Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park: a guide

With breathtaking views from every angle, fresh air to blow the cobwebs away, wonderful places to explore and people to meet, Eryri is the ultimate escape. Be inspired by our suggestions or find your own path in this magnificent place. 

Miners track, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). Photo by Dave Walbrook

Eryri is the perfect playground for outdoor lovers. The National Park is most famous for Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), the highest mountain in Wales and a cornerstone of the National Three Peaks Challenge. 

While a stunning destination for walking, hiking and climbing, there's so much more on offer. From cycling routes and single track mountain biking trails, a variety of watersports, underground exploration in mines and caves to the adrenaline rush of Europe’s fastest zip line. If you prefer something more artistic, Eryri is the perfect muse for painters and photographers. On clear nights the stars are incredible in this International Dark Sky Reserve.

1. Climb the highest peak, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)

Summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Eryri, North Wales

Many visitors are drawn to Eryri to stand on the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). As a versatile mountain, it offers a variety of routes ranging from the gradual Llanberis Path to the more adventurous Crib Goch. During the peak months, you can even celebrate your ascent with a refreshing beer at the summit visitor centre, Hafod Eryri.

On a clear day, the views are truly spectacular. If you're lucky, you might witness a cloud inversion - a breathtaking sight where the peaks poke through a blanket of white mist. The summit is often shrouded in fog. While this can feel a bit disappointing after a long climb, the sense of achievement remains. There's nothing quite like the magic of descending from the blinding fog back into glorious sunshine as you reach the foot of the mountain.

• Always check the Yr Wyddfa weather and ground conditions before hiking

Where can I stay near Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)?

Stay at: Coed-Y-Llwyn Club Campsite - 21 miles from Pen-y-Pass (Miners’ Track and Pyg Track)

Stay at: Riverside Touring Park (Affiliated campsite) - 11 miles from Pen-y-Pass (Miners’ Track and Pyg Track)

2. Climb quieter less-trodden paths of Eryri

There are many peaks to climb in Eryri. Some of the quieter hikes can be more challenging, including some scrambling sections. As with any hiking and climbing, do your research, be prepared and let someone know where you are going. Some great routes include:

The Nantlle Ridge: The 'Best Kept Secret' starting from the village of Rhyd Ddu, this spectacular ridge walk is a favorite among locals who want to avoid the crowds. It offers a dramatic 'tightrope' experience, where you can admire the shimmering coastline of the Llŷn Peninsula on one side and the towering Snowdon Horseshoe on the other. It’s a breathtaking alternative for those seeking solitude and world-class views.

The Nantlle Ridge, Eryri, North Wales

Where can I stay near The Nantlle Ridge?

Stay at: Coed-Y-Llwyn Club Campsite - 16 miles away from Rhyd-Ddu, Caernarfon 

Pen yr Ole Wen & The Carneddau: Often overlooked in favour of its neighbour Tryfan, Pen yr Ole Wen offers a steep, rewarding climb that serves as the gateway to the vast Carneddau range. Once you reach the high plateau, the terrain opens up into a massive, rolling wilderness that feels worlds away from the busy valley floor. This is the best place in the park to spot the wild Carneddau ponies roaming freely among ancient Welsh stone cairns.

Pen yr Ole Wen and Tryfan peaks, Ogwen Valley, Eryri, North Wales

Where can I stay near Pen yr Ole Wen?

Stay at: Penrhos Club Campsite - 16 miles away from Ogwen Valley

Foel-goch: The Red Hill Tucked away near Capel Curig, Foel-goch (The Red Hill) is a spectacular peak for those who love panoramic photography. Because of its central position, the summit offers a '360-degree' view of all the major ranges, including the Snowdon Horseshoe and the Glyderau. It's a long, steady hike that rewards you with incredible silence and some of the best sunrise and sunset vistas in Eryri.

Where can I stay near Foel-goch?

