| Great Escapes: North Wales 2 |
The Snowdonia National Park covers 840 square miles of North Wales and can lay claim to some of the most magnificent scenery and dramatically contrasting landscapes in Britain.
The park is named after Mt Snowdon which, at 3560ft, is the highest mountain in England and Wales. But this is just one of the high peaks you will encounter on our 68-mile scenic driving route. Look out, too, for ice-age valleys, still lakes, cascading waterfalls, lush woodlands and some of the prettiest villages you could imagine.
We've picked a variety of faster main roads as well as more scenic minor roads for your driving enjoyment. Be sure to stop at designated parking areas en route, to enjoy the wonderful scenery, and do follow any foot and mouth restrictions which may still in place at the time you travel.
Start here
The start point for our driving tour is the car park next to the Motor Museum in Betws-y-coed. For Betws-y-coed, take the A5 from the east. Or, from Llandudno in the north take the A470 and turn right over the bridge where it meets the A5.
1. Betws-y-coed, Conwy valley
Our route starts in the Conwy valley, which runs from the foothills of Snowdonia National Park to the coast. Betws-y-coed is a stone-built town which nestles in the swooping wooded hills of the Gwydyr Forest – the name itself means chapel or (sanctuary) in the wood.
In the 19th century it was widely acknowledged to be the home of artists and the paradise of Wales. It's simply stunning and located at the meeting place of the Conwy, Llugwy and Lledr Rivers. As might be expected, this makes for ideal walking country. Foot and mouth restrictions permitting, it's a two -and-a-half mile walk to the Swallow Falls in the west, and two miles south to the equally marvellous Conwy Falls.
All the shops here cater for those interested in outdoor pursuits, so you can stock up on anything, here, from Calorgaz canisters to thick walking socks.
2. Past the peaks to Llanberis
Zero your car's trip counter, exit the motor museum and turn right on the A5. Pass a number of delightful looking stone pubs (e.g. the Minor's Bridge Inn at 1.2 miles on the left) and hotels (including the Swallow Falls Hotel at 2.4 miles on the left where you can stock up on ice cream, Welsh fudge, pasta and pizza for the journey ahead).
At 5.4 miles, bear left onto the A4086 for Capel Curig, passing the
Plas-y-Brenin National Mountain Centre at 5.6 miles – the perfect venue for all sorts of outdoor pursuits.
• A number of soaring, 3000ft-plus peaks tower to your right, here. These include Tryfan, Glyder Fach and Glyder Fawr. Away to the left you will see the sole peak of Carnedd Moel-siabod.
At Pen-y-Gwryd, at 9.5 miles, bear left onto the A486: this is a temporary diversion from the main route.
• The beginning of the descent to Beddgelert, down the Aberglaslyn Pass, is extremely pretty so be sure to stop in the dedicated parking lay-by on the right at 10.5 miles and absorb the views.
The steep, slate faces of the foothills of Yr Wyddfra (Snowdon itself ) loom above you on the right and you may see any number of melt-water streams meandering down the side of the mountain. Further down the pass shimmers lake Llyn Gwynant.
Return to the A4086 and bear left for Llanberis and Caernarfon. The road ascends to the Snowdonia National Park rangers' outpost at Pen-y-pass, then descends the Llanberis Pass, which runs dramatically between Snowdon and the massive rock slabs of the Glyders. Entering the village of Llanberis, pass the Snowdon Mountain Railway on the left at 17.6 miles (for more on this, see our Railways-themed tour, page 88), then follow the signs, turning off right, for Electric Mountain, arriving at 18.1 miles.
The village of Llanberis is the starting point for the railway ascent (for more on this, see our railways tour on p88) and the easiest walk, to the summit of Snowdon. Electric Mountain is just one of a number of attractions to visit in the village and has a good, interactive visitors' centre which features the story of how hydro-electricity is generated and then fed into the National Grid System. Continue on the A4086 to Caernarfon, arriving at 25.8 miles.
3. Caernarfon
This ancient town overlooks the Menai Strait and is dominated by the superb castle, a medieval fortress built by Edward I at the end of the 13th century in order to secure a foothold in Wales.
