Escape to Snowdonia

5 Days & 4 Nights 4.2 Read 5 reviews

A short break to Snowdonia National Park in North Wales in order to "get away from it all"
Uncover the history of Wales including its mining heritage and connections to Welsh kings
Take a walk to the mighty Swallow Falls from Betws-y-Coed the "Gateway to Snowdonia"
A memorable ascent of Mount Snowdon the highest peak in England and Wales
Discover all things Welsh, grey slate cottages, cosy local pubs, Bara Brith and Cymraig

Immerse yourself in the stunning landscapes of Snowdonia National Park on this short break. Even after only a few days of walking you will fine yourself beginning to relax and enjoy the simple pleasure of putting one foot in front of another. Partake of a local beer in a cosy pub, take walks through breathtaking scenery of crystal clear lakes and magical woods and even ascend Mount Snowdon if you choose. Stay in the three pretty villages of Betws-y-Coed, Beddgelert and Llanberis , where 65% of the population still speak the local Welsh language, Cymraig. Historically speaking, this region also has a lot to offer, with its slate and copper mining heritage and legends of welsh princes and kings. This special region of Nort Wales entices many walkers from all over the world.

What To Expect

Travel restrictions and resources, to and from any destination

This holiday is for those who love walking amidst sensational mountain views and dramatic landscapes. Enjoy this 5 day tour where in only a few days you will begin gto relax. Who wouldn't when surrounded by these views! A tour in the mountains, but with moderate walks, that take you within the mountains, alongside lakes and rivers, to pretty villages with the discovery of Welsh history at every turn. You can ascend Snowdon if you wish, which is rated as moderate to strenuous, but this is purely optional.

Tour Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&B’s, inns, and guesthouses.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveler this tour would be suitable for is: 17 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Short Break

Activity Level & Terrain

On this tour you will be walking in Snowdonia National Park and along mountain trails, wooded and lakeside routes. You can enjoy stunning mountain views. Sometimes you will walk at a lower level, but at times higher up, where there could be some snow at the beginning and end of the season. We have rated this tour as moderate as generally the walks are not too difficult, but some days do have elevation gains and losses. You will need to be an active and fit person to enjoy the walks on this tour. The walk up Snowdon is rated moderate to strenuous and ultimately is physically demanding.

Navigation

The trails you will follow on this tour very, between way-marked and unwaymarked. However navigation will be straightforward as you can use the Macs Adventure Smartphone App which has maps and the GPS tracks. Simply download the GPS tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone with the assurance that navigation on this tour will be made simple and you cannot get lost. You will find more information on downloading the app in your Macs Adventure Account.

Accommodations

On this tour we will book you into handpicked B&B's, guest houses and at times. small hotels. They are comfortable and clean with great breakfasts and a very warm welcome.

If you are going to book the Escape to Snowdonia tour, please be aware that it is challenging to confirm 1-night stays in Beddgelert on Friday and Saturday nights. Therefore if you have the flexibility it would be advised to try and secure your booking so that you avoid your start date being on Thursdays or Fridays.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

If you require single rooms we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable.

We welcome solo walkers on this tour, although you should, of course, take extra care in the outdoors and particularly in the mountains when walking solo and you must have the ability to read a map and compass.

Meals

A hearty breakfast is included each morning. Most guesthouses and B&B’s offer a cooked breakfast, which should keep you going for the day.

Lunch and dinner are not included so you are free to choose from the available options. Most of your accommodations will be more than happy to provide a packed lunch on request and this can be booked on arrival. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or nearby pubs and restaurants.

