Walking in Snowdonia National Park

Arrive in Betws-y-Coed, described as the "Gateway to the Snowdonia National Park". It is easily accessible from Chester by train via Llandudno in approximately 1H35. You can also drive if you wish as there are 24H car parks in the town. If you arrive with time to spare perhaps take a little warm-up walk on one of the many trails around the town or through the heart of the beautiful Gwydir Forest, a magical setting. If you are missing any essential walking gear, you will find it here as Betws-y-Coed is a much-loved centre of the outdoors. Try one of the many restaurant's that provide locally-sourced produce.

Overnight Betws-y-Coed

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Coed-y-Fron B&B | Bed and breakfast

A charming Victorian Guest House with a superb outlook over the village and the Conwy Valley. All six guest bedrooms have been newly decorated and upgraded and all have en-suites. In addition there is a superb outlook all around the house and from all of the rooms. You can also enjoy the views from the garden seating areas, which have been set out for the guests. there is free Wifi and all the rooms are well equipped and comfortable to ensure that you will have a good nights sleep.

Oakfield Guest House | Hotel

Located in Betws-y-coed in the Gwynedd region, Oakfield Guest House offers accommodation with free private parking, wifi and a comfortable range of rooms with private bathroom facilities. Continental breakfast are offered and each room is equipped with tea and coffee making facilities along with a hairdryer and TV. The nearest airport is Anglesey Airport 61km away.

Royal Oak Hotel | Hotel

This former coaching Inn boasts scenic views of the Mountains of Snowdonia National Park, located in the picturesque village of Betws-y-Coed. The hotel offers comforable rooms with room service, free wifi and tea and coffee making facilities. The hotel has on site parking - bike storage and an onsite restaurant.

A short bus ride (15 mins) brings you to Capel Curig. From here you will ascend to Llyn Crafnant, a hidden gem missed by many visitors. It is a reservoir that is three quarters of a mile long and set at the northern end of the Gwydir Forest. At the head of the lake it could be argued that this is one of the finest views in North Wales. Then descend down to a trail alongside River Llugwy where you can view the spectacular Swallow Falls before heading into Betws-y-Coed.

Elevation gain/loss: +281m/-464m

Overnight Betws-y-Coed

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Coed-y-Fron B&B | Bed and breakfast

A charming Victorian Guest House with a superb outlook over the village and the Conwy Valley. All six guest bedrooms have been newly decorated and upgraded and all have en-suites. In addition there is a superb outlook all around the house and from all of the rooms. You can also enjoy the views from the garden seating areas, which have been set out for the guests. there is free Wifi and all the rooms are well equipped and comfortable to ensure that you will have a good nights sleep.

Oakfield Guest House | Hotel

Located in Betws-y-coed in the Gwynedd region, Oakfield Guest House offers accommodation with free private parking, wifi and a comfortable range of rooms with private bathroom facilities. Continental breakfast are offered and each room is equipped with tea and coffee making facilities along with a hairdryer and TV. The nearest airport is Anglesey Airport 61km away.

Royal Oak Hotel | Hotel

This former coaching Inn boasts scenic views of the Mountains of Snowdonia National Park, located in the picturesque village of Betws-y-Coed. The hotel offers comforable rooms with room service, free wifi and tea and coffee making facilities. The hotel has on site parking - bike storage and an onsite restaurant.

After a delicious and fortifying breakfast board the same Sherpa Snowdon bus as yesterday (30 min ride) bringing you to Pen-y-Pass. Descend slowly to the lush Gwynant Valley and then to the twin lakes of Llyn Gwynant and Llyn Dinas, both nestled among the wooded foothills south of Mount Snowdon. Upon arrival in the small mountain village of Beddgelert, why not treat yourself to a delicious ice cream (Cadwalader's if possible, Wales' own homemade icecream).

Elevation gain/loss: +56m/-380m

Overnight Beddgelert

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Plas Tan y Graig B&B Guest House | Bed and breakfast

Plas Tan y Plas Tan y Graig is an award-winning family-run B&B Guest House with hotel quality rooms located in the centre of Beddgelert. There are five large comfortable en-suite rooms to choose from with stunning mountain and river views.

Sygun Fawr Country House | Country House

This is a former Welsh manor house dating back from 1644. Located in the heart of Snowdonia National Park, just a short walk away from the picturesque village of Beddgelert.

All rooms are equipped with en-suite facilities, Egyptian cotton linen bedding, goose down and feather quilts,tea and coffee making facilities, complimentary toiletries, hairdryer, and radio alarm.

Ty Afon - River House | Bed and breakfast

Ty Afon - River House was built as a farm house, a short stroll from the heart of the historic, alpine village of Beddgelert. With elevated 360 views and boasting probably one of the best vistas in North Wales.

As well as walking up Moel y Dyniewyd, you will also pass through the spectacular Aberglaslyn Gorge and past Gelert's Grave, which legend says is named after a dog called Gelert that belonged to the medieval Welsh prince, Llywelyn the Great. From the top of Moel y Dyniewyd (on a good day) there are spectacular views over Snowdon and other mountain ridges.

Elevation gain/loss: +399m/-395m

Overnight Beddgelert

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Plas Tan y Graig B&B Guest House | Bed and breakfast

Plas Tan y Plas Tan y Graig is an award-winning family-run B&B Guest House with hotel quality rooms located in the centre of Beddgelert. There are five large comfortable en-suite rooms to choose from with stunning mountain and river views.

