Northern Snowdonia Guided Walking with Sightseeing

Distance: 3 miles (5km)   

Ascent: 50 feet (20m)   

In Summary: Leaving from the hotel, we walk through the village of Betws y Coed, following a footpath upstream alongside the Afon Llugwy to the famous Ty Hwll (Ugly House). The path is through woods and fields, with some occasional uneven sections.  

After our walk we travel to Bodnant gardens, an 80-acre horticultural paradise. We’ll have the chance to wander through formal gardens, meadows and woodland home to national collections and champion trees (please note entrance is not included in the holiday. The gardens are managed by the National Trust and NT members get free entry)  

Distance: 3.5 miles (5.5 km) 

Ascent: 500 feet (160m) 

In Summary: We’ll start from the village of Brynrefail at the western end of Llyn Padarn and take a quiet minor lane, flat initially, then rising gradually with crags on the left and woods on the right. Descending on tracks through woods, we’ll reach the Slate Hospital and head on to the Snowdon Railway Terminus in Llanberis.  

We’ll board the train using the traditional diesel service and enjoy spectacular mountain views. We’ll pass everything from viaducts, waterfalls and gorges to remnants of abandoned farms, chapels and medieval settlements as we head to the summit of Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa). We’ll have 30 minutes at the top to walk to the summit and explore the UK’s highest visitor centre Hafod Eryri, before reboarding the train and journeying back to Llanberis

Distance: 4 miles (6.5 km)  

Ascent: 600 feet (180m) 

Descent: 1,100 feet (340m) 

In Summary: Today starts at Ffestiniog railway station. We’ll board the steam train and travel to Dduallt station where we start our walk. Walking through by the waterfalls of the National Nature Reserve of Coedydd Maentwrog, we’ll make our way to the scenic Llyn Mair and on to Plas Tan y Bwlch – a grand house that’s now the study centre for Snowdonia National Park. Visit the tea shop and gardens or take a stroll through the estate woodland before we finish today's walk at the Oakley Arms. 

Distance: 4 miles (6.5 km)  

Ascent: 600 feet (200m)  

In Summary: We start our day from the eastern end of Llyn Ogwen and walk on a footpath on the northern shore to Ogwen Cottage, where there is a small Information Centre, café and toilets.  We then walk round the magnificent Cwm Idwal, close to the lake. Under the dark crags of Devils Kitchen and the craggy mountain of Tryfan, we return to Ogwen Cottage. 

We then travel to Penrhyn Castle. Built in the early 19th century, its formidable architecture, opulent interiors and fine art collection lean on a long history of sugar and slate fortunes, social unrest and the longest-running industrial dispute in British history (please note entrance is not included in the holiday. Penrhyn Castle IS managed by the National Trust and NT members get free entry).  

Distance: 4.5 miles (7km)  

Ascent: 250 feet (80m)  

In Summary: Today we leave the coach at Pont Bethania, which is the starting point for one of the routes up Snowdon, which featured in the film Carry On Up the Kyber. We walk down Nant Gwynant alongside the Afon Glaslyn on a good footpath passing Llyn Dinas and the old copper mine at Sygun. Following a quiet lane that takes us to the village of Beddgelert, we visit the grave of the faithful hound Gelert and enjoy time to explore the village. 

We then journey on from Beddgelert to the enchanting Italianate style village of Portmeirion. The village was created by Welsh Architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis and was designed to show how a naturally beautiful site could be developed without spoiling it. 

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.