Adventure at
Every Step
Fill your lungs with fresh air. Feel the outdoors of Southern Snowdonia. Experience dark skies, mountain ranges, sweeping coastlines, legends and history.
With its landscape completely changing each season, Snowdonia’s rivers, forests, valleys and lakes offer differential activities all year round. With any type of outdoor pursuit available, explore what you want, when you want.
Starting at Coed-y-Brenin Visitor Centre near Dolgellau, getting out and about is effortless – get a hold of the Welsh language, take your pick between adrenaline, relaxation, culture and hospitality.
FIND PLACES TO STAY IN SOUTHERN SNOWDONIA
Coedmor Self Catering Holiday Cottages
Barmouth
Self-catering with 4 units, £230-£530 pupw sleeps 1-3
UNESCO DYFI BIOSPHERE
UNESCO has designated the area in and around the Dyfi estuary as an internationally recognised Biosphere Reserve.
A very special place and one of only six Biosphere Reserves in the UK, experience how the relationship between man and nature can be improved, benefiting the area and it's communities in the process.
PORTMEIRION VILLAGE
Designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis in 1925, Portmerion was built in imitation of a rustic Italian village, to demonstrate how a naturally beautiful place could be developed without spoiling it.
Sitting at the feet of Snowdonia, it makes for a charming dislocation that is truly unique. Portmeirion's place in popular culture has been set in stone as a result.
CADAIR IDRIS
Cadair Idris, which means 'Chair of Idris' from the giant warrior poet of Welsh legend, is a spectacular mountain reserve in Southern Snowdonia of over 450 hectares of breathtaking landscape, rugged summits, glacial lakes and a mossy wooded gorge.
The distinctive shape of the mountain's peaks can be seen for miles around, from the coastlines at Tywyn and Barmouth and high over the market town of Dolgellau.
Home to some of the most famous mountain ranges in Britain, Snowdonia National Park acquired its status in 1951, making it the second oldest outdoor space protected by the state in Britain.
Windswept peaks of Mount Snowdown, shores of Lake Bala - the Snowdonia National Park is as diverse as it gets. Aside from the landscapes, its people aren’t bad either – sharing their charming towns, villages and localities with all. We know you’ll love it.
It’s easy to mistake this part of the world for the Mediterranean, especially when one of its villages was expressly designed to imitate one. Portmeirion Village was built as an impression of a rustic Italian village, designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis in 1925. Its striking appearance now rooted in popular culture.
Since the iconic sixties spy drama, The Prisoner used the unassuming setting, an avalanche of well-known programmes and idols have used the village as inspiration – from Jools Holland and Paul McCartney to Steven Fry, Iron Maiden and Top Gear (just naming a few).
Towns & villages
Things to Do
Wales Coast Path - Llŷn - Meirionnydd
Nefyn
With the Snowdonia National Park providing a mighty natural backdrop, it is easy to understand why this area is so loved. There are some great walks where you’ll discover small fishing villages, estuaries and miles of sandy beaches.
Rheilffordd Talyllyn Railway
Tywyn
Historic narrow-gauge steam railway set in beautiful, unspoilt Snowdonia. Running from Tywyn to Abergynolwyn and Nant Gwernol, the line passes the delightful Dolgoch Falls and there are excellent forest walks at Nant Gwernol.
Coed y Brenin Visitor Centre (NRW)
Dolgellau
Coed y Brenin visitor centre near Dolgellau, is the gateway to Coed y Brenin Forest Park. Try world-class mountain bike trails, family walks, café, cycle shop, all-ability play area and an easy access trail.
Abermaw | Barmouth
Barmouth
Abermaw / Barmouth in Southern Snowdonia is a great location for Mountain, Sand and Sea. Extensive sandy beach with attractions, water sports and boat trips. Situated on the Coast Path with walking and cycling available for all abilities.
Llyn Tegid | Bala Lake Railway
Bala
Bala Lake Railway is one of the Great Little Trains of Wales. The 9 mile return journey through the striking scenery of the Snowdonia National Park and a must see attraction on the shore line of Bala Lake (Llyn Tegid).
Cadair Idris
Dolgellau
Cadair Idris is a spectacular mountain reserve in Southern Snowdonia of over 450 hectares of breathtaking landscape, rugged summits, glacial lakes and a mossy wooded gorge.
Trefeddian Hotel
Aberdovey
The Trefeddian Hotel serve everything from a three course dining room lunch to more relaxed light bites, sandwiches and delicious homemade afternoon tea in the hotel lounges or on a sunny day on our stunning sea view terrace.
Coed y Brenin Forest Park (NRW)
Dolgellau
Ty'n y Groes car park and riverside picnic area is the gateway to three forest walks, from an all ability trail with the tallest trees in Coed y Brenin (and downloadable Ty'n y Groes MP3 audio trail) OS Grid Reference: SH 730 233
Fairbourne Golf Club
Fairbourne
The Golf Club is a Community Project with a 1,000 yard hole par 3 course set in an idyllic location and open to the general public. It is challenging enough for the old hands, but not too daunting for beginners.
Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways
Porthmadog
The Ffestiniog Railway is the oldest independent railway company in the world, established in 1832.
Welsh Highland Heritage Railway
Porthmadog
The Welsh Highland Heritage Railway is a small, friendly railway where the train ride is just part of the experience. Free guided tours at the heritage centre. Vintage train.
Barmouth Beach
Barmouth
Barmouth is southern Snowdonia’s most popular seaside resort. In summer, its big sandy beach is a magnet for visitors, yet there’s so much space along miles of unbroken sands that it never gets overcrowded.
National White Water Centre
Bala
The National White Water Centre has over 30 years of experience in providing white water rafting at the best summer white water facility in the UK.
Mawddach Estuary
Dolgellau
The Mawddach Estuary is where the River Mawddach (Afon Mawddach in Welsh) meets the sea and forms a stunning wide sandy estuary. At the mouth of the Estuary is the town of Barmouth and 8 mile inland is the town of Dolgellau.
Portmeirion Village & Gardens
Minffordd
This unique village is set on its own private peninsula on the southern shores of Snowdonia. It was created by Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis to demonstrate how a naturally beautiful place could be developed without spoiling it.
Mary Jones World
Bala
Mary Jones World in Bala is an award-winning state of the art visitor centre & cafe that tells the story of Mary Jones and Thomas Charles, and the impact of world's best-selling book – on Wales and the world!
Cadair Idris | Visitor Centre & Tea Room
Tywyn
Cadair Idris Visitor Centre & Tea Room is 250 metres from the car park. The Minffordd path to the Cadair Idris summit passes by them.
Morfa Harlech Nature Reserve (NRW)
Harlech
Morfa Harlech is one of two extensive sand dune systems which make up much of the Meirionnydd coastline, extending from the Mawddach estuary in the south to Black Rock Sands in the north west.
Narrow Gauge Railway Museum
Tywyn
The Narrow Gauge Railway Museum is located at the Tywyn Wharf terminus of the Talyllyn Railway. It is an important collection of artifacts relating to Narrow Gauge Railways in the UK throughout the last 200 years.
