The Snowdonia Way

Discover the sparkling mountain streams, dramatic valleys, lush wooded hillsides, and expansive moorland along the Snowdonia Way, a remarkable long-distance trail winding through the heart of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park. Spanning 156km (97 miles) from Machynlleth in the south to Conwy in the north, this iconic route leads you through a landscape steeped in history, from ancient druids and Roman invaders to the legends of King Arthur and the great Welsh princes.

Perfect for adventurous walkers able to tackle a day on rolling terrain with a backpack, this comprehensive guidebook breaks the Snowdonia Way into 6 manageable daily stages, including an alternative high-level route through the mountains. Along the way, you’ll encounter fascinating relics of the region’s industrial heritage, spot wildlife and cascading waterfalls, and enjoy welcoming pubs and cafés.

The Snowdonia Way is described from Machynlleth in the south to Conwy in the north, with each stage featuring 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey maps to guide you confidently through the key towns, villages, and landscapes along the route.
Stage-by-stage route descriptions lead you from the historic market town of Machynlleth, through vibrant communities such as Beddgelert and Bethesda, to the castle town of Conwy on the north coast.
Opt for the alternative 9-stage high-level route to traverse Eryri’s most dramatic mountains, summiting iconic peaks like Cadair Idris near Dolgellau, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) above Llanberis, Cnicht, and the Glyders, while experiencing breathtaking views across Snowdonia’s heartland.
Clear, step-by-step directions are supported by detailed maps and downloadable GPX files, ensuring easy navigation whether you’re crossing open moorland above Machynlleth or descending to the coastal walls of Conwy, using either GPS devices or smartphone apps.
Each stage provides distance, walking time, ascent, terrain summary, and highlights of the route, helping you plan every step from Machynlleth to Conwy and the villages and valleys in between.
Detailed 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey maps offer precise navigation on every stage, whether you’re navigating the foothills above Dolgellau, the wooded valleys near Beddgelert, or the open ridges leading to Conwy.
Each stage lists refreshment stops and accommodation options in welcoming towns and villages along the way, including Machynlleth, Dolgellau, Beddgelert, Bethesda, and the historic walled town of Conwy, so you can rest and refuel throughout your adventure.


Plan your Snowdonia Way adventure with confidence and experience the best of the Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park with this definitive guidebook to one of Wales’ finest long-distance walks.

Seasons

Both the main route and mountain route can be walked throughout the year, though in winter conditions the mountain route requires full winter mountaineering equipment.

Centres

Machynlleth, Abergynolwyn, Dolgellau, Trawsfynydd, Penrhyndeudraeth, Beddgelert, Pen-y-Pass, Dolwyddelan, Capel Curig, Bethesda, Llanfairfechan, Conwy

Difficulty

Though the walking days are long, the main route is mostly easy to navigate and stays at a low level, only crossing passes when necessary. Walkers should be used to full days out. The mountain route requires good navigation and includes a considerable amount of ascent, sometimes with no path.

Must See

Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Cadair Idris, the Glyders, Llyn Trawsfynydd, the Ogwen Valley, the Vale of Ffestiniog, Aber Falls, the Pass of Aberglaslyn, Llyn Gwynant, Llyn Ogwen, Nantgwynant, Coed y Brenin, the Moelwyns, Moel Siabod, the Carneddau, Machynlleth.

CONTENTS
Map key
Transport map
Overview map
Route summary table
Introduction
The Snowdonia Way
Landscape
Plants and wildlife
Geology
History
Understanding Welsh
When to go
Getting there
Accommodation
Planning your itinerary
Route difficulty
What to take
Maps and GPS
Safety
Using this guide
The Snowdonia Way
Stage 1 Machynlleth to Dolgellau
Stage 1A Machynlleth to Abergynolwyn (mountain route)
Stage 1B Abergynolwyn to Dolgellau (mountain route)
Stage 2 Dolgellau to Trawsfynydd
Stage 2A Dolgellau to Trawsfynydd (mountain route)
Stage 3 Trawsfynydd to Beddgelert
Stage 3A Trawsfynydd to Penrhyndeudraeth (mountain route)
Stage 3B Penrhyndeudraeth to Beddgelert (mountain route)
Stage 4 Beddgelert to Dolwyddelan
Stage 4A Beddgelert to Pen-y-Pass (mountain route)
Stage 4B Pen-y-Pass to Capel Curig (mountain route)
Stage 5 Dolwyddelan to Bethesda
Stage 5A Capel Curig to Bethesda (mountain route)
Stage 6 Bethesda to Conwy
Stage 6A Bethesda to Conwy (mountain route)
Appendix A Accommodation
Appendix B Facilities tables
Appendix C Useful contacts
Appendix D Further reading