Snowdonia Green Holidays | Greentraveller Guides

A hiker admires the view. Photo: Steve Peake. Below, far left: Bryn Elltyd; The Blue Sky Café; right, far right and 'Getting to..' photos © Crown copyright (2011) Visit Wales

Snowdonia National Park is one of the oldest national parks in the UK, an 840-square mile playground of glistening lakes and dramatic waterfalls, desolate plateaus and dense forest, sandy beaches and dramatic mountain ranges, dominated by Mount Snowdon which soars to an impressive 3,560 feet.

Visitors flock to Snowdonia every year to enjoy this rich and varied landscape, but there is more to Snowdonia than steep peaks and breath-taking scenery. Our Greentraveller Guide to Snowdonia National Park will show you how to make the most out of your trip to this inspiring region.

We have cherry-picked some of the greenest accommodation in the park - from a hillside bunkhouse only accessible via a mile-long footpath, to a luxury hotel with a strong environmental conscience - as well as pubs and cafés where you can feast away on local delicacies, and activities and attractions to keep intrepid travellers and action-hungry families busy for weeks.

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Places to stay go

B&Bs, hotels, self-catering and camping

Whether you like pampering in a hotel or prefer to go it alone in a self-catering place or campsite, you'll find something to suit you in our selection of green places to stay

Places to eat go

Cafés, pubs, shops and delis

Good local food and drink is not hard to find in Snowdonia: head to the pub for award-winning ales, enjoy homemade cake in a tearoom or stock up on local goodies from the deli

Local Attractions go

Family fun and eco visitor centres

Family days out high up in Snowdonia's treetops, or sustainability courses for those that prefer to keep their feet on the ground: there are plenty of things to keep you busy

Activities go

Mountain biking, caving and birdwatching

Whether you want to tackle the mountain on your bike, explore the underground mines or enjoy some birdwatching, take a peek at our suggestions of things to do in the region

Features

Getting to and around the Snowdonia National Park

Snowdonia National Park

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Nearest national cycle network

Ifer Gwyn, Principal Policy Officer, Snowdonia National ParkA word from the Snowdonia National Park

Since its designation in 1951, Snowdonia has been regarded as being among Europe’s greatest and most varied National Parks. Within the 823 square miles included in the boundary, there are nine mountain ranges, covering about 52% of the Park, with many peaks reaching 3,000ft – including Wales’ most famed peak, Snowdon, at 3,560 feet. Apart from the beauty and charm of its high mountains, Snowdonia has an incredibly varied landscape of steep river gorges, waterfalls and green valleys. Oak, ash, rowan and hazel woodlands are found scattered throughout the Park, whilst the breathtaking Dyfi, Mawddach and Dwyryd estuaries, as well as the 23 miles of coastline and sandy beaches, contribute to the overall diversity of the landscape.

In addition to its natural resources, it is a heartland of the Welsh language and culture; well over half of the population is fluent in the language, and there is a strong sense of community in the region. Snowdonia is a place of myths, legends and native Princess, whilst more recent industrial legacies provide a fascinating glimpse into some of the forces that forged Britain. Today, the landscape continues to support a vibrant farming sector, and is a place of tranquillity or adventure, enjoyed by holiday-makers and locals alike, retaining the power to inspire and inform future generations, as it did Charles Darwin, Sir Edmund Hilary and Sir Kyffin Williams.

The variety of landscapes and experiences offered by Snowdonia are almost unrivalled – where else could the moment of solitude enjoyed on a mountain top or the tranquillity of a walk along a sandy beach be followed by walking, climbing, surfing or mountain biking – there's lots of variety of activities for both beginners and experts alike – or you can just marvel at the scenery from one of several all-ability trails.

Ifer Gwyn
Principal Policy Officer for the Snowdonia National Park

Did you know?

Snowdonia National Park is the UK’s third largest National Park
Snowdon is the highest peak in England and Wales
Although now associated with farming, recreation and tourism, Snowdonia was once a major exporter of copper, gold, leas, iron ore and slate – a legacy still visible today
Amongst its diverse habitats, Snowdonia includes extensive peatlands, habitats which are considered rarer that tropical rainforests
There are almost 1,500 miles of footpaths in Snowdonia, ranging from low level walks to adrenalin-pumping mountainous traverses
All five countries of the British Isles (Wales, England, Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man) can be seen from the top of Snowdon on a clear day