Conquer the Mythic Welsh Wild: Snowdonia National Park and Snowdon

The tallest mountain in Great Britain outside the Scottish Highlands, Snowdon, which soars 1,085m (3,560ft) into the sky, is the jewel in Snowdonia’s gorgeous natural crown and is a perennial hiker’s favourite, comprising one part of the National Three Peaks Challenge (alongside Scotland’s Ben Nevis and England’s Scaffel Pike) and welcoming almost 600,000 walkers every year. A monumental labyrinth of pathways that snake between craggy summits, dizzying rocky ridges, and shimmering crystalline lakes, the mountain is known as Gwyddfa Rhita __(Rhita’s cairn) in Welsh, an homage to the mythical giant Rhita who, in the annals  of Welsh folklore, was slain in battle with King Arthur and subsequently buried where the mountain now stands…

The journey to Snowdon’s summit is in and of itself a paradisial odyssey that has become a rite of passage for nature-lovers the nation over, however even these breathtaking vistas along the ascent pale in comparison to what awaits at the mountain’s peak: a truly panoramic view over Britain which, on clear days, tantalisingly unveils parts of Ireland (the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland both), Scotland, England, and the Isle of Man, as well as 24 counties, 29 lakes, 17 islands, and the mountains of the Peak District and the South Pennines that encompass Manchester some 100 miles north east.

For those wanting to undertake the climb, the summit is surprisingly accessible to those of all abilities and there are several different routes on offer. Pyg Track is the most popular among newcomers and follows a steady U-shaped curve up the mountain, although the ‘easiest’ is generally considered to be Llanberis Path which, despite being the longest route at 6.8km (4.2miles) in terms of distance, has the shallowest incline. Every year the Snowdon Race is held along Llanberis Path to see who can conquer the mighty mountain in the shortest amount of time - the record stands at just 38 minutes and 10 seconds!

Feel free to try and beat this mind-dizzying record, however we would personally recommend Watkin Path or the Miner’s Track for some slower, more scenic ascents. The former of these options encounters some beautiful turquoise waterfalls and plunge pools on the way up that are perfect for a spot of wild swimming to cool yourself off, while on the Miner’s Track you will discover derelict mine buildings haunting the landscape, a gesture towards the fascinating human history of the area. Or, if all this walking sounds a bit off-putting, the Snowdon Mountain Railway has been chartering passengers from Llanberis straight to the summit ever since 1896. The journey takes about an hour and offers all the same beautiful scenery at just a slither of the exertion, a perfect compromise for those wanting something a little less strenuous. Book your tickets in advance here!

Snowdonia is not only an area abounding with natural beauty, it is also rich in human and cultural significance, most notably due to the wealth of slate found in Snowdon’s geology. From 1780 to 1940, this region dominated global slate markets and produced about a third of the world’s slate output as the material was consumed en masse in the construction of the houses, factories, warehouses, and other architectural projects necessary for the unrelenting march of global urbanisation that emanated out of Britain and across its empire. Consequently, the stone quarrying and mining landscapes of the Snowdon massif were designated in 2021 a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognising the pivotal role of the local slate industry in the technological and architectural transformation of Britain and the world beyond it during from the late-eighteenth to the early-twentieth centuries.

To learn more about this globally-significant history, the National Slate Museum in Llanberis is a must-visit. Located in the Victorian workshops of the now-defunct Dinorwic quarry, once the second largest slate quarry in Wales, the museum explores the nineteenth-century explosion of Snowdonia’s slate industry and its global repercussions, as well as day-to-day life for the laymen who laboured in the surrounding quarries and mines. The Llechwedd Slate Caverns, meanwhile, are now a major tourist attraction where visitors can plunge into the Welsh underground by taking the Deep Mine Railway, a funicular ride that travels 500ft below the Earth’s surface into the old mines, which visitors can then explore at their leisure. The attraction also incorporates Zip World Titan, the longest zip course in Europe which traverses the former quarry, and Bounce Below, described as “the world’s largest underground trampoline park.”

There’s certainly no shortage of things to do in Snowdonia, regardless of your personal tastes and interests. For more hiking, the park encompasses nine mountain ranges, including fourteen peaks other than Snowdon that exceed the 3000ft (915m) mark. The Glyders are a less-travelled challenge that will take hikers along two iconic peaks, Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach, encountering several fascinating spots along the way, including The Devil’s Kitchen, a serene lake tucked into a fissure near Glyder Fawr so-called for the steam-like mist known to rise from the waters, and the Cantilever Stone, a boardwalk-like rock formation that is a favourite photo spot among visitors. Cadair Idris, meanwhile, promises a scenic, 893m ascent that traces fairytale woodland and lakes that seem straight out of a Constable painting.

There’s also a humble constellation of idyllic Welsh towns and villages within the national park for visitors to explore. Betws-y-Coed is the most popular and for good reason, its buildings resplendent in the grey dolerite stone and slate so visually synonymous with the region. It is dotted with charming tea rooms, bohemian independent shops, quirky restaurants, and cosy hotels. The town periphery is also held in warm embrace by verdant woodland gushing with life, so feel free to go exploring; Swallow Falls is a particularly sumptuous gem hidden within this thick and is definitely worth seeking out. 

Beddgelert is another honeypot hamlet in the park made famous by the popular Welsh folk tale of Gelert, a legendary wolfhound owned and mistakenly slain by King Llwelyn the Great after the faithful dog saved his baby son from a wolf attack. Gelert’s Grave, where Llwelyn is said to have buried his noble companion in mourning upon realising his tragic error, can be found a short walk from the village in a bucolic riverside field and features two plaques that recount the story in both Welsh and English:

Other potential stops are Dolgellau, tucked in the shadow of Cadair Idris and notable for its astonishing 180 heritage-listed buildings, and Ffestiniog, a small community well off the tourist track but notable for the almost extraterrestrial slag heaps that encompass its comparatively dwarfish buildings to create a sort of sci-fi moonscape. Bala, meanwhile, is Snowdonia’s watersports hub, located on the banks of monumental Bala Lake, perfect for sailing, and the tumultuous Tryweryn River, a world-famous white water rafting spot where the National White Water Centre is based.