From coastline-hugging highways, to winding countryside roads, there’s no travel experience quite like the road trip, especially as you can bring your four-legged friend along with you.
It is estimated that 75 per cent of families will take a road trip in the next 12 months and 60 per cent already plan their holidays around their pets.
Now Airbnbs have compiled the best most iconic road trips for dogs (and their owners too) and Powys features among the rankings with three of the best Welsh routes stopping off in the county.
The Cambrian Way
Journey along the scenic coastlines and mountainous national parks of The Cambrian Way through Cardiff, Brecon, Beacons National Park, and Snowdonia – where dogs are more than welcome.
Known for its dog-friendly restaurants and phenomenal walking routes, Wales scored 25.4 out of 50, making it a great location to holiday with your four-legged friend.
Start off your trip in Cardiff with a visit to The Lansdowne Pub. The staff that work there are really friendly and will bring over a dog bowl and a few doggy treats from behind the bar before moving onto Brecon where you The Hours Cafe and Bookshop is the perfect little spot. It has a dog-friendly table inside for you to sit at and plenty of books to browse.
The Beacons National Park has a variety of walking routes for you and your dog to complete, ranging from easy to more difficult.
If you and your four-legged friend enjoy a challenging hike, then Snowdonia National Park is a stop you cannot miss. Its breathtaking mountains and scenic views are extraordinary and if you climb to the summit of Wales’s highest mountain, you can look out across the sea to Ireland.
The Brecon Beacons. Picture by Bob Tinley/Geograph.
Cardiff to Tenby
Explore all that the dog-loving country of Wales has to offer on this scenic route through Cardiff, Hay-On-Wye and Tenby.
Scoring 7.1 out of 10 for dog-friendly Airbnb’s, you can stay in some stunning locations with hosts that love dogs as their guests.
Hay-on-Wye. Picture by Eric Pugh/Geograph.
Dragon’s Spine
Road trip from coast to coast down the spine of Wales, stopping off at the pet-friendly places Cardiff, Llanidloes, Dolgellau and Conwy.
With great walking trails and tourist spots to explore, it comes as no surprise that the dog-friendly destination scored a respectable 20.8 out of 50.
You can’t take your dog to Cardiff without a trip to Bute Park. Known as the “green heart” of Cardiff, it’s a great spot for a walk and really easy to find, being just a short walk away from the city centre and next to the famous Cardiff Castle.
The Clywedog Reservoir is a good place for a relaxing walk around the water with your dog and the Llyn Clywedog Scenic Trail boasts breathtaking scenery and views of the dam.
If you fancy a bit of an adventure with your four-legged friend, the Mawddach Trail is one of the most scenic rambles from Dolgellau to Barmouth along the old, disused railway. The route is easy to follow and has plenty of spots to stop off at for toilet breaks and refreshments.
Conwy is one of the most well-preserved medieval towns with a Town Trail that lets you explore its walls and winding streets, with your dog by your side.
Clywedog. Picture by Bill Boaden/Geograph.
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