Eryri National Park
Eryri (Snowdonia): a visitor's guide
Wales' first national park, home to Yr Wyddfa, glacial lakes, forests, slate villages and mountain railways.About the park
Eryri or Snowdonia?
Eryri National Park was created in 1951, the first national park in Wales, and covers around 823 square miles of mountains, coast and valleys. The park authority now uses the Welsh names Eryri for the park and Yr Wyddfa for Snowdon, though you will still see and hear both. Its highest peak, Yr Wyddfa, is 1,085 metres, the highest mountain in Wales.The big one
Climbing Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)
Six main paths lead to the summit: the Llanberis Path (the longest but most gradual), the Pyg Track and Miners' Track from Pen-y-Pass, the Watkin Path from Nant Gwynant, and the Rhyd Ddu and Snowdon Ranger paths from the west. Allow most of a day, take proper boots, layers and waterproofs, and check the mountain forecast, as conditions change quickly and the summit is often in cloud.Pen-y-Pass car park fills early and usually needs booking in busy periods, so many walkers use the Sherpa'r Wyddfa buses or park in Llanberis. If you would rather ride, the Snowdon Mountain Railway runs from Llanberis, usually from spring to autumn and weather permitting.For car parks, postcodes and Pen-y-Pass booking, see our Snowdon parking and postcodes guide. For route-by-route detail, see Snowdon.com.Beyond Snowdon
Highlights of Eryri
Cwm Idwal and the Ogwen Valley
A glacial bowl under the Glyderau, and Wales' first National Nature Reserve, with an easy circular path round the lake. Tryfan rises above the valley.Betws-y-Coed
The forest village at the heart of the park, with Swallow Falls, riverside walks and the Gwydir Forest. Our Betws-y-Coed guide or Betws-y-Coed.comLlanberis
Lakeside village with the mountain railway, Dolbadarn Castle, the National Slate Museum and Llyn Padarn. Llanberis.comBeddgelert
A pretty stone village where two rivers meet, with walks along the Aberglaslyn Pass and the legend of Gelert.Bala and Llyn Tegid
The largest natural lake in Wales, popular for sailing, paddleboarding and the lakeside railway. Our Bala guideBlaenau Ffestiniog
Slate town surrounded by quarries, with underground tours and adventures in the old mines and the Ffestiniog Railway.Practical
Planning your visit
The main gateways are Betws-y-Coed and the Conwy Valley from the A5 and A470, Llanberis and Caernarfon from the north west, and Bala from the east. The Conwy Valley railway reaches Betws-y-Coed and Blaenau Ffestiniog, and the Sherpa'r Wyddfa buses link the Snowdon paths. Weather in the mountains is very different from the coast, so check the forecast and weather alerts, and leave word of your route if you are heading onto the high tops.See also winter walks in Snowdonia, family things to do in Snowdonia and scenic drives.FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is it Snowdonia or Eryri?
Both refer to the same place. Eryri is the Welsh name, now used by the national park authority, and Snowdonia is the English name.How long does it take to climb Snowdon?
Most people take around five to seven hours to walk up and down, depending on the path, fitness and weather.Where is the best base for Eryri?
Betws-y-Coed and Llanberis are the most popular bases, with Beddgelert, the Ogwen Valley and Bala also good choices. See where to stay in North Wales.Our local guides
Go deeper on Eryri
Snowdon.comRoute-by-route guide to Yr Wyddfa, parking, transport and the mountain railway.Visit the site →Llanberis.comLakes, slate heritage and the Snowdon Mountain Railway.Visit the site →Betws-y-Coed.comWalks, waterfalls and the forest village at the heart of the park.Visit the site →Caernarfon.comThe castle town and the Welsh Highland Railway into the mountains.Visit the site →Harlech.comHarlech Castle and the coast on the park's western edge.Visit the site →
Our town guides around the park: Betws-y-Coed, Bala, Caernarfon, Bangor, Conwy and Pwllheli and Llŷn.Plan your trip
Stay in Eryri
Search hotels, B&Bs, inns and cottages in and around the national park.Search places to stay in Eryri
Live prices and availability from Booking.com, for hotels, B&Bs, guest houses and holiday homes.
