To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site. Learn more

You are here: Destinations > Southern Snowdonia

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

, currently showing 41 to 60.

Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Bryn Cleifion | Bettws Hall

Address

Mallwyd, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9HW

Telephone
01686650628

amy.horn@bettwshall.com

Machynlleth

Set on the foot of the Snowdonia National Park, Bryn Cleifion Hall enjoys perfect tranquility in a simply stunning corner of rural Mid Wales with 5 exquisite bedrooms, open fire and hot tub. Bryn Cleifion Lodge is a romantic 1-bedroom gatehouse for…

Price
Price £850.00 to £1,750.00 per unit per week
Brigands Inn | Dining

Address

Brigands Inn, Mallwyd, Dinas Mawddwy, Gwynedd, SY20 9HJ

Telephone
01650 511999

bookings@brigandsinn.com

Dinas Mawddwy

Nestled in the beautiful Dovey Valley, this 15th Century Coaching Inn offers guests a choice of dining, drinking and sleeping options, as well as a function room suitable for large events and parties including weddings.
RSPB Ynys-hir Nature Reserve

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 . Explore oak woodlands. peat bogs and salt marsh with views across the Dyfi estuary. Perfect for nature lovers & families wishing to discover their wild side.
Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways | Corporate Hospitality

Address

Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways, Porthmadog Harbour Station, Porthmadog, Gwynedd, LL49 9NF

Telephone
01766 516070

enquiries@ffwhr.com

Porthmadog

The Ffestiniog Railway is the oldest independent railway company in the world, established in 1832.
Mary Jones Pilgrim Centre

Address

Llanycil, Bala, Gwynedd, LL23 7YF

Telephone
01678521877

centre.manager@bydmaryjonesworld.org.uk

Bala

Visit our award-winning visitor centre and discover how the story of a young Welsh girl changed the lives of millions.
Set on the edge of Llyn Tegid, the centre tells Mary Jones’s story through multimedia and interactive displays in a Grade…
Corris Craft Centre

Address

Corris Craft Centre, Corris, Gwynedd, SY20 9RF

Telephone
01654 761584

info@corriscraftcentre.co.uk

Corris

Independent craft centre in Corris near Machynlleth, Mid Wales, with 9 studio workshops, King Arthur’s Labyrinth and Corris Mine Explorers on site. Watch skilled makers at work, browse for handmade gifts and sample award winning Welsh gin. Have a go…
Barcdy Caravan Park

Address

Talsarnau, Harlech, Gwynedd, LL47 6YG

Telephone
01766 770736

bookings@barcdy.co.uk

Harlech

Small, friendly, family run park offering pitches for touring caravans and tents, as well as caravan holiday homes for sale. It lies in a secluded and sheltered vale.

Price
Price £22.00 to £30.00 per touring pitch per night normally for one car and 2 people
Talyllyn Railway | Narrow Gauge Railway Museum

Address

Talyllyn Railway, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9EY

Telephone
01654 710472

curator@ngrm.org.uk

Tywyn

The Narrow Gauge Railway Museum at Tal-y-llyn Railway is an important collection of artifacts relating to Narrow Gauge Railways in the British Isles. From complete locomotives to tickets, it is a unique and comprehensive record of these fascinating…

Price
Price £3.00 per child to £6.00 per adult
Eryri National Park (Snowdonia )

Address

Mid & North Wales, Eryri National Park, LL48 6LF

Telephone
01766 770274

park@snowdonia.gov.wales

The Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park is a special part of the country where visitors come to relax and enjoy a wide range of leisure activities in spectacular surroundings.
Cambrian Line and Cambrian Coast Trains

Address

Mid Wales, SY20 8TG

Telephone
0333 3211 202

Mid Wales

The Cambrian Line runs from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth via Machynlleth and trains on the Cambrian Coast Line depart from Machynlleth and travel from Dyfi Junction up the coast north to Pwllheli.
Portmeirion Village | Corporate Events

Address

Portmeirion Village & Gardens, Portmeirion, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd, LL48 6ER

