Varley made his first trip to Wales in 1798 or 1799 and revisited it in 1802. His exact route in North Wales is not recorded but it is likely that he followed the standard route from Chirk and Llangollen to Capel Curig, with its view of Bangor and along the coast to Conway; then back to Llanrwst and Capel Curig, on foot through the Pass of Llanberis to Caernarvon, South to Beddgelert, Harlech, Barmouth and Dolgelly, up Cader Idris, Tal-y-llyn, and back to Dolgelly, Bala and the Border. He painted in all these places and they remained a constant part of his repertoire.
Varley exhibited many views of Cader Idris at the Old Watercolour Society including 1815, no.347 'View of Cader Idris, from the Road to Barmouth'.