Embark on a captivating walking holiday, exploring the breathtaking Pembrokeshire coastline and the verdant Welsh countryside.
Wander through charming towns, scenic coastal paths, and historic trails like the Golden Road, while staying in the heart of Cardigan. Delight in visits to the National Wool Museum and traditional woolen mills, with cozy stays in a riverside hotel and a picturesque glamping site – the perfect locations to get knitting alongside fellow enthusiasts! Conclude your adventure with a boat trip to a seabird island, leaving you refreshed and inspired by the natural beauty and cultural richness of Wales.
Please Note: This tour requires a high level of mobility. See FAQ’s for more information.
Croeso y Cymru! (Welcome to Wales!) After landing, make your way to the 4-star Hotel Indigo in Cardiff, where you’ll join your tour group. Kick off your Welsh adventure with an introductory meeting alongside fellow crafters and tour leaders, followed by a delightful welcome dinner in the heart of Cardiff’s City Center.
Following breakfast, the group will start the journey to the Pembrokeshire Coast, with a refreshing stop at the National Wales Botanical Gardens. Here, you’ll stretch your legs and breathe in the fresh Welsh air as you explore the gardens, greenhouses, and various cafés.
Continue to Cardigan (fitting name!), where you’ll drop off your bags before embarking on your first walk to Mwnt Beach, rated one of Europe’s finest. Keep an eye out for dolphins, gulls, and other seabirds as you make your way to “the little white chapel,” a charming medieval sailor’s chapel of ease.
Mileage: 3 miles
Elevation gain: 700’
Head to the coast again for a morning walk and some time to explore the charming seaside town of New Quay. After enjoying lunch in town, return to Cardigan to meet with Sally Davies and Jonny King. Sally founded Garthenor Organic to promote organic handspun yarn, and when Jonny joined her, they rapidly expanded the business beyond handspun, gaining recognition far beyond the Welsh wool markets. They are now building Wales’ first organic woolen mill for yarn production!
Your evening promises a unique dining experience: pizza in a tipi!
Mileage: 5.5+ miles
Elevation gain: 900’
Today, the group will set out on a scenic walk along the spine of the Preseli Mountains. If the weather is favorable, you might even catch views stretching west to Ireland and north to Snowdonia. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for Red Kites soaring above the fields below… Along the way, you’ll encounter historic treasures, including a Bronze Age burial cairn and the rocky tor of Carn Bica, which overlooks a ring of stones shaped like an eye. This ring is one of the many sites believed to be the possible grave of King Arthur.
After the trek, stop and explore Castell Henllys, a reconstructed Iron Age fort once thought to be the quarry site for the bluestones used in Stonehenge’s inner circle. After this grand walk, you might just find yourself at a nearby pub, raising a glass to the day’s explorations.
Mileage: 7-9+ miles
Elevation gain: 1250’
The tiny town of St. David’s provides the setting for a tour of the majestic St. David’s Cathedral, an important stop for a medieval pilgrim back in the day. After the tour and with springtime in the air, enjoy a walk around St. David’s Head from Whitesands Bay. There’s sure to be a profusion of wildflowers along the rugged coast, cliff edge, fields and hills of this region.
As the day draws to a close, arrive at your glamping accommodations, where your luggage will have been transferred ahead of time. Enjoy a warm welcome with tea and cake, as you settle into your new home for the remainder of the week.
Mileage: 7-9 miles
Elevation gain: 1500’
Today’s coastal adventure takes you to Aberaeron, where you’ll stroll through shops, cafés, and admire the colorful Georgian and Victorian homes overlooking the harbor.
From there, continue to Llanerchaeron, an elegant Georgian villa with organic gardens to explore. This National Trust property is also home to a unique project dedicated to preserving the habitat of a rare butterfly native to the Welsh coast.
Mileage: 5 miles
Elevation gain: 500’
The first stop of the day is a visit to the National Wool Museum of Wales, where the group will explore their dye garden and learn about the art of natural dyeing. The day also offers the opportunity to visit a few other woolen mills, making for a relaxed yet enriching day of discovery.
In the afternoon, unwind with a leisurely stroll along the picturesque river Teifi, soaking in the tranquil scenery. Cap off the day with a delicious dinner out before returning to your cozy glamping retreat.
Mileage: 3 miles
Elevation gain: 500’
For the nature-filled grande finale, embark on a short boat ride to a unique marine island just off the coast. Here, you’ll have the chance to observe nesting puffins and other sea creatures. With basic services available on the island, you’ll enjoy a packed lunch as you explore and circumnavigate this remarkable spot.
Back at your lodgings, gather for a tasty group dinner, and perhaps enjoy a bonfire or even a sauna as you recount the highlights and share stories from the week.
Mileage: 4 miles
Elevation gain: 630’
On the drive back to Cardiff, take a refreshing stroll in the stunning Brecon Beacons National Park, immersing yourself in the natural beauty of the mountain range.
After this invigorating stretch, enjoy a memorable farewell dinner in the heart of the city center, celebrating the highlights and experiences of your journey with new-found friends.
Savor your final breakfast and refuel for the journey home as you head to the airport.
(For all Trans-Atlantic flights, we recommend arriving at the airport 3 hours before departure to ensure a smooth check-in process.)
Spend your first night at Hotel Indigo Cardiff, just steps from St David’s Hall and Cardiff Castle, offering modern rooms, free WiFi, a fitness center, and a bar.
The next stay will be 3 nights a small, recently updated riverfront hotel preserving the maritime heritage of Cardigan. This accommodation allows for use of their guest lounge for evening knit sessions.
Then, spend 5 nights in a glamping experience set a short distance inland in the heart of the Welsh countryside. After days walking and discovering fantastic scenery, experience the nearby nature reserve, maybe have a bonfire, stargaze or settle into the sauna.
The group make use of two different accommodations on this property; one is a re-built Georgian farmhouse with bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms; the other are glamping accommodations overlooking their raised bed garden with sheltered outside terraces. Each shack has three bedrooms with the showers and toilets in the building adjacent – just a short stroll away with exclusive use of allocated facilities accessed by key.
The tour price does not include flights to and from the tour’s starting location.
We are happy to provide you with a flight quote for your trip to Wales, along with travel protection for the duration.
Although booking flights might seem straightforward, hidden fees or service classes without seat assignments, meals, or checked bags can arise. With our experience since 1985, we are familiar with the best routes and have access to great contracts, often offering better prices than those available online.
Additionally, if you would like to create a custom itinerary before or after the tour to extend your trip, we would be happy to assist with this.
This trip would be described as an Expedition. The elevation gain mentioned in the itinerary represents the total elevation gained throughout the entire walk, not just in a single ascent. For example, climbing two hills of 500 feet each results in a total elevation gain of 1000 feet.
To take part in this tour, you should be very comfortable with distances, hikes, and walking tours of up to 6-10 miles per day. You also should be able to walk up flights of stairs and carry your own luggage as needed.
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