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: 255

, currently showing 21 to 40.

Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Cynfal Farm Cottages

Address

Cynfal Farm Cottages, Bryncrug, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9RB

Telephone
07971 065 953

cynfalfrm@gmail.com

Bryncrug, Tywyn

Cynfal Farm in Southern Snowdonia is the perfect holiday location for couples or families seeking something rather special. Two 5 star luxury self catering holiday homes.

Price
Price £450.00 to £910.00 per unit per week
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
Hotel Portmeirion

Address

Portmeirion Village, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd, LL48 6ET

Telephone
01766 770000

stay@portmeirion.wales

Penrhyndeudraeth

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
Salop Leisure - Machynlleth

Address

Salop Leisure - Machynlleth, Treowain Enterprise Park, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8EG

Telephone
01654 705900

info@salopleisure.co.uk

Machynlleth

Comprehensive information about caravan holiday home ownership. Confidential, professional advice given. New and used units to suit all budgets
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
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.
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)
Dyffryn Seaside Estate

Address

Dyffryn Ardudwy, Gwynedd, LL44 2HD

Telephone
01341 247220

info@dyffryn-seaside-estate.co.uk

Gwynedd

Carefree Holidays for all the family........
Whatever your tastes, Dyffryn Seaside Estate offers you a warm welcome. Beautifully situated, it sums up Meirionnydd's own proud motto, Tra Mor, Tra Meirion; betwixt sea and mountain.

Price
Price £340.00 to £410.00 per unit per week
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
Nyth Robin Touring Site

Address

Nyth Robin, Aberdyfi, Gwynedd, LL35 0RG

Telephone
07731 783534

hello@nythrobin.co.uk

Aberdyfi

Small, friendly, eco touring site, just outside the pretty seaside village of Aberdovey in mid-Wales, and within the Snowdonia National Park. Secluded site set in 7 acres of private woodland with short walks.
There are just 9 touring pitches…

Price
Price £25.00 to £35.00 per touring pitch per night normally for one car and 2 people
Llanllwyda Caravan Site

Address

Llanfihangel Y Pennant, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9TN

Telephone
01654 782276

rhianmaiwilliams@hotmail.com

Tywyn

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
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.
Yr Hen Stablau

Address

Pantlludw, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9JR

Telephone
01654 702218

stablau@selfcateringcottagewales.co.uk

Machynlleth

Yr Hen Stablau in southern Snowdonia just I mile from Machynlleth, sleeps 6 and has ground floor wheelchair access. The cottage is an energy efficient building renovated with local slate and timber. Beautiful garden,1 mile to Wales Coast Path and 8…

Price
Price £590.00 per unit per week
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.
Einion House

Address

Friog, Fairbourne, Gwynedd, LL38 2NX

Telephone
01341 250644

stay@einionhouse.co.uk

Fairbourne

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 £70.00 to £75.00 per room per night for bed & breakfast
Dyfi Wildlife Centre

Address

Cors Dyfi Nature Reserve, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8SR

Telephone
01654 645184

dopenquiries@montwt.co.uk

Machynlleth

The Dyfi Wildlife Centre near Machynlleth is the home of the Dyfi Osprey Project at the Cors Dyfi Nature Reserve. Most visitors spend around one and a half to two hours per visit, including some time in the 360 Observatory where you can enjoy…

Price
Price £1.75 per child to £6.00 per adult
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
Bryn Elltyd Eco House

Address

Tanygrisiau, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, LL41 3TW

Telephone
01766 831356

info@ecohouse.wales

Blaenau Ffestiniog

Eco Friendly, Bryn Elltyd is carbon neutral. All energy inputs from renewables, located in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park at the foot of the Moelwyn mountains, this is an ideal location to explore North Wales.

Price
Price £166.00 to £170.00 per unit per night
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
Penyglog Farm Cottages | Aberhiriaeth

Address

Abergiriaeth, Cemmaes, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9AA

Telephone
01654 702033

penyglog@gmail.com

Machynlleth

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