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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: 260

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Dysynni Valley Cottage | Maes y Wennol

Address

Llanfihangel y Pennant, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9TR

Telephone
01654 782674

admin@dysynnivalleyholidays.com

Tywyn

Situated in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Maes y Wennol in a rural and peaceful setting with no passing traffic, boasts magnificent views of the Dysynni Valley.

Price
Price £600.00 per unit per week
Sea Moss Cabin

Address

Chalet 1, Woodlands Holiday Park, Bryncrug, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9UH

Telephone
01654 782285

brian-matthews@btconnect.com

Bryncrug, Tywyn

Newly refurbished Self-Catering Chalet at the Woodlands Holiday Park, Southern Snowdonia, Gwynedd. Sea view from the patio. Accessible throughout, including Car Parking immediately outside. No steps.

Price
Price £620.00 per unit per week
Llety Brynawel Guest House

Address

Brynawel, Tower Road, Pennal, Machynlleth, SY20 9DP

Telephone
01654 791206

info@lletybrynawel.co.uk

Pennal

Llety Brynawel Guest House is a magnificent Georgian period guest house of immense charm and character situated in the beautiful village of Pennal amidst the famous Snowdonia National Park.

Price
Price £115.00 to £125.00 per room per night for bed & breakfast
Penmaenuchaf Hotel

Address

Penmaenuchaf Hotel, Penmaenpool, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 1YB

Telephone
01341 212121

reservations@penmaenuchaf.co.uk

Dolgellau

Perched high above the Mawddach estuary at the foot of the rugged Cadair Idris, you’ll find our stone-fronted Penmaenuchaf. Inspired by the dramatic ancient landscape of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, this grand old house has its own beautiful…

Price
Price £85.00 to £550.00 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
Islawrffordd Holiday & Touring Park

Address

Islawrffordd Holiday & Touring Park, Talybont, Ffordd Glan mor, Barmouth, Gwynedd, LL43 2BQ

Telephone
01341 247269

info@islawrffordd.co.uk

Ffordd Glan mor, Barmouth

Islawrffordd Holiday Park is a family run luxury Holiday park - an ideal setting for a holiday in Southern Snowdonia. Luxury Super Pitches & facilities include superb toilet facilities, restaurant, bar & private access to a sandy beach,
Tynllwyn Caravan Park

Address

Bryncrug, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9RD

Telephone
01654 710370

tynllwyncaravanpark@gmail.com

Tywyn

Tynllwyn is a small family run site with the Talyllyn Narrow Gauge Railway gently winding past and Rhydronen station only 50 yds away. A haven for bird watchers, walkers & cyclists.

Price
Price £395.00 to £535.00 per unit per week
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.
Gogarth Hall Farm | B & B

Address

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

Telephone
07908 654730

brees2000@aol.com

Machynlleth

Situated within Snowdonia National Park in a peaceful part of Mid Wales, Gogarth Hall Farm offers peace and tranquillity that is rich in wild life and a haven for rare birds.

Price
Price £50.00 per person per night for bed & breakfast
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.
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
Mary Jones Pilgrim Centre

Address

Llanycil, Bala, Gwynedd, LL23 7YF

Telephone
01678521877

centre.manager@bydmaryjonesworld.org.uk

Bala

Visit our award-winning visitor centre and discover how the story of a young Welsh girl changed the lives of millions.
Set on the edge of Llyn Tegid, the centre tells Mary Jones’s story through multimedia and interactive displays in a Grade…
Vanner Holiday Cottages

Address

Llanelltyd, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2HE

Telephone
01341 422854

enquiries@vanner.co.uk

Dolgellau

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
Penmaenuchaf Hotel | Dining

Address

Penmaenpool, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 1YB

Telephone
01341 212121

reservations@penmaenuchaf.co.uk

Dolgellau

Penmaenuchaf Head Chef, Owen Vaughan, and his talented kitchen brigade create menus with high-quality, delicious ingredients, that are as local as possible. The beautiful garden room restaurant is a wonderful setting for a memorable dining…
Dyffryn Seaside Estate Holiday Home Park

Address

Dyffryn Ardudwy, Gwynedd, LL44 2HD

Telephone
01341 247220

info@dyffryn-seaside-estate.co.uk

Gwynedd

Two miles of magnificent beach, mostly sand, offers joy to kiddies and adults alike. The Estate greets you with an immediate sense of release and space; 800 acres of it, all level and much pleasantly planted with trees
Glandyfi Castle | Stay

Address

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

enquiries@glandyficastle.co.uk

Machynlleth

Exclusive-use castle near Machynlleth in Mid Wales, with 11 bedrooms sleeping 22 guests in individually styled bedrooms. Ideal for birthdays, anniversaries and relaxed get togethers with family or friends. Dog friendly venue with 40 acres of…
Centre for Alternative Technology | Stay

Address

Pantperthog, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9AZ

Telephone
01654 705950

Machynlleth

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
Ian Snow - Machynlleth

Address

Ian Snow - Machynlleth, The Old Post Office, 8 Maengwyn Street, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8AF

Telephone
01654 703945

sales@iansnow.com

8 Maengwyn Street, Machynlleth

From his shop in Machynlleth, Ian Snow started his business in 1978 selling throws, curtains, cushion covers,and gifts. The business is are proud of their ethical standards & passionate about our environment.
Cefn Crib Caravan Park

Address

Pennal, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9LB

Telephone
07908 654730

brees2000@aol.com

Machynlleth

Cefn Crib Caravan Park is a small family-run park, situated on a working farm in Snowdonia National Park. Surrounded by mountains, valleys and woodland this well maintained park offers peace and tranquility.

Price
Price £10.00 to £20.00 per touring pitch per night normally for one car and 2 people
Dinas Camping

Address

Dinas, Llanbedr, Gwynedd, LL45 2PH

Telephone
01341 241585

hideawayinthehills@outlook.com

Llanbedr

Dinas camping is a small, quiet site which allows Campfires. At Dinas you have the best of both worlds as it is located in the Rhinog foothills but only 3 miles from some glorious sandy beaches and Harlech castle.

Price
Price £22.00 to £27.00 per touring pitch per night normally for one car and 2 people