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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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Aberdyfi | Aberdovey

Address

Aberdyfi, Gwynedd, LL35 0ED

Telephone
01654 767321

TIC.Aberdyfi@eryri-npa.gov.uk

Aberdyfi

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.
Sustrans Route 8 | Dolgellau - Llanelwedd

Address

Dolgellau Town Centre, LL40 1SR

Telephone
01179268893

reception@sustrans.org.uk

The cycle route heads inland from the town of Dolgellau across the Cambrian Mountains and heads South East towards Builth Wells and Llanelwedd.
Waen-oer Ridge Mountain Walk

Address

Dinas Mawddwy, Gwynedd, LL49 9LP

Telephone
01341 422888

Gwynedd

The Waun-oer Ridge Walk climbs from the village of Dinas Mawddwy over the bare mountains of Maesglase, Craig Portas, Cribin Fawr and Waun-oer and then down the slopes of Mynydd Ceiswyn to Bwlch Llyn Bach pass, Tal-y-llyn.
Barmouth | Walking Routes and Trails

Address

Barmouth, Southern Snowdonia, LL42 1LS

Telephone
01341 280787

barmouth.tic@gwynedd.gov.uk

Barmouth

Listed are some of the delightful southern Snowdonia walks in and around Barmouth and surrounding areas.
Tywyn Railway Station

Address

Station Rd, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9EY

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Tywyn

Tywyn railway station is on the Cambrian Coast Line from Machynlleth to Pwllheli.
Machynlleth

Address

Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8BL

Machynlleth

Unwind in the heart of the Dyfi Biosphere at Machynlleth. Part of the UNESCO Dyfi Biosphere and offers exciting activities, from mountain biking to exploring the natural beauty of Mid Wales. The Centre for Alternative Technology is an excellent…
Morfa Dyffryn Nature Reserve (NRW)

Address

Dyffryn Ardudwy, near Barmouth, LL43 2AR

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

near Barmouth

The spectacular Morfa Dyffryn Reserve stretches for about 4.5 miles along the coast of Cardigan Bay from Afon Ysgethin in the south to Afon Artro in the north.
Lôn Mawddach | Mawddach Cycle Route

Address

Barmouth - Dolgellau, Barmouth, Gwynedd, LL40 2TA

Telephone
01654 702653

info@mwtcymru.co.uk

Barmouth

The Mawddach Trail is flat and totally traffic free, making for a superb 18 mile return trip.
The route follows the course of the old railway line from Dolgellau to Barmouth with picnic areas, viewpoints and little nature reserves.
Dyffryn (Llanendwyn) Beach

Address

Dyffryn Ardudwy, Barmouth, Gwynedd, LL44 2HD

Telephone
01341 281617

info@barmouthstation.com

Barmouth

Dyffryn (Llanendwyn) is a long sandy beach backed by an extensive sand dune system between Shell Island and Dyffryn Ardudwy.
Aberdovey Kite Festival

Address

Station Road, Aberdovey, Gwynedd, LL35 0RT

Telephone
07581 305803

mrkiteflyer@gmail.com

Aberdovey

Professional kite flyers from across the UK will be colouring the skies over Aberdyfi again this summer.Enjoy a colourful and spectacular display of kites and other wonderful flying creations.
Aberdyfi Tourist Information Centre

Address

Aberdyfi Tourist Information Centre, The Wharf, Seaview Terrace, Aberdyfi, Gwynedd, LL35 0ED

Telephone
01654 767321

TIC.Aberdyfi@snowdonia.gov.wales

Seaview Terrace, Aberdyfi

Aberdyfi Tourist Information Centre is conveniently situated in the centre of the village on the Wharf where you can get information on local events, attractions, recreational activities and public transport.
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.
Cregennan Lakes

Address

Nr Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL39 1LJ

Telephone
01341440238

eryri@nationaltrust.org.uk

Nr Dolgellau

Cregennan Lakes in southern Snowdonia are owned by the National Trust and are a renowned and often photographed beauty spot. There are tremendous views of the Mawddach Estuary and Barmouth Bridge from near the lake.and the lakes are situated on the…
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
Cymer Abbey (Cadw)

Address

Vaynor Farm, Llanelltyd, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2HE

Telephone
0300 025 6000

cadw@gov.wales

Dolgellau

The serene ruins of Cymer Abbey stand in a lovely setting beside the River Mawddach. Particularly impressive are its great windows, arches and an unusual tower. Saif olion heddychlon Abaty Cymer mewn lleoliad hyfryd ger Afon Mawddach.
Dyfi Discovery Walk | Machynlleth to Dyfi Wildlife Centre

Address

Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8BL

Telephone
0300 065 3000

Machynlleth

This walk starts at the car park at Y Plas, Machynlleth and is graded as moderate. The terrain includes road, woodland paths, firm tracks and fields and is a distance of 5 miles.
Barmouth Railway Station

Address

Station Approach, Barmouth, Gwynedd, LL42 1LS

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Barmouth

Barmouth/Abermaw railway station is on the Cambrian Coast Line from Machynlleth to Pwllheli.The railway station is in the town centre.
Coed y Brenin | Walking Trails (NRW)

Address

Coed y Brenin Visitor Centre (NRW), Ganllwyd, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2HZ

Telephone
01341 440747

coedybrenin@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Dolgellau

Three walking trails are waymarked and start from Coed y Brenin Visitor Centre car park.
More walking trails start from our other car parks within Coed y Brenin Forest Park.
Bro Dyfi Leisure Centre

Address

Aberystwyth Road, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8ER

Telephone
01654 703300

broddyfi@freedom-leisure.co.uk

Machynlleth

Bro Ddyfi Leisure Centre: An indoor 20 meter leisure swimming pool and 30ft flume, sports hall, squash courts, climbing wall and fitness suite.
Shell Island

Address

Llanbedr, Llanbedr, Gwynedd, LL45 2PJ

Telephone
01341 241453

enquiries1@shellisland.co.uk

Llanbedr

Shell Island is a peninsula, which becomes an island at high tide and is situated near the village of Llanbedr. The island is renowned for its wild flowers, range of shells, wild birds and panoramic views.