Walk the Snowdonia Slate Trail from village to village
Inaugurated in 2017, this unique trail melds the industrial heritage of mining with the stunning landscapes of Snowdonia National Park in North Wales. The loop navigates the terrains where Welsh slate and minerals have been extracted for centuries, weaving through mountain passes and descending into the towns that housed the laborers who worked these slopes.
Beginning at the serene Menai Straits in Bangor, The Snowdonia Slate Trail ventures south, offering a detour for those wishing to summit Snowdon or Yr Wyddfa (pronounced Uhr-with-va) from the vibrant town of Llanberis. The official slate trail loop starts in Bethesda and takes you through an array of natural wonders, including high moorlands, forests, and riverside paths. It skirts past quarries that have carved out the mountains, revealing startling blue pools below. Along the route, walkers can discover social enterprises and community projects that illuminate the rich slate mining history of the region. The journey concludes with a leisurely descent into the historic town of Caernarfon.
Highlights of the Snowdonia Slate Trail from Bangor to Caernarfon
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Snowdonia Slate Trail from Bangor to Caernarfon Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Bangor
Make your own way to Bangor. This is on the London to Holyhead rail route.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Bangor
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Bangor to Llanberis
From Porth Penrhyn near Bangor, the trail heads out along the old Penrhyn Quarry Railway beside Penrhyn Castle, then heads off along the North Wales Path tracing the route of the (river) Afon Ogwen. There is some open mountainside Walking below Moel Faban with views of the Carneddau and Glyderau and the extensive grey-blue spoil tips of Penrhyn Quarry. You then descend via Hen Barc, into the winding streets of Bethesda. After a coffee or lunch break you now head off through the heart of the slate industry climbing out of the Ogwen Valley to Mynydd Llandegai by riverside paths and minor roads.
There is a section of wild moor crossing Gwaun Gynfi, it can be a bit indistinct for a section but then some good paths lead to Parc Padarn, the National Slate Museum of Wales passing the recently restored Dinorwig Quarry Hospital, and crossing the Padarn Railway into Llanberis.This small former mining town is now quite a tourist hot spot with outdoor shops, cafes and of course the Snowdon railway. We would recommend an extra night here in order to ascend Snowdon the highest point in Wales, either on foot or by rail. Or you can walk around the lake, hire kayaks or even wild swim!
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Llanberis
Distance: 22km, 617m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 LLanberis to Beddgelert
Leave Llanberis, to follow the lanes and the North Wales Pilgrims’ Path onto the hillside high above the village.Then along a wide track, passing through forestry and quarry workings, before field paths into Waunfawr, where it might be time to visit Antur Waunfawr's café. Eventually, open moorland is reached with views of Mynydd Mawr and the rugged Nantlle Ridge ahead. Soon you pass the slate workings of the Nantlle Valley and the trail passes beneath the towering slate tips and between gaping quarries before emerging in the village of Nantlle.
There follows an easy walk along the valley bottom before a boggy ascent, to the forest and a descent into Rhyd Ddu with its Welsh Highland light railway, pub and café. The last leg of the day follows the recently established ‘Lon Gwyrfai’ recreational trail. It is a pleasant and easy walk along way-marked paths and forest trails, with views of Snowdonia’s highest mountains, finally reaching the village of Beddgelert.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Beddgelert
Distance: 32km, 861m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Beddgelert to Blaunau Ffestinigog
Out of Beddgelert the trail follows the Afon Glaslyn along a paved path through parkland close to the grave of a famed medieaval dog called Gelert. After crossing the river and the railway, take the rugged path, crossing bridges and along boardwalks hugging the sheer rocks at the Aberglaslyn Pass.
The trail then ascends to the National Trust car park at Nantmor,where a narrow lane takes you through the pretty village to Bwlchgwernog where the drovers` road crosses the moorland to Croesor, a tiny hamlet located at the foot of Cnicht, the Matterhorn of Wales! There is then a wild and strenuous leg, climbing the side of the Croesor valley to Croesor quarry. There are waymarks but careful navigation is also needed to reach the remote Rhosydd Quarry, from where a broad track drops down to Cwmorthin Lake and its abandoned settlement with a forlorn and roofless chapel. Then follow the track down alongside the tumbling river and walk down to the Lakeside Café at Tanygrisiau. Finally, you follow field paths and tracks to Blaenau Ffestiniog. look out for the River of Slate in the central car park.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Blaunau Ffestinigog
Distance: 23.5km, 937m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Blaunau Ffestinigog Betsw y Coed
From town there is a short steep walk down through the Woods to continue to the end of Cwm Bowydd, where you take field paths into the hidden gem of a gorge called Cwm Teigl with its pretty cascades. Then walk up the field paths to Llan Ffestiniog and the Pengwern pub. Leaving the village there are some open and sometimes boggy moors where good route finding is necessary. A descent through quarry workings takes you to Cwm Penmachno before a final climb and subsequent descent through the forest to the old mining village called Penmachno where you might want to visit the Heritage room about the history.
