Walking in Snowdonia

Snowdonia is a great place to come walking and we have a network of walks for people of all abilities. Whether you want the challenge of ascending Snowdon, the highest mountain in England and Wales, or prefer one of our leisurely walks along the coastline, you’re guaranteed breathtaking scenery and diverse landscapes. We have a varied terrain here in Snowdonia from rugged mountain peaks, long sandy beaches to crystal clear lakes and rivers. The National Park continues to develop a network of footpaths geared towards walkers of all abilities.

Hard Mountain Walks

Whether you want to ascend one of the six paths up Snowdon or tackle Cader Idris in southern Snowdonia, these paths can be demanding in places. The mountainous terrain can become challenging with steep gradients, rocky paths and some scrambling required. Exceptional care should be taken when attempting these paths in winter conditions as the ground underfoot can become treacherous and should not be attempted by novice walkers. You should look out for loose scree and steep slopes if undertaking these walks. Always remember to wear appropriate clothing and footwear before venturing out into the mountains and check the weather forecast before you set off.

Pony Path, Tŷ Nant

Distance: 6 miles / 10km (there and back)
Time: About 5 hours
Grade: Mountain Walk
Start / Finish: Tŷ Nant Car Park (SH 697 153)
Relevant Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer OL 23 (Cadair Idris & Llyn Tegid)

Snowdon Ranger Path

Distance: 8 miles (13km) (there and back)
Ascent: 3071 feet (936 metres)
Time: About 6 hours (there and back)
Grade: Mountain Walk
Start / Finish: Llyn Cwellyn Car Park, off the A4085 (SH 564 551)
Relevant Map: Ordnance Survey OL 17 (Snowdon & Conwy Valley)

Minffordd Path

Distance: 6 miles / 10km (there and back)
Time: About 5 hours
Grade: Mountain Walk
Start / Finish: Dôl Idris Car Park (SH 732 116)
Relevant Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer OL 23 (Cadair Idris & Llyn Tegid)

For further information on these walks go to the Snowdonia National Park website.

Hard Leisure Walks

Our hard leisure walks combine flat terrain with occasional steep gradients and gradual ascents with some gorge walking on the Clogau path. You are still likely to encounter steep footpaths and some challenging sections, so be prepared and wear suitable walking boots as the ground can get slippery underfoot on some of the footpaths. You will be rewarded with great views of the Snowdonia scenery including mountains, lakes, woodland and rivers. The majority are circular paths with convenient facilities at the start of the walks.

Crimpiau, Capel Curig

Distance: 3.5 miles (6km)
Time: 3 hours
Ascent: Crimpiau - 475 m; Clogwyn Mawr - 347 m
Grade: Hard Leisure Walk
Start / Finish: SNPA Car Park, Capel Curig (SH 721582)
Relevant Map: Ordnance Survery Explorer OL 17 (Snowdon and Conwy Valley)
Facilities: Toilets, shop and cafe near the car park

Clogau, Bontddu

Distance: 4 miles (6.5km)
Time: 3 hours Ascent: 250m Grade: Hard Leisure Walk
Start / Finish: One of the lay-bys at the Dolgellau end of the village of Bontddu (SH 679188 Relevant map: Ordnance Survey Explorer OL 23 (Cadair Idris and Llyn Tegid
Facilities: Toilets and a garage in Bontddu

Dôl-goch, Tywyn

There is an interesting and varied woodland in the humid gorge facing north-west. The wood has seen little grazing over the years and there is therefore an unusually luxuriant variety of plants to be seen here including honeysuckle, ivy and several fern species.

For further information on these walks go to the Snowdonia National Park website.

Moderate Leisure Walks

Many of our leisure walks are circular and vary from a few hours’ walking to an all day outing. They are a great opportunity to see the Snowdonia National Park without having to compete with undulating terrain or venture onto our more challenging paths. Although our leisure walks are less demanding, the terrain can vary according to location. When starting out on one of these walks, be prepared for farmland, rough footpaths, tarmac roads, streams, marshes and some steep sections. These walks are great for the whole family. A good pair of walking boots and suitable clothing is recommended.

