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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.

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Llwybrau Mawddwy Paths

Address

Dinas Mawddwy, Gwynedd, LL49 9LP

Dinas Mawddwy

The Llwybrau Cerdded - Mawddwy - Walking Paths are based in Dinas Mawddwy, an unspoilt, hidden area of southern Snowdonia between Machynlleth and Dolgellau which is steeped in history.
Y Tabernacl | Meetings & Events Venue

Address

Penrallt Street, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8AJ

Telephone
01654 703355

info@moma.machynlleth.org.uk

Machynlleth

Throughout the year MOMA WALES shows Modern Welsh Art, in a series of constantly changing exhibitions featuring Wales' top artists. Venue also available for Conferences, Meetings, Events and Workshops.
Barmouth Street Market

Address

Abermaw | Barmouth, Southern Snowdonia, LL42 1LS

Telephone
01341 280787

barmouth.tic@gwynedd.gov.uk

Southern Snowdonia

Market Day - Thursday and Sunday (Summer Only)
Shops early closing - Wednesday - (most shops are open all day during the summer months)
Fairbourne Railway

Address

Beach Road, Fairbourne, Gwynedd, LL38 2EX

Telephone
01341 250362

office@fairbournerailway.com

Fairbourne

Narrow Gauge Steam Train journey offers superb views of Cadair Idris mountain range and Mawddach Estuary. G-Scale Railway and museum at Fairbourne. Can be accessed from Barmouth by means of the pedestrian ferry.

Price
Price £8.25 to £12.50 per adult
Cynfal Farm Cottages

Address

Cynfal Farm Cottages, Bryncrug, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9RB

Telephone
07971 065 953

cynfalfrm@gmail.com

Bryncrug, Tywyn

Cynfal Farm in Southern Snowdonia is the perfect holiday location for couples or families seeking something rather special. Two 5 star luxury self catering holiday homes.

Price
Price £450.00 to £910.00 per unit per week
Rheilffordd Talyllyn Railway | Corporate Events

Address

Rheilffordd Talyllyn Railway, Gorsaf Wharf Station, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9EY

Telephone
01654 710472

enquiries@talyllyn.co.uk

Tywyn

Corporate events at Tal-y-llyn Rail can be tailored to include Train Charters for up to around 100 people, or a private carriage for a group, Slater Meeting Room for max 25 guests, King's Cafe & Bistro at Tywyn Wharf and you can even book a Driver…
Teithiau Cerdded | DYFI Walking Tours

Address

Southern Snowdonia & Dyfi Valley, Gwynedd, SY20 9TG

Telephone
01650 531237

robertarfonhughes@gmail.com

Dyfi Walking Tours in southern Snowdonia takes visitors to iconic buildings, historical settings, marvellous countryside and remarkable human stories with the Welsh language at the heart of the tour.
Hendy Farm Cottages

Address

Hendy Farm, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9RU

Telephone
01654 710457

jones@farmline.com

Tywyn

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

Price
Price £210.00 to £850.00 per unit per week
Tan-y-Fron Holiday Park | Holiday Homes

Address

Arran Road, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2AA

Telephone
01341 422638

info@tan-y-fron.co.uk

Dolgellau

Tan-y-Fron Holiday Park is situated within the beautiful Snowdonia National Park and the nearest to the market town of Dolgellau which is only a few minutes walk (1/2 mile) away.
Telyn Guided Tours | Blue Badge Guide

Address

Snowdonia Mountains & Coast, Harlech, Gwynedd, LL46 2SW

Telephone
07732 340728

sian.rob@btinternet.com

Harlech

Explore Snowdonia on foot, coach, or rail, with an expert guide. Sian is a Blue Badge Guide and member of the Wales Best Guides Association.
Barcdy Caravan Park

Address

Talsarnau, Harlech, Gwynedd, LL47 6YG

Telephone
01766 770736

bookings@barcdy.co.uk

Harlech

Small, friendly, family run park offering pitches for touring caravans and tents, as well as caravan holiday homes for sale. It lies in a secluded and sheltered vale.

Price
Price £22.00 to £30.00 per touring pitch per night normally for one car and 2 people
Coedmor Cottage and Coedmor Barn

Address

Coedmor, Caerdeon, Barmouth, Gwynedd, LL42 1TL

Telephone
01341 430332

coedmorenquiry@hotmail.co.uk

Barmouth

Charming units nestled between the beautiful Mawddach Estuary and Cader Idris mountain range. Minutes away from Barmouth and Dolgellau the cottages are ideally situated for walking, fishing, bird watching or just relaxing.

Price
Price £320.00 to £530.00 per unit per week
Gogarth Hall Farm Holidays

Address

Gogarth Hall Farm Holidays, Pennal, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9LB

Telephone
07908 654730

brees2000@aol.com

Machynlleth

4 Self-catering cottages on a working farm between Machynlleth & Aberdyfi. Gogarth Hall Farm and its tranquillity offers Barn Owls, Bats and Kites a safe haven, thus the farm has won the Countryside Caretakers Award for conservation.

Price
Price £150.00 to £895.00 per unit per week
Glandyfi Castle | Weddings

Address

Glandyfi Castle, Glandyfi, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8SS

Telephone
07498 668367

enquiries@glandyficastle.co.uk

Machynlleth

Historic castle wedding venue near Machynlleth, Mid Wales, overlooking the Dyfi estuary. Host up to 50 guests within the castle, with the option of larger marquee celebrations in the grounds. Licensed indoor and outdoor ceremony spaces, and 2-night…
Centre For Alternative Technology | WISE Conference Centre

Address

Centre For Alternative Technology, Llwyngwern Quarry, Pantperthog, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9AZ

Telephone
01654 704973

venue.hire@cat.org.uk

Pantperthog, Machynlleth

WISE Conference Centre has impressive facilities that can deliver successful conferences, in memorable spaces.
The Sheppard Theatre comfortably holds 180 delegates within its circular, rammed earth walls and has an adjoining exhibition/reception…
Maes Carafannau Trefeddian Uchaf

Address

Trefeddian Uchaf, Aberdyfi, Gwynedd, LL35 0SF

Telephone
07814 949032

rhiantrefeddian@yahoo.co.uk

Aberdyfi

2 caravans on Welsh speaking family farm within walking distance of Aberdyfi village, the 4 miles of beautiful sandy beach and Aberdyfi's wonderful 18 hole golf course. Wales Coastal path goes through the farm.
Corris Caverns | Group Visits

Address

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

Telephone
01654 761584

reception@ccl.wales

Corris

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…
The Welsh Legends Maze

Address

Corris Craft Centre, Corris, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9RF

Telephone
01654 761584

reception@kingarthurslabyrinth.co.uk

Machynlleth

The Welsh Legends Maze sits beside King Arthur's Labyrinth and offers a leafy outdoor adventure through the world of Welsh myth. Follow winding paths to meet intriguing characters, many taken from the Mabinogion Welsh book of tales, including the…

Price
Price £8.95 Per Ticket
Trefeddian Hotel | Self Catering

Address

Aberdyfi, Gwynedd, LL35 0SB

Telephone
01654 767 213

info@trefwales.com

Aberdyfi

Seascape, Luxury five-star Self Catering Accommodation, with Panoramic Sea Views Overlooking Cardigan Bay.

Price
Price £850.00 to £2,500.00 per unit per week
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.