Cambrian Way : Hostel & bunkhouse accommodation
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The Cambrian Way is a mountain walking route from Cardiff on the south coast of Wales to Conwy on the North Coast. The route is 291miles (485km) in length. It starts at Cardiff Castle and travels over some of the best mountain scenery in Wales including the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog), the Carmarthen Fans, the Cambrian Mountains, Cadair Idris, the Rhinogs, the Moelwyns, Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), the Glyders and the Carneddau. Bunkhouses and hostels along the route provide ideal accommodation for walkers with drying rooms and a warm welcome at the end of the day.
Accommodation on the Cambrian Way
The Cambrian Way
The Cambrian Way is a walking route over the mountains of Wales. It is 291 miles (485km) in length and was the idea of the late Tony Drake, a long-time member of the Ramblers. Tony Drake was active in the setting up of the Cotswold Way, the Offa’s Dyke route, and the Youth Hostel Association. In the 1970’s he worked towards the establishment of the long distance path and devised a wild walking route from the South of Wales to the North of Wales taking in the many mountain ranges along the way.
The Cambrian Way starts at Cardiff Castle and includes most of the best mountain scenery in Wales. It passes through the Brecon Beacons, the Carmarthen Fans, the Cambrian Mountains, the Rhinogs, the Moelwyns, the Glyders, and the Carneddau. Walking the route you will pass over Cadair Idris, Snowden, and Plynlimon.
Hostels and Bunkhouses on the Route.
Independent Hostels provide ideal accommodation for walkers, with drying rooms and a warm welcome at the end of the day. There are many independent hostels in the areas crossed by the route of the Cambrian Way and the map above shows all of these which are within 5km of the walk.
The Cambrian Way passes right by the door of Ty’n Cornel Hostel (photo at top of page), a welcoming warm hostel isolated in the wilderness of the Elenydd uplands in the Cambrian Mountains. This is one of two self catering hostels run by the Elenydd Wilderness Trust. The other hostel is Dolgoch Hostel, which is just over 4km from the Cambrian Way. Guest are welcome to stop off en route to find peace and quiet at these hostels. The perfect way to appreciate the Welsh Cambrian Mountains’ wilderness and wildlife. Bring your binoculars to appreciate the birdlife and the sky at night, both hostels are Dark Sky sites. Look here for full details of Dolgoch and Ty’n Cornel hostels. Booking is advisable, especially in winter.
Additional Information
In addition to the independent hostels listed above, the Cambrian Way also passes close to some Youth Hostels including Llanddeusant Youth Hostel, Pen-y-Pass Youth Hostel, Idwall Cottage Youth Hostel and Bryn Gwynant Youth Hostel, and Conway Youth Hostel. Details of these can be found on the YHA website.
The Cambrian Way society produces a useful online guide to the route, with photographs of the countryside and notification of any changes to the way. Details of the route are also available on the LDWA website.