The old castle walls still mark the perimeter of this delightful little market town. And, on the hill above the town, half a mile east, is the site of the Roman military settlement known as Segontium, and this, too is worth a visit.
Follow the signs for the A4085 southbound for Beddgelert. At 27.2 miles go straight on at the roundabout, signposted A4085 Beddgelert. Pass the Bryn Gloch caravan park at 30.4 miles on the right (for more on this, see our parks guide on p96). The road continues to wind along the valley floor here, lined for miles by traditional stone walling. At 36.8 miles, on the right, is Beddgelert Forestry Commission Caravan & Camping Site (see page 84 for more on this). Enter Beddgelert at 37.8 miles.
4. Beddgelert
Three valleys meet in the picturesque little village of Beddgelert. There are a number of forest trails and walks in the surrounding woodland, but please make sure you heed any foot and mouth restrictions that may be in operation when you visit.
According to legend the village was named after Llewellyn the Great's faithful dog, Gelert, who saved Llewellyn's son but was later killed by the prince in a fit of temper.
However, modern research has revealed that an 18th-century inn-keeper, named David Pritchard, had merely invented the story and passed it on to a ballad writer. This 200 year-old 'marketing ploy' remains, in itself, a kind of post-modern marketing gimmick to this day.
Take the A486, in the direction of Capel Curing, to the Sygun Copper Mines on your right at 38.8 miles (for more on this see our
Mining-themed tour on p86).
• It's worth driving this section of road for the views of the river Glaslyn, on your right, which amounts to a mountain torrent if there has been a lot of recent rainfall.
5. Blaenau Ffestiniog
Return to Beddgelert, arriving at 39.8 miles, and this time turn left on the A4085. Bear left at 41.7 miles, on the A4085, and continue through the winding stone-built town of Llanfrothen to the A487 at 47 miles. Turn left on the A496 at 50.9 miles. Then, bear right at the fork in the road at 52.2 miles for Ffestiniog, then turn left onto the A470 road to Betws-y-coed/ Ffestiniog at 53.4 miles. You can park your car in the car park next to the railway station at 56.2 miles.
The village of Blaenau Ffestiniog grew up in the mountains around the slate mining industry, and although the slate tips which tower over the town are now deserted they are nevertheless starkly beautiful.
The village is most famous, though, for the narrow gauge Ffestiniog Railway, which operates both a steam and diesel locomotive service between here and Porthmadog (for more on this, see our Railways-themed tour "Let off steam").
6. Lunch or evening meal
Turn right at the end of Church Street at the roundabout for Betws-y-coed on the A470 at 56.5 miles. Pass the Lechwedd Slate Caverns at 57.4 miles on the right (for more on this, see our tour of the copper mines and slate quarries, on p86). Bear sharp right over the bridge, at 67.5 miles, then bear left to return to Betws-y-coed on the A5.
In Betws-y-coed, The Waterloo, which is adjacent to the BP garage and the Little Chef, is a good place to stop for lunch or an evening meal. Generous portions are served from the wide-ranging menu. |
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Distance 68miles.
Time Six hours.
Start/Finish Motor Museum car park, Betws-y-coed.
Suitable for All the family.
REFRESHMENTS
Pont-y-Pair, Betws-y-coed.
Tel 01690 710407
Pen-y-Gwyrd, Nant Gwynant.
Tel 01286 870211
Bryn Tyrch, Capel Curig.
Tel 01690 720223
INFORMATION
Tourist Information
Tel 01286 672232 (Caernarfon); 01286 870765 (Llanberis); 01766 890615 (Beddgelert).
ATTRACTIONS
Electric Mountain, Llanberis.
Tel 01286 870 636
Sygun Copper Mine, Beddgelert. Tel 01766 510100
Caernarfon Castle, Caernarfon. Tel 01286 677617
TIP
Carry out basic car maintenance checks before going on any long journey (e.g. engine oil, water, etc). If you inflated your rear tyres for towing, reduce their pressure for driving solo.
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