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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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Gwesty Pen-y-Bont Hotel

Address

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

Telephone
01654 782285

info@penybonthotel.co.uk

Tywyn

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
Corris Mine Explorers

Address

Corris Caverns, Corris, Gwynedd, SY20 9RF

Telephone
01654 761584

info@corrismineexplorers.co.uk

Corris

Underground slate mine tours in Corris, Mid Wales, exploring a forgotten Victorian slate mine with expert guides. See original tools, machinery and miners’ graffiti on atmospheric trips for families, history lovers and curious explorers. Pre booking…

Price
Price £15.70 per child to £20.50 per adult
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
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.
Barmouth Street Market

Address

Abermaw | Barmouth, Southern Snowdonia, LL42 1LS

Telephone
01341 280787

barmouth.tic@gwynedd.gov.uk

Southern Snowdonia

Market Day - Thursday and Sunday (Summer Only)
Shops early closing - Wednesday - (most shops are open all day during the summer months)
Sea Moss Cabin

Address

Chalet 1, Woodlands Holiday Park, Bryncrug, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9UH

Telephone
01654 782285

brian-matthews@btconnect.com

Bryncrug, Tywyn

Newly refurbished Self-Catering Chalet at the Woodlands Holiday Park, Southern Snowdonia, Gwynedd. Sea view from the patio. Accessible throughout, including Car Parking immediately outside. No steps.

Price
Price £620.00 per unit per week
Glaslyn Ospreys

Address

Glaslyn Osprey Project, Prenteg, Porthmadog, Gwynedd, LL49 9SP

Telephone
07834 575008

info@glaslynwildlife.co.uk

Porthmadog

Visit the stunning Glaslyn Valley in Snowdonia and see breeding ospreys in the spring and summer close to the Pont Croesor Visitor Centre near Porthmadog.
Penmaenuchaf Hotel | Dining

Address

Penmaenpool, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 1YB

Telephone
01341 212121

reservations@penmaenuchaf.co.uk

Dolgellau

Penmaenuchaf Head Chef, Owen Vaughan, and his talented kitchen brigade create menus with high-quality, delicious ingredients, that are as local as possible. The beautiful garden room restaurant is a wonderful setting for a memorable dining…
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.
Bala Backpackers

Address

32 Tegid Street, Bala, Gwynedd, LL23 7EL

Telephone
01678 521700

info@bala-backpackers.co.uk

Bala

Hostel-style value Tourist Accommodation in 1800's character buildings, refurbished, offering essential provision with a hint of luxury. Located in the town of Bala, famous for its Lake and White Water River. Sleeps 31.

Price
Price £25.00 to £65.00 per person per night
Penmaenuchaf Hotel

Address

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

Telephone
01341 212121

reservations@penmaenuchaf.co.uk

Dolgellau

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
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.
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.
Y Tabernacl | Meetings & Events Venue

Address

Penrallt Street, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8AJ

Telephone
01654 703355

info@moma.machynlleth.org.uk

Machynlleth

Throughout the year MOMA WALES shows Modern Welsh Art, in a series of constantly changing exhibitions featuring Wales' top artists. Venue also available for Conferences, Meetings, Events and Workshops.
Rheilffordd Talyllyn Railway

Address

Talyllyn Railway, Gorsaf Wharf Station, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9EY

Telephone
01654 710472

enquiries@talyllyn.co.uk

Tywyn

Historic narrow-gauge steam railway set in beautiful, unspoilt southern Snowdonia. Running from Tywyn to Abergynolwyn and Nant Gwernol, the line passes the delightful Dolgoch Falls and there are excellent forest walks at Nant Gwernol.

Price
Price £11.00 per child to £150.00 Per Group
Hideaway in the Hills | Camping & Pod

Address

Hideaway in the Hills, Dinas, Llanbedr, Gwynedd, LL45 2PH

Telephone
01341 241585

hideawayinthehills@outlook.com

Llanbedr

Dinas is a small, quiet, family friendly campsite, children welcome, ideal for walkers and those who wish to enjoy the countryside. We also have a Camping Pod which sleeps 2, offering all the fun of camping, without the effort of putting up a tent!

Price
Price £50.00 per unit per night
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. Dogs accepted at a surcharge of…

Price
Price £630.00 to £830.00 per unit per week
Gŵyl Machynlleth Festival

Address

Y Tabernacl, Penrallt Street, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8AJ

Telephone
01654 703355

info@moma.machynlleth.org.uk

Machynlleth

The Gŵyl Machynlleth Festival returns with an exceptional programme promising the best in Welsh, classical, world, jazz and folk music, alongside poetry, lectures, exhibitions and more.
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…
Tan-y-Fron Holiday Park

Address

Arran Road, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, Snowdonia National Park, LL40 2AA

Telephone
01341 422638

info@tan-y-fron.co.uk

Gwynedd

Tan-y-Fron Caravan & Camping Holiday Park is situated in the beautiful Snowdonia National Park, a few minutes walk from the market town of Dolgellau.

Price
Price £10.00 to £76.00 per touring pitch per night normally for one car and 2 people