Escape to Snowdonia
- A short break to Snowdonia National Park in North Wales in order to "get away from it all"
- Uncover the history of Wales including its mining heritage and connections to Welsh kings
- Take a walk to the mighty Swallow Falls from Betws-y-Coed the "Gateway to Snowdonia"
- A memorable ascent of Mount Snowdon the highest peak in England and Wales
- Discover all things Welsh, grey slate cottages, cosy local pubs, Bara Brith and Cymraeg
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrrive in Betws-y-Coed and OvernightArrive in Betws-y-Coed, described as the "Gateway to the Snowdonia National Park". It is easily accessible from Chester by train via Llandudno in approximately 1H35. You can also drive if you wish as there are 24H car parks in the town. If you arrive with time to spare perhaps take a little warm-up walk on one of the many trails around the town or through the heart of the beautiful Gwydir Forest, a magical setting. You could also take the riverside trail and walk up to the mighty Swallow Falls if you so choose. If you are missing any essential walking gear, you will find it here as Betws-y-Coed is a much-loved centre of the outdoors. Try one of the many restaurant's that provide locally-sourced produce.
A charming Victorian Guest House with a superb outlook over the village and the Conwy Valley. All six guest bedrooms have been newly decorated and upgraded and all have en-suites. In addition there is a superb outlook all around the house and from all of the rooms. You can also enjoy the views from the garden seating areas, which have been set out for the guests. there is free Wifi and all the rooms are well equipped and comfortable to ensure that you will have a good nights sleep.
This former coaching Inn boasts scenic views of the Mountains of Snowdonia National Park, located in the picturesque village of Betws-y-Coed. The hotel offers comforable rooms with room service, free wifi and tea and coffee making facilities. The hotel has on site parking - bike storage and an onsite restaurant.
Dolweunydd is a fine late Victorian building providing comfortable, cosy and clean rooms for our guests throughout the year. This lovely house is situated in a quieter area of the village away from the centre, yet only a very short stroll to shops, cafes and restaurants.
After a delicious and fortifying breakfast board the Sherpa Snowdon (30 min ride) which brings you to Pen-y-Pass. Descend slowly to the lush Gwynant Valley and then to the twin lakes of Llyn Gwynant and Llyn Dinas, both nestled among the wooded foothills south of Mount Snowdon. Upon arrival in the small mountain village of Beddgelert, why not treat yourself to a delicious ice cream (Cadwalader's if possible, Wales' own homemade icecream).
Elevation gain/loss: +58m/-381m
This is a former Welsh manor house dating back from 1644. Located in the heart of Snowdonia National Park, just a short walk away from the picturesque village of Beddgelert.
All rooms are equipped with en-suite facilities, Egyptian cotton linen bedding, goose down and feather quilts,tea and coffee making facilities, complimentary toiletries, hairdryer, and radio alarm.
The Coach House is situated in the center of the village within easy reach of the local amenities. All rooms include a flat-screen TV and an en-suite bathroom with shower. Certain rooms feature views of the mountain or garden. Free WiFi is offered.
Saracens Head Hotel is a beautiful country inn set in the heart of the picturesque Snowdonia village of Beddgelert. The Saracens Head is a family run inn that offers a warm, friendly and relaxing atmosphere, personal attention and high standards of comfort and cuisineoffers. The 11 luxuriously refurbished rooms are all en-suite, tastefully decorated to reflect the surrounding Snowdonia countryside, and all provide a comfortable seating area.
Today's walk begins by walking through the forest above the village towards Rhyd Ddu. You may well see steam trains on the Welsh Highland Railway working hard to climb this steeply graded line through a series of horseshoe bends.
After Rhyd Ddu the scenery opens out and the path takes the western flank of Snowdon, ascending steadily to Bwlch Maesgwn, the col that separates Snowdon from Mount Eilio. At 467 metres this is the highest point on the walk so far. From here it’s a steady downhill walk to the village of Llanberis at the foot of Snowdon.
Elevation gain/loss: +559m/-488m
Erw Fair Guest House is a charming Victorian house conveniently situated centrally on Llanberis High Street. Erw Fair, pronounced Air-oo Vire, is an 18th Century former slate manager's home. It provides an ideal base to explore the area or relax in the heart of Snowdonia. The dining room, sun lounge and utility room are open all day for guest use.
Elegant Victorian Guest house nestled in Dyffryn Peris valley in Snowdonia National Park. Breakfasts and evening meals are available as well as transfers and pick ups (upon arrangement) as well as nearby parking.
The Padarn Hotel is situated at the foot of Snowdon in Llanberis and is surrounded by the Snowdonia National Park. There is 17 rooms available with Free Wi-Fi, private bathrooms and tea and coffee making facilities. There is also parking available, with 2 electrical vehicle charging points.
