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Mountainous region and national park in North Wales
Photo: Hefin Richards, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Snowdonia National Park, officially known as Eryri National Park since 2022, (Welsh: Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri) is like a little slice of the Alps tucked above the rolling moors and hills of North Wales. Lakes, castles, waterfalls, and steam railways create a surreal experience right out of The Lord of the Rings. The region is very popular for hiking, mountaineering, whitewater kayaking, and other outdoor pursuits.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
One of the most popular attractions in North Wales. Two underground tours describe the lives of the 19th-century miners. Plenty to see on the surface too. It's all done very well - this is a great place to spend a half day.
Departs from Llanberis. This spectacular 4 mile, roughly 2½-hour train journey climbs 3500 feet up Mount Snowdon and is the only rack-and-pinion railway in the UK, dating to 1896. Trains depart first at about 9AM. There is a 30-minute stop at the summit; the train leaves again promptly, so make sure you are back on time! It costs £60 for a roundtrip, discounted if the first train of the day is taken, or if you go one way. Open mid-March to October, several trains a day, more in summer. Be prepared to wait several hours after buying your ticket.
A 600 mm gauge railway along the shore of Lake Bala, interestingly built on the place of a standard-gauge railway dismantled in 1969.
A short (less than a mile) 686 mm gauge railway in Corris, this is only a small section of the Corris Railway which closed in 1948.
Runs from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog. The trip is about 13 miles long.
Running along the northern shore of Llyn Padarn.
Tywyn. The world's first heritage railway and inspiration for the Ealing comedy film The Titfield Thunderbolt. Features in the popular Railway Series of children's books by Rev W Awdry as the "Skarloey Railway".
Connecting Porthmadog, Beddgelert and Caernarfon, as such it crosses the northwestern peninsula of the park.
Last stronghold of the Welsh Princes, and their most impressive fortress. Stunning location in Bro Dysynni.
Welsh built castle situated between Llyn Peris and Llyn Padarn lakes, close to the town of Llanberis
Welsh castle, in the village of the same name on the main A470 road between Betws-y-Coed and Blaenau Ffestiniog. Reputed birthplace of Prince Llywelyn the Great. The Disney film Dragonslayer was filmed here.
One of Edward I's "ring of steel". Looks menacingly across Tremadog Bay at the Welsh Criccieth Castle.
Another of Edward I's main castles, where Edward II was born.
The most well-preserved concentric castle in Britain and can be seen from the national park.
Cadw's handbook states that this is "by any standards one of the great fortresses of medieval Europe." The gateway to the national park from the east.
Provide mountain guiding in Snowdonia and training courses in navigation, scrambling and rock climbing.
Outdoor Activity Centre
The National Mountain Centre, Capel Curig. Offers courses in hillwalking, rock climbing, kayaking, canoeing, orienteering, skiing and more. The centre has a pool, climbing walls, ropes course.
Headquartered in Brecon with several bases around Wales and run by experienced instructors. Offers tailored activity breaks, activities include climbing, gorge walking, mountain biking, navigation skills training and more.
Climbing and scrambling courses in Snowdonia.
Frongoch, Bala. White-water rafting and canoeing on the River Tryweryn. The flow of water in the river is governed by a dam controlling the flow of water from the Llyn Celyn reservoir, meaning that conditions in the water are predictable - though this does not make the experience any less exhilarating once you are on the river.
A reasonably priced B&B near Coed-y-Brenin with four ensuite rooms which can be either double or twin rooms.
On the open plain, 6 miles from the park. Remarkable views, expansive gardens, a fine dining restaurant (open to both residents and non-residents) and spacious rooms.
Family and group accommodation. Traditional farmhouse. Sleeps up to 14. Views to Mount Snowdon and the sea.
An Edwardian country house available to hire for self-catering holidays. Sleeps 14 - 18. The guest bedrooms consist of four double ensuites, two family rooms and a twin room. Sea and mountain views.
Sea-front caravan and lodge park with mountain views. Touring pitches are available for caravans.
By bus
By sea
Regular ferry services operate between Holyhead and Ireland, (Dublin and Dun Laoghaire), and are provided by two carriers.
By plane
Manchester and Liverpool airports which are across the border in England are the closest, or Birmingham Airport for the Cambrian Coast area.
By car
The main roads into Snowdonia are the A55 which runs along the north coast, connecting with the M56 and M53 near Chester, and the A5, which leaves the M54 at Shrewsbury and heads west to Betws y Coed…
By train
(See also Get in above for details of lines into and across North Wales)
By bus
By car
Even trunk roads in the area are generally single-carriageway, the exception being the A55 dual-carriageway, which hugs the north coast.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Liverpool · International · LPL
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