Snowdonia

Snowdonia is the jewel of North Wales, a national park of soaring mountains, glacial lakes, ancient forests, and a coastline that rivals anything in the British Isles. At its heart stands Yr Wyddfa — Snowdon — the highest peak in England and Wales at 1,085 metres, but the park encompasses far more than a single mountain. From the wild Rhinogydd range in the south to the Carneddau in the north, from the slate valleys of Blaenau Ffestiniog to the sandy beaches of the Llyn Peninsula, Snowdonia offers motorhome travellers an extraordinary range of landscapes within a compact area. The drive from our Pontefract depot takes around three and a half hours via the M62 and the A55, making it a comfortable day's journey.

The route westward is straightforward and scenic. Take the M62 toward Manchester, then the M56 and A55 across the top of Wales. As you cross from England into Wales and the mountains begin to rise on your left, the excitement builds. The A55 runs along the North Wales coast through Colwyn Bay and Conwy before you turn south into the heart of the park. Alternatively, the A5 from Shrewsbury follows Telford's historic coaching road through the Dee Valley and over the Horseshoe Pass — a more leisurely and dramatically scenic approach.

Yr Wyddfa itself can be climbed on foot via six well-established paths, ranging from the relatively gentle Llanberis Path (nine miles return) to the dramatic Crib Goch ridge, which is a genuine scramble requiring a head for heights. For those who prefer a less strenuous ascent, the Snowdon Mountain Railway climbs from Llanberis to the summit station, offering spectacular views without the exertion. The summit cafe, Hafod Eryri, provides shelter and refreshments at the top — welcome on the many days when cloud rolls across the peak.

Beyond Snowdon, the park's other mountain ranges are equally rewarding and considerably quieter. The Glyderau, including Tryfan with its famous Adam and Eve summit rocks, offer challenging scrambles and extraordinary geological formations. The Carneddau to the north are the highest continuous area of ground in Wales and support a herd of wild ponies. The Moelwynion above Blaenau Ffestiniog provide more modest walking with outstanding views across the slate landscape.

Blaenau Ffestiniog itself is a fascinating town, its terraced houses and massive slate tips telling the story of an industry that once roofed the world. The Llechwedd Slate Caverns offer underground tours deep into the mountain, and the Ffestiniog Railway — one of the oldest narrow-gauge railways in the world — runs from Blaenau down through thirteen miles of stunning scenery to the coastal town of Porthmadog. A ride on this railway, with its vintage carriages and steam locomotives, is one of the essential Snowdonia experiences.

The coast around Snowdonia is often overlooked by visitors focused on the mountains, but it is superb. The Llyn Peninsula stretches westward into the Irish Sea, its quiet lanes, sheltered beaches, and Welsh-speaking communities offering a pace of life that feels a world away from the mountain crowds. Abersoch is a popular sailing and surfing destination, while Nefyn and Porth Dinllaen — where a pub sits on the beach — are quintessential Welsh coastal villages. The Wales Coast Path follows the entire peninsula, providing walking that combines sea views with rolling farmland.

Betws-y-Coed, at the eastern gateway to the park, is the traditional base for exploring Snowdonia. Set at the confluence of three rivers in the Gwydyr Forest, the village is surrounded by waterfalls, walking trails, and mountain bike routes. Swallow Falls, just outside the village, is one of the most visited waterfalls in Wales. The village has good facilities for motorhome travellers, with Riverside Touring Park offering pitches beside the River Llugwy.

For adrenaline seekers, Snowdonia has reinvented itself as an adventure sports destination. Zip World at Penrhyn Quarry near Bethesda operates the longest zip line in Europe, sending riders at up to 100 miles per hour across the vast quarry. Surf Snowdonia at Dolgarrog offers inland surfing on an artificial wave lagoon, while mountain biking trails at Coed y Brenin forest park near Dolgellau are among the best in Britain.

Motorhome campsites in Snowdonia are plentiful and well-maintained. Bryn Gloch Caravan and Camping Park at Caernarfon sits beneath the mountains with views of Snowdon. Cae Du Campsite near Tywyn offers beachside pitches on the Cardigan Bay coast. Llyn Gwynant Campsite, set beside a lake in the heart of the mountains, is one of the most beautifully situated campsites in Wales. Most offer electric hook-ups, waste facilities, and easy access to walking routes.

From Pontefract, Snowdonia is a genuine adventure destination that feels far removed from everyday life. The combination of dramatic peaks, industrial heritage, stunning coastline, and a living Welsh culture makes it unlike anywhere else in Britain. A motorhome gives you the freedom to explore all of it at your own pace, moving from mountain to coast to forest without the constraints of fixed accommodation.