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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: 254

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Dyfi Distillery

Address

Dyfi Distillery, Unit 5 Corris Craft Centre, Corris, Gwynedd, SY20 9RF

Telephone
01654 761551

danny@dyfidistillery.com

Corris

The award-winning Dyfi Distillery is run by brothers Pete and Danny Cameron who established the first commercial gin distillery in Mid Wales in 2016. The Icons of Gin awards named this the second best craft distillery in the world in 2023
Portmeirion | Mermaid Spa

Address

Portmerion Village, Porthmadog, Gwynedd, LL48 6ER

Telephone
01766 772444

spa@portmeirion.wales

Porthmadog

The Mermaid Spa removes you a little from your normal life and touches you with a little of the magic of the Portmeirion experience. Each visitor to the Spa is unique, treated throughout the whole experience as special.
Portmeirion Motorhome Park

Address

Portmeirion, Minffordd, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd, LL48 6ER

Telephone
01766 770000

stay@portmeirion.wales

Penrhyndeudraeth

Portmeirion Motorhome Park is a new site within Portmerion village opening Monday 1st of August 2022 until 31st of October 2022.
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
Lounge Holidays

Address

Tywyn & Barmouth, Southern Snowdonia, LL36 9AE

Telephone
01654 710533

theteam@lounge-holidays.co.uk

Southern Snowdonia

Lounge Holidays are a family run business based in southern Snowdonia and can accommodate the solo travel to the large family holiday, from one-bed apartments to seven-bedroom beach houses with hot tubs.
Garden Cottage at Torrent Walk Cottages

Address

Plas Hen, Brithdir, Dolgellau, United Kingdom, LL40 2RG

Telephone
01341 422783

richards@torrentwalkcottages.com

Brithdir, Dolgellau

Dog Friendly Self-Catering Cottage - Sleeping 5 in 3 rooms with beautiful views over Cader Idris, Snowdonia.
Real log fire and Wifi available.
Great for couples, short breaks, family escapes and walking holidays.

Price
Price £630.00 to £830.00 per unit per week
Telyn Guided Tours | Blue Badge Guide

Address

Snowdonia Mountains & Coast, Harlech, Gwynedd, LL46 2SW

Telephone
07732 340728

sian.rob@btinternet.com

Harlech

Explore Snowdonia on foot, coach, or rail, with an expert guide. Sian is a Blue Badge Guide and member of the Wales Best Guides Association.
The Wynnstay | Food & Drink

Address

Maengwyn Street, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8AE

Telephone
01654 702941

croeso@wynnstay.wales

Machynlleth

This long established hotel strikes a stylish balance of the modern and the classical. Chef Gareth Johns ably updates classic dishes and reworks them for the modern appetite. Fully licensed restaurant
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
Llanfair Slate Caverns

Address

Cae-Cethin, Llanfair, HARLECH, Gwynedd, LL46 2SA

Telephone
01766 780247

childrensfarm2@tiscali.co.uk

HARLECH

Llanfair Slate Caverns, one mile south of Harlech in Gwynedd, offers a self-guided walk through man-made slate caverns deep underground. Suitable for all ages and welcoming well-behaved dogs, with free parking, plus an on-site café and gift shop. No…
Islawrffordd Holiday Home Park

Address

Talybont, Barmouth, Gwynedd, LL43 2BQ

Telephone
01341 247269

info@islawrffordd.co.uk

Barmouth

Family owned & run since being established in 1957, Islawrffordd Holiday Park is a 5 star Holiday Park which offers the very best in quality.
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.
Morben Isaf Holiday Home & Touring Park

Address

Derwenlas, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8SR

Telephone
01654 781473

info@morbenisaf.co.uk

Machynlleth

This Holiday Home and Touring Park is ideally located near the historic and picturesque town of Machynlleth.

Price
Price £15.00 to £26.00 per touring pitch per night normally for one car and 2 people
Dyfi Hideaway

Address

Dyfi Hideaway, Penestaer, Glandyfi, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8SS

Telephone
07775947674

adam.nags@outlook.com

Glandyfi, Machynlleth

A luxury holiday cottage in the Dyfi Valley near Snowdonia, sleeping up to 6 guests. Pet and family friendly.
Situated on the main Aberystwyth road, with stunning views over the River Dovey (UNESCO Biosphere Reserve). Breathtaking views across the…
RSPB Ynys-hir | Corporate & Business

Address

RSPB Ynys-hir Reserve, Eglwys-fach, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8TA

Telephone
01654 700222

ynyshir@rspb.org.uk

Machynlleth

RSPB Ynys-Hir nature reserve is a wildlife haven in the heart of Mid Wales
Gwrach Ynys Country Guest House

Address

Talsarnau, Harlech, Gwynedd, LL47 6TS

Telephone
01766 780742

deborah@gwrachynys.co.uk

Harlech

Country house in peaceful rural location close to mountains and sea. Ideally located for visiting Portmeirion, Harlech Castle, Welsh Highland Railway or walking and touring Snowdonia. A warm welsh welcome at assured by Gwynfor and Deborah.

Price
Price £55.00 to £95.00 per room per night for bed & breakfast
Welsh Highland Heritage Railway

Address

The Station Building, Porthmadog, Gwynedd, LL49 9DY

Telephone
01766 513402

info@whr.co.uk

Porthmadog

The WHHR is a small, friendly railway where the train ride is just part of the experience. Free guided tours at the heritage centre. Vintage train.
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 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
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.