Way up in northwestern Wales, stretches of bright greens sprinkled with lakes and mountains and rock make up the stunning landscapes of Snowdonia. This pristine wilderness spot which is now a National Park has a surface area of 2,130 km2. Otters, polecats, and feral goats, as well as birds such as ravens, red-billed choughs and peregrines, make their homes amidst daffodils, camellias, magnolias, rhododendrons, azaleas, and Laburnum Arch flowers in this beautiful location.
Not only is Snowdonia a nature haven, but it is also an adventure hotspot where you can enjoy the stunning Swallow Falls, a 5-mile ride on a narrow-gauge steam train through breathtaking landscapes, historical castles, hiking, rock climbing, scrambling, and more! With so much to see and do, going with a certified guide is the ideal way to enjoy the best places of Snowdonia.
Read on and start planning your next adventure in Wales with one of our guides!
What to do? Classic tours in Snowdonia:
1. Snowdon Horseshoe Walk
The Snowdon Horseshoe Walk is a classic in the region and boasts well-deserved fame for its rugged peaks with knife-edge ridges and steep scrambles. The circuit takes you through the rocky Pyg Track to Crib Goch, a challenging peak to climb that will put your scrambling skills to test. Garnedd Ugain is next on the path, and finally, Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales, and Y Lliwedd cap the circuit.
Snowdonia
Completing the Snowdon Horseshoe takes between 5 to 7 hours, and requires a good fitness level. Also, if you are new to scrambling, you would probably benefit from taking a course such as this 2-day introduction to scrambling before tackling a more difficult feat.
Sign up for this 1-day Crib Goch and Snowdon Horseshoe scrambling adventure!
2. North Ridge of Tryfan
Snowdonia
Located in Ogwen Valley, Tryfan is an emblematic peak in the Snowdonia region. It gets its name because it has three rocky protrusions. It is a favorite among scramblers and is usually tackled on its north side, where the easiest line is Grade 1. At the summit of Tryfan are the Adam and Eve monoliths that make for a fun photo op!
Join this North Ridge of Tryfan scrambling day and enjoy a guided adventure to the summit of this rocking stunner!
3. Crib Goch
Snowdonia
Crib Goch, which means red ridge, is a knife-edged ridge at an altitude of 923 m. Options to tackle this rugged landmark include going for the full Snowdon Horseshoe walk or heading straight for Crib Goch. It is important to note that this ridge is very exposed which is why it should not be underestimated.
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The great thing about Snowdonia is you will find plenty of easier options to practice before you challenge yourself on this scrambling adventure. On these Climbing Courses in the UK, you can work directly with your guide to prepare for this thrilling objective!
4. 14 Peaks Route in Snowdonia
Snowdonia
The 14 Peaks Route links the 14 highest peaks in Wales which are: Foel Fras (942m), Foel Grach (974m), Carnedd Llewellyn (1064m), Yr Elen (961m)
Carnedd Dafydd (1044m), Pen Yr Ole Wen (979m), Tryfan (917m), Glyder Fach (994m), Glyder Fawr (999m), Elidir Fawr (942m), Crib Goch (921m), Garnedd Ugain (1065m), Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa (1085m). Usually, the traditional traverse of this route is done in 24-hours. However, to really enjoy it, you can take a longer tour and enjoy stopping on the way to admire the stunning wilderness!
Join a guide for 3-day guided tour of the 14 peaks in Snowdonia!
5. Rock climbing
With so many ridges and rocky summits, it's no wonder Snowdonia is such a great place for rock climbing. You will find everything from trad routes to sport climbs (mostly single-pitch), from cliffs to boulders (which are a good option for beginners), and many overlooking the sea!
Snowdonia
If you are a beginner, then taking a climbing course such as this introduction to rock climbing in Snowdonia is your best bet before you tackle something a little more challenging.
If you have some experience but would like to take your climbing one step further to start climbing autonomously, then this 2-day North Wales multi-pitch course is perfect for you.
Otherwise, if you are a seasoned climber, you can try this North Wales rock climbing self-rescue course before setting off to discover Snowdonia's wide variety of rocks and landscapes.
What is the weather like in Snowdonia?
Due to the relatively moderate weather conditions, Snowdonia is perfect to visit year-round with August being the hottest month and January the coldest, November the wettest month, and April the driest. It is also possible to experience all four seasons in one day, so you must be ready for different climatic scenarios every time you go out.
Snowdonia
In winter, from December to March, it occasionally snows, however average daytime temperatures are between 8°C and 9°C. In spring, from March to May, average daytime temperatures are between 9°C and 14°C. Summer is peak season and goes from June to September with average daytime temperatures between 17°C and 19°C. Finally, autumn, between the months of September and November is a stunning season to visit Snowdonia due to the colors and enjoys average daytime temperatures between 11°C and 17°C.
How to get to Snowdonia?
Snowdonia
You can get to Snowdonia by plane most conveniently from Manchester, by train from London, by ferry to Holyhead from Dublin or by car. There are three airports in the region: Anglesey, Caernarfon, and the Royal Aerospace Establishment. Once in Snowdonia, you can also take the local sherpa buses to move around.
Whichever way you decide to get there, just make sure you do, because Snowdonia is definitely one of those destinations that will forever be engraved in your heart! Start planning your active holiday now and book your place on a thrilling guided Snowdonia adventure with one of the guides at Explore-Share!
