Wales guide
Contrary to perceptions, Wales isn’t really all that wet, at least not compared to the rest of the British Isles.
Things to do in Snowdonia
Snowdonia is the hub for professional training in a vast array of outdoor pursuits. It's got a sort of Celtic Colorado vibe.![]()
White water rafting
There are earthy people and there are water people. Snowdonia is better known to the former, but the latter: get your water boots on because this is also a top white water center with trips along the gushing waters of the River Tryweryn and the River Dee, consistently wild and white all year round.
Our Snowdonia Vacations
Snowdonia activity vacation in Wales
A week of adrenaline adventure activities in North Wales
From
£1425
8 days
ex flights
North Wales multi activity vacation
Hike, boat, cycle and forage around beautiful North Wales
From
£1295
8 days
ex flights
Snowdonia self catering accommodation in Wales
Carbon Neutral award 2021 eco house in Snowdonia 3 ev plugs
From
£210 to £330
per house per night
North Wales family multi activity vacation
Experience the adventure capital on this family adventure
From
£1450
8 days
ex flights
Vacation cottage in Snowdonia, Wales
Cottage overlooks Lake Padarn with magic views of Snowdonia
From
£450 to £600
per cottage per week (sleeps 4-5)
Snowdonia walking vacation in wales
Exploring the pathways over hills and through valleys
From
£1035
7 days
ex flights
Take the train
The most famous is Snowdon Mountain Railway which takes an almost vertical route to the summit.
The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways were both created originally to serve slate quarries, but are now firm favourites with Snowdonia vacationmakers.
The Ffestiniog goes from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog, and, as you chuff chuff your way through 20 kms of Snowdonian sumptuousness, you can raise a glass of Purple Moose local ale or Welsh cider from the bar. It deserves a toast too, climbing from sea to summit through fields and forests, clinging on to the mountainside like an old mountain goat.
Equally delightful, Welsh Highland Railways run alongside the foot of Snowdon and the village of Beddgelert and on to Porthmadog. There is limited room for bikes on this service - book in advance.
And for anyone nostalgic for the musings of Reverend Wilbert Awdry, Talyllyn Railway is the narrow gauge that inspired the author to write about Skarloey Railway when he worked there as a guard in the 1950s. Try to resist the temptation to sing the head wrecking Thomas the Tank Engine theme tune.
The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways were both created originally to serve slate quarries, but are now firm favourites with Snowdonia vacationmakers.
The Ffestiniog goes from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog, and, as you chuff chuff your way through 20 kms of Snowdonian sumptuousness, you can raise a glass of Purple Moose local ale or Welsh cider from the bar. It deserves a toast too, climbing from sea to summit through fields and forests, clinging on to the mountainside like an old mountain goat.
Equally delightful, Welsh Highland Railways run alongside the foot of Snowdon and the village of Beddgelert and on to Porthmadog. There is limited room for bikes on this service - book in advance.
And for anyone nostalgic for the musings of Reverend Wilbert Awdry, Talyllyn Railway is the narrow gauge that inspired the author to write about Skarloey Railway when he worked there as a guard in the 1950s. Try to resist the temptation to sing the head wrecking Thomas the Tank Engine theme tune.
Hiking
There are gaiters and Gore-tex a plenty in Snowdonia. However, there are many other options to the six trails that go up Snowdon. The most popular is the Llanberis Path with the Pyg and Miner’s tracks stretching your muscles a bit more. Other climbs include Y Carneddau, Y Glyderau, Y Rhinogau and Cader Idris. All wilder and just as wonderful. If you are doing Snowdon, check out the Sherpa Shuttle bus which connects all six trails and nearby villages.
Our top Snowdonia Vacation
Snowdonia activity vacation in Wales
A week of adrenaline adventure activities in North Wales
From
£1425
8 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
Travel Team
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Just cycling
As opposed to the hard core mountain biking that Snowdonia is famous for, check out the backroads and off road options for cyclists who don’t want to do the caked in mud thing. Coed y Brenin is the heart of mountain biking, but their Yr Afon trail is suitable for people who just want to take in the scenery from a more sedate saddle, rather than the grunt and gnarl of the mountain runs.
The Mawddach Trail allows you to give the inclines a miss for a day with this converted railway line following an estuarine trail from Dolgellau to Barmouth. At 15 kms one way, this is also a joggers’ favourite. Bring binoculars for this one too. There's bird and wildlife watching aplenty as the trail takes you across the estuary with salt marshes and peaty habitats. Or take on Cader Idris by bike, with forest covered slopes always an uplifting challenge. A short but ever so sweet cycle is from Dolgellau to Machynlleth through the sort of Welsh valleys they make up ballads about.
The Mawddach Trail allows you to give the inclines a miss for a day with this converted railway line following an estuarine trail from Dolgellau to Barmouth. At 15 kms one way, this is also a joggers’ favourite. Bring binoculars for this one too. There's bird and wildlife watching aplenty as the trail takes you across the estuary with salt marshes and peaty habitats. Or take on Cader Idris by bike, with forest covered slopes always an uplifting challenge. A short but ever so sweet cycle is from Dolgellau to Machynlleth through the sort of Welsh valleys they make up ballads about.
More about Snowdonia
Thanks to the undulations and proximity to the Welsh coastline the best time to visit Snowdonia can often depend on what you’re prepared to pack i.
Discover the entirety of the national park as you delve into our Snowdonia travel guide and find out what we rate & what we don’t as well as our guide to the best and the worst of Snowdonia and how to travel like a local where food, shopping & people are concerned.
If you want to know how to make the most of your time in Snowdonia then our map & highlights page is definitely the best place to start as not only does it feature an interactive map of Snowdonia highlights but there’s also a section on bus and train travel times too.
Snowdonia National Park is one of Europe’s top outdoor activity areas with a wonderful array of wet and wild options to keep small groups safe, smiling and satisfied all day long.
If your little ones love a bit of muck and aren’t adverse to wild and woolly coastal walks then traveling in Snowdonia with kids is going to be a real pleasure.
The Snowdonia travel advice that we trust always comes via tips from our friends in Snowdonia with artist Vivienne Rickman Poole and Snowdonia NP’s Principal Policy Officer, Ifer Gwyn, both contributing their recommendations alongside recommended Snowdonia tips from our travelers.
Find out how to travel right in Snowdonia by paying attention to safety advice, learning what to do with dogs and finding out how to approach wild camping; all of which are key areas featured within our responsible tourism in Snowdonia page.
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