At a glance
Wales’s only mountain National Park, home to Snowdon — the highest mountain in England and Wales at 1,085 m — and 65+ verified attractions.
About Snowdonia (Eryri)
Snowdonia (Eryri) was Wales’s first National Park, designated in 1951. It covers 823 square miles of mountains, lakes, ancient woodland and Atlantic coast. The Welsh name Eryri is now formally adopted by the Park Authority.
At the centre stands Yr Wyddfa — Snowdon — at 1,085 m the highest mountain in England and Wales. Six waymarked paths reach the summit, the easiest being the Llanberis Path (5 hours return), and the historic Snowdon Mountain Railway carries visitors to the summit station from Llanberis without walking.
The Park is also home to four UNESCO Iron Ring castles built between 1283 and 1295 by Edward I — Conwy, Caernarfon, Harlech and Beaumaris. Heritage railways at Ffestiniog (preserved 1955) and Talyllyn (the world’s first preserved railway, 1951) run year-round.
Top things to do
Best base towns
- Betws-y-Coed —
- Llanberis —
- Beddgelert —
- Porthmadog —
Getting there
From Manchester
M56 → A55 westbound → exit Junction 11 (signed Holyhead/Conwy) → A470 south. Total ~95 miles, ~1 hr 50 min.
From Liverpool
M53 → M56 → A55 → A470. ~85 miles, ~1 hr 35 min.
By train
Conwy Valley Line: Llandudno Junction to Blaenau Ffestiniog via Betws-y-Coed (~1 hr). Cambrian Coast Line: Birmingham via Aberystwyth to Pwllheli.
Hidden gems
- Cwm Pennant
- Hidden valley west of Beddgelert. Empty single-track road, dramatic cwms.
- Nantlle Ridge
- 9-mile high-level traverse with proper exposure but far less crowded than Snowdon.
- Llyn Geirionydd
- Forgotten lake near Trefriw. Free parking, swimmable in summer, excellent stargazing.
Frequently asked questions
Snowdonia is best known for Snowdon — at 1,085 m the highest mountain in England and Wales — together with three of the four UNESCO Iron Ring castles, Sir Clough Williams-Ellis’s Portmeirion village, and the world’s first preserved railway (Talyllyn, 1951).
Yes. Snowdonia (Eryri) was designated in 1951 as Wales’s first National Park. It covers 823 square miles. The Park is also a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve and contains parts of the UNESCO Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales World Heritage Site.
Approximately 95 miles from Manchester to Betws-y-Coed via the M56, A55 and A470 — about 1 hour 50 minutes in normal traffic. Llanberis (the Snowdon base) is approximately 100 miles, 2 hours.
Betws-y-Coed is the most popular base — central, on the A5 and A470. Llanberis is best if Snowdon is your priority. Beddgelert is the most picturesque village. Porthmadog is the best base if you also want to explore the Llyn Peninsula.
Exceptionally so. The Snowdon Mountain Railway takes children to the summit without walking. Llechwedd Slate Caverns runs Bounce Below (underground trampolines, age 7+). Zip World Fforest at Betws-y-Coed has activities from age 3. The National Slate Museum is free and excellent.