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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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Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways

Address

Porthmadog Harbour Station, Porthmadog, Gwynedd, LL49 9NF

Telephone
01766 516000

enquiries@ffwhr.com

Porthmadog

The Ffestiniog Railway in the heart of the Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park is the oldest independent railway company in the world, established in 1832.

Price
Price £37.00 to £66.00 per adult
The Wynnstay

Address

Maengwyn Street, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8AE

Telephone
01654 702941

croeso@wynnstay.wales

Machynlleth

The Wynnstay Machynlleth is a charming old Coaching Inn. The restaurant appeals to gourmets, hungry locals and travellers. Open fires, log stoves, excellent wines and real ales. "This one is different", said Martin Bright in The Observer.

Price
Price £65.00 to £120.00 per room per night for bed & breakfast
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
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
Great Little Trains of Wales | Discount Card

Address

Wharf Station, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9EY

gr8littletrains@gmail.com

Tywyn

Discover Great Little Trains of Wales: Buy a 20% off Discount Card and get 20% off one adult full round-trip fare on twelve steam railways located in stunning scenery across Wales.
Dyffryn Seaside Estate

Address

Dyffryn Ardudwy, Gwynedd, LL44 2HD

Telephone
01341 247220

info@dyffryn-seaside-estate.co.uk

Gwynedd

Carefree Holidays for all the family........
Whatever your tastes, Dyffryn Seaside Estate offers you a warm welcome. Beautifully situated, it sums up Meirionnydd's own proud motto, Tra Mor, Tra Meirion; betwixt sea and mountain.

Price
Price £340.00 to £410.00 per unit per week
National White Water Centre

Address

Canolfan Tryweryn, Frongoch, Bala, Gwynedd, LL23 7NU

Telephone
01678 521083

info@nationalwhitewatercentre.co.uk

Bala

The National White Water Centre has almost 40 years of experience in providing white water rafting at the best summer white water facility in the UK.
King Arthurs Labyrinth

Address

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

Telephone
01654 761584

reception@kingarthurslabyrinth.co.uk

Corris

King Arthur’s Labyrinth in Corris, Mid Wales is an underground storytelling adventure where Welsh legends are brought to life. You sail by boat, passing through a magical waterfall, and deep into the Labyrinth. Guided by a hooded boatman, walk…

Price
Price £11.80 per child to £17.80 per adult
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
Nyth Robin | Glamping Holidays

Address

Nyth Robin, Aberdyfi, Gwynedd, LL35 0RG

Telephone
07731 783534

hello@nythrobin.co.uk

Aberdyfi

Nyth Robin Glamping offers fabulous holidays in a variety of unique accommodation options. You can choose from a family-friendly bell tent, yurt, or dome, a cosy woodland cabin, a unique vintage caravan, or a quirky converted horsebox!
All the…

Price
Price £80.00 to £130.00 per unit per night
Gwesty Pen-y-Bont Hotel

Address

Pen-y-Bont Hotel, Talyllyn, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9AJ

Telephone
01654 782285

info@penybonthotel.co.uk

Tywyn

A 16th Century Coaching Inn with a spectacular location on Llyn Mwyngil (Talyllyn Lake) near Cadair Idris in the heart of southern Eryri (Snowdonia). Enjoy Bed & Breakfast in one of our five letting rooms, with a hearty Welsh Breakfast by the log…

Price
Price £180.00 per room per night for bed & breakfast
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
Hotel Portmeirion

Address

Portmeirion Village, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd, LL48 6ET

Telephone
01766 770000

stay@portmeirion.wales

Penrhyndeudraeth

The historic Hotel Portmeirion was originally built in 1850 and developed by Clough Williams-Ellis in 1925. It offers 14 rooms and suites in the beautiful surroundings of Portmeirion Italiante Village.

Price
Price £54.50 per person per night to £290.00 per room per night for bed & breakfast
Centre for Alternative Technology | Eco Cabins

Address

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

Telephone
01654 705950

rob.bullen@cat.org.uk

Machynlleth

CAT's Eco Cabins offer a fantastic and affordable self-catering choice for large families and active groups looking to explore the local area. Each cabin can sleep up to 18 people and have communal lounge areas and kitchens.
Y Plas Machynlleth

Address

Y Plas Machynlleth, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8ER

Telephone
01654 702571

enquiries@machynlleth-tc.gov.uk

Machynlleth

Y Plas Machynlleth 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.
Wildlife of RSPB Ynys-hir Walk

Address

RSPB Ynys-hir, Eglwys-fach, Machynlleth, Ceredigion, SY20 8TA

Telephone
01654 700222

ynyshir@rspb.org.uk

Machynlleth

Join our knowledgeable guides and discover the wonderful wildlife of RSPB Ynys-hir. Receive expert commentary on all aspects of natural history, and see how many species we can find species in just a couple of hours! We will be looking for signs of…
Blaenau Ffestiniog Railway Station

Address

Church St, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, LL41 3HE

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Blaenau Ffestiniog

Blaenau Ffestiniog railway station is the terminus of the Conwy Valley Line from Llandudno Junction; most trains run from/to Llandudno. Trains connect with the North Wales Coast Line. It is also the terminus of the Ffestiniog Railway.
'Wagons on the P/Way'- Photo CharTRs | Talyllyn Railway

Address

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

Telephone
01654 710472

enquiries@talyllyn.co.uk

Tywyn

A photographic day with No.2 ‘Dolgoch’ at the head of an era-appropriate 1950s Permanent Way train, complete with loaded wagons and re-enactors!
Victorian Train Day | Talyllyn Railway

Address

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

Telephone
01654 710472

enquires@talyllyn.co.uk

Tywyn

Step back in time to the Era of Queen Victoria and travel through untouched and unparalleled Snowdonian scenery aboard The Victorian Train.
Aberdyfi | Aberdovey Railway Station

Address

Aberdyfi, Gwynedd, LL35 0NR

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Aberdyfi

Aberdyfi has a station on the Cambrian Coast Line from Machynlleth to Pwllheli and also at Penhelig at the east end of the village.