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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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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 & the Mawddach Valley | Cycle Routes

Address

Abermaw | Barmouth, Barmouth, Southern Snowdonia, LL42 1LS

Telephone
01341 280787

barmouth.tic@gwynedd.gov.uk

Barmouth

With the development of Trans Wales cycle routes, Barmouth has become an ideal centre for a cycling based holiday. The dramatic beauty of North & Mid Wales offers a vast array of cycling opportunities for all types of cyclists.
Dyfi Forest (NRW)

Address

Dyfi Forest (NRW), Gwynedd, SY20 8QJ

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Gwynedd

The Dyfi Forest is located mainly to the north of the Afon Dyfi between Dolgellau to the north and Machynlleth to the south. Dyfi is a 6000ha forest - a spectacular landscape well worth exploring.
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…
Cadair Idris | Visitor Centre & Tea Room (NRW)

Address

Minffordd, Talyllyn, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9AJ

Telephone
01654 761505

Tywyn

Cadair Idris Visitor Centre & Tea Room is 250 metres from the car park and the Minffordd path to the Cadair Idris summit passes by them.
Llwyngwril Beach

Address

Llwyngwril, Gwynedd, LL37 2JT

Telephone
01654 767321

TIC.Aberdyfi@snowdonia.gov.wales

Gwynedd

Llwyngwril is a shingle and boulder beach with sand and rock pools at low tide on a very picturesque stretch of the coast.
Barbecue Specials | Bala Lake Railway

Address

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

Telephone
01678 540666

enquiries@bala-lake-railway.co.uk

Bala

Enjoy scenic journeys along Bala Lake with grilled food and refreshments at the station — perfect for a summer outing with family or friends.
Bwlch y Groes Mountain Pass | Scenic Drive

Address

Dinas Mawddwy, Gwynedd, LL49 9LP

Telephone
01654 702653

marketing@mwtcymru.co.uk

Dinas Mawddwy

Bwlch y Groes (Pass of the Cross) is one of the highest public road mountain passes in Wales. The route lies on minor roads linking Dinas Mawddwy, Llanuwchllyn and Lake Vyrnw with views across the Dyfi valley and Cadair Idris
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.
Dyfi Discovery Walk | Derwenlas Walk

Address

Derwenlas, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8BL

Telephone
0300 065 3000

Machynlleth

Start: Lay-by Derwenlas
Grid Reference: SN721 991
Distance: 6.2 km - 3.8 miles
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Firm tracks, open fields, some boggy areas
Maps: OS Explorer OL23
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.
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.
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.
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.