Today you have two choices! You can either take a relatively short circular walk around Llyn Padarn at the foot of Snowdon or summit Mount Snowdown.
The Lake Padarn Walk at times follows the lakeside path, with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains before heading back to Llanberis through the historic slate quarries. Finish your walk at the excellent (and free) National Slate Museum. This is well worth a visit to see the demonstration of slate splitting and the atmospheric miner's cottages.
If you choose to walk up Snowdon the day starts with a short bus ride (10 mins) to Pen-y-Pass high on the mountainside. From here take the famous Pyg track as it climbs steadily past the glacial lakes heading for the summit. After around 3 hours of ascending you will reach the summit and proudly become the highest person in Wales and England! Descend via the more gently-graded Llanberis path, and celebrate your achievement with a well-deserved drink in one of the village pubs on arrival in Llanberis.
Finish your walk at the excellent (and free) National Slate Museum. This is well worth a visit to see the demonstration of slate splitting and the atmospheric miner's cottages.
Lake Padarn elevation gain/loss: +177m/-177m
Snowdon Summit elevation gain/loss: +621m/-878m
Erw Fair Guest House is a charming Victorian house conveniently situated centrally on Llanberis High Street. Erw Fair, pronounced Air-oo Vire, is an 18th Century former slate manager's home. It provides an ideal base to explore the area or relax in the heart of Snowdonia. The dining room, sun lounge and utility room are open all day for guest use.
Elegant Victorian Guest house nestled in Dyffryn Peris valley in Snowdonia National Park. Breakfasts and evening meals are available as well as transfers and pick ups (upon arrangement) as well as nearby parking.
The Padarn Hotel is situated at the foot of Snowdon in Llanberis and is surrounded by the Snowdonia National Park. There is 17 rooms available with Free Wi-Fi, private bathrooms and tea and coffee making facilities. There is also parking available, with 2 electrical vehicle charging points.
This morning depart from Llanberis. You can reach Bangor by bus in 1H and then Chester by train in 1H20.
This trip has a carbon score of 7kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 7kg is equivalent to 1 single running shoe (not even a pair!). Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.
Other Information
Is it for me?This holiday is for those who love walking amidst sensational mountain views and dramatic landscapes. Enjoy this 5 day tour where in only a few days you will begin to relax. Who wouldn't when surrounded by these views! A tour in the mountains, but with moderate walks, that take you within the mountains, alongside lakes and rivers, to pretty villages with the discovery of Welsh history at every turn. You can ascend Snowdon if you wish, which is rated as moderate to strenuous, but this is purely optional.
Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!
Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.
Solo Travellers
The minimum age for this tour is: 17 Years
On this tour you will be walking in Snowdonia National Park and along mountain trails, wooded and lakeside routes. You can enjoy stunning mountain views. Sometimes you will walk at a lower level, but at times higher up, where there could be some snow at the beginning and end of the season. We have rated this tour as moderate as generally the walks are not too difficult, but some days do have elevation gains and losses. You will need to be an active and fit person to enjoy the walks on this tour. The walk up Snowdon is rated moderate to strenuous and ultimately is physically demanding.
On this tour we will book you into handpicked B&B's, guest houses and at times. small hotels. They are comfortable and clean with great breakfasts and a very warm welcome.
If you are going to book the Escape to Snowdonia tour, please be aware that it is challenging to confirm 1-night stays in Beddgelert on Friday and Saturday nights. Therefore if you have the flexibility it would be advised to try and secure your booking so that you avoid your start date being on Thursdays or Fridays.
Single Rooms & Solo Walkers
If you require single rooms we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable.
We welcome solo walkers on this tour, although you should, of course, take extra care in the outdoors and particularly in the mountains when walking solo and you must have the ability to read a map and compass.
Meals
A hearty breakfast is included each morning. Most guesthouses and B&B’s offer a cooked breakfast, which should keep you going for the day.
Lunch and dinner are not included so you are free to choose from the available options. Most of your accommodations will be more than happy to provide a packed lunch on request and this can be booked on arrival. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or nearby pubs and restaurants.
The trails you will follow on this tour very, between way-marked and unwaymarked. However navigation will be straightforward as you can use the Macs Adventure Smartphone App which has maps and the GPS tracks. Simply download the GPS tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone with the assurance that navigation on this tour will be made simple and you cannot get lost. You will find more information on downloading the app in your Macs Adventure Account.
