Walking in Snowdonia

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Day 1: Arrive Beddgelert

Welcome to Beddgelert in Wales. After settling in you could spend the afternoon/evening exploring this wonderful little village.

• Accommodation (Days 1-4): Royal Goat Hotel, Sygun Fawr or similar
• Upgraded accommodation: Plas Tan y Graig or similar

Day 2: Circular walk Beddgelert | 16km

Your first walk is a fantastic introduction to the Welsh countryside. From the village, take a small road passing some traditional cottages and the Sygun Copper Mine. This is an impressive example of how precious industrial heritage can be restored into a tourist attraction. The walking trail continues to Llyn Dinas lake then over Mynydd Llyndy, where you have superb views in all directions. You continue through moorland and woodlands to the hamlet of Nantmor, then back to Beddgelert via the Fisherman’s Trail.

• Walking for the day: 4-5h, 16km ↑320m

Day 3: Summiting Snowdon | 11km

Today’s walk takes you up Yr Wyddfa, or Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales (1,085m). From Beddgelert, you take public transport for a short distance to the start of the trail at Pen-y-Pass, a mountain road built in the 1830s to carry ore from the mines on Yr Wyddfa to the nearby town of Llanberis. The walking trail leads you along an old miners’ track, called the Pyg Track, to the summit. From the summit (weather permitting) you will enjoy panoramic views of Eryri, or Snowdonia You have a choice of walks to descend, by either taking the miners’ track back to Pen-y-Pass or following the train track down to Llanberis. Public transport is then available to take you back to your accommodation in Beddgelert.

• Walking for the day: 3-4h, 11km ↑725m

Day 4: Betws-y-Coed to Ty Hyll | 13km

Take public transport to the start of your walk, this time in the colourful town of Betws-y-Coed which is surrounded by dense woodlands and magnificent countryside. A small forest trail leads you up to Llyn Elsi Reservoir. The trail continues via an old Roman Road that takes you across the Miner’s Bridge and on to Swallow Falls, where the river Llugwy rushes down from the mountains. Crags and jagged rocks divide the stream into a number of cascades. Your day ends at Ty Hyll, the Ugly House, built overnight by two outlaw brothers, and now the offices of the National Trust. Public transport is available to take you back to your accommodation in Beddgelert.

• Walking for the day: 3-4h, 13km ↑360m

Day 5: Bryncroes to Aberdaron | 16km

A taxi will today transfer you from Beddgelert to the small hamlet of Bryncroes for the start of your walk. Taxi transfer is included in the tour cost. A very mixed and varied walk awaits you today, taking you through open farmland, mixed woodland, over gentle hills and along some quiet country roads on your way to Aberdaron. Mynydd Rhiw is the high point of the day at 304m and, from the top, you will be rewarded with sweeping views of both land and sea. As you walk, you pass through some derelict farmsteads with traditional stonewalls reaching out in all directions.

• Walking for the day: 4-5h, 16km ↑365m
• Accommodation (Days 5-7): Gwesty Ty Newydd or similar

Day 6: Bardsey Island | 12km

Today’s walk is on Ynys Enlli, or Bardsey Island. To get to the island, you take a small ferry from just outside Aberdaron, on a 15mins crossing. Ynys Enlli lies about 3km off the tip of the Llŷn Peninsula. It is 2.5km in length and, at its widest point, is just over 1 km. Mynydd Enlli mountain rises to a height of 167m. The island has been a refuge for nature lovers and those seeking solitude for centuries. It was declared a national nature reserve in 1986 and many make the journey from Aberdaron each summer to glimpse cormorants, shags, manx shearwaters and curlews. Grey seals also come to bask on the beaches. Between eight and thirteen people are resident on the island, including a farmer, warden and bird experts. 

• Walking for the day: 3-4h, 12km ↑160m

Day 7: Circular walk Aberdaron | 14.5km

This is one of the most spectacular coastal walks to be found anywhere in the British Isles. It is made up of coastal paths, open countryside, moorlands and an abundance of peace and tranquillity. The walking trail takes you in a clockwise direction around the headland of the Llyn Peninsula and up to the top of Mynydd Mawr. From here, on a good day, you can see across the Irish Sea to the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland. You pass St. Mary’s Well, which is a very unusual well because it fills with fresh water from an underground spring, despite being under sea level at high tide. You also enjoy great views over Bardsey Island.

• Walking for the day: 4-5h, 14.5km ↑585m

Day 8: Departure

After a hearty Welsh breakfast, public transport is available from Aberdaron to Bangor and on to your next adventure.

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Beddgelert:

• Royal Goat Hotel: In the heart of Snowdonia National Park, the Royal Goat Hotel offers accommodation with mountain views. Each en suite room at the Royal Goat features a TV, tea/coffee facilities and a hairdryer. Full of character, Royal Goat Hotel has a cosy lounge and an elegant reading room. The popular grill bar restaurant serves a traditional menu, made with local produce.

• Sygun Fawr (1km from the village): Sygun Fawr Country House in Beddgelert provides adults-only accommodation with a bar and a shared lounge. Continental and full English/Irish breakfast options are available each morning at the hotel.

• Optional upgrade: Plas Tan y Graig: Featuring a shared lounge, garden and views of river, Plas Tan y Graig B&B Guest House Beddgelert is set in Beddgelert. At the guest house, all rooms are equipped with a desk, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, bed linen and towels. Plas Tan y Graig B&B Guest House Beddgelert offers certain units with garden views, and the rooms are fitted with a patio. The units will provide guests with a wardrobe and a kettle. The accommodation offers a à la carte or Full English/Irish breakfast.

Aberdaron:

• Gwesty Ty Newydd: Overlooking the sandy beach of Aberdaron, Gwesty Ty Newydd is a well-appointed bed and breakfast on north west Wales’ Llyn Peninsula. With a bar, restaurant and sea-view terrace, it also provides free Wi-Fi. Each room at Gwesty Ty Newydd has en suite facilities with a bath and shower. All have a hairdryer, tea and coffee facilities and flat-screen TV with Freeview. The restaurant serves dishes featuring local produce, including freshly caught Aberdaron lobster and crab. Afternoon tea with home-baked cakes is also served, while the licensed bar has a terrace to enjoy your drink and the stunning ocean views.

*Hotels are subject to availability. If a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal or higher value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.