The Snowdonia National Park was the first National Park to be designated in Wales in 1951 and represents one of the largest, most beautiful and most challenging walking locations in the United Kingdom.
The area offers over 800 square miles of spectacular countryside with a tremendous variety of walks from day-walks allowing walkers to simply follow the path, to challenging mountain routes with steep climbs and jagged rocky outcrops where specialist navigation and hiking equipment is needed to ensure that you're safe and secure.
If you're unsure of what to take then check out our guide to day-walk equipment and longer walks.
Whilst there are many less challenging day-walks within the area, Snowdonia is typically renowned for it’s complex area of mountains that are situated within the northern half of Wales, however the southern region of this area offers plenty of open grassland and pathway for relaxed day walks. The highlight of the Snowdonia National Park is the summit of Yr Wyddfa that as 3559Ft is the highest point in England and Wales.
The mountain range within this national park is as follows from North To South;
- The Carneddau – this is the largest area within the National Park and contains seven summits over 3,000 Ft
- The Glyders – is a small area but has five summits over 3,000 Ft with the best being Glyder Fach which contains amazing rocky tops.
- The Yr Wyddfa – is highest summit in the area and therefore attracts the crowds of hikers wanting to challenge themselves with the highest point in the region.
- Moel Hebog to The Nantlle Ridge – is a fantastic range of mountains with six summits over 2,000 Ft and some of the best views across Snowdonia.
- The Moelwyns to Moel Siabod - is another fantastic range of mountains with four summits over 2,000Ft.
- The Arenigs – The key summit in this area is the Arenig Fawr at 2801 feet.
- The Berwyns – Personally, we find it the most boring place to walk in this area.
- The Arans - The highest summit is Aran Fawddwy
- The Rhinogs - To the north are Rhinog Fawr and Rhinog Fach which are rugged rocky mountains making every step forward a challenge.
- Cadair Idris - The most southerly range in Snowdonia, the key attraction is the Cadair Idris which due to it’s views which can only be described as spectacular mean that this area can be very busy in it’s peak.
One point to make, whilst this area does have some fantastic walking locations, watch out for the weather as this can be terrible with the area being renowned for it’s high level of rain each year creating some very wet and dangerous walking conditions. If you’re planning a trip to Snowdonia, then make sure that take precautions.
