Eryri offers more quality walking per square mile than almost anywhere in Britain — from a 2km stroll through sessile oak woodland to a 50km traverse of all 15 Welsh 3,000-footers in a single day. The walks below are grouped by difficulty, representing the best of what Eryri offers.
Easy Walks (2-5km, no significant ascent)
Fairy Glen, Betws-y-Coed (2km circular)
A short woodland gorge walk on the Afon Conwy, 2km south of Betws-y-Coed village. The path follows the river through a steep-sided wooded glen of sessile oak, ash, and rowan. Easy going on good paths; suitable for all ages. Park in Betws-y-Coed and walk south along the river.
Swallow Falls to Beaver Pool (3km linear)
From the Swallow Falls car park (3km west of Betws-y-Coed on the A5), a path follows the Afon Llugwy downstream through woodland to the Beaver Pool and back. The falls are best seen from the viewing platforms (small admission charge).
Llanberis Lakeside Walk (4km linear)
The flat path along the southern shore of Llyn Padarn from Llanberis, passing the Llanberis Lake Railway and National Slate Museum, with views of Yr Wyddfa throughout. Largely surfaced and pushchair-accessible.
Moderate Walks (5-12km, 200-600m ascent)
Cwm Idwal Circular, Ogwen (5km, 300m ascent)
Start from Ogwen Cottage (A5 at the head of Nant Ffrancon). Follow the path south to Llyn Idwal, circuit the lake clockwise past the Idwal Slabs and the Devil's Kitchen (Twll Du — a dark slot in the cliff above the lake's head). Return via the eastern shore. One of the finest 2-3 hour walks in Eryri, through Wales's first National Nature Reserve.
Mawddach Trail (14km one way, virtually flat)
The disused railway trackbed from Dolgellau to Barmouth Bridge follows the Mawddach Estuary for 14km. Surfaced and suitable for cycling and walking; the views across the estuary to the Cadair Idris ridge throughout are exceptional. The estuary is an RSPB nature reserve: oystercatchers, curlews, redshanks, and in winter, mergansers and goldeneyes work the tidal flats.
Precipice Walk, Dolgellau (6km circular, 250m ascent)
The "Precipice" refers to the view down to the Mawddach Estuary rather than any actual danger. The path circles the hill of Foel Cynwch above Llyn Cynwch, with 360-degree views taking in Cadair Idris, the Rhinogydd, and the entire Mawddach valley. Starting from 5km north of Dolgellau. Allow 2-3 hours; no technical difficulty.
Challenging Walks (10-20km, 700-1200m ascent)
The Snowdon Horseshoe (12km circular, 1,060m ascent)
Start at Pen-y-Pass. Ascend to Crib Goch via Bwlch y Moch (Grade 1 scramble), traverse the Horseshoe to Yr Wyddfa, descend to Bwlch y Saethau, ascend Y Lliwedd, and descend the Miners' Track to Pen-y-Pass. One of the finest mountain circuits in Britain. Requires scrambling experience. 6-8 hours.
Tryfan North Ridge (5km return, 600m ascent)
From Ogwen car park, ascend the well-marked path to the base of the North Ridge and follow it — with increasing hands-on involvement — to the summit (915m). The summit is crowned by Adam and Eve. Grade 1 scramble throughout. One of the great short mountain days in Britain.
Cadair Idris via Minffordd Path (10km circular, 900m ascent)
Starting from the Minffordd car park (B4405, 3km north of Tal-y-Llyn), the path climbs through oak woodland into the cwm of Llyn Cau — a dark, cliff-ringed lake of great drama — and ascends the South Ridge to the summit plateau and Penygadair (893m). Return via the Craig Cau rim. 5-7 hours; serious mountain terrain in poor weather.
Serious Mountain Days
The Carneddau Ridge Traverse (25km, 2,100m ascent)
The full traverse from Pen yr Ole Wen to Foel Fras, taking in Carnedd Dafydd, Carnedd Llewelyn, Yr Elen, Foel Grach, and Garnedd Uchaf. A long, remote high-level walk over the largest mountain plateau in Wales. Start from Ogwen; descent to Bethesda or via Aber Falls to the north. 8-12 hours; navigation skills required on the featureless plateau in poor visibility.
The Welsh 3,000s (50km, 4,300m ascent)
The classic Welsh mountain challenge: all 15 Welsh summits over 3,000 feet in a single continuous journey. Typically completed in 14-24 hours by fit walkers; mountain runners do it in under 8. Requires excellent navigation, fitness, a weather window, and either a very early start or a night section.
Independently written — Snowdon.com