If you want to see Wales' remarkable scenery at a more leisurely pace, there are several scenic train rides you can take where you can see the best of Wales, on rails.
Many of them are vintage steam trains, transporting you to a bygone era where you can relax and enjoy the Welsh countryside from the comfort of expertly restored carriages.
A Welsh train journey has also recently been named as one of the best in the world by travel publisher Lonely Planet. The highly regarded travel authority had released its first-ever guide dedicated to continental train travel and the train journey loop from Llandudno to Porthmadog appears in the top five in Europe.
Read more: The beautiful Welsh Waterfalls where you can go swimming
The new guide helps to explain the best ways to travel by train on the complex European rail network with detailed maps, information about main stations, and the best places to stay nearby.
There is also advice on ticketing, what to expect from a sleeper train experience and tips for different kinds of travellers including families and those with disabilities.
If you're looking for a scenic train ride, here are our top picks for the most scenic railways, trams and train journeys in Wales.
1. Snowdon Mountain Railway, Llanberis
If you don't fancy a long trek up the highest mountain in Wales, the Snowdon Mountain Railway offers the fastest way and most direct way up Yr Wyddfa.
Pushed up the mountain by original steam locomotives from 1896, these heritage carriages are accurate reconstructions of the original Snowdon Mountain Tramroad & Hotels Co 1896 observation carriages.
‘The Snowdon Lily’ and the ‘The Snowdon Mountain Goat’ are both built on chassis and bogies from the original carriages of 1896. Seating only 34 passengers with a central aisle, in twos and fours.
The return journey to Clogwyn is approximately two hours which includes a 30-minute stop at the unsheltered mountainside station.
Departures leave Llanberis three times per day from June 3 to September 11 and pre-booking is advised to avoid disappointment.
Visit snowdonrailway.co.uk
2. Llandudno to Porthmadog loop
This route in Wales is featured amongst five of the "best scenic journeys around Europe" by Lonely Planet.
It says of the Llandudno to Porthmadog loop: "Some of the world’s most beautiful narrow-gauge railways can be found in Wales and two of the best can be combined in a loop to take in the mountains and coastal scenery of Snowdonia.
Catch a service from Llandudno Junction – with its mainline connections – down the Conwy Valley to Blaenau Ffestiniog and change for the celebrated Ffestiniog Railway, a distinctive steam-hauled line that winds 13 miles down to the coast at Porthmadog.
Return via the sublime steam service of the Welsh Highland Railway under the summit of Snowdon to Caernarfon where you can catch a bus back to Bangor and the mainline."
Details can be found in Lonely Planet's Guide to Train Travel in Europe and it retails at £19.99
3. Heart of Wales Line
Meandering past rolling Welsh countryside and magnificent structures like the viaducts at Cynghordy and Knucklas, the Heart of Wales line takes in the Loughor estuary, the River Tywi, the Eppynt hills near Llanwrtyd Wells, Radnor Forest between Llandrindod Wells and Knighton and the remote borderlands of the Marches.
It also travels through the homes of many myths and legends like Twm Sion Cati (the so-called Welsh Robin Hood), Norman castles, Victorian spa towns, pubs and restaurants.
There is a limited but regular train service along the line operated by Transport for Wales.
There is also the impressive Heart of Wales Line Trail. This 141-mile trail uses existing rights of way that connect in and out of most stations along the line, allowing walkers to hop on and off and walk some or all of the entire route. It’s already open across Shropshire, much of Carmarthenshire and Swansea.
The trail also takes passengers to pubs, shops and cafes along the way with plans to develop artwork along the route, both at stations and on the lineside.
Visit heart-of-wales.co.uk
4. Vale of Rheidol
The Vale of Rheidol is a narrow-gauge heritage railway in Ceredigion that offers a fun steam train experience. The original primary purpose of the line was to carry timber (for pit props in the south Wales valleys) and lead ore from the Rheidol Valley to the sea and the mainline railway at Aberystwyth.
These days, it's a unique tourist experience in the Cambrian Mountains that offers superb views of the Welsh countryside.
The 12-mile journey takes one hour in each direction and runs in either direction from Devils Bridge to Aberystwyth through Welsh woodlands, fields and meadows.
Journey across the Rheidol Valley in a beautifully restored steam train and enjoy a retro rail adventure.
The track follows the contours of the countryside and takes you through some remarkable scenery at a leisurely pace. When you arrive at Devil’s Bridge, head to the Two Hoots Cafe for a warming bowl of cawl before you head back to Aberystwyth.
Visit: Vale of Rheidol Railway
5. Talyllyn, Gwynedd
The Talyllyn Railway is the first preserved railway in the World, known affectionately as ‘The Railway with a Heart of Gold’. This historic narrow-gauge steam railway is set in beautiful southern Snowdonia and crosses more than seven miles of spectacular scenery.
Starting from Tywyn on the Mid-Wales coast, Talyllyn was opened in 1865 and was built to carry slate from quarries in the hills. In 1952 the railway was taken over by the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society and it is the volunteers and a small full-time workforce who run the railway today.
On arrival at Abergynolwyn, Quarryman’s Caban serves lovely homemade treats, drinks and snacks and there are plenty of trails and walks to explore in this beautiful corner of the Snowdonia National Park.
A daily steam train service operates from Easter to the end of October and at Christmas.
Visit: talyllyn.co.uk
6. Belmond Northern Belle
This luxury vintage train travels through Wales regularly and is a popular experience with rail lovers and families.
The Belmond Northern Belle is the sister train to the Venice Simplon-Orient Express and reflects the style of 'Belle' trains of the 1930s and the Pullman carriages of the famous train.
The opulent train features hand-crafted carriages and travels through the countryside as passengers savour fine cuisine and wine.