Telephone
01766 772337

meetings@portmeirion.wales

Penrhyndeudraeth

Looking for an exceptional corporate events venue? Look no further than Portmeirion Village. Situated on its own peninsula in Southern Snowdonia, Portmeirion is a sight to behold, with amazing vistas in every direction and pathways to explore.
Islawrffordd Holiday & Touring Park

Address

Islawrffordd Holiday & Touring Park, Talybont, Ffordd Glan mor, Barmouth, Gwynedd, LL43 2BQ

Telephone
01341 247269

info@islawrffordd.co.uk

Ffordd Glan mor, Barmouth

Islawrffordd Holiday Park is a family run luxury Holiday park - an ideal setting for a holiday in Southern Snowdonia. Luxury Super Pitches & facilities include superb toilet facilities, restaurant, bar & private access to a sandy beach,
Portmeirion Village | Cottages

Address

Portmeirion Village, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd, LL48 6ET

Telephone
01766 770000

info@portmeirion-village.com

Penrhyndeudraeth

Portmeirion has thirteen self-catering cottages sleeping from three to eight people. The cottages are let on a weekly basis or three nights at the weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and four nights during the week.

Price
Price £727.00 to £1,945.00 per unit per week
Glan-y-Don Holiday Park

Address

Neptune Road, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 0DL

Telephone
01654 710461

info@glanydonpark.co.uk

Tywyn

Glan Y Don Holiday Park in southern Snowdonia is a five star family Holiday Home Park of superb quality in an outstanding coastal location with uninterrupted sea views.
Llyn Tegid | Bala Lake Railway

Address

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

Telephone
01678 540666

enquiries@bala-lake-railway.co.uk

Bala

A scenic heritage train ride through the glorious scenery of the Snowdonia National Park along the shoreline of Bala Lake, Wales' largest natural lake.

Price
Price £5.50 per child to £37.00 per family
Tan-y-Fron Holiday Park | Holiday Homes

Address

Arran Road, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2AA

Telephone
01341 422638

info@tan-y-fron.co.uk

Dolgellau

Tan-y-Fron Holiday Park is situated within the beautiful Snowdonia National Park and the nearest to the market town of Dolgellau which is only a few minutes walk (1/2 mile) away.
Cae Du Farm Holidays

Address

Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9ND

Telephone
01654 711234

caedufarmholidays@gmail.com

Gwynedd

Cae Du Farm Holidays - Self Catering with 2 units sleeps 6-16
Located in the beautiful Snowdonia National Park the property has spectacular views over the Dysynni Valley and Cardigan coast. Perfect location for a relaxing country holiday

Price
Price £80.00 to £1,314.00 per unit per night
King Arthurs Labyrinth Waterfall

Address

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

Telephone
01654 761584

reception@kingarthurslabyrinth.co.uk

Corris

At King Arthur's Labyrinth visitors sail by underground boat and through the cascading veil of a magical underground waterfall. As you pass through the waterfall, you're swept back in time to a mythical place filled with dragons, giants and King…

Price
Price £11.80 per child to £17.80 per adult
Trefeddian Hotel

Address

Trefeddian Hotel, Aberdovey, Gwynedd, LL35 0SB

Telephone
01654 767213

info@trefwales.com

Aberdovey

Located half a mile from the picturesque harbour village of Aberdyfi, with panoramic views of Cardigan Bay. Relax in comfort and enjoy fine food complimented by friendly service. Indoor swimming pool and spa bath. Families of all ages welcome.

Price
Price £146.00 per person per night for bed & breakfast
Dyffryn Seaside Estate Holiday Park

Address

Dyffryn Ardudwy, Gwynedd, LL44 2HD

Telephone
01341 247220

info@dyffryn-seaside-estate.co.uk

Gwynedd

Caravans for hire 4-6 berths. Wheelchair accessible caravans available. Also 4-6 berth bungalows. Site facilities include spacious pub, self service shop, take away/cafe, laundry, indoor leisure complex and playground. 200 Camping pitches.

Price
Price £21.00 to £30.00 per touring pitch per night normally for one car and 2 people