmas dinner.
On this walk, you’ll experience a pebble beach and clifftop traverse, taking in the views of the Bristol Channel, which has the second-highest tidal range between 12 and 14m. You’ll also pass the ruins of a Roman building and another pebble beach as you follow the promenade.
At the end of this walk, you’ll be on the grounds of beautiful Porthkerry Country Park, where you can take snaps of the viaduct towers over the Park. There’s also a playground that the kids will love if they are walking with you.
Cardiff section of the Cambrian Way
If you are looking for a long Boxing Day walk in Cardiff, this nine-mile route takes you through beautiful parklands, canals and forests.(Image: Portia Jones )
If you are looking for a long Boxing Day walk in Cardiff, this nine-mile route takes you through beautiful parklands, canals and forests.
The Cambrian Way is an incredibly scenic and challenging long-distance trail from Cardiff to Conwy. It’s over 298 miles through some of the wilder parts of Wales.
Stage one of the Cambrian Way runs from Cardiff to Machen and is just over 15 miles long. Although it’s one of the longer day hikes on this list, it is achievable with the right planning and preparation.
If you just want to walk within the Cardiff section, you can walk 9.5 miles from Cardiff Castle to the Caerphilly border by the Travellers Rest pub. It’s a great trek through pretty parklands, heritage canals and wooded areas and offers a long walk within the city boundaries.
The Cardiff section starts in Bute Park and is fairly well-marked, though it does cross in and out of the popular Taff Trail.
Pumlumon Fawr, Cambrian Mountains
Located in Ceredigion near Ponterwyd, at 2,468ft, Pumlumon Fawr is the highest point in Central Wales(Image: Portia Jones )
In the wilds of the Cambrian Mountains in Mid Wales, Pumlumon Fawr (known as Plynlimon in English) has somehow managed to escape the attention of snap-happy day-trippers.
Located in Ceredigion, near Ponterwyd, Pumlumon Fawr, at 2,468ft, is the highest point in Central Wales. However, there are no car parks, road signs, or marked trails, so it’s a remote Boxing Day trek.
Here, you can discover the dreamy lakes and streams that are the source of mighty rivers and enjoy uninterrupted views of the mountain ranges of Wales and Ceredigion’s remote inland landscapes.
Summiting from the northern side involves trekking through deep valleys, boggy patches, and boulder-strewn slopes to the Copa (Welsh for ‘summit’).
The mountain’s name derives from the Welsh word “Pum,” meaning “five.” This reference is fitting, as five distinct routes wind their way to its summit, each offering a unique journey through this rugged landscape.
These trails can be completed in a day and should only be attempted by experienced hikers. This is largely because it’s not a ‘have-a-go’ mountain. There are no marked trails, cafés, toilets or gift shops here. It’s truly one of the last wildernesses in Wales.
This solitude is both awe-inspiring and slightly eerie. If you’re a hiker who finds comfort in crowds, this is not the trek for you. But if you enjoy unspoilt scenery and almost-perfect tranquillity, Pumlumon Fawr ticks both those boxes.
