Walking in Snowdonia

A journey through the dramatic Snowdonia National Park
 

Holiday Highlights

Beddgelert | A picture-perfect stone-built village, and a great base to explore the Snowdonia National Park.
Summit Snowdon | Either by the Snowdon Mountain Railway or on foot – both equally spectacular.
Rhyd Dhu to Llanberis | Experience this beautiful walk with great views and slate mines.
History at your feet | Our routes take you past former quarries and castles.
Traditional guesthouses | A warm welcome awaits at the end of each day's walking.

Price from
£650pp
Walking in Snowdonia. 4 nights
Price from
£650pp
Walking in Snowdonia. 4 nights
Price from
£650pp
 

Holiday information

 

A walking holiday in Snowdonia

Discover an incredibly diverse National Park on this self-guided walking holiday in Snowdonia (Eryri), including luggage transfers and stays at traditional guesthouses, where the welcome’s warm and the breakfasts set you up for a day of awe-inspiring walking.

As the highest point in England and Wales, Snowdon is certainly impressive, with a towering, cloud-piercing peak and views that can stretch as far as Ireland and the Isle of Man. However, what makes Snowdon – or Yr Wyddfa, as it’s known in Welsh – really special is its setting in the spectacular Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park.

This beautiful corner of Wales has so much to offer, and a great deal more diversity than you might expect: as well as lofty mountains there are panoramic valleys, secluded lakes, and gushing waterfalls amid a remote and authentic landscape. Rivers rush through traditional stone-built villages huddled beneath peaks wrapped in early-morning mist, providing a serene backdrop, and soundtrack, to rewarding walks.

The opportunities for immersing yourself in mystifying natural beauty are limitless, but our routes also offer an insight into the area’s history and culture: explore Snowdonia’s fascinating slate landscapes, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ruins of Dolbadarn Castle, and Sygun Copper Mine. And as you peruse Beddgelert’s independent shops and tuck into hearty food at the local pub, you’ll hear an ancient language that’s still widely spoken.

The highlight though is summiting the iconic peak – by Victorian-era train or on foot – and gazing out over the ever-unfolding landscape below your feet.

 
Images courtesy of Nick Jenkins, Freespirit Images Photography (© NJ)
 
Gallery

 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights.

Unless indicated otherwise below, pay locally for all train and bus journeys.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.

    You should always be prepared for wet weather, whichever month you are travelling.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 7 8 10 12 15 17 18 18 17 14 10 8
    mm 134 101 97 92 95 88 100 99 87 124 120 133
  • Arrival in Beddgelert
    Night 1: at Plas Tan y Graig B&B (the first of two nights here).
    As your first night’s accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of walking.
  • Circular walk from Beddgelert: 15km (9.5 miles), 5.5hrs; 390m ascent/descent

    Glorious views await on this rewarding valley walk, which begins by heading upstream from Beddgelert along idyllic riverside paths. A tiny, leafy lane then brings you to the former Sygun Copper Mine, renovated and reopened as self-guided museum that allows you to explore deep into the mountainside. From here, you cross the river in the direction of Craflwyn, a National Trust estate, where you climb through forest to reach a historic viewpoint. The walk now becomes a proper mountain route, traversing typical upland grazing grounds of sheep and Welsh cattle, and with a real sense of being in the foothills of Snowdon – at the waterfalls of Afon Cwm Llan, your way intersects with the Watkin Path, one of the more challenging routes to the summit. To return to Beddgelert, descend to the valley floor and follow a lakeside path back to Sygun, from where you retrace your steps.

    It's possible to shorten this route to 4km by walking only as far as the Sygun Copper Mine (and back), or to 6km by continuing from the mine to the lakeside before then returning to Beddgelert.

    Enjoy outstanding views as you walk
    Circular walk from Beddgelert: 15km
  • Beddgelert to Llanberis: 9km (5.5 miles), 3.5hrs; 355m ascent/420m descent; shorter option: 7.5km (4.5 miles), 3hrs; 355m ascent/370m descent
    After a short, included transfer to the small village of Rhyd Ddu, you strike out north through some of the quieter and more remote landscapes of the National Park – this is an area untouched by roads, where natural beauty reigns supreme. The main route takes you through an extensive and atmospheric former slate mine, with large, ruined buildings; the terrain here can be marshy, which in turn can obscure some of the way-marking. To avoid this, choose to be transferred beyond Rhyd Ddu to follow our shorter walking option, which bypasses the mine. Both routes converge later to continue to the Maesgwm Pass, before descending, with superb views of Snowdon and other peaks, to your final destination, Llanberis. You spend two nights here at the welcoming Plas Coch guesthouse.
    En route to Llanberis
    Beddgelert to LLanberis: 9km
    Shorter option: 7.5km
  • Choice of walks from Llanberis: 3.5 to 10km (2 to 6 miles)


    The Snowdon Mountain Railway & Llanberis Path: 10km (6 miles), 4hrs; 295m ascent/950m descent ‘Incredible’ is the word that best describes the Snowdon Mountain Railway, the Victorian line which transports visitors all the way from Llanberis to the highest summit in England and Wales*. The views from the carriage window are exceptional and ever-changing: as you gradually ascend, look out for waterfalls, lush green countryside and dramatic sheer-edged valleys; but please note that this journey is much in demand, and advance booking is essential (tickets can be purchased here). Once at the summit, we recommend descending on foot via the popular Llanberis Path: this is the least technical of the six main routes, but it still offers sweeping views as it winds its way downhill to Llanberis, mostly following the railway line.
    *Please note that trains are currently terminating at Clogwyn Station, three quarters of the way up the mountain. From here you can continue on foot to the summit, or return with the train.

