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: 245

, currently showing 85 to 105.

Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Teithiau Cerdded | DYFI Walking Tours

Address

Southern Snowdonia & Dyfi Valley, Gwynedd, SY20 9TG

Telephone
01650 531237

robertarfonhughes@gmail.com

Dyfi Walking Tours in southern Snowdonia takes visitors to iconic buildings, historical settings, marvellous countryside and remarkable human stories with the Welsh language at the heart of the tour.
Cambrian & Cambrian Coast Line

Address

SY20 8BL

Enjoy a great day out on the spectacular Cambrian Railway Lines. The lines from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and the Cambrian Coast from Machynlleth to Pwllheli offer stunning coast, country and mountain views of any rail journey in the UK.
Fairbourne Railway

Address

Beach Road, Fairbourne, Gwynedd, LL38 2EX

Telephone
01341 250362

office@fairbournerailway.com

Fairbourne

Narrow Gauge Steam Train journey offers superb views of Cadair Idris mountain range and Mawddach Estuary. G-Scale Railway and museum at Fairbourne. Can be accessed from Barmouth by means of the pedestrian ferry.

Price
Price £8.25 to £12.50 per adult
Hendy Farm Holidays

Address

Hendy Farm, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9RU

Telephone
01654 710457

jones@farmline.com

Tywyn

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

A warm welcome awaits you at Hendy, situated in the Snowdonia National Park. Enjoy Bed and Breakfast on a working farm with the privilege of its own halt on the Talyllyn Narrow Gauge Railway!

Price
Price £35.00 to £40.00 per person per night
Llanllwyda Caravan Site

Address

Llanfihangel Y Pennant, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9TN

Telephone
01654 782276

rhianmaiwilliams@hotmail.com

Tywyn

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

A lovely laid back secluded site on a working farm. Its perfect to get away from it all and relax. Locality - Southern Snowdonia.

Price
Price £14.00 to £20.00 per touring pitch per night normally for one car and 2 people
Dyffryn Seaside Estate Holiday Home Park

Address

Dyffryn Ardudwy, Gwynedd, LL44 2HD

Telephone
01341 247220

info@dyffryn-seaside-estate.co.uk

Gwynedd

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Two miles of magnificent beach, mostly sand, offers joy to kiddies and adults alike. The Estate greets you with an immediate sense of release and space; 800 acres of it, all level and much pleasantly planted with trees
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
Graig Wen | Cottages

Address

Graig Wen, Arthog, Gwynedd, LL39 1YP

Telephone
01341 250482

hello@graigwen.co.uk

Arthog

Dog-friendly self-catering cottages near Dolgellau, Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, with direct access to the Mawddach Trail. Eco-conscious, peaceful and surrounded by wild scenery, they suit families seeking outdoor adventures and couples looking…
Hendy Farm Cottages

Address

Hendy Farm, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9RU

Telephone
01654 710457

jones@farmline.com

Tywyn

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

A warm welcome awaits you at Hendy, situated in the Snowdonia National Park. Enjoy Self Catering accommodation on a working farm with the privilege of its own halt on the Talyllyn Narrow Gauge Railway.

Price
Price £210.00 to £850.00 per unit per week
Penmaenuchaf Hotel

Address

Penmaenuchaf Hotel, Penmaenpool, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 1YB

Telephone
01341 212121

reservations@penmaenuchaf.co.uk

Dolgellau

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Perched high above the Mawddach estuary at the foot of the rugged Cadair Idris, you’ll find our stone-fronted Penmaenuchaf. Inspired by the dramatic ancient landscape of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, this grand old house has its own beautiful…

Price
Price £85.00 to £550.00 per room per night for bed & breakfast
Einion House

Address

Friog, Y Friog, Gwynedd, LL38 2NX

Telephone
01341 250644

stay@einionhouse.co.uk

Y Friog

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Scenic Views to Sea - 4 star Georgian B&B, Southern Snowdonia, nr Dolgellau opposite Barmouth. Walk to The Mawddach Trail, Wales Coastal Path, Blue Lake. Great Walks & Cycle trails, castles

Price
Price £95.00 per room per night for bed & breakfast
Garth Holiday Park | Rentals

Address

Garth Road, Machynlleth, Powys, SY208HQ

Telephone
01654 702194

info@garthapp.co.uk

Machynlleth

Garth Holiday Park is a family-run holiday park in Machynlleth, Powys, set above the Dyfi Valley with views towards Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park. Just a short walk from the historic market town, it offers a peaceful base for exploring Mid Wales,…

Price
Price £110.00 to £135.00 per unit per night
Hotel Portmeirion

Address

Portmeirion Village, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd, LL48 6ET

Telephone
01766 770000

stay@portmeirion.wales

Penrhyndeudraeth

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

The historic Hotel Portmeirion was originally built in 1850 and developed by Clough Williams-Ellis in 1925. It offers 14 rooms and suites in the beautiful surroundings of Portmeirion Italiante Village.

Price
Price £54.50 per person per night to £290.00 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.
Nyth Robin | Glamping Holidays

Address

Nyth Robin, Aberdyfi, Gwynedd, LL35 0RG

Telephone
07731 783534

hello@nythrobin.co.uk

Aberdyfi

Dates

From:

31 Mar 2026to30 Oct 2026

Nyth Robin Glamping offers fabulous holidays in a variety of unique accommodation options. You can choose from a family-friendly bell tent, yurt, or dome, a cosy woodland cabin, a unique vintage caravan, or a quirky converted horsebox!
All the…

Price
Price £80.00 to £130.00 per unit per night
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (Dyfi)

Address

Mid Wales, SY20 8ER

Experience the Wonder of Dyfi Biosphere: A Natural Gem Recognised by UNESCO
Discover the breathtaking beauty of the Dyfi Biosphere, an internationally recognised Biosphere Reserve designated by UNESCO. The reserve is a true gem, one of only six…
Dyfi Distillery

Address

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

Telephone
01654 761551

danny@dyfidistillery.com

Corris

Dates

From:

1 Apr 2026to5 Nov 2026

From:

8 Nov 2026to22 Dec 2026

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
Gwesty Pen-y-Bont Hotel

Address

Pen-y-Bont Hotel, Talyllyn, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9AJ

Telephone
01654 782285

info@penybonthotel.co.uk

Tywyn

Dates

A 16th Century Coaching Inn with a spectacular location on Llyn Mwyngil (Talyllyn Lake) near Cadair Idris in the heart of southern Eryri (Snowdonia). Enjoy Bed & Breakfast in one of our five letting rooms, with a hearty Welsh Breakfast by the log…

Price
Price £180.00 per room per night for bed & breakfast
Penyglog Farm Cottages | Aberhiriaeth

Address

Abergiriaeth, Cemmaes, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9AA

Telephone
01654 702033

penyglog@gmail.com

Machynlleth

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

A lovely Welsh traditional stone farmhouse with its own beautiful garden. Set on a working farm the house enjoys beautiful views over the Dyfi Valley. Near to sandy beaches, sea, mountains of Snowdonia, RSPB, Cycle tracks or simply relax.

Price
Price £475.00 to £800.00 per unit per week
Cae Du Farm Holidays

Address

Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9ND

Telephone
01654 711234

caedufarmholidays@gmail.com

Gwynedd

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

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
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