Forestry tracks take the trail down to Roman Bridge, after which the road is followed to Conwy Falls Café. A pleasant track passes the beautiful Fairy Glen before a short woodland Walk leads to bustling Betws y Coed with its Waterloo Bridge, a Grade I listed cast iron bridge, spanning the river, built by Thomas Telford constructed in the year of the Battle of Waterloo 1815.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Betws y Coed
Distance: 29.5km, 898m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Betsw y Coed to Bethesda
This beautiful section leaves Betws y Coed by a well-engineered riverside walk, passing the famous Swallow Falls where a narrow but safe path clings to the cliffs above the swirling torrent. Enjoy the view of these spectacular falls before continuing alongside the river.
Reaching the road at The Ugly House which was built in 24 hours, a steep pull up a lane takes you into the Gwydir Forest and good woodland tracks. Once out of the woods, the stunning panorama of Snowdon, Moel Siabod, the Carneddau and the Glyderau open up as you drop down into Capel Curig. After a look round you can enjoy a virtually level walk to the head of the impressive U-shaped Nant Ffrancon valley and a few easy-ish miles of minor road down this beautiful valley, after which you join the Lon Las Ogwen cycleway. This takes you around the slate tips of the Penrhyn Quarry before a short cycleway takes you back into Bethesda.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Bethesda
Distance: 27km, 638m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Bethesda to Caernarfon
The Grand finale today takes under the flank of Moel Faban, at Llanllechid Church, join the riverside footpath along the Afon y LLan to cross the pastures to the mill race of the River Ogwen, then crossing the main roads the trail heads north along the river bank of the Afon Cegin to retrace your steps into Bangor. Here you turn westerly along the Menai Strait and through the Nant Porth Nature Reserve. This leads to pass the stunning Menai suspension Bridge completed by Thomas Telford in 1826.
Continue through Treborth Botanic gardens passing the Britannia Road Bridge. Deviate inland to cross the Nanty Garth at Aber Pwll, before resuming your trajectory to Carnarfon. The Castle is one of the largest and most imposing fortifications built by the English in Wales. In 1284, they established the county of Caernarfonshire and Caernarfon was made the seat of English government in north Wales. Today it is a World Heritage site and is said to have a higher proportion of Welsh speakers than anywhere else.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Caernarfon
Distance: 23.9km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Depart After Breakfast
Arrangements end after breakfast.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: 22.3km, 739m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
This self-guided tour is always run as a private tour for your group only.
2024 Departures
The departures are available daily. All the prices below are per person.
- Solo traveller: $2,825 USD
- Single room (travelling with group): $2,095 USD
- Sharing a double room: $1,525 USD
Accommodation on Snowdonia Slate Trail from Bangor to Caernarfon Tour
There is a variety of accommodation along the route ranging from bed and breakfasts, country inns and small hotels. They are run by walker friendly hosts offering rooms and a tasty breakfast to get you ready for the walk ahead. Further facilities such as washing and drying facilities, packed lunches and packed lunches are available in some accommodations, you will be advised on your listing of what is available.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Hotel/BBs in Snowdonia
Stay in cozy local hotels and BB’s along your route in Snowdonia
What’s Included in the Snowdonia Slate Trail from Bangor to Caernarfon Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts are included. Packed lunches can be booked and paid for on arrival at your accommodation.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
This tour includes luggage transfers for your luggage; however, you are in charge of any personal transfers needed.
Also Included
- Detailed documents, guides, route maps, and GPX tracks
- Emergency telephone support hotline for the duration of the tour
- Pre-planned route
Not included
- Flights
- Guide services
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Travel insurance
- Tourist hotel tax, payable each night at hotel
- Visas if required
- Airport transfers
- Gratuities for drivers, servers, or other staff if desired
Optional Extras
- Single occupancy upgrades
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