Stay at: Coed-Y-Llwyn Club Campsite - 24 miles away from Capel Curig

3. Spectacular Rhaeadr Fawr (Aber Falls)

Rhaeadr Fawr (Aber Falls), Abergwyngregyn, Eryri, North Wales

For a truly breathtaking experience that requires less climbing but offers maximum reward, a visit to Rhaeadr Fawr (Aber Falls) is a must. Located at the northern gateway of the park near Abergwyngregyn, this magnificent 120-foot waterfall plunges over ancient igneous rock into a shallow pool below. 

The walk to the falls follows a gentle, well-surfaced path through the Coedydd Aber National Nature Reserve, where you’ll pass through a 'Celtic Rainforest' of lush mosses and Iron Age settlements. It is the perfect spot for a family stroll or a photography session, offering a dramatic sense of scale and power, especially after heavy rainfall. The main trail is approximately a 3 mile round-trip and is largely accessible for pushchairs, making it one of Eryri's most inclusive natural landmarks.

Where can I stay near Rhaeadr Fawr (Aber Falls)?

Stay at: Penrhos Club Campsite - 20 miles away

Stay at: Riverside Touring Park (Affiliated campsite) - 25 miles away

4. Landscape that inspires: The artist’s muse

Llyn Nantlle Uchaf, Nantlle Valley, Wales

Beyond its rugged peaks, Eryri has served for centuries as a 'living gallery,' drawing creatives from across the globe to capture its dramatic essence. From the tranquil waters of Llyn Nantlle Uchaf, where the mountain summits are framed with perfect classical balance, to the brooding ruins of Dolbadarn Castle in Llanberis, the landscape is steeped in artistic history. These iconic viewpoints capture a sense of awe and power that remains unchanged to this day.

In the heart of the park, locations like Llyn Mymbyr in Capel Curig offer views of the high ridges, often depicted in moody, atmospheric oils that highlight the texture of the slate and the shifting Welsh weather. Whether you're exploring the wild, colorful moors of the Migneint or the jagged silhouettes of the Glyderau, you're walking through scenes immortalized in world-famous masterpieces. Bring your own sketchbook or camera to these historic vantage points and find your own inspiration in this timeless landscape.

Stay at: Coed-Y-Llwyn Club Campsite 24 miles from Llyn Nantlle, 26 miles from Dolbadarn Castle and 10 miles from Migneint

Stay at: Riverside Touring Park (Affiliated campsite) 7 miles from Llyn Mymbyr and 12 miles from Glyderau

5. Exhilarating ziplines

For the ultimate adrenaline rush, head to Penrhyn Quarry in Bethesda to experience Velocity 2- the fastest zip line in the world and the longest in Europe. You’ll soar over 1.5 kilometers, reaching hair-raising speeds of over 100mph while flying 500 feet above a stunning quarry lake. If you're on a group adventure, head to the Slate Caverns in Blaenau Ffestiniog for Titan 2, where four people can fly side-by-side, or dive underground for Bounce Below, a surreal network of giant trampolines hidden in a former slate mine.

Where can I stay near Zip World Velocity 2?

Stay at: Bryn Llys (Certificated Location) – 1 mile away

Stay at: Riverside Touring Park (Affiliated campsite) – 12 miles away

Stay at: Penrhos Club Campsite – 15 miles away

Llŷn Peninsula, Wales. Photo by Mai Moulton

Remember to travel responsibly

• Leave no trace: 'take only photos, leave only footprints.' Pack out all litter, including fruit peels, and stick to designated paths to prevent erosion and protect rare plants like the Snowdon Lily.
• Travel savvily: Parking at popular spots like Pen-y-Pass is limited and requires pre-booking. Use the Sherpa’r Wyddfa bus service; it’s a stress-free way to link different trails and villages without needing your car.
• Support local: Buy supplies from village shops and dine in local pubs to ensure your visit benefits the community.
• Respect the land: Keep dogs on short leads around livestock. Eryri is a working landscape, and sheep are often grazing nearby.
• Be adventure smart: Always check the mountain weather forecast and ensure you have the right gear and skills for your chosen route.

Click on the links to see all our UK Club campsites and Affiliated sites in Wales along with all Certificated Locations.