Sygun Fawr Country House | Country House

This is a former Welsh manor house dating back from 1644. Located in the heart of Snowdonia National Park, just a short walk away from the picturesque village of Beddgelert.

All rooms are equipped with en-suite facilities, Egyptian cotton linen bedding, goose down and feather quilts,tea and coffee making facilities, complimentary toiletries, hairdryer, and radio alarm.

Ty Afon - River House | Bed and breakfast

Ty Afon - River House was built as a farm house, a short stroll from the heart of the historic, alpine village of Beddgelert. With elevated 360 views and boasting probably one of the best vistas in North Wales.

Today's walk begins by walking through the forest above the village towards Rhyd Ddu. You may well see steam trains on the Welsh Highland Railway working hard to climb this steeply graded line through a series of horseshoe bends.

After Rhyd Ddu the scenery opens out and the path takes the western flank of Snowdon, ascending steadily to Bwlch Maesgwn, the col that separates Snowdon from Mount Eilio. At 467 metres this is the highest point on the walk so far. From here it’s a steady downhill walk to the village of Llanberis at the foot of Snowdon.

Elevation gain/loss: +559m/-488m

Overnight Llanberis

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Erw Fair Guest House | Guest House

Erw Fair Guest House is a charming Victorian house conveniently situated centrally on Llanberis High Street. Erw Fair, pronounced Air-oo Vire, is an 18th Century former slate manager's home. It provides an ideal base to explore the area or relax in the heart of Snowdonia. The dining room, sun lounge and utility room are open all day for guest use.

Plas Coch Guest House | Hotel

Elegant Victorian Guest house nestled in Dyffryn Peris valley in Snowdonia National Park. Breakfasts and evening meals are available as well as transfers and pick ups (upon arrangement) as well as nearby parking.

Padarn Hotel | Hotel

The Padarn Hotel is situated at the foot of Snowdon in Llanberis and is surrounded by the Snowdonia National Park. There is 17 rooms available with Free Wi-Fi, private bathrooms and tea and coffee making facilities. There is also parking available, with 2 electrical vehicle charging points.

A relatively short circular walk around Llyn Padarn at the foot of Snowdon offers a more relaxing day before your mountain ascent of Snowdon tomorrow. The trail at times follows the lakeside path, with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains before heading back to Llanberis through the historic slate quarries.

Finish your walk at the excellent (and free) National Slate Museum. This is well worth a visit to see the demonstration of slate splitting and the atmospheric miner's cottages.

Elevation gain/loss: +177m/-177m

Overnight Llanberis

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Erw Fair Guest House | Guest House

Erw Fair Guest House is a charming Victorian house conveniently situated centrally on Llanberis High Street. Erw Fair, pronounced Air-oo Vire, is an 18th Century former slate manager's home. It provides an ideal base to explore the area or relax in the heart of Snowdonia. The dining room, sun lounge and utility room are open all day for guest use.

Plas Coch Guest House | Hotel

Elegant Victorian Guest house nestled in Dyffryn Peris valley in Snowdonia National Park. Breakfasts and evening meals are available as well as transfers and pick ups (upon arrangement) as well as nearby parking.

Padarn Hotel | Hotel

The Padarn Hotel is situated at the foot of Snowdon in Llanberis and is surrounded by the Snowdonia National Park. There is 17 rooms available with Free Wi-Fi, private bathrooms and tea and coffee making facilities. There is also parking available, with 2 electrical vehicle charging points.

The big one! After a hearty breakfast the day starts with a short bus ride (10 mins) to Pen-y-Pass high on the mountainside. From here take the famous Pyg track as it climbs steadily past the glacial lakes heading for the summit. After around 3 hours of ascending you will reach the summit and proudly become the highest person in Wales and England! Descend via the more gently-graded Llanberis path, and celebrate your achievement with a well-deserved drink in one of the village pubs on arrival in Llanberis.

This big mountain walk is best completed in good weather. If the forecast is more favourable you may wish to climb Snowdon on Day 6 instead.

If you do not wish to walk up Snowdon or the weather prohibits it, you can take the Welsh Highland Railway steam train to the top.

Elevation gain/loss: +621m/-878m

Overnight Llanberis

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Erw Fair Guest House | Guest House

Erw Fair Guest House is a charming Victorian house conveniently situated centrally on Llanberis High Street. Erw Fair, pronounced Air-oo Vire, is an 18th Century former slate manager's home. It provides an ideal base to explore the area or relax in the heart of Snowdonia. The dining room, sun lounge and utility room are open all day for guest use.

Plas Coch Guest House | Hotel

Elegant Victorian Guest house nestled in Dyffryn Peris valley in Snowdonia National Park. Breakfasts and evening meals are available as well as transfers and pick ups (upon arrangement) as well as nearby parking.

Padarn Hotel | Hotel

The Padarn Hotel is situated at the foot of Snowdon in Llanberis and is surrounded by the Snowdonia National Park. There is 17 rooms available with Free Wi-Fi, private bathrooms and tea and coffee making facilities. There is also parking available, with 2 electrical vehicle charging points.

This morning depart from Llanberis. You can reach Bangor by bus in 1H and then Chester by train in 1H20.