Snowdonia
Home to Snowdon – the highest mountain in England and Wales – and the rugged, rocky peaks of the Glyders, Carneddau and Rhinogs
SNOWDONIA IS AN outdoor lover’s paradise, full of mountains and hills that scream ‘adventure’ from every gully, crag and rocky ridgeline. Snowdon is the standout attraction, and why shouldn’t it be? At 1085m tall it’s the highest mountain in England and Wales, and one of the most impressive massifs you’ll find anywhere in Europe. There are 10 recognised routes to the top – some perfect for families, others ideal for adventurous hikers, and others – like the razor-sharp ridge of Crib Goch – that should only be attempted by experienced scramblers with nerves of steel and a solid head for heights. Snowdon is also one of the busiest mountains in the world, mostly because it’s a wonderful place to walk and partly because there’s a trainline that delivers you directly to the summit café if you want to save your legs!
If you visit Snowdonia, you should definitely climb Snowdon, but don’t forget the rest of this National Park. To the north-west you’ll find the iconic peaks of the Ogwen Valley: the spiky scrambler’s playground of Tryfan and the Glyders on one side, with the hulking mass of the Carneddau on the other. The Carneddau mountains cover the largest continuous
area of high ground south of Scotland, with their grassy slopes and rounded tops perfect for walking, and the ponies that roam their slopes adding to the drama of the landscape. Further south you’ll find the rugged, muscle-bound Rhinog hills and the multi-topped monster of Cadair Idris, with its mighty cliffs draped in myth and legend.
If you don’t fancy the mountains, you can marvel at the waterfalls, stroll through the forests, explore the relics of Snowdonia’s industrial past, and lose yourself in the luscious green valleys. Then keep coming back again, and again, and again...