Winter Weekend in Wales

A calm winter itinerary through Elan Valley, Hafren Forest, and scenic roads of Mid Wales

I have to admit — I am completely in love with Wales. This is where I truly experience nature in its rawest form and in total calmness. Especially in the low season, it’s hard to compete with Wales when you’re looking for serenity, silence, and the soothing sounds of nature.

And when it comes to snowy winter days in England or nearby — we always head to Wales, and magic happens every time. I adore the local mountain landscapes, mirror-like lakes, textured hills, and the endless views of fluffy sheep dotting the fields.

So if you’ve ever considered travelling to Mid Wales — especially in winter — save this weekend itinerary and get ready to enjoy.

What a hidden gem. I would never have thought something like this could surprise me so much. The old Victorian-era dams and reservoirs, built to supply fresh water to Birmingham, are truly impressive.

The subtle architecture and the surrounding landscape make you forget that these are “just” dams — they look more like powerful, grand waterfalls between the mountains. And if you’re lucky enough to catch the reservoirs full and see the water flowing from the dams, the wow effect is guaranteed.

Tip: check the weather and local webcams before travelling if you want to see the dams at their most dramatic.

Our favourite dams in Elan Valley:

• Caban Coch Dam
• Claerwen Dam
• Craig Goch Dam

The landscapes of Mid Wales are simply spectacular. Once you’re in Elan Valley, I highly recommend driving the National Cycle Route 81 from Craig Goch Dam towards Rhayader.

You might want to stop at a few scenic spots along the way, especially by the Nant Gwynllyn River, which has small but beautiful waterfalls. And don’t miss the curly tree tunnel closer to town — such an unexpectedly lovely stretch of road.

I especially wanted to visit this forest during snowy days, but I’m sure it’s magical in any season. Walking along the boardwalk by the River Severn feels like stepping into an emerald forest from a fantasy story.

During our visit, the sunset light filtering through the trees added an extra layer of magic to the atmosphere. I absolutely recommend stopping here if you’re in the area.

We stayed for a night in a lovely cabin in the Welsh countryside near Bont Dolgadfan, and Ffrwd Fawr Waterfall was right on our way. If you’re nearby, it’s definitely worth a short stop.

Photos really don’t show how big this waterfall is — I was genuinely surprised by its scale. The scenery around Ceunant Dylife is also absolutely gorgeous.

This itinerary isn’t something that was ever really recommended to me by others when talking about travelling in Wales. I discovered these places one by one, mostly by wandering around Google Maps — that’s usually how I find hidden spots that aren’t overly hyped.

I hope this guide was useful and that you’ve added a few new places to your Wales bucket list. If you love quiet nature, scenic drives, and winter magic, Mid Wales might just surprise you as much as it surprised me.