Included

Overnights in B&B's, guest houses, small hotels
Breakfasts
Luggage Transfers
Detailed Information Pack
GPX tracks and access to our GPS Macs Adventure smartphone app
OS Snowdon Map
24/7 telephone support from our UK office

Excluded

Travel Insurance (required)
Travel to Betws-y-Coed
Travel from Llanberis
Local buses to the beginning of walks
Lunches, dinners, snacks & drinks
Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage
Personal equipment

Extras

Additional Nights, before, during or after the walk

When To Go

This walking tour can be booked between April and October. The weather in Snowdonia can be quite cool and unpredicable at any time of year, so you should always be prepared with the right gear. Autumn can be a great time to walk as the path will not have as many people walking on it as the summer months. Spring and early summer are best times to see the flora and fauna along the way.

Weather and Climate

Walking at high levels in Snowdonia National Park means the weather may be very unpredictable. Walking up Mount Snowdon in particular can be hazardous in bad weather and should not be undertaken lightly or at all. It will be very important for you to keep your eye on the forecast. You can visit the following website for more information, Mountain Forecast. If the weather is due to be awful on the day you are scheduled to walk up Snowdon we suggest switching the walk with the Padarn Circular.

Getting to the Start

Betws-y-Coed It is easily accessible from Chester by train via Llandudno in approximately 1H35. In turn Chester is accessible from London, Manchester and Liverpool by train. So you can fly into any of the major UK airports and then carry on to this destination by rail. For more information on times and schedules please access the National Rail website. You can also drive if you wish as there are 24H car parks in the town. The cost varies, but on average its about £5 per day. You can find more information here. To get back to Bews-y-Coed from Llanberis at the end of your tour you can take a bus which takes approximately 40 mins. You can find more information on the Gwynfor Coaches website.

Getting from the End

From your final destination, Llanberis, take a bus to Bangor. This journey takes approximately 1H. From Bangor you can access Chester by train in about 1H20.

If you have parked your car in Betws-y-Coed at the beginning of your tour, you can return there by bus in about 1H. For more information on bus and train timetables please go to the following websites - Gwyn For Coaches and National Rail.

We can also provide transfers for you. Please ask your Adventure and Destination Specialist for more details.

Luggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.

What personal equipment do I need?

What happens if I can't walk a stage?

How fit do I need to be?

How far in advance do I need to book?

When is the best time of year to walk in Snowdonia?

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrrive in Betws-y-Coed and Overnight Day 2 Walk Pen-y-Pass to Beddgelert 8 miles / 13 km

After a delicious and fortifying breakfast board the Sherpa Snowdon (30 min ride) which brings 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: +58m/-381m

Overnight Beddgelert

Accommodations

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.

Royal Goat Hotel | Bed and breakfast

The Royal Goat Hotel is a family owned hotel located in the heart of Snowdonia in the beautiful village of Beddgelert. All rooms are en-suite, tastefully decorated to reflect the surrounding Snowdonia countryside, and all provide a luxury bed, Tea and coffee making facilities, flat screen TV, hairdryer, iron and complimentary luxury toiletries. As well as an excellent restaurant.

Saracens Head | Bed and breakfast

Saracens Head Hotel is a beautiful country inn set in the heart of the picturesque Snowdonia village of Beddgelert. The Saracens Head is a family run inn that offers a warm, friendly and relaxing atmosphere, personal attention and high standards of comfort and cuisineoffers. The 11 luxuriously refurbished rooms are all en-suite, tastefully decorated to reflect the surrounding Snowdonia countryside, and all provide a comfortable seating area.

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.

Day 3 Walk Beddgelert to Llanberis via Rhyd Ddu 11 miles / 17 km Day 4 Snowdon Summit or Lake Padarn Loop Walk 8 miles / 12 km

Today you have two choices! You can either take a relatively short circular walk around Llyn Padarn at the foot of Snowdon or summit Mount Snowdown.

The Lake Padarn Walk 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.

If you choose to walk up Snowdon 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.

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.

Lake Padarn elevation gain/loss: +177m/-177m

Snowdon Summit elevation gain/loss: +621m/-878m

Overnight Llanberis

Accommodations

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.

Ewr 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.

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 18 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.

Day 5 Onward Travel