Arthog

Distance: about 9 miles
Time: about 6 hours
Grade: Moderate Leisure Walk Start / Finish: Arthog car park, just off the A493 (SH 640 147)
Relevant map: Ordnance Survey Explorer OL 23 (Cadair Idris & Llyn Tegid)
Facilities: car park, picnic tables
Useful Information: Approx half way along the route there are toilets and a car park (see map)

Llyn Tegid, Bala

Distance: about 7.5 miles (12Km)
Time: about 5 hours walking at a leisurely pace
Start: Commemorative Monument, Llanuwchllyn
Finish: SNPA Car Park on Llyn Tegid Foreshore
Grade: Moderate Leisure Walk Relevant map: Ordnance Survey Explorer OL 23 (Cadair Idris & Llyn Tegid)
Facilities: At the end of the walk – pay and display car park, public conveniences, picnic benches.

Dyffryn Maentwrog

Distance: Footpath network of over 30km in total
Location: Plas Tan y Bwlch and other various parking locations (see map for further details) Relevant map: Ordnance Survey OL 18 Harlech, Porthmadog and Bala
Useful Information: Wear comfortable walking shoes

For further information on these and to see other moderate walks go to the Snowdonia National Park website.

Easy Leisure Walks

What’s great about these leisure walks is that they are all on the flat and cover easy ground with little or no gradient. You can either walk part of the route or complete the whole trail–it’s entirely up to you. With the exception of the Mawddach Trail, all these easy leisure walks can be completed within a few hours leaving you free to explore the Snowdonia National Park at your leisure. Comfortable waking shoes are recommended.

Gwelfor, Aberdyfi

Distance: about 3 miles (5 km) Time: 2 hours
Grade: Easy Leisure Walk
Start / Finish: Neuadd Dyfi, Aberdyfi, where there is a paying car park near the village hall, opposite the garage. Relevant map: Ordnance Survey Explorer OL 23 (Cadair Idris & Llyn Tegid)
Useful Information: Wear comfortable walking shoes and take a waterproof. It is also worth taking a pair of binoculars with you.

Abergwynant Woods

Time: about 2 Hours
Grade: Easy Leisure Walk
Start / Finish: Penmaenpool Car Park, near Dolgellau
Relevant map: Ordnance Survey Explorer OL 18 Harlech, Porthmadog and Bala
Useful Information: Wear comfortable walking shoes and take a waterproof

Bridges, Betws y Coed

Distance: between 1 and 4 miles
Time: between 1 and 3 hours Grade: Easy Leisure Walk
Start / Finish: National Park Car Park behind the Information Centre in Betws y Coed
Relevant Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer OL 17 (Snowdon & Conwy Valley) Useful Information: Wear comfortable walking shoes and take a waterproof.

For further information on these walks go to the Snowdonia National Park website.

Accessible Walks

If you’re looking for walks where accessibility is a key factor and perhaps distance is also an important consideration, then these accessible walks should address both.These walks are relatively short and most have sections that are accessible to wheelchair users. They are also suitable for those who want to use pushchairs and are great leisure walks. Most of these accessible walks have facilities nearby including parking, picnic tables and toilets.

Janus Path

Distance: 400 metres
Grade: Accessible Walk
Start / Finish: Snowdon Ranger Car Park, on the A4085 between Rhyd Ddu and Betws Garmon (AH 564 551)
Public Transport: Bus Service No. S4 (Snowdon Sherpa). For more details visit www.traveline-cymru.org.uk or phone 0871 200 22 33 Facilities: Disabled parking, accessible toilet, benches and accessible picnic tables

Dôl Idris

Location: Dôl Idris Car Park, Talyllyn on the B4485 (by the junction onto the A487)
Grid Reference: SH 732 115 The Path: Approximately 1.25km of accessible path
Facilities: Car park, toilets, accessible toilets, accessible picnic tables.
Useful Information: Tel 01341 422 888 or e-mail tic.dolgellau@eryri-npa.gov.uk Public Transport: Bus Service No 30. For further details visit www.traveline-cymru.org.uk or phone 0871 200 22 33

Aber Falls Path

Distance: 2 miles / 3.2 km Grade: Accessible walk, but with steep sections.
Start / Finish: Aber Falls car park.
Relevant Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer OL 17 (Snowdon & Conwy Valley). Facilities: Two accessible car parks, public toilets and accessible picnic table in the upper car park, an interpretation centre located on the path to Rhaeadr Fawr.

For further information on these walks go to the Snowdonia National Park website.