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Southern Snowdonia | Dolgellau and the Mawddach

Southern Snowdonia

The southern part of Snowdonia National Park (Eryri) covers the area from Dolgellau south to Machynlleth and west to Barmouth and Aberdovey. It is less well known than the Snowdon area to the north, which is exactly its appeal. The mountains here are just as dramatic, the estuaries are wider, and the crowds are a fraction of what you find around Llanberis and Betws-y-Coed.

What are the main places in Southern Snowdonia?

Dolgellau is the main town, built from dark stone at the foot of Cadair Idris. It has narrow streets, good independent shops and serves as the base for walks up the mountain. Barmouth is a seaside town at the mouth of the Mawddach Estuary, with a long sandy beach and the famous railway bridge. Harlech has one of the great castles of Wales, built by Edward I in the 1280s on a clifftop with views across Cardigan Bay to the Llyn Peninsula. Aberdovey is a small sailing village on the Dyfi Estuary. Bala sits at the head of Llyn Tegid, the largest natural lake in Wales.

What walks are there in Southern Snowdonia?

Cadair Idris (893m) is the signature walk. The Minffordd Path from the south is the most popular route, climbing through old oak woods to the summit ridge. The Mawddach Trail is flatter: a 9.5-mile walking and cycling path along the estuary from Dolgellau to Barmouth, following a disused railway line with views of the mountains reflected in the water at low tide.

The Precipice Walk near Dolgellau is a 3.5-mile circuit with views across the Mawddach to Cadair Idris. It is not as dramatic as the name suggests but it is one of the finest short walks in Wales.

How do I get to Southern Snowdonia?

The Cambrian Coast Line runs through Barmouth, Dolgellau Road (Morfa Mawddach) and along the coast to Aberdovey and Machynlleth. By road, the A470 runs north from Dolgellau towards Southern Snowdonia, and the A487 connects to Machynlleth and Aberystwyth. From England, the quickest route is via Shrewsbury and the A458 to Dolgellau.

Where to eat in Southern Snowdonia

Dolgellau has several good independent restaurants and cafes. Barmouth has fish and chip shops on the harbour and pubs with sea views. Aberdovey has a small but reliable choice of restaurants serving fresh fish from the bay. The Fanny Talbot pub in Barmouth, owned by the National Trust, is worth a visit for its food and unusual name. For a full list, see our restaurants and cafes in the area.

Southern Snowdonia Towns | Places to Stay | See & Do

Inspiration

Harlech

Harlech is a historic town on the Snowdonia coast which has fantastic beaches, Royal St David's - one of Wales' finest golf courses and Harlech Castle which a World heritage site.
Bala & Penllyn

Bala & Penllyn is an area within the Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park surrounded by the peaks of Aran Benllyn, Arenig Fawr and the Berwyn Mountains and home to the largest natural lake in Wales,
Abermaw | Barmouth

Barmouth is one of the most picturesque resorts on the Welsh coast and is surrounded by the unrivalled splendour of the Snowdonia National Park.
Dolgellau

Dolgellau is the ideal base to explore southern Snowdonia's dramatic scenery, adrenalin-fuelled activities and world heritage attractions. It's a historic mountain town built on the wool trade and steeped in folklore.
Aberdyfi | Aberdovey

Aberdyfi's pastel-coloured terraces front a large sandy beach and quaint old harbour. The town is a popular centre for sailing, watersports and golf.
Tywyn

Tywyn is a coastal town in Southern Snowdonia on the Mid Wales coast. The name Tywyn comes from the Welsh word for beach or sand dunes.

