Are you ready for an adventure like no other? It’s time to hire a motorhome, pack your bags, and embark on a Snowdonia road trip. This stunning region has dramatic mountain ranges, flowing rivers, pristine beaches, picturesque villages, and much more. Snowdonia National Park is filled with heritage and history and is one of the places the Welsh are most proud of.
Snowdonia, or Eryri National Park as it is known in Welsh, is difficult to explore completely in just four days, but we’ll do our best with this Snowdonia road trip itinerary. We’ve rounded up the best things to do in Snowdonia, including hiking the infamous Mount Snowdon itself, exploring mines, walking on beaches and even exploring the Italian Riviera — yep, you heard it right.
Without further ado, let’s dive into this itinerary for a road trip in Snowdonia National Park, best completed in a motorhome, obviously.
Day 1 — Aberdyfi and Mach Loop
Let’s start this Snowdonia road trip itinerary with one of the most beautiful places in the region. Aberdyfi is where the mountains of Snowdonia National Park meet the dazzling blue sea. It’s located right on the edges of the national park and is a perfect seaside village to ease into your holiday.
You can enjoy the 4.5 miles of golden sands and colourful village centre, before heading further to the Mach Loop. This massive valley is a wonder to behold and one of the best places to see the RAF jets training. It’s free to park here, so take your time and enjoy the feeling of entering your holiday.
Things to do in Aberdyfi:
-Take a stroll down the Old Roman Road. Spoiler: it isn’t actually Roman! This coastal path was created in 1809 to allow horse traffic to Machynlleth. It offers incredible views, abundant wildlife, and small rivers to cool off in as you walk.
-Visit Llyn Barfog, also known as ‘Bearded Lake.’ The legends of this gorgeous area date back to King Arthur, who supposedly defeated a monster here. No monsters will disturb you present day, so you can enjoy a lovely walk and picnic.
-If the weather is feeling particularly un-British, you can head to Aberdyfi Beach. This gorgeous stretch of golden sand is usually not too crowded, even on the warmest days of summer. If the weather takes a turn or you’d simply prefer to spend some time inside, we recommend heading to ArtWorks Aberdyfi, a lovely non-profit gallery that supports local artists.
Staying at: Graig Wen
Graig Wen, Arthog, Dolgellau LL39 1YP, United Kingdom
52.722370, -3.993124
The owners of this campsite have gone to great lengths to preserve the wild nature of this camping site, and it’s certainly paid off. Pitch your motorhome in 40 acres of native woodland and wildflower meadows — no wonder it received the Green Snowdonia Award for ‘Most Sustainable Campsite’! So raise a glass or mug of something delicious to the first night of your holiday at one of the best Snowdonia campsites.
Day 2 — Talsarnau and Portmeirion
Enjoy a relaxed cup of tea or coffee before you pack up your motorhome and head on the road — you’re on holiday, after all! Then drive to Talsarnau. This peaceful village is often missed on Snowdonia road trip routes, but it’s well worth a morning of exploring. You can walk along its peaceful beaches, which tend to be far less crowded than others in the area. Keep an eye out for ospreys, which are known to frequent the region.
Did you know that you could visit the Italian Riviera without ever leaving the UK? Well, Portmeirion certainly fits the bill! This town is the brainchild of eccentric architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, and it’s truly unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. Filled with pastel-coloured Mediterranean-style buildings and manicured gardens, Portmeirion looks slightly out of place in the UK, but that’s the sheer beauty of it.
Things to do in Portmeirion:
-Take a stroll through the Gwyllt, a ten-hectare woodland and Edwardian wild garden designed by Caton Haigh. Expect plenty of camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolia trees and maidenhair trees, as he was a world authority on Himalayan flowering trees and exotic plants.
-One of the best things to do in the stunning town of Portmeirion is simply to walk around it. The Rough Guide to Wales once described it as “a gorgeous visual poem,” so walk along the colourful houses with their neat gardens. At the Central Piazza, you’ll find a larger-than-life chessboard, the Gothic Pavilion, Bristol Colonnade, Hercules Hall and Belvedere, and more.
-Take a journey on the famous Cambrian Coast Railway, or the lesser-known Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways. This is a great way to explore more of the local area through a steam train. The nearby town of Porthmadog is home to the Porthmadog Maritime Museum and the nearby Glaslyn Wildlife Centre, as well as many shops, cafes and galleries.
