Snowdonia National Park is the natural jewel in North Wales’ crown, with some of the nation’s most towering peaks created by the same kind of dramatic geology that makes it look similar to the Lake District. The hiking is heavenly here but if you’re not feeling quite that active there’s still loads to do and see as well as Snowdon itself, Cader Idris and Tryfan. The valleys are as beautiful as the mountains and the beaches are spectacular.

While most people tend to drive, there are three railway stations in the National Park for people who prefer to let someone else do the hard work! Choose from Barmouth, Porthmadog or Betws-y-Coed and make your way deeper into the park from there, or get on a bus in Bangor or Conwy then, once in the park, you can pick up frequent, convenient buses right across the area including the excellent Sherpa Bus network. You can even hire a bike if you like. 

Talking about trains… three of the train services take you through and past some of the best-loved and most dramatic sights in Snowdonia: The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway from Porthmadog harbour to Blaenau Ffestiniog, the Conwy Valley Railway between the north coast and the park’s centre, and the Snowdon Mountain Railway itself, the perfect way to reach the summit of the mountain without actually doing any climbing!

There are several great information centres to help you plan your time in Snowdonia, staffed by people who know the place like the back of their hands, and because this is the UK you’ll want to re-check the weather before you head up into the peaks. The higher you go the colder, less predictable and more changeable the weather, whatever the time of year.

Essential mountain safety kit

Whatever you’re doing, if you’re heading up into the mountains you’ll want to bring some basic safety essentials with you – even in summer:

  • Fully charged mobile phone with a detailed map app
  • Physical map
  • Decent walking shoes to keep your feet dry and comfortable
  • A change of socks and a warm top
  • Waterproof jacket just in case
  • A supply of food and drink
  • A small first aid kit
  • Emergency whistle to summon help
  • A head torch in case you’re stranded in the dark
  • A thermal foil blanket to keep you warm if you get stuck for any length of time

Always tell someone your route and the time you expect to be arriving back, so if you’re late or lost people will know roughly where to find you.  

5 dramatic walks with views to die for 

  1. Snowdon Ranger Path – an 8 mile round trip of easy walking with exciting switchbacks, perfect for intermediate walkers
  2. Llanberis Path – 9 miles to the peak of Snowdon Peak on a gradual route recommended for intermediate and expert walkers
  3. Pony Path – a 6 mile round trip up Cader Idris on an intermediate walk that gets very steep. The amazing views of Bala and Lake Llyn Tegid at the top are worth the effort
  4. Crimpiau – 3.5 miles of reasonably easy walking through the Mymbyr and Ogwen valleys, taking in beautiful Lake Llyn Crafnant
  5. Waun-oer Ridge – 9 miles of moderate hiking across Maesglase, Craig Portas, Cribin Fawr, and Waun-oer mountains plus a descent into the Maesglasau Valley.

4 mountain biking routes for inexperienced and expert cyclists     

  1. Ffordd Brailsford Way – two loops. One 50 miler and the other a 75 miler, kicking off at Pen y Pass
  2. Seven Gwynedd Recreational Routes  – easy family-style cycling along an old railway where people also walk
  3. Coed y Brenin Forest Park – a thrilling network of cycling trails colour-coded so you know which are the easiest and hardest
  4. Blaenau Ffestiniog – the king of downhill mountain biking routes and a thrill per minute, six dizzying cycle trails in total

45 more things to do in Snowdonia

Eye-catching scenic beauty, outdoor activities, and historic towns and sites await you. Here are our hottest tips.

