Snowdonia Slate Trail

Distance: 13.5 miles (21.5km)  

Ascent: 2050 feet (640m) 

Descent: 1800 feet (540m) 

We start our trip on the seafront at Bangor, following the tree-lined Lon Las Ogwen (Ogwen Green Lane).  We walk beside the Afon Ogwen, with views of Penrhyn Castle, then ascend through farmland to circle the upland village of Rachub. We’ll have great views of the Carneddau mountains before descending to the slate town of Bethesda.  Passing Penrhyn Quarry we cross open moorland and descend through the Padarn Country Park beside the National Slate Museum – the former slate workshops of the Dinorwig quarry. We’ll walk between two lakes to finish in Llanberis.  

Distance: 10 miles (16km) 

Ascent: 1,800 feet (540m) 

Starting in Llanberis we ascend to the back of the town with widening views of the Glyder range, the Snowdon massif, the coastal plain and Anglesey beyond.  The route passes low hills then descends to Waunfawr, crossing the Welsh Highland Railway.  We ascend again to the west, passing the remains of ancient settlements accompanied by views of the dramatic Nantlle Ridge. We visit the upland village of Y Fron and walk through the remains of Dorothea quarry to finish in the Nantlle valley. 

Distance: 11.5 miles (18.5km) 

Ascent: 1,450 feet (440m) 

Descent: 1,700 feet (520m) 

Today, we’ll walk beside Llyn Nantlle Uchaf and continue east through the valley. It’s then on to the lower slopes of Mynydd Mawr and through woodland to Rhyd Ddu village which has a pub and a café.  The route passes the attractive lake Llyn y Gader and continues on the Lon Gwyrfai path through woods to the pretty village of Beddgelert.  From here we walk beside the Afon Glaslyn, initially pastoral then becoming a rocky gorge to Pont Aberglaslyn before finishing our walk at Nantmoor.  

Distance: 9 miles (15km) 

Ascent: 2,450 feet (740m) 

Descent: 1,750 feet (540m) 

This is a lovely, varied day of walking.  We’ll begin with a stroll through Nantmoor village then ascend on an old drovers’ road to arrive at the village of Croesor. We ascend diagonally up the flank of Moelwyn Mawr to the remains of Croesor quarry and on through rough terrain to Rhosydd quarry. We follow a track down to Cwmorthin, passing beside the lake and an eerie ruined chapel, continuing down to Tanygrisiau, crossing the Ffestiniog railway.  From here it is a simple walk into Blaenau Ffestiniog, the iconic slate town.  

Distance: 13.5 miles (21.5km) 

Ascent: 2,900 feet (880m) 

Descent: 3,000 feet (920m) 

We leave Blaenau Ffestiniog to the south, walking through the beautiful undulating valleys of Cwm Bowydd, Cwm Teigl then on to Llan Ffestiniog.  We visit Cwm Cynfal, a spectacular gorge with waterfalls and torrents and follow the river’s valley up to open moorland that offers a sense of wilderness. We pass the iron age hillfort of Bryn y Castell, before a steep descent to the remote ruined village and quarry of Rhiwbach.  From here we continue down to Cwm Penmachno, one of the most settlements in North Wales.   

Distance: 11.5 miles (18.5km) 

Ascent: 1, 950 feet (600m) 

Descent: 2,150 feet (660m) 

From Cwm Penmachno we’ll follow forest tracks along the side of the valley to Penmachno and continue north to join the Conwy valley. We pass the delightful Fairy Glen and continue ahead to Betws y Coed, passing our hotel.  We walk through the town and continue beside the Afon Llugwy, passing the Miners’ Bridge and Swallow Falls before arriving at Ty Hyll meaning ‘The Ugly House’.   

Distance: 13.5 miles (21.5km) 

Ascent: 1,950 feet (600m) 

Our final day follows tracks through the Gywdyr forest then descends to Capel Curig.  We take the green lane through the pass between the Carneddau and Glyderau ranges. At Llyn Ogwen the magnificent U-shaped valley of Nant Ffrancon opens up ahead and the remaining walk is an easy stretch on the old road around the purple slate tips of Penrhyn quarry. Finally, we walk the Afon Ogwen back to Bethesda where a statue marks the end of the trail.     

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.