The 8 Best Short Walks in Snowdonia
Ask a hiker what they know about Eryri (Snowdonia) and they’ll often respond with visions of Yr Wyddfa’s (Snowdon) towering peak, tales of tough treks up Watkin Path and stories of exhilarating scrambles over Crib Goch. It’s true that Yr Wyddfa is central to Eryri’s identity. But it would be wrong to reduce that identity to nothing greater than the majesty of a single mountain. Just like it would be wrong to reduce hiking to “conquering” peaks and feats of endurance.
Sometimes, the best hikes are brief forays into the great outdoors or relaxed adventures with family or kids who are too young to head up mountains. Sometimes, our favourite walks are the ones we steal in the few spare hours we have in the evening after work or the ones where we feel free to stop, pause and sit by the river a while. With this in mind, we’ve created a list of our eight favourite short walks in Snowdonia. In doing so, we hope to introduce you to a side of Eryri you may not know much about and give you a good excuse to slow down and savour a shorter walk or two.
1. Cwm Idwal Circuit
The Cwm Idwal Circuit is the perfect option if you want to experience the rocky, rugged nature of the mountains up close, but don’t want too tough a walk. The route takes you from Idwal Cottage, up to Llyn Idwal and into the head of the valley, where its glacial origins are very much apparent.
The route requires somewhere between an hour and two to complete, covers just over 4 km and includes 130 metres of ascent. The paths are usually in a good condition, though you will encounter a few steeper, trickier stretches and some sections can be a little wet, so make sure you’re wearing your boots and prepared for some fairly easy climbing.
There are also chances to shorten or extend the walk, depending on how you’re feeling. Got good hiking legs? You can loop around the back of the lake or take the path up to the spectacular Devil’s Kitchen. This is a pretty big jump in difficulty though and there are parts of the route that may require you to scramble. If you’re not feeling great, head up to Llyn Idwal and turn back. You’ll still enjoy spectacular scenery and stunning mountain views.
2. Aber Falls
If you’re a fan of waterfalls (and who isn’t!), this is a fantastic short walk that all the family can enjoy. Aber Falls, known as Rhaeadr Fawr in Welsh, are approximately 40 metres high and cascade spectacularly down an imposing rock face. They’re best visited after a period of considerable rain, though they’re worth checking out during dry spells, too. Be warned – this is a popular walking spot and there can be considerable crowds during busy periods.
The out-and-back route involves a 4 km hike on easy and well-established paths and includes 150 metres of gentle climbing. You can expect it to take anywhere up to 90 minutes. There’s nothing tricky or challenging about the walk, so don’t worry about attempting it with children. Most hikers start at the Bont Newydd Car Park. From there, you simply follow the paths upstream.
If you arrive at the waterfall and find that you want to extend the walk, you can loop around and join the Aber Falls Circular Route. This adds another 3 km onto the route and doubles the amount of climbing, so you’re looking at a total of two and a half hours. It also finishes at the Bont Newydd Car Park, so you don’t have to worry about making your way back to the car at the end of the walk.
3. Llyn Llydaw
If you want to experience Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) but aren’t keen to head to the summit, the Llyn Llydaw Walk is probably your best option. Departing from Pen-y-Pass, the route utilises the Miner’s Track to get you up into the mountains and face-to-face with Yr Wyddfa without having to tackle anything too strenuous. It also happens to benefit from some of the most impressive views of the mountain found anywhere in the park.
On this route, you’ll walk around 5 km and ascend a little over 100 metres. That means the route is accessible to most hikers and shouldn’t take you much more than two hours to complete. On leaving the Pen-y-Pass Car park, pick up the Miner’s Track and follow it past Llyn Teyrn and all the way up to Llyn Llydaw. The path is well-surfaced and easy to follow, so there shouldn’t be any problems there. Return via the same path.
We recommend keeping an eye on the weather forecast, though. Conditions can change quickly in this part of the park. Finally, make sure you arrive at Pen-y-Pass early – the car park almost always fills up and late arrivals may not get a spot. Rather than driving, you could always stay at the Pen-y-Pass YHA or utilise the Snowdon Sherpa service.
If you would like to extend the route, continue following the Miner’s Track up to Llyn Glaslyn. This will push the total distance up to 10 km and the total ascent to 325 metres. You’re also facing a far more challenging walk that can take up to five hours to complete. The good news is that this is an out-and-back route, so you can always just turn around!
4. Gelert’s Grave Walk
A gorgeous walk through Eryri doesn’t have to involve any climbing whatsoever, as our next route proves. The Gelert’s Grave Walk is an excellent choice for families with young children and less mobile walkers. Pushchairs and wheelchairs are no problem either, as the paths are paved and well-maintained the entire way.
On this gentle hike, you’ll visit the final resting place of Gelert – Prince Llewelyn the Great’s faithful hound. The story goes that Llewelyn returned from hunting one day to find the dog covered in blood and his son’s cot empty. In a fit of rage, he unsheathed his sword and killed Gelert, only to find his son alive and well in the next room beside the corpse of a feral wolf. Distraught at his mistake, Llewelyn buried Gelert at Beddgelert (Gelert’s Grave in Welsh).