Staying at: Llech Camping and Touring Site
Llechollwyn, Ynys, Talsarnau LL47 6TH, United Kingdom
52.901653, -4.087613
This family-friendly campsite is small, rustic, and welcoming to all passersby. It offers grassy pitches with an incredible view of Snowdon and the surrounding Rhinog Mountains. They rent out a maximum of thirteen pitches to ensure it’s never too crowded, so you can enjoy a relaxing evening by your motorhome. You can hire a fire pit at the reception, which comes with a complete kit so the only thing you need to bring is a bag of marshmallows.
Day 3 — Beddgelert and Llyn Gwynant
The charming town of Beddgelert looks like something out of a fairytale… and it actually is! It was named after the Welsh legend of the faithful hound Gelert, a story full of love and betrayal. We recommend learning more about it, but only if you’ve got a box of tissues close to hand!
This tragic story will feel thousands of miles away as you explore this delightful village. It’s filled with flower-adorned buildings, overlooking a river that winds through the heart of the village.
Then head further to Llyn Gwynant, one of North Wales’ larger lakes and an amazing place to watch the sunset. Your campsite for the night is right around the corner, so you won’t have far to drive in the dark.
Things to do in Beddgelert:
-If you’ve still got those tissues to hand, visit Gelert’s Grave. There’s a statue and tombstone dedicated to this faithful hound, and it’s set in a beautiful area.
-Spend some time exploring Llyn Gwynant. There’s a 2.5-mile trail circling the lake, which is popular for hiking, running and walking. It’s in good shape, so it can be tackled with a pram.
-Visit the Sygun Copper Mine, which received the Prince of Wales Award for tourism. It’s considered to be an impressive example of how industrial heritage can be reclaimed and transformed into something new. You can follow a self-guided audiovisual tour throughout the winding tunnels and large colourful chambers of the mind. You’ll see plenty of stalactite and stalagmite formations along the way, and maybe even learn the difference between them. Round it off with some panning for gold above ground. This is one of our favourite things to do in Snowdonia, especially with little ones.
Staying at: Llyn Gwynant Campsite
Nant Gwynant, Caernarfon LL55 4NW, United Kingdom
53.051646, -4.015833
This campsite is easy to spot thanks to its position beside ‘Wolf Rock.’ This rock was once believed to be the ruins of an ancient Celtic castle, but it turned out to just be a rock. Nevertheless, it’s a stunning spot, and an amazing campsite.
The lake is fed by the icy river Glaslyn and is also well-known as a popular Osprey nesting site. You can hire kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddle boards on-site. But if you’re looking for something a little less active, and a little more relaxing, you can enjoy the yoga sessions held on the shore of the lake.
Day 4 — Capel Curig and Betws-y-Coef
Start the final day of your road trip in what’s known as the heart of Snowdonia, Capel Curig. This small mountain village has a big reputation, especially among outdoor enthusiasts. People often come here as a base for exploring Mount Snowdon, or simply for venturing out into this gorgeous mountainous region.
You can easily spend a whole day here, or head further to Betws-y-Coef, the last destination in Snowdonia that we’ll recommend for this itinerary. This small town has a lot of character, and a lot of commerce. It’s a great place to get a feel for what it’s like to live in these parts.
Things to do in Capel Curig:
-Head to Rhaeadr Ewynnol (Swallow Falls), an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This is where the River Llugwy flows through a natural chasm, creating a spectacular waterfall. You can wander through the beech, conifer and birch trees, and get right up to the river edge.
-Capel Curig lies at the foothills of Mount Snowdon itself, so there’s no better place from which to tackle this mountain. There are various paths up the mountain, ranging in difficulty. For example, the Llanberis path is the easier but the longest, due to easier gradients and well-trodden paths. Check out the best walks in Snowdonia.
-Betws-y-Coef is a lovely town worth visiting. It’s filled with independent shops selling crafts, gifts, local homemade produce and clothing. You’ll find plenty of outdoor gear shops to get you kitted out for Mount Snowdon. And if you get hungry, grab a table at one of the award-winning bistros, pubs and restaurants.
Staying at: Gwern Gof Isaf Farm
Capel Curig, Betws-y-Coed LL24 0EU, United Kingdom
53.121815, -3.965761
Located snugly at the base of Tryfan’s 3,000-foot peak, this has been one of the most popular Snowdonia campsites for years. Back in 1952, Sir John Hunt stayed here as a base for his Everest training hikes. It’s the perfect campsite for active holidaymakers, as you can go climbing and abseiling on-site. A thrilling end to your Snowdonia adventure!
All the best things must come to an end, including this Snowdonia road trip itinerary. This trip can easily be further extended, by exploring the northern coastline of Snowdonia National Park or visiting Anglesey. Either way, we have no doubt that you’ll quickly return to this stunning region — it’s impossible to stay away! So happy road-tripping, and enjoy surrounding yourself with this beautiful stretch of nature.
