Written By Nikita Chandola.
Traveling is a way to find yourself amongst the people you haven’t met and places unknown. We all travel to find peace but it comes with a package of history, adventures and what not. ‘Land of contrasts’ is an overused term used for many places but when I say that it stands true for Snowdonia, it most definitely does.
Surrounded by mountains, at one moment, you could be walking along the beaches in the next, one second you are trekking your way up and the next you are zip lining across a jungle.
Quite flattering right?! Snowdonia, a beautiful tourist spot in North Wales lets you pick your adventure and places to visit, one more exciting than the other.
1. Snowdonia National Park
Snowdonia National Park is best known for its scenic beauty majorly composed of mountains which are made up of volcanic rock and meandering valleys surrounding the mountains.
It covers an area of 838 square miles and within this area, you find lakes, mountains, Welsh hill farms, Roman ruins, traditional stone walls and cascading waterfalls. The highest mountain peak in all of England and Wales, Snowdon mountain’s summit Yr Wyddfa is located here and the park was built around it in 1951.
There are many activities that attract tourists to the national park apart from its natural abundance. Also, Taking a ride on the Snowdon mountain railway is a must along with enjoying hiking and rock climbing in one of Britain’s most famous rugged mountain terrain.
2. Snowdon Mountain Railway
Snowdonia has a lot to offer you, for every adventurer and the travel junkie, various adventure sports and enjoying the panoramic view from the summit to knowing about Welsh culture and the place and country’s history, you have got your hands full for this one. So, let’s go through a few places and things you can do in Snowdonia.
We all have been to train journeys once in our lives, but have you been to mountain railways? If No, (just like me) then Snowdon Mountain Railway should be in your list when you visit Snowdonia. It has been Snowdonia and Britain’s only public train and pinion mountain railway since 1896.
It is an experience worth having from Llanberis which is the foot of Snowdon in Snowdonia National Park to the highest peak of Snowdon, highest mountain in Wales as well as England.
You will get to experience one of the most wonderful panoramic views. Unlike many others in the past, this journey will not let you keep your heads inside. After your arrival to the highest peak of Wales, explore the Hafod Eryri and enjoy hot snacks and coffee with the breathtaking view.
As per the weather, it is mostly advisable to travel to the summit between May to October. If you always dream of doing this then Snowdonia is a place for you and the Snowdon mountain railway and spectacular view is waiting for you!
To experience this journey you can either advance booking your tickets via the Snowdon railway website or can take tickets physically from the Llanberis ticket office. But 30 minutes prior to departure. For information regarding timings and everything visit their website.
3. Conwy Castle
A trip that does not involve history is no trip at all. Visiting historical structures and witnessing their stories is a surreal feeling and an important one.
Conwy castle is the best surviving castle from the medieval period of Europe. It was built by the King of England Edward I, along with the Caernarfon and Harlech castles.
If you are visiting for the first time, being fascinated and awestruck is definitely on the cards with the added bonus of witnessing a reflection of the medieval period.
As per UNESCO, this castle is said to be the finest examples of late 13th and early 14th-century military architecture in Europe, demonstrated through their pristine state. Visit this place and explore to the core and have the most medieval day of your life.
4. Llechwedd Slate Caverns
The thought of an underground place being a tourist spot might have not crossed your mind, but it doesn’t mean that there is no such place. Llechwedd Slate Caverns are situated near the historic slate mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog in North-west Wales which is around 11 km from Snowdonia and is a must explore place.
As it is an adventure cum interactive museum haven and a renowned Victorian mine that attracts all age groups. It is a place that will tell you how slates used to be extracted from mines during the 1800s, a museum that gives you insight into the lives of the mineworkers.
The cavern is lit with multicoloured lights that fall upon underground lakes, quite a beautiful view. Along with that, you get a chance to behold the world’s first-ever subterranean playground with giant bouncy trampolines which are open for everyone, called Bounce below.
The cavern also lets you experience the Titan zip-line which is the only four-person zip-line in Europe. Quite adventurous right?! Then don’t miss this chance to explore this underground world when you visit Snowdonia.
5. Electric Mountain
The mountain is so-called because of the power station which is found near Dino rig, Llanberis, it is a megawatt pumped-storage hydroelectricity power installation.
It was built between 1974 and 1984 and was initially constructed to store power at times of low usage. Water was pumped uphill to generate hydroelectric energy at times of high demand. Now the use of this electric mountain is to compensate for a sudden increase in power demand or unexpected loss of power.
This place is a tourist spot to marvel at with the deep mountain network of tunnels leading to pumps and turbines in action. Interesting right?!, You can also visit the cafe, toy store and soft play area around the Electric mountain.
Pre-bookings is advisable to visit this place so that you don’t miss your chance.
Also Read: 10 Most Wonderful Natural Phenomena In The Sky
6. Beddgelert
Though Snowdonia is a place full of tranquillity and serenity but the unfathomable beauty in the heart of Snowdonia national park will glow your heart and blow your mind. Beddgelert is a beautiful village in Snowdonia which I must recommend you visit.
The picturesque stone-built village is the epitome of classic beauty. You will find traditional pubs, shops, art and crafts and mind-blowing ice cream shops and can participate in the best Snowdonia activities like canyoning, kayaking, biking and mountain climbing.
The most important place to visit if you want to know about the story behind the village name is Gelert’s Grave. It is the gravesite of Llewelyn the faithful dog who was killed in a case of mistaken identity.
If you have got time in your hands, visit the nearby places like Portmeirion village, Criccieth castle, Harlech castle. An adventure surely awaits you here.
