Glyndwr’s Way Hike

Route notes checked June 2026.

Glyndwr’s Way is a 135-mile National Trail that loops through the remote sheep country of Mid Wales — from Knighton on the English border, west through Machynlleth (Owain Glyndŵr’s historic capital), then back east to Welshpool. Named after the 15th-century Welsh prince and folk hero, it’s the quietest National Trail in Wales and one of the most genuinely remote in mainland Britain.

What to expect

Nine to twelve days of walking. The terrain is mid-altitude upland — rolling hills, forestry plantation, open moorland and small farms, with daily ascent rarely above 700m but cumulative ascent over the trail around 7,000m. Long stretches between villages are normal; some days you’ll walk eight or more miles without seeing another walker. The route passes Lake Vyrnwy, the Dyfi Valley, and several Iron Age hill forts.

Practical notes

April through October is the practical season; winter brings real isolation that’s best avoided unless you’re experienced. Accommodation is thinner than other trails — some stages will require booking 6 months ahead or walking longer days to reach a village with a B&B. Welsh-language place names are the norm. Carry full waterproofs, a map and compass (the path is well-waymarked but mist closes in fast at altitude), and enough water for stretches between farms.

Stage by stage

Glyndwr's Way is the quiet one — 135 miles looping through the empty hills of mid-Wales, from Knighton on the English border out west to Machynlleth and back east to Welshpool. Named after Owain Glyndwr, it is the most remote and least-walked of the National Trails, a route of forestry, open moor and small Welsh hill towns with long gaps between them. Broken into natural sections (mileages approximate):

Doing it car-free

The two ends are both on the railway, which makes the overall trip easy to arrange without a car. Knighton sits on the Heart of Wales line, and Welshpool is on the Cambrian main line between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth. Better still, Machynlleth — the western turning point of the horseshoe — is also on the Cambrian line, so the trail divides neatly into two rail-bookended halves.

The catch is the middle. This is genuinely remote country, and away from those three stations public transport is sparse and infrequent — thin rural bus services at best. Plan the interior sections carefully, because bailing out partway is not as simple as on the southern English trails.

For how this compares with the rest of the network, see our index of the most car-free National Trails.

Where to stay

Accommodation is limited and spread out, so booking ahead is essential and itineraries are often dictated by where a bed exists rather than ideal daily distances. The hill towns — Knighton, Llanidloes, Machynlleth, Welshpool — have the most choice; in between, options thin to the occasional pub, B&B or farmhouse. Carry supplies, as shops and food stops can be a long way apart.

Quick answers

How long does Glyndwr's Way take?

Most walkers take around nine days for the full 135 miles. The daily distances are moderate, but the remoteness and the limited accommodation make planning more demanding than the mileage suggests.

Which is the best section?

The high crossing from Llanidloes to Machynlleth over Foel Fadian is the wildest and most rewarding stretch, with the biggest views and the strongest sense of mid-Wales emptiness.

Can you walk it without a car?

The ends and the midpoint are all on the railway — Knighton, Machynlleth and Welshpool — so the trip as a whole is easy by train, but the remote interior has very little public transport, so plan bail-out points in advance.

When is the best time to walk it?

Late spring to early autumn for the longest days and the best chance of dry ground underfoot. This is high, exposed country, so even in summer carry full waterproofs and don't rely on phone signal in the hills.