    The Pyg Track: 7.5km (4.5 miles), 4hrs; 730m ascent/340m descent
    The Pyg Track is the shortest route to Snowdon’s summit, a steady ascent along a very well-made path, but featuring rock steps that can be steep in places. The track starts from Pen-y-Pass (reached by bus; an early start is recommended to beat the crowds), and about halfway through your climb you are treated to classic views of the Snowdon ‘horseshoe’. Once you meet the more heavily travelled Miners’ Track, the going becomes rockier, but is still not technical and there is no significant exposure. After a short descent from the summit on foot, take the mountain railway down to Llanberis, or for a longer walk continue via the Llanberis Path (add 6km).

    Llyn Padarn: 8.5km (5 miles), 3hrs; 150m ascent/descent
    We highly recommend an additional night in Llanberis for the chance both to ascend Snowdon and to enjoy this lovely lakeside circuit. The first part of the route takes you along pleasant forest tracks, but it is after you round the lake that the walk really takes off: undulating lanes wind through ancient woodlands and meander via picturesque hamlets, and you also pass a former quarry hospital, currently closed but usually home to a fascinating museum. A final descent down a spectacular ‘staircase’ brings you to the shores of Llyn Padarn, from where you return to Llanberis via a beautiful lakeside meadow.

    Waterfalls & Dolbadarn Castle: 3.5km (2 miles), 1.5hrs; 65m ascent/descent
    Arguably, the best view of the waterfalls on the Arddu river is from below. The falls are easily reached from Llanberis and can be combined with a circular walk to visit the ruins of Dolbadarn Castle near the Llyn Peris reservoir.

    The Snowdon Mountain Railway
    On the Pyg Track
    The Snowdon Mountain Railway and Llanberis Path: 10km
    The Pyg Track:7.5km
    Llyn Padarn: 8.5km
    Waterfalls and Dolbadarn Castle: 3.5km
 

Accommodation

For your accommodation, we have selected two small guesthouses, each of which excels in their warm Welsh hospitality and excellent, home-cooked breakfasts.
 

Extend your stay

 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
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  • 4 nights: 01 March 2025 - 31 October 2025

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    1 Mar - 31 May 2025 £660 £230
    1 Jun - 31 Jul 2025 £690 £230
    1 - 24 Aug 2025 £660 £235
    25 Aug - 30 Sep 2025 £690 £230
    1 - 27 Oct 2025 £650 £235
    3rd & 4th person discount -£70
    Single traveller supplement £70
    Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, and any connecting travel detailed below.

    Included travel: transfer Llanberis-Beddgelert (if driving), or from Porthmadog station/to Bangor station (if travelling by train)

    Please note: dogs are not permitted on Inntravel holidays

  • Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Plas Coch, Llanberis (B&B) Double room Single room
    01 Mar - 31 Oct 2025 £80 £125
  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

    Where a price range is given, the price you pay depends on your date of travel.

    Connecting travel options - via Bangor station

    Outward route
    not recommended in this direction
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest
    departure time
    taxi hotel to Bangor station (0h25) included flexible
    bus Llanberis to Bangor station (0h50, pay locally) pay locally flexible

    Connecting travel options - via Porthmadog station

    Outward route Price per person Latest
    arrival time
    taxi Porthmadog station to hotel (0h20) included flexible
    Homeward route
    not recommended in this direction
What is included
  • 4 nights
  • 4 breakfasts
    2 picnics
  • luggage transported
  • route notes and maps
  • GPS navigation
  • taxi to collect car (if driving) or from/to local stations
 
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FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • Yes, prior to going on holiday you will be able to download GPX tracks so that you can follow your route on your smartphone or dedicated GPS device if you wish. It’s entirely up to you whether or not you use them – our detailed, step-by-step route notes remain the principal means of guiding you from A to B – but we provide them as a secondary means of navigation for additional reassurance when walking.
  • Yes, absolutely. Over the years, we have arranged a great many holidays in the UK for customers living in the USA, Canada, Australia and beyond.

    If you've never travelled with us before, it's worth reading the web pages which explain how we can cater for customers who live outside the UK. The main thing to bear in mind is that our tour operator's licence doesn't allow us to book flights that originate outside the UK, and nor are we able to book rail travel in the UK, so we can't make travel arrangements for you, other than pre-arranging taxis between the local railway station and the accommodation – see the ‘prices & travel’ section for the options available.

    For practical information about travelling to the UK, see the 'what do I need to know about travelling to England, Scotland and Wales?' question.
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
    Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
    Booking conditions >
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can incur a five or six-figure bill.

    Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs.
  • You are the best judge of your child’s/children’s capabilities. We are happy to take bookings for families of older children/teenagers if they walk regularly, love the outdoors and are comfortable with the distances and ascent/descent involved. Please note that the bedrooms at most of the accommodation we use will normally only sleep a maximum of 3 people, and sometimes only 2.
  • Unfortunately not. The Inntravel team includes many dog owners, but the extra considerations – such as whether taxi firms accept dogs for transfers to the start of walks, whether routes cross private land on which dogs are not allowed, and proximity to a vet’s – would add another layer of complexity to what are already quite complex holidays.
  • As a minimum, you will need a passport to enter the UK; requirements vary according to your nationality. It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. You’ll need to check requirements on the website of your own country’s government or that of the British government. Our essential travel information page provides links to websites where you can find out about the applicable requirements, along with general official travel advice.
     
    English is the most widely spoken of several official languages; in Wales, for example, Welsh has equal status. The currency is the British pound (Scotland issues its own bank notes, but Bank of England notes can be used in Scotland and vice versa). The UK follows Greenwich Mean Time during autumn and winter, but switches to British Summer Time (GMT + 1) from late March until late October.
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