Number of results: 244

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Penrhyn Dyfi

Address

Plas Penrhyn, Nr Machynlleth, Gwynedd, SY20 9JR

Telephone
01654 702029

glanfechan@hotmail.com

Nr Machynlleth

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Sleeps 12 - Spacious, elegant Grade II listed Georgian country house with panoramic views overlooking the Dyfi Estuary on the outskirts of Machynlleth, Ideal base to explore the wonders of mid and north Wales and beyond. Aberdovey 10 miles. Perfect…

Price
Price £2,500.00 to £3,000.00 per unit per week
The Wynnstay | Food & Drink

Address

Maengwyn Street, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8AE

Telephone
01654 702941

croeso@wynnstay.wales

Machynlleth

This long established hotel strikes a stylish balance of the modern and the classical. Chef Gareth Johns ably updates classic dishes and reworks them for the modern appetite. Fully licensed restaurant
Vanner Holiday Cottages

Address

Llanelltyd, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2HE

Telephone
01341 422854

enquiries@vanner.co.uk

Dolgellau

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Semi-detached cottages, stone built, 17th century listed buildings, situated on the banks of the river Mawddach, within a conservation area which includes 15th century Vanner Farm House & Cymer Abbey.

Price
Price £450.00 to £700.00 per unit per week
Aber Cottage Guesthouse

Address

Smithfield Street, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 1DE

Telephone
07976 518687

bwthynyraber@gmail.com

Dolgellau

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Aber Cottage is a 250 year old listed building situated in the picturesque market town of Dolgellau, in the heart of Wales' beautiful Snowdonia National Park. The guest house offers quality en-suite accommodation with private parking.

Price
Price £90.00 per room per night for bed & breakfast
Y Plas Machynlleth | Venue Hire

Address

Machynlleth Town Council, Y Plas Machynlleth, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8ER

Telephone
01654 702571

enquiries@plasmachynlleth.co.uk

Machynlleth

Y Plas is a Grade 2 listed building, set in parkland offering a unique location for corporate events, weddings, meetings and events. Y Plas also includes a Craft Shop & Cafe.
Caravan @ Tyddyn Rhys Farm

Address

Tyddyn Rhys, Aberdovey, Gwynedd, LL35 0PG

Telephone
01654 767769

tyddynrhys@googlemail.com

Aberdovey

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Tyddyn Rhys commands a privileged position half a mile above the village of Aberdovey with a panoramic view overlooking the Dovey Estuary and Cardigan Bay.

Price
Price £400.00 to £405.00 per unit per week
Tan-y-Fron Holiday Park | Glamping Pods

Address

Arran Road, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2AA

Telephone
01341 422638

info@tan-y-fron.co.uk

Dolgellau

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Chill out in our luxury camping pods!
The Pods are in their own private area, with a picnic table, fantastic views and parking.

Price
Price £35.00 to £55.00 per unit per night
Portmeirion Village & Gardens | Weddings & Occasions

Address

Portmeirion Village & Gardens, Portmeirion, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd, LL48 6ER

Telephone
01766 772337

weddings@portmeirion.wales

Penrhyndeudraeth

Situated on its own peninsula in Southern Snowdonia, Portmeirion is a sight to behold, with vistas in every direction and pathways to explore and be amazed by. Sit & soak up the atmosphere or wander aimlessly around the village and gardens.
Salop Leisure - Machynlleth

Address

Salop Leisure - Machynlleth, Treowain Enterprise Park, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8EG

Telephone
01654 705900

info@salopleisure.co.uk

Machynlleth

Comprehensive information about caravan holiday home ownership. Confidential, professional advice given. New and used units to suit all budgets
Hendy Farm Holidays

Address

Hendy Farm, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9RU

Telephone
01654 710457

jones@farmline.com

Tywyn

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

A warm welcome awaits you at Hendy, situated in the Snowdonia National Park. Enjoy Bed and Breakfast on a working farm with the privilege of its own halt on the Talyllyn Narrow Gauge Railway!

Price
Price £35.00 to £40.00 per person per night
Llanfair Slate Caverns

Address

Cae-Cethin, Llanfair, HARLECH, Gwynedd, LL46 2SA

Telephone
01766 780247

childrensfarm2@tiscali.co.uk

HARLECH

Llanfair Slate Caverns, one mile south of Harlech in Gwynedd, offers a self-guided walk through man-made slate caverns deep underground. Suitable for all ages and welcoming well-behaved dogs, with free parking, plus an on-site café and gift shop. No…
Corris Steam Railway & Museum

Address

Station Yard, Corris, Gwynedd, SY20 9SH

Telephone
01654 761303

enquiries@corris.co.uk

Corris

Ride in an old fashioned steam train on a journey that is enjoyable for everybody and just right for families. Take a gentle trip down the beautiful Dulas Valley in one of the observation carriages on this family-friendly steam railway. The Corris…