7. Betws-y-Coed
A getaway to snowy peaks and mesmerizing lakes, Snowdonia national park is the perfect place in the middle of Snowdonia if you are looking for an adventure-packed trip. Betws-y-Coed is where the River Conwy meets its three tributaries flowing from the West, the Afon Llugwy, the Afon Lledr and the Afon Machno.
It is surrounded by Gwydir forest park, a magical place that is meant for pulling out your walking boots and experiencing the best views. Wales is known for its bike riding and this place sits right in the centre of it.
It is the perfect place to explore Snowdonia and gives you a chance to visit all the nearby places like Swallow falls and Ty Hyll (ugly house).
If you are an adventure junkie (like me) then go for a mountain bike trail or Zip world forest where you can experience ropes element fun. Betws-y-Coed is said to be the ‘getaway of Snowdonia’ and you will take this getaway for a day, right?
8. Waterfalls of Snowdonia
We all love a place that offers a bit of calm and cool, where you can hear nothing but your heartbeat and flowing water.
Waterfalls are the perfect getaway from the tiring road trip and Snowdonia does not disappoint you in this realm of serenity as well (now more than ever to visit this place). Swallow waterfalls on the Afon Llugwy, Betws-y-Coed is a picturesque location with a wooded, narrow rocky footpath setting, which is featured in the films.
It is one torturous narrow path with cut down grey rocks, a spectacular view you won’t think of missing out on. Conwy Falls (Rhaeadr y Graig Lwyd in Welsh) is one of its kind.
To witness the beautiful waterfall of Walsh you have to track your way via a narrow, rocky path that takes you to ancient woodland and into the Fairy Glen. Your path to waterfalls might take long and can be very rocky but the environment is as natural as you can get and the destination is worth all hurdles.
This place and its surrounding areas are Sites of Special Scientific Interest. The reason behind the natural setting and the falls are located at the end of the gorge section of the river Conwy. You will find it worth your time, as for the entry you have to pay 1 euro.
9. Barmouth
The seaside resort has been a very popular destination for visitors in Snowdonia, Wales. Barmouth or its other name Abermaw is a beautiful place which offers you pleasing beaches but also the view of mountains, just like our childhood landscape paintings.
You can go on a walk or bike tour along the Mawddach trail which follows eight miles to Dolgellau and provides the best view of the place.
There is a good variety of shops, places to eat and drink and enjoy your time. Despite your budget or taste, you will find something to suit you. Visit this place and experience it for yourself and don’t forget to appreciate the peace it offers you!
The list might be small but the place offers you more than your appetite! There are a bunch of places to visit and more than that activities to do. Snowdonia national park with so much beauty and less population stands tall for its name because it’s rare to see national parks with so many varieties other than flora and fauna.
Visit this spectacular place in the United Kingdom and share your experience or whether you have visited any of the above places do share that as well.
10. Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach
The Glyders or Glyderau is inclusive of both Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach and is one of the most expansive areas in Wales. It is one of the major hiking spots in Snowdonia National Park and provides a lifetime experience. The Glyders boasts some of the best scrambling and rock climbing in Wales.
These activities have been covered in detail in two Climbers’ Club Guidebooks namely Ogwen for the northern part and Llanberis for the south of the range. Glyders is also famous for hosting some of Snowdonia’s best winter climbs.
Some of the hiking and climbing highlights are Tryfan, a sharp pyramidal mountain whose easiest line of ascent is a fun Grade 1 scramble, and has a plethora of lines along its northern and southern gullies and buttresses. It’s said that it is almost impossible to ascend the mountain without using one’s hands.
Also Read: Top 15 Most Popular Hot Air Balloon Festivals Around The World.
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Nikita Chandola is a media student and a fashion enthusiast, who has a passionate dream of seeing the world and all that it has to offer. She is an introvert who chooses to be selectively outspoken, and is also a good listener. She also loves listening to music, reading books and sometimes sketching. She is a mountain person, so much that she plans to settle in the mountains in future.
Awesome photos
Lovely photos. I visited North Wales about 5 years ago and found it to be a very peaceful and beautiful place.
Yes, Snowdonia is every nature lovers dream come true. Peaceful and close to nature is what describes Wales.
Without doubt, a place to go if one is inclined to write about history or is looking for a dramatic scenery to paint.
True very true. Thanks for reading 🙂
Excellent post! This is definitely on my list of places Id love to go 🙂
Yes every travel lover should definitely experience the beauty of these natural wonders. Thanks for reading.
Beautiful photos and lovely write up of a place I haven’t had time to explore yet. How I miss traveling and can’t wait to see this part of the world one day. The rock formation in the last pic looks otherworldly!
Thanks for reading Ab. Snowdonia truely is a places out of the fairytales. It has got all the elements that we used to read in storybooks during our childhood. I hope every traveller visits Snowdonia one day.
Beautiful pictures and amazing post..I am looking forward to visit these places
Thanks for reading. We are glad you liked it 🙂
Amazing pictures and i must say your work is very impressive..Looking forward to see more of your amazing posts
Thanks a lot Yashika. It really feels great when efforts are recognised. This made our day 🙂
It looks absolutely amazing! Electric Mountain is a surprise, a man made thing tucked up in all that natural beauty. I made my first visit to Wales last week, hoping to get back to explore in the Summer. Great post.
Thanks for reading Helen. We are glad you liked it. Do let us know about your Wales travel experience this Summer. Would love to hear your travel stories.