Passengers can travel in one of seven beautifully detailed carriages which have been named after British castles and country estates including Glamis in Scotland, Harlech on the Welsh coast, and Belvoir in central England.
Visit northernbelle.co.uk for tickets. You can get discounted tickets at Virgin Experience Days or BuyaGift.
7. Bala Lake Railway
A nine-mile, one hour journey around the beautiful Bala Lake, the largest natural body of water in Wales, in Snowdonia's National Park.
You'll also have great views of the Arenig Fawr, Aran Benllyn and Aran Fawddwy mountains on this short but sweet journey.
All trains start and finish at Llanuwchllyn, a village at the head of the lake. Trains run on selected dates in September, October and November.
The Bala Lake Railway Trust is also currently trying to raise £3.5 million as part of the Red Dragon Project to construct the extension of the Bala Lake Railway to Bala Town Station.
You can help by joining their Red Dragon Appeal
Visit: bala-lake-railway.co.uk
8. Aberystwyth Cliff Railway
The historic Aberystwyth Cliff Railway is the longest electric funicular railway in Britain and has been transporting visitors to the summit since opening in 1896.
The carriages are hauled to the summit at a stately four miles per hour and are powered by a powerful motor and high-tensile steel cables supported by a sophisticated electronic safety system.
At the northern end of the Aberystwyth promenade, Constitution Hill rises dramatically from the sea, providing spectacular and uninterrupted views of the town, Cardigan Bay, and on a clear day 26 mountain peaks spanning much of the length of Wales.
The most relaxing way to enjoy this majestic panorama is to travel by train on the longest funicular electric cliff railway in Britain, which has been transporting visitors to the summit since it opened 126 years ago.
Visit aberystwythcliffrailway.co.uk
9. Brecon Mountain Railway, Merthyr Tydfil
The Brecon Mountain Railway is a narrow-gauge heritage railway on the south side of the Brecon Beacons. It climbs northwards from Pant along the full length of the Pontsticill Reservoir and continues past the adjoining Pentwyn Reservoir to Torpantau railway station.
Take a seat in an observation carriage and you'll be pulled along by a vintage steam locomotive from Pant near Merthyr Tydfil along the length of the Pontsticill Reservoir to Torpantau in the Brecon Beacons.
There's a licensed tearoom and a workshop at the main station where you can take a breather.
Visit bmr.wales
10. Cambrian Railway Line
The Cambrian Railway spans 120 miles of unspoilt natural beauty.
From Shrewsbury in Shropshire, the Cambrian Main Line takes you over the border into Wales, through rugged mountain terrain, market towns, World Heritage sites and castles, cross-country towards the picturesque west coast of Wales.
Here it merges into the Cambrian Coastal route offering spectacular views, coastal walks and places to visit along the length of the Gwynedd coast.
Visit walesonrails.com/our-routes
11. Welshpool and Llanfair Railway
Built as a light railway the line was opened in 1903 to link Welshpool to Llanfair Caereinion. The railway closed in 1956 but the line was gradually re-opened and is now a popular tourist attraction.
Take a trip and you'll cross a viaduct and river bridge, climb the Golfa Bank and steam through the Powis Estate and beautiful countryside.
Most of the trains are steam hauled, either by an original locomotive or one from abroad and some of the carriages are from Hungary and Austria.
Visit wllr.org.uk
12. Great Orme Tramway
The Great Orme Tramway is Britain’s only cable-hauled public road tramway and was first opened in 1902.
The Tramway climbs a mile high up the Great Orme Country Park and Nature Reserve with the unique journey beginning at Victoria Station then climbing to the Halfway Station exhibition.
Change trams there and continue your journey to the summit where the views are rather spectacular. On a clear day, it’s possible to see as far as the Isle of Man, Blackpool and the Lake District.
Visit greatormetramway.co.uk
13. Llangollen Railway
Llangollen Railway is the only standard gauge heritage railway in North Wales, taking visitors on a vintage voyage through captivating scenery. Board a 1950's carriage being hauled by a classic steam engine and enjoy a spot of nostalgia as the train follows the river and climbs the curves of a lush, green landscape.
The line is a labour of love as rail enthusiasts have been meticulously rebuilding and restoring 10 miles of neglected lines and stations between Llangollen and Corwen, for over 45 years. The result is a splendid community asset that makes for a unique family day out on the rails in Wales.
As well as steam-hauled trains, they also run diesel locomotive and heritage railcar services on selected days throughout the season. You can buy a standard return from Llangollen to Corwen or an all-day rover ticket, which will let you travel all day on any of the services.
Visit llangollen-railway.co.uk
14. Gwili Steam Railway
You can look forward to a scenic, five-mile round trip when you set off on the Gwili Steam Railway.
It's two and a half miles from Bronwydd Arms Station to the end of the line at Danycoed Halt and you can enjoy the views of open fields, wooded hills and the River Gwili along the way.
The round trip takes an hour but your ticket lasts all day so you can return whenever you want.
The whole family can top up on snacks and drinks in the Gwili Tea Room in the station yard.
Visit lake-railway.co.uk
15. Llanberis Lake Railway
This heritage railway runs for two and a half miles along the northern shore of Llyn Padarn in the Snowdonia National park.
Along the way, you'll pass the 13th-century Dolbadarn Castle and Llanberis' twin lakes. The train runs non-stop through the Padarn Country Park and along the shores of Lake Padarn to Penllyn with stunning views of Snowdon on the way.
There's a short stop at Cei Llydan and at Gilfach Ddu. The five-mile return journey on the vintage steam engines rescued from the nearby Dinorwic slate quarries takes an hour.
Visit lake-railway.co.uk
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