Price
Price £4.00 per child to £8.00 per adult
Garden Cottage at Torrent Walk Cottages

Address

Plas Hen, Brithdir, Dolgellau, United Kingdom, LL40 2RG

Telephone
01341 422783

richards@torrentwalkcottages.com

Brithdir, Dolgellau

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Dog Friendly Self-Catering Cottage - Sleeping 5 in 3 rooms with beautiful views over Cader Idris, Snowdonia.
Real log fire and Wifi available.
Great for couples, short breaks, family escapes and walking holidays. Dogs accepted at a surcharge of…

Price
Price £630.00 to £830.00 per unit per week
Garth Holiday Park | Rentals

Address

Garth Road, Machynlleth, Powys, SY208HQ

Telephone
01654 702194

info@garthapp.co.uk

Machynlleth

Garth Holiday Park is a family-run holiday park in Machynlleth, Powys, set above the Dyfi Valley with views towards Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park. Just a short walk from the historic market town, it offers a peaceful base for exploring Mid Wales,…

Price
Price £110.00 to £135.00 per unit per night
Corris Caverns | Group Visits

Address

King Arthurs Labyrinth, Corris Craft Centre, Corris, Gwynedd, SY20 9RF

Telephone
01654 761584

reception@ccl.wales

Corris

Dates

From:

1 Apr 2026to1 Nov 2026

King Arthur’s Labyrinth, Corris Mine Explorers, The Welsh Legends Maze and Corris Craft Centre all start from Corris Caverns in Mid Wales, with the Corris Café and Welsh Deli on site too. Discover underground adventures, Welsh myths, craft workshops…
Abermaw | Barmouth

Address

Barmouth, Gwynedd, LL42 1LS

Telephone
01341 280556

info@barmouth-wales.co.uk

Barmouth

Barmouth is one of the most picturesque resorts on the Welsh coast and is surrounded by the unrivalled splendour of the Snowdonia National Park.
Centre for Alternative Technology | Stay

Address

Pantperthog, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9AZ

Telephone
01654 705950

Machynlleth

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

CAT’s on-site accommodation is housed within the WISE building, a beautifully designed and award winning eco facility right in the middle of the Visitor Centre. Visitors can dine in CAT's vegetarian café and enjoy free access to the Visitor Centre.

Price
Price £40.00 per person per night to £80.00 per room per night for bed & breakfast
Talyllyn Railway | Narrow Gauge Railway Museum

Address

Talyllyn Railway, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9EY

Telephone
01654 710472

curator@ngrm.org.uk

Tywyn

The Narrow Gauge Railway Museum at Tal-y-llyn Railway is an important collection of artifacts relating to Narrow Gauge Railways in the British Isles. From complete locomotives to tickets, it is a unique and comprehensive record of these fascinating…

Price
Price £3.00 per child to £6.00 per adult
Portmeirion Village & Gardens

Address

Portmeirion, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd, LL48 6ER

Telephone
01766 772409

visit@portmeirion.wales

Penrhyndeudraeth

Situated on its own peninsula in Southern Snowdonia, Portmeirion is a sight to behold, with vistas in every direction and pathways to explore and be amazed by. Sit & soak up the atmosphere or wander aimlessly around the village and gardens.
Corris Craft Centre

Address

Corris Craft Centre, Corris, Gwynedd, SY20 9RF

Telephone
01654 761584

info@corriscraftcentre.co.uk

Corris

Dates

From:

1 Apr 2026to1 Nov 2026

Independent craft centre in Corris near Machynlleth, Mid Wales, with 9 studio workshops, King Arthur’s Labyrinth and Corris Mine Explorers on site. Watch skilled makers at work, browse for handmade gifts and sample award winning Welsh gin. Have a go…
Glan-y-Don Holiday Park

Address

Neptune Road, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 0DL

Telephone
01654 710461

info@glanydonpark.co.uk

Tywyn

Glan Y Don Holiday Park in southern Snowdonia is a five star family Holiday Home Park of superb quality in an outstanding coastal location with uninterrupted sea views.