Snowdonia

Snowdonia is one of the eleven National Parks of England and Wales, and is the second largest after the Lake District. About 45 mins drive from our self catering holiday rental cottages here on the Lleyn Peninsula- it is home to over 26,000 people , with a spectacular mountain range- and Snowdon - Yr Wyddfa" being the highest at just over 3560 feet above sea level.

With 15 summits over 3,000 feet and over a hundred lakes over an acre in size,the Snowdonia National Park has one of the most beautiful and unspoilt countryside in north west Wales. It also offers loads of opportunities for modern outdoor activities including rock climbing, scrambling and hill walking. Watersport activities include canoeing or kayaking on the rivers, or surfing, sailing, wake boarding and sea kayaking off the coast of the Lleyn Peninsula.

Snowdon

An estimated half a million people climb to the summit of Snowdon every year, from the unexperienced climbers to some of the most well known mountaineers. Indeed, this was the area where members of the first successful attempt on Mt Everest trained.

Snowdon has its own unique bio-diversity of plants and rare flowers,even volcanic rock formation and fossils on the summit .A summit beacon will name the spectacular mountain ranges for you, as well as pinpointing important landmarks ( weather permitting !)

There are 7 main walking routes to the summit, namely the Llanberis Track,Pyg Track (Pen y Gwryd), Miners Track, Watkin Path, Rhydd Ddu Track, Snowdon Ranger,and the Snowdon Horseshoe.

The Snowdon Mountain Railway operates a train service from late spring until the Autumn, and the new Visitors Centre at the summit , known as Hafod Eryri -is now open. It offers the latest weather forecast for climbers, advice on descent routes as well as a brand new cafe and facilities. Incidentally,there is a "Halfway Cafe" situated on the Llanberis path , which offers light refreshements during the busiest periods.

Started in 1976, the yearly Snowdon Race takes place in summer, with over 500 competitors running to the summit and back to try to break the record of 1 hr 6 mins. The race sets off from Parc Padarn in Llanberis and the runners follow the Llanberis path to the summit, before returning back to the village. Snowdon is also noted for its inclusion in the Three Peaks Challenge.

(Click here for outside link to www.Snowdon.com .)

(Click here for outside link to Met Office weather forecast for Snowdon )

For more walks around Snowdonia, click on this BBC website.