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 101 to 120.

Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Centre For Alternative Technology | Group Visits

Address

Centre for Alternative Technology, Llwyngwern Quarry, Pantperthog, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9AZ

Telephone
01654 705950

visit@cat.org.uk

Pantperthog, Machynlleth

The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) is a world-renowned eco centre in Mid Wales that researches and supports greener ways of living.

Price
Price £3.50 per child to £8.50 per adult
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
Nyth Robin | Glamping Holidays

Address

Nyth Robin, Aberdyfi, Gwynedd, LL35 0RG

Telephone
07731 783534

hello@nythrobin.co.uk

Aberdyfi

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 £100.00 per unit per night
Tyddyn Rhys Farm

Address

Aberdovey, Gwynedd, LL35 0PG

Telephone
01654 767769

tyddynrhys@googlemail.com

Gwynedd

Tyddyn Rhys commands a privileged position half a mile above the village of Aberdovey with a panoramic view overlooking the Dovey Estuary and Cardigan Bay. The Welsh speaking family offer a warm Welsh welcome amidst some of Wales' most beau

Price
Price £85.00 per room per night for bed & breakfast
The Wynnstay

Address

Maengwyn Street, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8AE

Telephone
01654 702941

croeso@wynnstay.wales

Machynlleth

The Wynnstay Machynlleth is a charming old Coaching Inn. The restaurant appeals to gourmets, hungry locals and travellers. Open fires, log stoves, excellent wines and real ales. "This one is different", said Martin Bright in The Observer.

Price
Price £65.00 to £120.00 per room per night for bed & breakfast
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.
Dinas Camping

Address

Dinas, Llanbedr, Gwynedd, LL45 2PH

Telephone
01341 241585

hideawayinthehills@outlook.com

Llanbedr

Dinas camping is a small, quiet site which allows Campfires. At Dinas you have the best of both worlds as it is located in the Rhinog foothills but only 3 miles from some glorious sandy beaches and Harlech castle.

Price
Price £22.00 to £27.00 per touring pitch per night normally for one car and 2 people
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
Penrhyn Dyfi

Address

Plas Penrhyn, Nr Machynlleth, Gwynedd, SY20 9JR

Telephone
01654 702029

glanfechan@hotmail.com

Nr Machynlleth

Penrhyn is a Grade II listed Georgian country house overlooking the Dyfi Estuary on the outskirts of Machynlleth, This elegant home in Southern Snowdonia sleeps up to 12 guests - perfect for a group of friends or large family getaway.

Price
Price £2,500.00 per unit per week
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
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)
Hendy Farm Cottages

Address

Hendy Farm, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9RU

Telephone
01654 710457

jones@farmline.com

Tywyn

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
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
Cae Du Campsite

Address

Rhoslefain, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9ND

Telephone
01654 711234

caedufarmholidays@gmail.com

Tywyn

The Campsite has panoramic sea views of Ynys Enlli and the Llyn Peninsula and the Self Catering accommodation overlooks the Dysynni Valley with coastal views as far as Pembrokeshire on a clear day.

Price
Price £15.00 per touring pitch per night normally for one car and 2 people
Min-y-Don Holiday & Touring Park

Address

Beach Road, Harlech, Gwynedd, LL46 2UG

Telephone
01766 780286

info@minydonpark.co.uk

Harlech

The 15-acre park, which has 112 caravan holiday homes and 82 touring caravan and motorhome pitches, nestles below Harlech Castle, alongside the famous Royal St David's Golf Club and just a short walk from one of the best beaches in Wales.

Price
Price £28.50 to £30.50 per touring pitch per night normally for one car and 2 people
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
Dovey Valley Shooting Ground

Address

Dovey Valley Shooting Ground, Llanwrin, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8QJ

Telephone
01650 511252

info@doveyvalley.com

Machynlleth

Clay Shooting - Fun for all the family, complete beginners welcome.

Price
Price £20.00 to £59.00 per adult
Caravan @ Tyddyn Rhys Farm

Address

Tyddyn Rhys, Aberdovey, Gwynedd, LL35 0PG

Telephone
01654 767769

tyddynrhys@googlemail.com

Aberdovey

Tyddyn Rhys commands a privileged position half a mile above the village of Aberdovey with a panoramic view overlooking the Dovey Estuary and Cardigan Bay.

Price
Price £400.00 to £405.00 per unit per week
Ian Snow - Machynlleth

Address

Ian Snow - Machynlleth, The Old Post Office, 8 Maengwyn Street, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8AF

Telephone
01654 703945

sales@iansnow.com

8 Maengwyn Street, Machynlleth

From his shop in Machynlleth, Ian Snow started his business in 1978 selling throws, curtains, cushion covers,and gifts. The business is are proud of their ethical standards & passionate about our environment.