Photo: Mark Percy, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsAcross mid Wales by Talerddig summit to the Dovey estuary, then along Cardigan Bay over Barmouth Bridge to Harlech and the Llŷn Peninsula.
From Shrewsbury the Cambrian main line climbs through Welshpool and Newtown to Talerddig summit, then descends the Dyfi valley to Machynlleth, where the line divides: one arm to Aberystwyth, the other the Cambrian Coast Line to Pwllheli. Both branches meet the Dovey estuary at Dovey Junction, an isolated interchange with no road access.
The coast line runs along the north shore of the estuary to Aberdovey and Tywyn, then follows the sea through Fairbourne to Barmouth Bridge, the 900-yard timber viaduct across the Mawddach estuary restored in 2022. Beyond Barmouth the line hugs the coast past Harlech Castle, high on its rock, crosses the Pont Briwet at Penrhyndeudraeth, meets the Ffestiniog Railway at Porthmadog and finishes past Criccieth on the Llŷn at Pwllheli.
Class 197 units work the route.
The Dyfi estuary, Cardigan Bay and Criccieth Castle are on the left; switch right at Barmouth Bridge for the Mawddach and Harlech Castle.
Sides are given facing the direction of travel. Miles are approximate from the start of the journey.
Unlimited one-day travel between Machynlleth and Pwllheli and Aberystwyth, plus TrawsCymru buses in the area; £21 adult from the TfW site.
Yes; Porthmadog Harbour station is a few minutes from the mainline station, and TfW sells a Ffestiniog Round Robin ticket.
Roughly every two hours on the coast, so plan stops around the timetable.
Scenic lineA slow, single-track wander through the empty hills of mid Wales, with the Sugar Loaf summit, Cynghordy Viaduct and 30 mostly request-stop stations.
Scenic lineFrom the seaside at Llandudno up the Conwy estuary and the wooded Lledr valley into the slate mountains at Blaenau Ffestiniog.
Scenic lineAlong the Dee estuary and the North Wales shore past Conwy Castle, through Stephenson's tubular bridge and across Anglesey to the Irish ferry at Holyhead.