Family walks in Wales

When the views are this epic, a country or coastal stroll becomes a mini-adventure. It’s enough to turn even the most reluctant ramblers into fearless explorers. Especially if there’s an ice cream at the end…

What’s great about the Cwm Idwal walk is that it’s a (relatively) easy way of getting into the heart of Eryri's (Snowdonia) most dramatic mountain scenery. Cwm Idwal and its glacial lake were carved out by ice sheets, and it’s world-famous for its rock formations and rare plant life. The walk around Llyn Idwal is a doable challenge for smaller children; older teens, if suitably equipped, can opt for the scramble up the Devil’s Kitchen to Glyder Fawr. Handily, there’s a café, Ogwen Falls Snack Bar, at the start/end point.

Length: 3 miles (4.8km)

Time: 2 hours

There’s a bit of everything on the spectacular Precipice circular walk: woodland, meadows, lakeside – and of course the precipice part (don’t worry – it’s not as scary as it sounds). You’ll enjoy stupendous views down the Mawddach Estuary and of Eryri's (Snowdonia's) various mountain ranges.

Length: 3 miles (4.8km)

Time: 2 hours

This action-packed lap of the Llangollen history trail and the Dee Valley manages to cram in Llangollen Canal, the Horseshoe Falls, Llantysilio Church, Valle Crucis Abbey, the imperious remains of Dinas Bran Castle – not to mention the pretty town itself.

Length: 6 miles (10km)

Time: 4 hours

The ‘Mountain of Angels’ is actually the stump of a 450-million-year-old volcano, on which our Iron Age ancestors left the tumbledown remains of a fort. The views of the village of Newport from the summit are fantastic, and it’s easily reached from a handy layby. For a coastal alternative, book a Fflecsi bus ride from Newport to the Cwm yr Eglwys junction, and follow the footpath down to sea at Aberfforest. It’s a two hour ramble back to Newport, with an optional swim along the way.

Length: 2 miles (3km)

Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

There’s something fabulously pirate-ish about the walk to Worm’s Head that children love: get the tides wrong and you’ll be marooned there (so please, read the safety board before trying it – it’s only safe for a couple of hours either side of low tide). There’s also a genuine old shipwreck on Rhossili’s jaw-dropping beach.

Length: 3.5 miles (5.6km)

Time: 1.5 hours

Pembrokeshire is rightly famous for coastal walks, but if you’ve ever driven the A40 north of Haverfordwest, you’ll have spotted the volcanic Treffgarne Rocks, whose bizarre silhouettes dominate the horizon. Variously nicknamed Lion, Unicorn and Teddy Bear, they’re easily reached by small children – just head uphill from the Nant y Coy Mill. On the other side of the road, there’s also a lovely walk through the Treffgarne Gorge.

Length: 1.5 miles (2.5km)

Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

The first section of this easy trail is wheelchair/pushchair friendly, so everyone can enjoy the clifftop views of Cardigan Bay (watch out for dolphins in summer) on route from Aberporth to Tresaith. The second half is a slightly more challenging descent into Tresaith, where a waterfall tumbles onto the far end of the beach.

Length: 2 miles (3.2km)

Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Pushchair-friendly Cnwch Wood is the easiest of the many walking trails around the dams and reservoirs of this vast wilderness. The nine-mile (13km) Elan Valley Trail is also flat and largely tarmacked, but probably best appreciated on two wheels: you can hire tag-alongs, trailers and child-seated bikes from the visitor centre.

Length: 1 mile (1.6km)

Time: 45 minutes

Of the seven hills that surround Abergavenny, Skirrid Fawr offers the most rewarding walk for children. Head up from the car park through the woods, and follow the mountain’s spine to the ruined chapel on a summit which, during late summer, is thick with delicious whinberries.

Length: 4 miles (6.4km)

Time: 2.5 hours

The Ogmore by Sea circular route takes in Ogmore Castle, the layered cliffs of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, the walled gardens and ruins of Dunraven Castle, and the area’s best beach, Dunraven Bay at Southerndown. Another option is to take the stepping stones across the River Ogmore to the thatched village of Merthyr Mawr, beyond which lies the biggest range of sand dunes in Wales.

Length: 8 miles (13km)

Time: 4 hours