- Overnights in B&B's, guest houses, small hotels
- Breakfasts
- Luggage Transfers
- Detailed Information Pack
- GPX tracks and access to our GPS Macs Adventure smartphone app
- OS Snowdon Map
- 24/7 telephone support from our UK office
- Travel Insurance (required)
- Travel to Betws-y-Coed
- Travel from Llanberis
- Lunches, dinners, snacks & drinks
- Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage
- Personal Equipment
- Local buses to the beginning of walks
- Entrances to museums, etc
- Additional Nights, before, during or after the walk
This walking tour can be booked between April and October. The weather in Snowdonia can be quite cool and unpredicable at any time of year, so you should always be prepared with the right gear. Autumn can be a great time to walk as the path will not have as many people walking on it as the summer months. Spring and early summer are best times to see the flora and fauna along the way.
Walking at high levels in Snowdonia National Park means the weather may be very unpredictable. Walking up Mount Snowdon in particular can be hazardous in bad weather and should not be undertaken lightly or at all. It will be very important for you to keep your eye on the forecast. You can visit the following website for more information, Mountain Forecast. If the weather is due to be awful on the day you are scheduled to walk up Snowdon we suggest switching the walk with the Padarn Circular.
Betws-y-Coed It is easily accessible from Chester by train via Llandudno in approximately 1H35. In turn Chester is accessible from London, Manchester and Liverpool by train. So you can fly into any of the major UK airports and then carry on to this destination by rail. For more information on times and schedules please access the National Rail website. You can also drive if you wish as there are 24H car parks in the town. The cost varies, but on average its about £5 per day. You can find more information here. To get back to Bews-y-Coed from Llanberis at the end of your tour you can take a bus which takes approximately 40 mins. You can find more information on the Gwynfor Coaches website.
From your final destination, Llanberis, take a bus to Bangor. This journey takes approximately 1H. From Bangor you can access Chester by train in about 1H20.
If you have parked your car in Betws-y-Coed at the beginning of your tour, you can return there by bus in about 1H. For more information on bus and train timetables please go to the following websites - Gwyn For Coaches and National Rail.
Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.
If you are going to book the Escape to Snowdonia tour, please be aware that it is challenging to confirm 1-night stays in Beddgelert on Friday and Saturday nights. Therefore if you have the flexibility it would be advised to try and secure your booking so that you avoid your start date being on Thursdays or Fridays.
Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen etc. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walk boots, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a daypack.
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.
WHY MACS?
The Biggest Choice
Around Since 2003
23,000+ Customer Reviews
B Corp Certified
- 20 Days 19 Nights
Offa's Dyke Path - 20 Days & 19 Nights
This walking adventure on the Offa's Dyke National Trail is a more relaxed itinerary.Highlights- A more relaxed itinerary on the Offa's Dyke Path
- An unforgettable 20 days in Wales and England
- Follow an ancient earthwork built by King Offa
- 16 Days 15 Nights
Pembrokeshire Coast Path - 16 Days & 15 Nights
Walk Wales's most popular national trail, the wonderful Pembrokeshire Coast PathHighlights- Hidden bays and sleepy fishing villages
- Spot seals and puffins in their natural habitat
- The smallest city in Britain, St David's
- 16 Days 15 Nights
Offa's Dyke Path - 16 Days & 15 Nights
Walk the Offa's Dyke, a classic British National Trail and appreciate the variety of landscapes.Highlights- Walk from North to South Wales in 16 days
- Criss-cross the Welsh and English borders
- Follow an ancient earthwork built by King Offa
- 8 Days 7 Nights
Walking in Snowdonia National Park
Walk in the iconic landscapes of Snowdonia National Park in surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks.Highlights- Snowdonia National Park, with its rugged peaks
- Crystal clear lakes and rivers
- Villages with huddles of grey slate houses
- 7 Days 6 Nights
Best of the Gower Peninsula
Walk the Gower Peninsula, Britain’s first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.Highlights- Home to some of Britain’s best coastal scenery
- Stay in charming Welsh villages and local pubs
- Salt marshes, freshwater pools and sand dunes
- 5 Days 4 Nights
Causeway Coast Short Break
Take a short break and walk through exceptional coastal landscapes, including the Giant's Causeway.Highlights- Picturesque Rathlin Island & its amazing birdlife
- Sample a dram of Bushmills Whiskey
- The Giant's Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
At Macs, we don’t do tour buses, groups, or guides. Instead, we give you the freedom and confidence to have your own self-guided walking or cycling adventure.
This is active travel led by you.
You choose your departure date and who you travel with, we do the rest.
We sort accommodation and luggage transfers and provide your route in an easy-to-use app.
We give you everything you need to travel independently but we're here 24/7 if you need us.
Getting from A to B under your own steam is intensely rewarding. With Macs, you'll see the world, and yourself, differently.