While the characteristic Welsh humility and isolation may have caused the region to escape your notice, Wales is an exceptional destination to visit. The region is often quite remote, escapes the crush of tourists found in other more visited areas in the United Kingdom, and is complete with its own unique culture, traditions, cuisine, and history. Below are four reasons we added Wales to our guided travel schedule and a behind the scenes look about this incredible trip from guide Rogan O’Herlihy.
Encounter Skomer Island’s Rare Wildlife
Wales is a magnificently wild place. The country is both far less developed than its neighbors and less populated, with the flocks of Welsh sheep outnumbering the amount of people that live in the country. Because of this, the Welsh wilderness is far more hospitable for wildlife, the most exciting of which lives off the coast. A visit to the remote Skomer Island is the perfect way to see this wildlife, as a large puffin population calls the island home. A puffin tour of the island includes the opportunity not only to see the quizzical birds, but also arctic terns, dolphins, razorbills, and more rarely a member of one of the few Orca schools that live off the Welsh coast.
Explore Mount Snowdon
Mount Snowdon is the highest peak in Wales, located in the Snowdonia Nature Reserve. Although the humble peak is only a bit over 3,500 feet high, the treeline at this latitude is quite low so the views from Snowdon are dramatic. The summit itself is best accessed by riding a cheerful and historic cog railway. Once at the top of the peak, there are several enjoyable trails to follow, some branching out to the nearby alpine lakes or other summits. More adventurous travelers use this cog rail to access some challenging sport climbing, while the most relaxed option is to visit the lodge at the top for a long and scenic lunch.
Delve into Medieval History
The Welsh countryside is absolutely littered with historic sites of interest with the majority dating back to the medieval period, although the occasional Roman ruin is visible as well. A fantastic pairing of historic sites is St. David’s Bishop Palace and St. David’s Cathedral. While the palace is largely in ruins at this point, the cathedral is still a magnificent sight. It doesn’t take much to imagine the Palace in its former glory either! The cathedral was erected after William the Conqueror designated the site as a holy location. Following this, the village soon became a site of pilgrimage and an excellent place for an aspirant monk to both study and worship. Meanwhile the palace was originally just a collection of buildings where followers of the church lived, until Bishop Henry erected a palace to honor the significant nature of the historic site.
Indulge in Unique Seafood Dishes
Welsh seafood is unlike any other cuisine on earth, in part because of two unique dishes. The first is cockles which are quite similar to a clam or mussel. This less common shellfish is gathered by combing the sand at low tide, a practice which is buoyed by the miles of accommodating coastline that runs along Wales. Cockles are eaten in stews, soups, and pies or can be enjoyed on their own as a finger food. An even more unique Welsh invention is laverbread, or bara lawr in Welsh, a dish made from seaweed. The seaweed, despite being called a bread, is most often associated with a traditional Welsh breakfast served on toast or with bacon and cockles. Laverbread is also used in various recipes, including soups, stews, and savory cakes.
Behind the Scenes: Creating Our Wales Walking Tour
Written by Rogan O’Herlihy, Lead Guide, Ryder-Walker
As I enter my tenth year of guiding international walking tours, I’ve come to appreciate something rewarding: some of the best journeys begin long before guests arrive. As much as I love guiding on the trail, the moments that really stay with me are the ones spent building a new trip—walking it, testing it, and shaping it into something that feels balanced, rewarding, and quietly memorable.
That was very much the case with our Wales Walking Tour.
From a Blank Page to a Walking Route
When I start designing a new itinerary, it usually begins as a blank page. I spend days immersed in maps, guidebooks, reviews, and conversations, sketching out what I think the journey could be—identifying standout landscapes, natural walking rhythms, and the towns that might anchor each day. Before long, a skeletal itinerary emerges, complete with key walks, overnight stops, and places worth lingering.
But no itinerary is complete until it’s walked.
Wales is a place I’ve returned to often over the years. Having grown up near the Welsh border in the Cotswolds, it was always close by—and always calling me back. When the time came to shape this journey, I knew I wanted to capture both sides of Wales: its dramatic coastline and its rugged mountain heart.
Walking the Country
For the northern portion of the route, I based myself in Porthmadog—a small harbor town that makes an ideal jumping-off point into the mountains and along the coast. From there, I set out to walk each of the key routes, paying close attention to how the days flowed and how the terrain felt underfoot.
One standout day was a full circuit of Cadair Idris, a mountain known for its moody beauty and sweeping views. The walk climbs steadily through forest, opens onto a striking high-country lake, and continues through heather-covered slopes to wide, exposed ridgelines. It’s the kind of hike that feels invigorating without being overwhelming—and exactly the sort of day I look for when designing a Ryder-Walker route.
Another defining experience was taking the train to the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). Cliffs just yards from the track, astonishing views complimented by evocative plays of light that the clouds washed across the valleys and mountainsides, and a moody summit tucked inside the violent maelstrom of the wind and cloud waiting for us at the end of the track. Approached thoughtfully, it’s a powerful mountain without the altitude stress found elsewhere in Europe. Standing at the top, with views stretching across ridges, valleys, and toward the sea, reminded me just how much variety Wales packs into such a small country.
Between walks, I explored castles, gardens, and historic sites that naturally complement the hiking—places that add depth without disrupting the rhythm of the journey. In Wales, history doesn’t feel staged; it simply appears along the path.
Evenings Well Earned
My research days don’t end when the walking does. I’m just as interested in how the evenings feel—where we land at the end of the day is as important as the hike. Along this route, I spent time at three 4-star hotels that really stood out to me. Parc le Breos was a perfect fit after coastal walking on the Gower—comfortable, relaxed, and set in beautiful countryside. Twr y Felin, in Pembrokeshire, struck that ideal balance between laid-back and refined, with excellent food and a great sense of place. And then there’s Portmeirion, which honestly needs very little introduction—it’s one of those places that makes you smile the moment you arrive and feels like a proper reward at the end of the journey.
After a full day outside, it’s hard to beat settling in with a good meal—fresh seafood, Welsh lamb, local cheeses—and a well-earned pint or glass of wine. Those simple comforts, shared at the right place, are what turn a good walking day into a great one.
The Finished Journey
By the time I wrapped up the research, the route had more or less made up its own mind. It moves easily between coast and mountains, bigger days and gentler ones, wide-open views and the kind of quiet moments that tend to catch you off guard. Nothing feels rushed, and that’s entirely intentional—it’s walking that gives you time to look around, take it all in, and enjoy being exactly where you are.
Wales has a habit of rewarding those who slow down and explore it properly. This trip came together one step at a time, guided by that idea—and it’s one I’m genuinely excited to walk again, this time with good company. Join us this May and let’s explore Wales together!
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