The Snowdonia Travel Guide provides visitors with tourist information and tips and highlighting local places of interest and attractions in the scenic region located in Wales. The Snowdonia Mountains and Coast have long been a hit with visitors from the UK and overseas. The large mountains and natural scenery make for great terrain for walkers whilst the great outdoors and activities are especially well catered for here.
Overview and Attractions
Snowdonia is among the top destinations for activity enthusiasts and is considered among the best activity destinations in the UK. Here you can enjoy adventure sports, mountain biking, water sports, walking, fishing, golf and horse riding and many others. The seaside is popular and boasts some beautiful coastline areas such as the Lleyn Peninsula, which are areas of outstanding natural beauty and provide a scenic treat for visitors.
There is plenty of history in the region with old castles a testament to the great history and culture of the area. Snowdonia certainly offers stunning scenery, the name come from the English name from the highest peak Mt. Snowdon, whilst the local Welsh name translates as the eagle’s resting place. The area boasts some spectacular passes alongside some quaint villages, waterfalls and the opportunity to go on some walks along the riverside.
Bala Lake or Llyn Tegid in Welsh is the largest natural body of water in Wales, water sports enthusiasts are very keen on using the lake and can benefit from the winds that sweep in from the mountain valley. The steam trains of the narrow-gauge Bala Lake Railway run for a few miles along its southern shore. Nearby another lake, Llyn Celyn, is totally artificial and canoeing competitions are held there.
Castell y Bere is a ruined castle in a very picturesque valley location it was built by Llewelyn the Great. Whilst ruins of Castell y Bere do not rise high, visitors can still see the main layout of the castle that was built on a rocky outcrop in the Dysynni valley. It is for this tranquil, isolated setting many visitors came and see the ruins. The castle was built by Llywelyn the Great back in the 1220's.
Coed-y-Brenin is a managed forest of approximately 16,000 acres and contains a number of walking trails. Coed-y-Brenin is a location where you can enjoy among the best mountain biking in the UK with its way marked technical trails and has a family route, these are based at the New Visitor Centre at Dolgefeilliau. There are a number of marked family walking trails and running trails for all abilities. There is also a great play area for children, bike hire is available and a cafe that provides visitors with some breathtaking views. Coed-y-Brenin is based around the valleys of the rivers Gain, Mawddach and Wen. Further west there are the Rhinog mountains whilst to the East the remote Rhobell Fawr and to the South the wonderful Cader Idris.
Mount Snowdon is the highest peak in England and Wales at over 1,000 metres, the local Welsh name is Yr Wyddfa that translates as 'The Tomb' . The summit of the mountain can be reached by a number of different paths or the Snowdonia Mountain Railway, this scenic and enjoyable route is taken by many. Each year many visitors come to the mountain keen on seeing the mountain and wishing to scale its slopes. The mountain has biodiversity in both animals and plants and there are efforts being made to maintain the ecology of the area. Mount Snowdon has become a national symbol for the Welsh people and has something of an iconic status to it.
The Snowdonia Riding Stables offers visitors the chance to take part in one of the popular activities in the area, riding. Visitors can ride and trek on ponies and horses in terrain that provides magnificent scenery, it can inspire and refresh at the same time. Situated in the valley of the river Gwyrfai there are miles of bridleways giving access through the countryside as visitors enjoy riding up into the hills of Snowdonia. The ponies and horses vary in size and type meaning there is one for everyone. See Snowdonia Riding Stables for further information.
Chapel of Art located in Criccieth is a nineteenth-century chapel that has been extensively restored to house exhibitions some of the collections are local, there is well established thriving local artistic community. The venue of year round classes and concerts it is worth checking what is on at any point in time as there is always something to see. Contact details, Address: 8 Marine Crescent, Criccieth, Gwynedd, LL52 0EA, Wales. Telephone: +44 (0)1766 523570.
For more than 100 years the Snowdon Mountain Railway has been taking visitors up the mountain. Regarded as a great feat of engineering, the rack and pinion railway goes close to the summit of the highest mountain in England and Wales. Visitors can enjoy their journey on the railway starting at Llanberis Station at the bottom of the mountain. The journey takes you through woodland and continues its journey up the mountain. On clear days visitors are treated to wonderful views especially at the summit. From the summit you can see Ireland and the Isle of Man.
Portmeirion Village and Gardens are located in Portmeirion close to Porthmadog. The village is set among its own private peninsula on the southern shores of Snowdonia. Created by Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis to demonstrate just how a naturally beautiful place could be developed and not have to be ruined. Portmeirion now consists of around fifty buildings, the majority are hotels and accommodation establishments, and they are surrounded by acres of sub-tropical woodland. Castell Deudraeth is a Victorian mansion that is now a brassiere style restaurant and hotel. There also a number of other tourist shops of interest.
Snowdonia represents an activity enthusiast’s paradise, visitors can take part in a wide range of activities and enjoy the wonderful surroundings. The sea cliffs hills and hidden waterfalls as a backdrop add to the sense of adventure. There are a number of activity providers in the area that cater for activities in Snowdonia region. Visitors can benefit from flexible arrangements and courses. The activities on offer range from Canoeing and kayaking in the lakes and rivers to abseiling, caving, climbing, river gorge-adventures and biking.
There are also many mountain bike adventures and camping expeditions, multi-activity and summer camps the list goes on and the choice is yours. See Snowdonia Active for more details on the range of activities offered by various providers.
Snowdonia is a beautiful region in Wales that is famed for its scenery and surroundings, it is also one of the outdoor activities capitals of the UK. Many visitors enjoy a break in the tranquil surroundings with dramatic scenery all year around. It is a great place to get away from it all and become refreshed. Its location means it is assessable particularly by road and for those in the Midlands and South of England represents a great place to go for a break being only a few hours away.
Disclaimer: The information given in on this website is given in good faith and to the best of our knowledge. If there are any discrepancies in no way do we intend to mislead. Important travel details and arrangements should be confirmed and verified with the relevant authorities.