Eryri extends far beyond Yr Wyddfa. The national park encompasses 823 square miles of mountain, moorland, estuary, valley and coast, from the rock turrets of Tryfan in the north to the dune systems at Harlech in the south. This section is a guide to exploring the whole of it. For the wider region, from the coast to the mountains, see our complete adventure guide to north Wales.
What’s in This Section
The Mountains
Beyond Yr Wyddfa: the Glyderau (Tryfan, Glyder Fawr), the Carneddau (the great plateau of northern Eryri), Cadair Idris, the Rhinogydd. The 15 Welsh 3,000-footers and the 24-hour challenge.
The Lakes
Llyn Tegid (the largest natural lake in Wales), Glaslyn (copper-green beneath the summit), Llyn Idwal (Darwin’s glacial laboratory), Llynnau Mymbyr, and more.
The Villages
Fifteen villages and towns profiled in depth, from Betws-y-Coed, Beddgelert, Llanberis and Capel Curig in the north to Dolgellau, Harlech, Barmouth and Aberdyfi in the south.
Walking in Eryri
The best walks at every level, from a 2km stroll through Fairy Glen to the full Carneddau traverse. Easy, moderate, challenging and serious.
Scenic Drives
Six drives through the best of Eryri, from the Llanberis Pass to the Mawddach Estuary loop.
Waterfalls
Swallow Falls, Aber Falls, and the best cascades in Eryri. The national park has some of the finest waterfalls in Wales, at their most dramatic after rain.
Castles
Caernarfon, Harlech, Conwy: the Iron Ring of Edward I. The great medieval fortresses of north Wales, now UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Railways
The Ffestiniog Railway, Snowdon Mountain Railway, Welsh Highland Railway and more. Eryri has the finest collection of narrow-gauge railways in Britain.
Understanding the Landscape
Eryri is divided by its geography into distinct zones, each with its own character. The northern mountain core (the Snowdon massif, the Glyderau and the Carneddau) is the highest, wildest and most visited part of the park. The Conwy valley cuts south from the coast, separating these ranges from the Moelwynion and the slate country around Blaenau Ffestiniog. South of this, the Rhinogydd form one of the loneliest and least visited ranges in Wales: a plateau of ancient Cambrian grits and sandstones, trackless and demanding. At the southern boundary, Cadair Idris rises above the Mawddach Estuary in magnificent isolation.
The coast forms the western boundary: the Llŷn Peninsula, the Harlech dunes, Barmouth, and the great estuary mouths of the Mawddach and Dyfi. The sea is never far in Eryri, and the quality of light along the western coastal edge, particularly in the late afternoon and evening, is quite different from the mountain interior.
Choosing a Base
Where you stay shapes what you see. For the high mountains, Llanberis, Beddgelert, Capel Curig and Betws-y-Coed put Yr Wyddfa, the Glyderau and the Carneddau within a short drive or bus ride, and Betws-y-Coed adds the waterfalls and forests of the Conwy valley. For the south, Dolgellau sits between Cadair Idris and the Mawddach, Bala has Llyn Tegid on its doorstep, and Harlech and Barmouth combine castle, beach and hills. Our villages guide profiles each one, and our article on towns to visit and where to base yourself compares them side by side.
Ideas by Time Available
- A couple of hours: Swallow Falls and a wander around Betws-y-Coed, or the short walk to Ceunant Mawr waterfall above Llanberis.
- Half a day: the Aber Falls walk from Abergwyngregyn, or the Cwm Idwal circuit in the Ogwen valley.
- A full day: the Ffestiniog Railway from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog and back, or Harlech Castle followed by an afternoon on the dunes and beach below it.
- Several days: spend a few days in the north and a few in the south, linking them with one of the scenic drives or the Cambrian Coast railway.
Getting Around Without a Car
The Sherpa’r Wyddfa buses circle Yr Wyddfa: the S1 links Betws-y-Coed and Caernarfon with Llanberis and Pen-y-Pass, and the S4 runs from Porthmadog to Pen-y-Pass. The Conwy Valley line reaches Betws-y-Coed and Blaenau Ffestiniog, where it meets the Ffestiniog Railway, and the Cambrian Coast line serves Harlech, Barmouth and Aberdyfi. Check Traveline Cymru for current times, as many services are reduced outside the main season.
Exploring Safely
Even low-level walks in Eryri cross rough, wet ground, and riverside paths near waterfalls can be slippery at any time of year. Wear proper footwear, keep children close near drops and fast water, and check the mountain forecast before heading for the tops. Please follow the Countryside Code: close gates, keep dogs on leads near livestock and take litter home. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the Police, then Mountain Rescue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which part of Eryri is best for a first visit?
Most first-time visitors head for the north, around Llanberis, Betws-y-Coed or Beddgelert, because the highest mountains, the Snowdon Mountain Railway and many of the best-known walks are there. The south is quieter and suits a second visit or anyone wanting fewer crowds.
Are the famous castles inside the national park?
Some are. Harlech, Dolbadarn, Dolwyddelan and Castell y Bere are in the park or close to its heart, while Caernarfon and Conwy stand on the coast just beyond the boundary and Beaumaris is on Anglesey. All are easy to combine with a stay in Eryri.
What can I do in Eryri when it rains?
Plenty. Waterfalls are at their best after rain, and castles, heritage railways, slate caverns and museums all work in wet weather (see our list of rainy day attractions in Eryri). Try Swallow Falls in spate or the National Slate Museum in Llanberis.
