What is the scenic driving route in Snowdonia?
The Crimea Pass (or Bwlch y Gorddinan) on the A470 between
If the weather is bad then don't even consider walking unless you have proper equipment, a map and a compass and know how to use them - people have fallen from the cliffs when following the railway down and then strayed off to one side. You cannot drive to the top of Snowdon.
You can do it either way, but the best views of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) itself come when you do it anti clockwise. From Caernarfon take the A4085, which quickly rises up into the foothills. As it crests the hill just past Rhyd-Ddu, look left up Yr Wyddfa's (Snowdon's) gentler western flanks and you can see the summit café.
How many days do you need for a Snowdonia road trip? To really get a feel for Snowdonia you want at least 3 days in the area, but the ideal is between 5 and 7 days. One day will almost certainly be taken up climbing Snowdon's peak, which leaves you with a few more to explore the surrounding hikes, lakes, and villages.
Often considered the “easiest” path up Snowdon, the Llanberis path is also the longest. As we've already mentioned, it's popular amongst runners, families and first-timers due to its slightly easier gradients and the surer footing the well-trodden path provides.
Just drive carefully and enjoy the most weather-blasted landscape Snowdonia has to offer. Look out for: the scarily steep north face of Crib Goch, best viewed to your left when driving up from Llanberis to Pen-y-Pass. Yes, people walk along the top of that!
So if you're limited on time – or aren't able to walk far – you can still get a taste of Snowdonia's beautiful scenery. The route covers 39 miles and takes around 1.5 hours to drive (depending on how many photo/tea and cake stops you make along the way).
Drivers say either direction is fine but the local tourist board recommends driving anti-clockwise for the best experience. Start your drive at Caernarfon, taking the A4085 into the higher ground until you pass Rhyd-Ddu, where you will get a great view of Snowdon's western face.
There are six recommended paths. They are all classed as 'hard, strenuous walks' and you should allow at least 6 - 8 hours to get there and back, even if you're pretty fit. Plan ahead by downloading the Snowdon Walks app.
Glad you enjoyed Snowdonia - you can see quite a lot in 1 day, especially if you stick to the main roads. You could easily spend a whole week on holiday exploring North Wales.
How difficult is the Pyg Track?
Yr Wyddfa Ground Conditions Reports are now available on the Yr Wyddfa Live website. Snowdonia National Park Authority has categorises this route as Hard/Strenuous. It is only suitable for experienced country walkers with a good level of fitness.
The best time to visit Snowdonia is between June and August as temperatures are warm and there is usually less rainfall. Snowdonia is a great place to travel to at any time of year so the 'best' season to go in largely depends on what kind of holiday you want to have.
- 1Llyn Ogwen.
- 2National Slate Museum, Caernarfon.
- 3Caernarfon Castle, Caernarfon.
- 4Pen-y-Pass.
- 5Dolbadarn Castle.
- 6Snowdon View Point.
- 7Nant Ffrancon Pass.
- 8Snowdon Peak.
Your trip starts in Machynlleth, a pretty market town located in the Dyfi Valley. Although quite long, the first stage is a straightforward introduction to the Snowdonia Way.
So, how long does it take to climb to the summit of Mount Snowdon? It all depends which route you take but should take somewhere between 5-7 hours to reach the summit and walk back down (or just 1 hour if you take the Snowdon Mountain Railway to the top!).
Climbing up Yr Wyddfa is certainly challenging and requires a high level of fitness. Venturing to the summit should not be taken lightly. Anyone venturing to the summit should be comfortable walking long distances and climbing on steep, uneven and rocky slopes.
Visit an island, take a boat trip under a bridge, grab a ride on the railway, tiptoe around an ancient cottage – whatever you choose, Eryri (Snowdonia) is a spectacular setting at any time of year. Here are some of the things to see and do on your next trip!
Most people are physically capable of climbing Snowdon without doing any specific training. It will however, make it easier and your day more enjoyable if you go on some long walks to prepare.
One of the most scenic drives in Wales is the Abergwesyn Pass, which runs from Tregaron to Llanwrtyd Wells. The route is renowned for its wild landscape of moorlands, pine forests, streams and cliffs. The drive also features a series of hairpins that are aptly named the 'Devil's Staircase'.
Marine Drive
The five-mile toll road around the base of the headland of the Great Orme from the seaside Town of Llandudno gives spectacular views over Anglesey and Snowdonia all year round. It really is a beautiful route - follow the signs to Happy Valley from the Pier and this will take you to the one way route.
What is the most scenic route in North Wales?
1. Marine Drive. With Great Orme's summit towering over LLandudno and all the means to go up it, it would be a shame to miss out on th...
Famous throughout the world for it's mountains, natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage. Situated on the West Coast of Britain, Snowdonia National Park is the largest National Park in Wales, covering 823 square miles of beautiful landscape.
Starting the closest to sea level of all the routes at just 60m, the Watkin Path has the most ascent of all the Snowdon paths. It's a little under eight miles (12.9km) up and down.
You can plan most of your trips on public transport using the Traveline Cymru website. Visiting Eryri without a car can be a rewarding experience. Not only does it reduce your carbon footprint, but it also allows you to experience the park at a slower pace and experience the natural environment in a different way.
The Cambrian Way
At 185 miles (300km), it's the longest of the three Wales Way routes, and meanders through two National Parks – Eryri (Snowdonia) and Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) – with the Cambrian Mountains in-between; it's fair to say exceptional views are a given.
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