Snowdonia by Motorhome

Snowdonia - or Eryri as it is properly called in Welsh - packs more drama into a small area than almost anywhere else in Britain. Mountains that look like they belong in the Alps, slate valleys with an industrial heritage now recognised by UNESCO, a coastline on the Llyn Peninsula that most visitors to Wales never discover, and an adventure activity scene that has turned the national park into an adrenaline destination as much as a walking one. About three hours from our depot via the M62 and A55, making it a comfortable day's drive for a week or more in the mountains.

Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)

The highest mountain in Wales and England at 1,085 metres, and the one everyone comes for first. Six paths to the summit ranging from the gentle Llanberis Path (9 miles return, the most popular, the most crowded) to the terrifying Crib Goch ridge scramble (only for experienced scramblers with a head for heights - people die on this route every year, do not underestimate it). The Miners' Track and Pyg Track from Pen-y-Pass are the best compromise: dramatic, achievable for reasonably fit walkers, and the views from the top on a clear day stretch to Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Lake District.

If walking is not your thing, the Snowdon Mountain Railway from Llanberis takes you to the summit station. Book ahead in summer - it sells out. The cafe at the top (Hafod Eryri) is the highest building in Wales and serves a decent cup of tea with the best view in the country.

One critical point: you cannot drive a motorhome up the Llanberis Pass or park at Pen-y-Pass car park (small, height barriers, full by 7am in summer). Park at Llanberis and take the Sherpa bus service up the pass. This is much less stressful than trying to squeeze a motorhome into a mountain car park.

Beyond the Summit

The rest of Snowdonia's mountains deserve as much attention as Snowdon itself and get a fraction of the visitors. Tryfan in the Ogwen Valley is the classic scramble - Adam and Eve, the two rocks on the summit, are a rite of passage for Welsh hillwalkers. The Glyderau above Ogwen are a moonscape of shattered rock. The Carneddau to the north are the highest continuous area of ground in Wales with wild ponies roaming the summits. Cadair Idris in the south of the park is dramatic and less crowded than Snowdon - legend says anyone who sleeps on the summit wakes either a poet or a madman.

For gentler walking, the Watkin Path to the lower sections of Snowdon is beautiful without needing to summit. The walk around Llyn Gwynant is flat and lakeside. Beddgelert, a village at the meeting of two rivers, has the story of Gelert the faithful hound (almost certainly invented for tourism in the 1700s, but charming nonetheless) and several excellent walks into the surrounding valleys.

Adventure Activities

Snowdonia has reinvented itself as an adventure destination. Zip World Velocity near Bethesda is the fastest zip line in Europe - you fly face-down over a flooded quarry at up to 100mph. Zip World Caverns at Blaenau Ffestiniog is an underground adventure through a disused slate mine with zip lines, rope bridges, and trampolines inside a mountain. Surf Snowdonia (now Adventure Parc Snowdonia) near Dolgarrog has an artificial surf lagoon, indoor climbing, and assault courses. None of these existed ten years ago. They have transformed the park's appeal for families and groups who want more than walking.

The slate heritage is genuinely fascinating. Blaenau Ffestiniog was once the slate capital of the world, roofing buildings from London to Australia. The mines are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Ffestiniog Railway, one of the oldest narrow-gauge railways in the world, runs 13 miles of remarkable scenery from Blaenau to Porthmadog. The Llechwedd Slate Caverns offer underground tours into the mountain.

The Llyn Peninsula

Most visitors to Snowdonia never reach the Llyn Peninsula, which stretches westward into the Irish Sea below the mountains. This is a different Wales - quieter lanes, sheltered beaches, Welsh-speaking communities, and a pace of life that slows right down. Abersoch is the sailing and surfing hub. Porth Dinllaen has a pub (the Ty Coch Inn) sitting directly on the beach that regularly features in "best beach pubs in the world" lists. Aberdaron at the tip of the peninsula looks across to Bardsey Island, the "island of 20,000 saints." The Wales Coast Path follows the entire peninsula and the walking is outstanding.

The Llyn is where you come when you have had enough of mountains and want sand, sea, and silence. A week combining the Snowdonia mountains with the Llyn coast is one of the finest motorhome trips in Wales.

Campsites

Llyn Gwynant Campsite is set beside a lake among the mountains and is one of the most beautifully situated campsites in Wales. Hardstanding bays with electric hook-ups. Bryn Gloch near Caernarfon sits at the foot of Snowdon with 80 touring pitches and views across the Snowdonia ranges - AA Best Campsite in Wales winner. Riverside Touring Park in Betws-y-Coed has 59 hardstanding pitches and is walking distance from the village shops and pubs. Graig Wen near Dolgellau has 40 acres of woodland and wildflower meadows and won the Green Snowdonia Award for sustainability.

Roads and Practical Tips

The A55 along the north coast handles any motorhome and is the main approach. The A5 through Betws-y-Coed and the Ogwen Valley is scenic and manageable. The A498 through Beddgelert is narrower but fine with care. The Llanberis Pass (A4086) is steep and narrow - manageable in a 2 or 4 berth but a tight squeeze in a 6 berth, and parking at the top is almost impossible. Use the Sherpa bus from Llanberis instead.

Overnight parking in car parks is not permitted anywhere in Eryri National Park. You must use designated campsites. Do not risk it - enforcement has increased significantly.

Welsh road signs are bilingual. Satnav sometimes gets confused by Welsh place names - carry a map as backup. Fuel is available in Caernarfon, Betws-y-Coed, Blaenau Ffestiniog, and Porthmadog.

When to Visit

May to June for wildflowers and long days without school holiday crowds. July and August for the best weather but the busiest mountains - Snowdon summit can feel like a motorway on a sunny Saturday. September for quieter paths and early autumn colour. Winter for dramatic snow-capped peaks (Snowdon in snow is spectacular from below even if you do not climb it) and Zip World runs year-round.

Snowdonia connects to the wider Wales touring route - Pembrokeshire to the south, the Brecon Beacons further still. The Lake District is about two hours east across the top of England. A weekend covers Snowdon and one other area. A full week covers the mountains and the Llyn Peninsula. A fortnight lets you combine Snowdonia with Pembrokeshire for the complete Welsh experience.

Dogs are welcome on most mountain paths (keep on leads near livestock) and many Llyn Peninsula beaches. Browse our fleet and check our packing checklist. Bring proper walking boots and waterproofs - mountain weather changes in minutes. And bring your own bedding. We do not provide duvets or towels.