Everything you need to know about Snowdonia

What does Snowdonia mean in Welsh?

In welsh, the word ‘Snowdonia’ translates to ‘Eryri’, pronounced eh-ruh-ree. This word has a double meaning of describing a high place, which refers to the unmissable Mount Snowdon, or it references to the great population of eagles, which once lived upon the hills and highlands of Snowdonia. 

How to get to Snowdonia? 

Snowdonia is the perfect location for exploring! Due to its central location, Snowdonia has excellent transportation links meaning you can travel by road, rail, sea or air without the struggle of extreme expenses.

• If you are traveling by road, you can follow the M56 or A55 from the North West, and the M6, M5 and M1 from the Midlands. 
• If you are travelling by rail there are direct services, that take you to popular Welsh coastal destinations departing from most parts of Britain and taking around 2 hours. 
• Getting to Snowdonia by sea is an easy option if you’re travelling from Dublin. The Irish ferries and Stena Line operate regularly, departing about 4 times a day, taking as quick as 2 hours up to 3 hours. The ferry travels to Holyhead, a popular town centre 45 minutes away from Snowdonia. 
• To get to Snowdonia by air, transfers from gateways of Liverpool, Birmingham and Manchester take less than two hours. 

Where to Stay in Snowdonia

Our Forest Holidays location at Beddgelert is situated to the south west of Mount Snowdon, making it an ideal place to stay in Snowdonia for a holiday where you can walk up the highest mountain in Wales. All of our lodges have hot tubs as standard, so you can have a relaxing soak after a day hiking and exploring Snowdonia.

When does Snowdon railway open? 

The railway trains run every day beginning the middle of March to the end of October (weather permitting), however it does close over the winter months. The trains depart every 30 minutes from 9am. 

How was Snowdonia formed?

Mount Snowdon was formed in the Ordovician period between 485 million and 443 million years ago by volcanoes forming their unique rocks.

How high is Snowdon? 

Located in Snowdonia, Mount Snowdon has an impressive height of 1,085m making it the highest mountain in Wales along with the highest point in the British Isles outside the Scottish Highlands. 

How tall is Snowdon in feet?

If you're wondering how tall Snowdon is in feet, the answer is 3,560 feet! It is the highest mountain in Wales and dominates the skyline of North West Wales.

Can you climb Snowdon in one day? 

Depending on the route you take, Mount Snowdon takes around 6-8 hours to walk up and walk back down again, although there are alternate paths you can take which may have an influence on the time it takes, yes, you can still climb the Snowdon within a day.

How many miles is Snowdon? 

Throughout the 6 different routes you can take to walk up the Snowdon, there are a range starting at 7 miles long to 9 miles long. The Pyg Track route being the shortest and the Llanberis Path route taking the longest. 

Which route to take to climb Snowdon? 

There are 6 different routes which are available to take when you start your journey up the Mount Snowdon, each one having its own touch on making your experience memorable. 

1. The Llanberis Path is the longest route at 9 miles long. Although it is the longest route, it provides a gradual climb up the summit making it one of the most popular paths.
2. The Rhyd Ddu Path is the next longest route at 8.5 miles long starting from the Rhyd Ddu car park, it is one of the less popular tracks as you follow a long narrow ridge near the top so be sure to have steady feet and a head for heights as you approach it. 
3. The Miners’ Track is 8 miles long beginning at the Pen y Pass car park, it’s a gradual path until you reach the Lyn Llydaw where it then becomes a pretty steep path all the way to the top. 
4. The Watkin Path is also 8 miles long, which takes you to the summit from Nant Gwynant. Starting the walk from Pont Bethania car park you will be able to see some of the old copper mine workings along your route to the top. 
5. The Snowdon Ranger Path is also 8 miles long which leads you from the Llyn Cwellyn car park and winds up the side of the mountain giving you outstanding views of a wide variety of lakes in the area.
6. The Pyg Track is the shortest route at 7 miles long, this path also starts from Pen y Pass car park. The path is steep to begin with but it’s worth it as you’re able to see some spectacular views. It also joins the Miners Track towards the end, so you have the option to go up one route and come down the ascending route so you get to experience both. 

Can dogs walk up Snowdon? 

It’s very popular to bring your dogs along with you to walk up and down Snowdon, there are several different routes which you can chose from to see which challenge would best suit yours and your dog’s abilities.