Little Legs and Old Knees: Walks for the Whole Family in North Wales

North Wales is generous with its beauty. You don’t have to go far or climb high to feel immersed here; some of the most rewarding walks are the ones that move at river pace, follow old tracks, or invite you to stop often and stay awhile. These are accessible walks made for little legs still learning their stride and for knees that appreciate a bench at just the right moment. They’re also walks that tell stories, of folklore, of water and woodland, of the quieter ways this landscape reveals itself.

February half term is a wonderful time to explore them. Waterfalls are full, forests feel alive with birdsong, and there’s a particular pleasure in returning to somewhere warm at the end of the day, boots by the door and cheeks pink from the air.

Gelert’s Grave, Beddgelert (Eryri)

This short riverside walk in the heart of Beddgelert is one of Eryri’s most loved, and it carries a story that stays with you long after the path ends. Beginning in the village itself, the route follows the Afon Glaslyn as it moves through a wooded valley, the river setting an easy pace while mountains rise beyond the trees. The path is wide, well surfaced and mostly flat, making it suitable for pushchairs and most wheelchairs, with benches placed thoughtfully along the way.

The walk leads to Gelert’s Grave, where one of Wales’ most enduring legends unfolds. Prince Llywelyn returned home to find his baby missing and his faithful hound, Gelert, with blood on his muzzle. Believing the worst, Llywelyn acted in grief and haste, only to discover moments later that his child was safe, and that Gelert had bravely killed a great wolf that had entered the house. The grave is simple and shaded, its stillness giving the story weight without spectacle, and children often linger here, listening closely, asking questions.

From here, the path loops gently back towards the village, where cafés and pubs offer warmth and something sweet at the natural end of the walk. Staying nearby at Hafod Cae Maen allows the day to stretch further. This grand Edwardian villa sits high above Portmeirion, looking out across the Dwyryd Estuary towards the mountains. There’s space here for families of all ages to settle in: children drawn to the grounds and surrounding woodland, adults grateful for the views, the peace and the sense of history. It’s a place that suits slower mornings and story-filled evenings, especially after a day spent by the river.

From left to right: Gelert’s grave, Hafod Cae Maen

Aber Falls, Abergwyngregyn (Eryri)

Few walks offer such a strong sense of arrival as Aber Falls. Just moments from the A55, the landscape opens into a wide valley where the Afon Goch winds through woodland and open ground, drawing you steadily towards the sound of falling water. Starting from the lower car park, the track is broad and welcoming, making it accessible for pushchairs and many wheelchairs, and the open picnic areas along the way are perfect for families who like to wander at their own rhythm.

As the path continues, it gradually climbs and becomes rougher nearer the waterfall itself. Not everyone will choose to reach the base, and that’s part of what makes this walk so accommodating: the drama of the falls is felt well before the final stretch, with the sound of water and the scale of the valley doing much of the work. Children often race ahead here, while others take it slowly, all sharing the same sense of anticipation.

Nearby boltholes such as Cae Mab Dafydd and Tan y Bryn Bach are ideally placed for exploring this corner of Eryri. Both offer warmth, comfort and space to unwind, with layouts that suit families spanning generations. Evenings tend to be easy here: simple food, tired legs, and the satisfaction of a day spent outdoors without overdoing it.

Frpm left to right: Aber falls, Cae Mab Dafydd

Wales Coast Path: Llanfairfechan Promenade

This section of the Wales Coast Path offers an easy, open walk with expansive views across the Menai Strait towards Anglesey and the peaks of Eryri beyond. Starting near Llanfairfechan promenade, the path is flat, wide and well-maintained, making it ideal for wheels, pushchairs and unhurried walking.

Benches line the route, and there’s always something to watch whether that’s seabirds skimming the shoreline, light shifting across the water or the tide reshaping the view. It’s a walk that works in all seasons: brisk and bright on clear days, calm and contemplative when the weather turns soft.

It’s a walk that suits every season and every pace, with the town close at hand should anyone need a warm drink or a change of plan. Claremont, sleeping eight, makes a wonderfully sociable base nearby, offering space for everyone to settle in after a coastal wander, with sea air still lingering in the rooms.

From left to right: Llanfairfechan promenade, Claremont

Newborough Forest, Anglesey

Newborough Forest is one of those rare landscapes that feels generous rather than demanding. Broad, waymarked tracks lead through tall pines, the ground mostly level and firm underfoot, making much of the forest accessible for pushchairs and mobility aids. Light filters through the trees, birdsong follows you along the path, and benches appear at intervals offering places to pause and watch the forest carry on around you.

Red squirrels are often spotted here, and it’s not uncommon to see the forest’s wild horses grazing among the dunes, a reminder that this is a place shaped by time rather than speed. What makes Newborough especially special is how seamlessly forest, dune and coast meet. Few places in North Wales offer such an easy sense of transition: sheltered woodland giving way to wide skies and shifting sand near Llanddwyn.

While access onto the beach itself can be uneven and isn’t suitable for all wheels, the forest walks alone offer a deeply satisfying day out being rich in wildlife, calm and space, without feeling remote or exposed. Parking and facilities are available nearby, making this a practical choice for families and mixed-ability groups who want beauty without barriers.

Staying close at Maes y Ceirchdir means the day can unfold gently. Warm, welcoming and well placed for returning tired but content, it’s a bolthole that suits everyone from those who want to explore a little further to those happy with a shorter wander followed by tea, warmth and stories of what was spotted along the way.

From left to right: Newborough forest, Maes y Ceirchdir

Bodnant Garden, Conwy Valley

For a walk that blends nature, history and careful design, Bodnant Garden is hard to beat. Set above the Conwy Valley, the garden unfolds through terraces, woodland and water features, with many accessible routes that welcome pushchairs and wheelchairs. Benches appear just where you want them, encouraging rest, conversation and reflection, while clear signage makes it easy to choose paths that suit everyone.

Some areas are steeper than others, but the experience never feels limited. Instead, it offers a sense of wandering at your own pace, guided by birdsong, seasonal colour and beautifully framed views. The tearoom near the entrance provides a gentle end to the walk, rounding things off without haste.

Nearby, Bwthyn Ysgubor offers a peaceful place to stay, particularly well-suited to couples or grandparents joining a family break. It’s a bolthole that values comfort and quiet, making it an ideal companion to days spent among gardens and gentle paths.

From left to right: Bodnant gardens, Bwthyn Ysgubor

Walking Together in North Wales

Accessible walks are not about missing out, they are about noticing more. North Wales excels at offering places where landscape, history and beauty are shared generously, without demanding speed or stamina in return.

These routes invite you to walk side by side, to pause often, and to let the land reveal itself slowly. Whether you’re guiding small hands, easing careful steps, or rolling steadily forward, these paths show that the joy of walking lies not in how far you go, but in how deeply you experience it.