Southern Snowdonia Self-Guided Walking Tour 2026

Check-in at the hotel is available from 4pm. Enjoy a complimentary cream tea on arrival.

Accommodation: Dolserau Hall (D, T)

Check out the Discovery Point Library at the country house – stocked with maps, walks and local area information. 

For stays of 3 nights, you will have 2 days at your choice.

For stays of 4 nights, you will have 3 days at your choice.

For stays of 7 nights, you will have 6 days at your choice.

Accommodation: Dolserau Hall (B, L, D)

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home. (B)

Our easiest routes, allowing plenty of time to savour the magnificent mountain landscapes. All our walk notes suggest the best places to stop, great pubs, and tea rooms.

• Black Waterfalls – 1 mile
• Castell-y-Bere – 1 mile
• Llandanwg Beach – 1 mile
• Mawddach Viewpoint – 1 mile
• Torrent Walk – 2 miles
• Coed-y-Brenin Waterfalls – 2 miles
• Dolgoch Falls – 2 miles

Some longer walks on valley and lakeside paths, plus a few of the easier hills. Experience the true flavour of Snowdonia as you follow these varied routes.

• Brithdir & Torrent Walk – 4 miles
• Barmouth Bridge – 4 miles
• Bird’s Rock – 5 miles
• Blue Lake & Fairbourne – 5 miles
• New Precipice Walk – 6 miles
• Abergynolwyn & Castell-y-Bere – 6 miles
• Arthog Waterfalls & Blue Lake – 7 miles

For those who love the high mountains. Expect some rough paths as you head to some of these famous summits, but there are plenty of rewards when you reach the top.

• Llanfachreth & the Precipice Walk – 12 miles
• Cadair Idris via the Pony Track – 5 miles
• Cadair Idris via the Minffordd Path – 7 miles
• Aran Benllyn – 7 miles
• Cadair Idris via Llyn-y-Gadair – 8 miles
• The Arans – 10 miles

Walkers in the know head to southern Snowdonia to uncover one of Wales’ best-kept secrets. Stood in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park, just a couple of miles from the attractive market town of Dolgellau, Dolserau Hall makes a superb base for getting off the beaten path.  The tranquillity of the location wraps around you. A smart country house with breathtaking views from every room, attractive gardens and vistas that stretch across the valley to the summit of Cadair Idris, you’re surrounded by rural inspiration. Depending on what mood strikes, explore the Rhinogs, take on a classic ridge walk with great views, set foot on the Mawddach Trail or follow the coast to Harlech, where the eponymous medieval castle stands on a wonderful position overlooking the sweeping sands of Cardigan Bay. Croeso I Cymru, as they say around here.

Take a steam train ride on these two heritage railway routes to enjoy Snowdonia’s spectacular scenery from the comfort of a railway carriage. The Ffstiniog Railway runs from Porthmadog to Tan y Bwlch while the Welsh Highland Railway runs from Caernarvon to Beddgelert. The station at Porthmadog is about a 40-minute drive from Dolserau Hall while Caernarvon station is just over an hour away.

Snowdonia is noted for its concentration of narrow gauge steam railways, all of which offer highly scenic journeys – there are 11 to choose from. For a truly unique day out you can take the Snowdon Mountain Railway to the summit of Snowdon (best to book in advance as tickets can sell out quickly on busy days). The railway runs from Llanberis – about 1 hour 20 minutes from Dolserau Hall.

Located at Llanberis, the excellent (and free!) National Slate Museum tells the story of this once extensive industry. You can see slate being cut by hand, the huge waterwheel that powers the machinery and the fascinating quarrymen’s houses which show their development over the centuries. Llanberis is around 1 hour 20 minutes’ drive from Dolgellau.

Built by King Edward I after his conquest of Wales, Caernarfon Castle is one of the most impressive and well preserved fortifications in the principality. Along with neighbouring castles at Harlech, Beaumaris and Conwy, it now has World Heritage status. Caernarfon is around 1 hour 10 minutes’ drive from Dolgellau.

The seaside town of Criccieth is around 50 minutes’ drive from Dolgellau and full of Victorian character. You could visit the ruins of Criccieth Castle, relax on the beach, or sample the excellent ice cream at Cadwaladers parlour – open since 1927! 

Harlech Castle occupies a superb vantage point overlooking the coast and the mountains of Snowdonia. Built by Edward I, its imposing walls were built by 1,000 skilled craftsmen between 1283 and 1295. The castle is about 45 minutes from Dolgellau.

Located near Bleanau Ffestiniog, about 40 minutes’ drive from Dlogellau, the Llechwedd Slate Caverns are one of the area’s most popular attractions. Take the underground railway deep into the mountain where a knowledgeable guide will tell you how slate was hewn by hand. 

Situated in the Conwy Valley, about 50 minutes’ drive from Beddgelert, the National Trust’s Bodnant Gardens have impressive collections of colour and views of the Snowdonian mountains. 

The grand house at Plas Newydd enjoys glorious views overlooking the Menai Straits. Built for the 1st Marquess of Anglesey, the house itself is impressive, as are the extensive gardens. Now managed by the National Trust. Around 1 hour 20 minutes’ drive from Dolgellau.

This quaint and fascinating Italianate village was the brainchild of the architect Clough Williams-Ellis. It is also well-known as the setting for the cult 1960’s TV series The Prisoner. Portmeirion village is around an hour’s drive from Dolgellau.