The national park in Wales ‘Snowdonia’ is a great place for a staycation. It offers a great range of outdoor activities, historical and cultural sites, and landscapes to explore. Whether you choose to camp, stay in a hotel, or stay in one of the caravan sites Snowdonia has something for everyone.
We’re going to give you some ideas of which towns will be best to visit whilst you enjoy your holiday in Snowdonia.
Bala
Bala is known for being home to the largest lake in Wales, ‘Llyn Tegid’, or ‘Bala Lake’. There are lots of watersports centres where you can hire equipment such as kayaks or sailboats to get out on the water. You could also choose to take a walk up one of the mountains nearby to get an incredible view of the lake.
The walk around the whole lake is an impressive 14 miles long, but don’t worry, you don’t have to do it all in one go. You could even travel round part of it on the Bala Lake Railway.
Dolgellau
Dolgellau is the perfect place for appreciating some of the best trails in the national park – for both walking and mountain biking! There are great local walking spots like the Precipice Walk and the Mawddach Trail, and the town is also not far from the coast.
The mountain Cadair Idris is in Dolgellau and has multiple routes, so can be hiked by people of most levels. There are routes for experienced walkers who love a challenge, with an easier path for families with children.
Just up from Dolgellau is Coed y Brenin forest. This is a popular spot for mountain bikers, but is good to spot wildlife too. The visitor centre here can help you choose the right path to go down.
Llanberis
Llanberis is the town located at the foot of the tallest mountain in Wales ‘Snowdon’. This village is the perfect place to enjoy the landscape and multiple types of outdoor activities.
Llyn Padarn is the lake where you can go paddleboarding, canoeing, or have a go at any other watersports you may choose. The mountains and quarries surrounding Llanberis are great spots for climbing and mountaineering. Dinorwic quarry is an interesting place if you want to check out some history about the mining industry too!
Betws y Coed
Betws y Coed is a picturesque town in Snowdonia that is surrounded by the Gwydyr Forest and is filled with beautiful rivers and waterfalls.
The Swallow Falls and Fairy Glen is a popular place to visit in Betws, and can be enjoyed as part of a walk. Make sure you bring your camera, as you can get some breathtaking shots of the cascading waters.
Just round the corner from Betws y Coed is Dolwyddelan Castle, a Welsh stronghold set in the mountains as a memorial to the King of Gwynedd – Llywelyn the Great.