The route starts at the heart of Beddgelert – it’s almost impossible to miss it. It is 2.6 km long and includes a whopping 32 metres of ascent, so it shouldn’t take you any more than an hour to get around. After you’ve finished up, why not grab a bite to eat in one of the quaint village cafes or restaurants.
5. Llyn Dinas Walk
The Llyn Dinas Walk takes you around the edge of one of Eryri’s most breathtaking lakes. It can be incorporated into a circular route that completely encircles the lake, but this involves walking along a road and isn’t particularly inspiring. Consequently, we recommend this walk as an out-and-back route. The easy terrain and regular changes in landscape make this ideal for families as well as for those hikers looking for a shorter, more straightforward walk.
The route starts at the Llyn Dinas Car Park and is 5 km long. Over the course of the route, you won’t climb any more than 75 metres, so it’s a good choice if you want to take it easy on the old legs. From the car park, cross the road, through the kissing gate and pick up the trail. We reckon this route takes around 90 minutes at a relaxed pace.
There are also a few options if you want a longer walk. The best option is to depart from Beddelgert, rather than the Llyn Dinas Car park, and do this route in reverse, extending it to cover Llyn Gwynant if you find yourself in no rush to get back home. Alternatively, the Cwm Bleiddiaid loop incorporates this route, while also adding a section that takes you through a hidden valley on the southern edge of Yr Wyddfa. However, this one will take roughly three hours and includes a little more climbing and rougher terrain.
6. Craig Y Fron, Y Bala
A leisurely route that departs from the historic town of Y Bala, this walk showcases the gentler side of Eryri. Think fewer crags and peaks and more rolling green and grazing land. Y Bala has been a bastion of Welsh culture and language for hundreds of years. It was home to several influential political leaders and was at the heart of the Methodist religious movement that reemerged in the 19th Century. Today, it’s a serene and beautiful spot that’s a little calmer than many of Eryri’s traditional tourist hotspots.
A 4.5 km walk, the route departs from the lakeside, travels through the town and up onto a hillside overlooking Bala. You’ll then pass an abandoned quarry, before heading back to your start point. Though the route involves a steady climb at the outset, it’s by no means difficult and is suitable for all ages and abilities. Overall, the walk shouldn’t take you any more than a couple of hours.
If you want to extend the walk or try something a little longer, there are a few additional walks that begin in Bala. The Precipice Walk is another family-oriented route that’s popular with visitors and has been featured as one of the Rambler’s Association’s “Great British Views.” For a much tougher challenge, the 45 km Mary Jones Walk replicates the barefooted pilgrimage made by the 15-year-old girl who inspired the founding of the Bible Society.
7. Llyn Ogwen
If you’re at all interested in the Arthurian legends, Llyn Ogwen is a must-visit. The relatively simple walk up to the lake ensures it’s a great one for families, rest days and post-lunch strolls, too. Llyn Ogwen is supposedly the place where one of King Arthur’s knights threw Excalibur, ensuring no one would wield the mythical sword ever again. Even if you’re not one for stories, the walk is more than rewarding and boasts jaw-dropping views of the surrounding countryside and mountainous landscape.
At 4.6 km, the route usually takes less than two hours to complete. It’s relatively easy going, though the first half of the walk can be a bit wet and boggy, particularly in winter and after any sustained rainfall. Once you round the lake, you’ll return via the road. It’s pretty quiet and there is a pavement, but some walkers opt to turn the circular route into an out-and-back route and go back the same way they came.
There aren’t too many options for extending this route into a longer walk without ramping up the difficulty quite considerably. However, Ogwen is regarded as a bit of a hiking hub and there are plenty of other walks you can attempt that depart from the village. Why not try your hand at the Cwm Idwal Circuit if you’re looking for something close-by?
8. Lon Gwyrfai
Our last suggestion is a little different, as you can choose to either walk or cycle the route. The Lon Gwyrfai trail runs between Beddgelert and Rhyd Ddu and was designed for mixed use. Walkers and cyclists share this brilliant path as it passes through forest, over the railway line and across some truly gorgeous terrain. The route is well-signposted the entire way and can be walked or cycled in either direction – although going from Rhyd Ddu to Beddgelert means the journey is largely downhill.
Lon Gwyrfai is also the only route on this list that’s over 5 km. Clocking in at almost 8km (one-way), it’s a bit more of a commitment than the other options on this list. However, the trail is bookended by railway stations, allowing you to return to your start point by train. If you do decide to cycle, make sure you book your bike on the train for the return leg, as there are limited spaces.
If you want to extend the route, there’s the short and sweet Gelert’s Grave walk in Beddgelert or the route up to Llyn Dinas. For a big day out, carry on to Llyn Gwynant and pick up the Cwm Bleiddiaid loop. However, doing so will mean you’re in for a long, long walk, so why not stopover in Beddgelert and carry on your walking in the morning?
What next?
That’s our guide to the eight best short walks in Eryri. What do you think? Have we missed any of your favourite rambles? While Eryri is rightly famous for its striking peaks and summit climbs, we think there’s a lot more to see and do beyond scaling mountains.
Eryri is one of the most beautiful parts of the world and it can be enjoyed in a wide variety of ways. It’s not all about who can go highest. Hopefully, this guide has inspired you to check out a few of the region’s shorter routes, too. Taking it easy often gives you a different perspective on the world around us and we guarantee you’ll enjoy these rich, rewarding and relaxing excursions.