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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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75th Anniversary Gala | Talyllyn Railway

Address

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

Telephone
01654 710472

enquires@talyllyn.co.uk

Tywyn

Celebrating 75 Years of The World’s First Preserved Railway
Coed Crafnant Reserve

Address

Llanbedr, Gwynedd, LL46 2YA

Telephone
01248 351541

info@northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk

Gwynedd

This 120 acre reserve is a fine example of Ancient Woodland, with a rich flora of mosses, liverworts and ferns. The Coed Crafnant Reserve is comprised of two distinct woodlands; Coed Crafnant and Coed Dolbebin.
Castell y Bere - (Cadw)

Address

Abergynolwyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9TS

Telephone
0300 025 6000

cadw@gov.wales

Gwynedd

Deep in the mountainous heart of mid Wales, nestling at the foot of Cadair Idris, lie the ruins of Castell y Bere. An atmospheric site, it is an outstanding example of a stronghold of the native Welsh princes.
Dinas Mawddwy

Address

Dinas Mawddwy, Gwynedd, LL49 9LP

Dinas Mawddwy

North-east of Machynlleth and south-east of Dolgellau, the village of Dinas Mawddwy is just to the side of the A470 at the junction with the mountain road to Lake Vyrnwy and Bala.
Bala & Penllyn

Address

Bala, Gwynedd, LL23 7AD

Telephone
01286 679686

tourism@gwynedd.llyw.cymru

Bala

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,
Ras y Gader - Cader Idris Race

Address

Southern Snowdonia, Gwynedd, LL39 1AX

Telephone
01341 423060

Southern Snowdonia

The Cader Idris mountain race, is one of the toughest fell races in Wales, and viewed by many as one of the classic must do races in the calendar.
Coed Ganllwyd Nature Reserve

Address

Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2TG

Telephone
01341 440238

rhodri.wigley@nationaltrust.org.uk

Gwynedd

The Dolmelynllyn estate is about 5 miles north of Dolgellau. To explore the estate, which includes the Coed Ganllwd Nature Reserve. This ancient woodland extends up the hill and valley side above the famous Rhaeadr Ddu (Black Falls).
Fairbourne Railway Station

Address

Station Rd, Fairbourne, Gwynedd, LL38 2AQ

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Fairbourne

Fairbourne railway station is on the Cambrian Coast Line from Machynlleth to Pwllheli.
Mawddach Estuary

Address

Dolgellau - Barmouth, Southern Snowdonia, LL40 2TA

Telephone
01766 770274

Dolgellau - Barmouth

The vast and sandy Mawddach estuary is one of Snowdonia National Park’s most remarkable areas. The area is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation due to its salt marsh and lowland peat habitats.
Blaenau Ffestiniog

Address

Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, LL41 3HS

Telephone
01766 512981

porthmadog.tic@gwynedd.gov.uk

Blaenau Ffestiniog

Blaenau Ffestiniog is famously known as the "slate capital of Wales" and the "town that roofed the world". Its industrial role has long since diminished, yet Blaenau Ffestiniog attracts many visitors because of its rich slate history.
Cadair Idris (NRW)

Address

Southern Snowdonia, Gwynedd, LL39 1AX

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Southern Snowdonia

Cadair Idris is a spectacular mountain reserve in southern Snowdonia with a variety of landscapes and terrain that cover over 450 hectares of breathtaking landscape.
Dolgoch Falls

Address

Bryncrug, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9UW

Tywyn

The Dolgoch Falls are a series of three waterfalls near Tywyn in Southern Snowdonia. Access is by woodland walk signposted from the nearby Tal-y-llyn Railway- Dolgoch Station
Morfa Mawddach Railway Station

Address

Morfa Mawddach, Gwynedd, LL39 1BQ

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Morfa Mawddach

Morfa Mawddach railway station is on the Cambrian Coast Line from Machynlleth to Pwllheli and is located south-east of Barmouth, south of the Mawddach estuary.
Abercorris Nature Reserve

Address

Nr Corris, Gwynedd, SY20 9SP

Telephone
01248 351541

info@northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk

Nr Corris

Abercorris Nature Reserve in southern Snowdonia is a three acre site of remnant broadleaved woodland on the steep east bank of Afon Deri combining the woodland habitat with that of the mountain stream below.
Bala Lake Railway | Steam in Miniature Weekend

Address

Bala Lake Railway, Llanuwchlyn Station, Llanuwchlyn, Bala, Gwynedd, LL23 7DD

Telephone
01678 540666

enquiries@bala-lake-railway.co.uk

Llanuwchlyn, Bala

Enjoy a wonderful display of miniature live steam traction engines, a miniature railway, and our usual train rides.
Harlech Railway Station

Address

Ffordd Morfa, Harlech, Gwynedd, LL46 2UL

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Harlech

Harlech railway station is on the Cambrian Coast Line from Machynlleth to Pwllheli.
Southern Snowdonia Coast | Scenic Drive

Address

Portmeirion - Aberdyfi, Gwynedd, LL46 2YA

Portmeirion - Aberdyfi

For visitors that enjoy sea views, coastal towns and villages and stunning beaches, the southern Snowdonia section of the Wales Coastal Way from Portmeirion to Machynlleth follows the Cardigan Bay coastline - a real experience not to be missed.
Llanbedr

Address

Llanbedr, Gwynedd, LL45 2LD

Telephone
01341 280787

Llanbedr

Llanbedr is an attractive village situated between Barmouth and Harlech. It's an ideal location for walking and Shell Island is famous for it's abundance of sea shells.
Dyffryn Ardudwy Railway Station

Address

Dyffryn Ardudwy, Gwynedd, LL42 2EU

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Dyffryn Ardudwy

Dyffryn Ardudwy railway station is on the Cambrian Coast Line from Machynlleth to Pwllheli.
Fish ‘N’ Chip Flyer | Talyllyn Railway

Address

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

Telephone
01654 710472

enquires@talyllyn.co.uk

Tywyn

Get that FRYday Feeling with the FISH ‘N’ CHIP FLYER