Wales guide
Contrary to perceptions, Wales isn’t really that wet, at least not compared to its neighbours.
Snowdonia map & highlights
Snowdonia itself isn’t a secret, with the highest peak in Wales being placed on every child’s map of Britain at an early age. But there are many secrets lying under it, over it, around it and tunneling through it. Once the heart of the slate quarrying industry, Snowdonia has tapped into its natural resources in 21st century sustainable style. For starters, check out the National Park’s app which helps you unwrap each layer of what feels like a giant pass the parcel of delightfully surprising layers. Here are a few of our favorites:
1.
Antur Stiniog
2. Bala Lake
3. Cader Idris
4. Coed y Brenin
5. Electric Mountain
6. Harlech Beach
7. Llanberis
8. The Mawddach Trail
9. Mount Snowdon
10. Slate Museum
11. Snowdon Railway
12. Zip World
2. Bala Lake
3. Cader Idris
4. Coed y Brenin
5. Electric Mountain
6. Harlech Beach
7. Llanberis
8. The Mawddach Trail
9. Mount Snowdon
10. Slate Museum
11. Snowdon Railway
12. Zip World
Antur Stiniog
1. Antur Stiniog
Antur 'Stiniog, Blaenau Ffestiniog has four adrenaline inducing downhill mountain bike trails, not for the faint hearted. The superb Stiniog Special Burger served at their Antur Café is not for wimps either. If you would rather ride your bike than push it, pre-book the uplift that gets you back to the top again; but make sure you don’t miss the town itself at the bottom.
Bala Lake
2. Bala Lake
If you are someone who likes to have water at the end of hike, Snowdonia is lake central. One very popular spot for serious outdoor swimmers and kayakers is Bala Lake (or Llyn Tegid) in the east of Snowdonia. Most activities are available all year round, with Gwersyll yr Urdd Glan-llyn, in Llanuwchllyn, the leading outdoor center.
Cader Idris
3. Cader Idris
This is Snowdonia's less-sought, but nonetheless rewarding, peak, and one for all aspiring hikers. And there are a handful of hikers compared with Snowdon. Check out the Pony Path to the top. Cader comes from the Welsh for chair, and myth has it that Idris is a giant who used the mountain as an armchair. The summit is a cool resting place for sure. Nearest town is Dolgellau.
Coed y Brenin
4. Coed y Brenin
Coed y Brenin visitor center is gateway to Coed y Brenin Forest Park which is, literally, a hive of activities. It also has a state of the art eco visitor center, and plenty of bikes to hire. Most famous for its pioneering mountain bike trails you can also enjoy orienteering and waymarked walks along the River Eden with waterfalls to while away your time. One big healthy honeypot.
Electric Mountain
5. Electric Mountain
Yep, they put a power station into the mountain. Just like that. This is no hydro hype, but an almost Orwellian marriage of machines and nature. With over 16 kms of underground tunnels - open seven days a week - they have also put a lot of energy into becoming an all-round leisure experience with climbing wall, indoor play for under 12’s, café and gift shop.
Harlech Beach
6. Harlech Beach
A beach day is a must, but Harlech isn’t just a beach. The town itself is heaving with history, with a castle as its centerpiece and the famous myth of Branwen ferch Llyr (Branwen daughter of Llyr) running through its veins. The beach also has magical qualities and a Green Coast Award to boot.
Llanberis
7. Llanberis
This is the nearest town to Snowdon and considered the hiking hub. Seek out shops with state of the art outdoor gear and cafes with steamed up windows, and don't forget to chat to the local folk who live and work here all year round. Also, if you're just doing the train thing, do come out of the station and enjoy what the village has to offer.
The Mawddach Trail
8. The Mawddach Trail
Give the inclines a miss for a day and enjoy a flat riverside walk or cycle along this estuarine trail from Dolgellau to Morfa Mawddach following the tracks of an old railway line. 15 kms one way, this is also a joggers’ favorite. Bring your binoculars too. Bird and wildlife watching is a treat as the trail takes you across the estuary with salt marshes and peaty habitats.
Mount Snowdon
9. Mount Snowdon
Or to give it its Welsh name, Yr Wyddfa. You can’t avoid it. It is in your face at all times, telling you to get out and put toe to turf. There are various trekking routes but you can also take a train to the summit’s terminus, Hafod Eryri, a granite and glass architectural gem, and Wales’ window to the world. But be wary of the crowds. With half a million summiting each year, congestion can be an issue.
Slate Museum
10. Slate Museum
The name doesn’t exactly have you jumping up and down with excitement, but this is a fascinating recollection of Snowdonia’s legacy. It is important to remember that these mountains had to be worked hard before we lucky ones of the leisure generation got to run wild all over them.
Snowdon Railway
11. Snowdon Railway
Might seem cheesy, but it’s actually cheese-tastic and a fine legacy to the engineers who installed it. You also have the stunning Hafod Eryri building on the summit as its terminus. This is train geeks gone chic. Also, you can get a single ticket up and walk back down. Or vice versa, but you can’t book a trip back down in advance, so you aren’t guaranteed to get a seat. The train is accessible for wheelchair users.
Zip World
12. Zip World
It’s out of this world. Not only can you go flying at speeds of up to 100 mph, but you also get to support the now revitalized Penrhyn Quarry which is nestled amongst the mountains of North Wales. Hold onto that jaw, when you see it, because it will drop. Not as fast as your stomach will though when you're flying through the aaaaaaair.
Snowdonia biking vacation in Wales
Bikepack the quiet lanes & gravel tracks of South Snowdonia
From
£650
3 days
ex flights
Snowdonia self catering accommodation in Wales
Carbon neutral award-winning 2021 eco house in Snowdonia with EV plugs
From
£210 to £330
per house per night
Snowdonia photography & walking break
Creative photography & walking break in beautiful Snowdonia
From
£1750 to £1900
5 days
ex flights
14 Peaks hiking tour in Snowdonia
An epic hiking adventure in Snowdonia national park
From
£825
5 days
ex flights
Trans Snowdonia mountain biking vacation
Ride the incredible 225km Traws Eryri Mountain Biking route
From
£1465
6 days
ex flights
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Travel times in Snowdonia
There is a bus stop right by the foreshore center, or it's a short 5 minute walk from the bus stop in the center of Bala. Bala is served by the X94 Arriva bus service (Wrexham, Llangollen, Corwen, Dolgellau and Barmouth).
More Snowdonia articles
Whenever you go, pack for the weather – you could see sun, rain and snow in a day in these parts.
An introduction to Snowdonia, including our take on what’s underrated, rated and overrated in this neck of the woods.
Walk in the shadow of Wales’ highest mountains on these recommended routes.
Snowdonia National Park is synonymous with outdoor activities. Find out why.
Family travel tips, from which ziplines to whizz down to why the slate mines are a must.
Our Snowdonia specialists share their top tips, including health and safety advice for this mountainous region.
Dog walks, wild camping and more – we explain how to be a responsible explorer.
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