  1. Visit the historic towns of Harlech, Beddgelert, Ogwen, and Dolgellau
  2. Structure your visit around the castles, including magnificent Castell y Bere, Castell Dolwyddelan, and Castell Dolbadarn
  3. The coastal town of Conwy has gorgeous beaches and you’ll also love the pretty seaside towns of Porthdinllaen and Llanbedrog
  4. Visit the National Centre for Welsh folk music
  5. Try your hand at water sports in lakes, rivers and along the coast
  6. Play a round at the famous Royal St. David’s Golf Club in Harlech
  7. Try your hand at guided hiking, mountaineering and rock climbing with support from an expert adventure company
  8. Discover Welsh mining at the Sygun Copper Mine, Tŷ Siamas, and Llechwedd Slate Cavern
  9. Visit lovely Green Wood Forest Park for family-focused eco-adventures
  10. Take the kids to King Arthur’s Labyrinth
  11. Do one of nine brilliant official ‘difficult’ hiking trails up Snowdon and Cader Idris
  12. Or try an easier walking route, there are plenty of accessible hikes and walks to choose from, ideal for people in wheelchairs and those with limited mobility
  1. Take a scenic drive along the beautiful A470, the A5, A494 , A487, A493 and A496
  2. Climb all 15 mountains that are over 3000 feet high, collectively known as the Welsh 3000s
  3. Climb Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach peaks in one to discover gorgeous Castell y Gwynt – the Castle of the Wind rock formation
  4. Scare yourself silly climbing the small yet incredibly steep Tryfan, involving some actual mountaineering so not suitable unless you know what you’re doing
  5. Visit the lovely village of Beddgelert, where you’ll find Gelert’s Grave, the famous grave of a beloved dog
  6. Wander the stunning walking routes along the scenic Afon Glaslyn River and the area’s deep forests
  7. Visit iconic Harlech Castle, a fortress to reckon with offering wonderful views across Cardigan Bay and known as an almost impregnable fortress
  8. Walk up the world’s second steepest street, also in Harlech
  9. Picnic on sandy Harlech Beach
  10. Do rafting at the National White Water Centre near Bala, along with canyoning experiences offering exhilarating zip lines and exciting natural water slides
  11. Admire the unique slate landscape of north west Wales, which enjoys UNESCO world heritage status
  12. Visit the National Slate Museum at Dinorwig Quarry in Llanberis
  13. Go underground and tour Sygun Copper Mine outside Beddgelert, the Llanfair Slate Caverns near Harlech, and the abandoned slate mine at Eyri National Park
  14. Marvel at lovely 120 foot high Aber Falls waterfall in the Carneddau range, only accessible by foot, plus Conwy Falls and Swallow Falls
  15. Experience the fastest zip line in the world, Velocity 2, which goes as fast as 100 miles an hour – it’s at Zip World Penrhyn
  16. Enjoy more thrills, this time at Quarry Karts
  17. Visit Zip World Fforest near Betws-y-Coed for Wales’ only alpine roller coaster in Wales, and Europe’s highest giant swing
  18. Marvel at ruined Dolwyddelan Castle
  19. While away time in pretty Llanberis village
  20. Kayak or paddleboard on Llyn Padarn lake
  21. Climb on board the scenic Llanberis Lake Railway for a 5 mile adventure with views of the Blade of Giants, an enormous metal sculpture of a sword
  22. Visit Dobadarn Castle
  23. Explore the Ogwen Valley, a place of unusual beauty and home to the gorgeous Cwm Idwal glacial valley and nature reserve
  24. Go to the town of Machynlleth, home to  King Arthur’s Labyrinth with its underground river, giants, dragons and more, perfect for the kids
  25. Shop ‘til you drop at the Corris Craft Centre near Machynlleth, complete with the Dyfi gin distillery
  26. Get super-active at Go Below’s three underground assault courses including abseiling, zip lines, taking a boat across underground lakes, and crazy freefall jumps
  27. Go pony trekking inland and on the coast
  28. Test drive your mountain climbing and bouldering skills at Plas y Brenin National Outdoor Centre, perfect for every ability  
  29. Board the heritage Ffestiniog Railway steam train between Porthmadog and Blaenau Ffestiniog, like going back to the 1950s
  30. Play underground golf via  Europe’s steepest cable railway which takes you to a golf course 500 feet down
  31. Take the thrilling Deep Mine Tour of the caverns
  32. Visit the enormous Bounce Below underground trampoline park
  33. Visit Portmeirion, the Italian-style village built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis

To do it all you’d need to stay for weeks. If all you do is climb up a hill, sit and admire the view with a picnic, you’ll feel the unique magic of Snowdonia doing its thing.

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