Dates
We do offer private and bespoke group trips on all our treks and walking holidays. These can start on any date of your choosing, with a minimum of 4 people.
Please contact us with your preferred dates and accommodation, along with your group size.
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View Package PricesSaturday28 August 2027Sunday5 September 2027
Overview
The Snowdonia Way is a long-distance trail through the heart of the mountains of North Wales, running 97 miles (156km) from Machynlleth to Conwy. You’ll pass by the most famous mountains in Wales, including Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and Cadair Idris.
You will walk through the great valleys of Ogwen and Ffestiniog, and see ancient stone circles, castles, and market towns that have changed little over the years. Snowdonia’s landscape is incredibly diverse, with large forests, open moorland, rocky mountainsides, and sandy estuaries all within the National Park.
Highlights of the Snowdonia Way
- Passing alongside the highest mountain in Wales, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), with great views of the summit.
- Walking through the Ogwen Valley.
- The vast forests of the Dovey and Coed y Brenin.
- Crossing the Vale of Ffestiniog.
- Fascinating Welsh history and legends.
Itinerary
Each day, you will be guided along the Snowdonia Way by your qualified and friendly walking guide, and all the logistics of your trek will be managed by your trek manager, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience.
We will be with you from the moment you set off in the morning to the moment you arrive at your accommodation in the evening. You will only need to carry your day bag, with essentials to keep you warm, dry, fed, and hydrated for the day. Your main luggage will be transported to your next accommodation for you.
Everything will be taken care of so that you can just enjoy the walking!
Today you’ll arrive in Machynlleth, the ancient capital of Wales and the start of the Snowdonia Way. Your accommodation will be arranged for you, and you will just need to arrive and check-in. In the evening, you will get a chance to meet the rest of your group, as well as your guides, at a local pub for a welcome evening and briefing.
Accommodation in Machynlleth.
This is the first day of walking and when the trip really begins. Today we begin by crossing the River Dovey and heading north into the vast Dovey Forest. The route passes the old slate mining villages of Corris and Aberllefenni.
After some beautiful riverside walking, the afternoon sees us head up over a mountain pass. Then we follow tracks around the side of the great mountain of Cadair Idris, before descending into the town of Dolgellau.
Today is a fantastic introduction to the route.
Distance: 15.5 miles (25 km)
Total ascent: 750m
Time: 7-8 hours
Accommodation in Dolgellau
Heading north along the River Mawddach, today’s trail covers 14 miles (22.5km) with significant accumulated ascent. The route takes us along mountain paths and upland tracks before dropping down to cross the river and enter the forest of Coed y Brenin.
The giant trees of this forest form a spectacular backdrop as you follow tracks towards Trawsfynydd, with views of the Rhinog mountains to the west. The final descent into the town begins in wide moorland and finishes along paths through farmland, with Lake Trawsfynydd visible ahead.
Distance: 14 miles (22.5 km)
Total ascent: 790m
Time: 6.5-7.5 hours
Accommodation in Dolgellau
This is the longest day of the trek and also one of the most varied. Over the course of 18.5 miles you pass from the south of Snowdonia to the north, across the beautiful Vale of Ffestiniog. You’ll pass Lake Trawsfynydd, miles of woodland, and the wild hillsides of the Moelwyns, with the shapely mountain Cnicht as your backdrop.
The day finishes along the River Glaslyn, on a spectacular path that drops right down to the rapids before taking you safely into Beddgelert, one of the prettiest villages in Wales.
Distance: 18.5 miles (29.5 km)
Total ascent: 930m
Time: 8-9 hours
Accommodation in Beddgelert
Definitely a day of two halves, and happily one of the shortest after the previous day’s exertions. We’ll walk just under 13 miles (20.5km) with 800m of ascent. We will start out along the valley of Nantgwynant past two lakes and along quiet wooded paths. After which we will be climbing up to the pass of the Bwlch y Rhediad and its unique view of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), which has been right next to us from the start of the day.
Dropping down into the valley on the other side of the pass, we reach the ancient castle of Dolwyddelan before the town itself.
Distance: 12.75 miles (20.5 km)
Total ascent: 800m
Time: 6-7 hours
Accommodation in Betws y Coed
One of the most dramatic low-level mountain walks in Britain, we’ll begin with a traverse round the flank of Moel Siabod. We will walk through forest and open moor, before spending the rest of the day in the Ogwen Valley, which divides two of the greatest mountain ranges in Wales, the Glyderau and the Carneddau. The scale of these famous mountains will keep us in awe all the way to Bethesda, one of Snowdonia’s greatest slate mining towns.
Distance: 15.5 miles (25 km)
Total ascent: 660m of ascent
Time: 7-8 hours
Accommodation is in or near Betws y Coed.
Today we walk 12 miles and this includes two significant climbs. With the sea now visible in the north, we spend the day traversing the northern flanks of the great range of the Carneddau mountains, the highest area of land in England and Wales. The route also visits the Aber Falls, and gives you views down over Anglesey, Puffin Island, and the town of Bangor. Llanfairfechan is on the coast, and with the sea breeze you’ll know you’re nearing the end of the trail.
Distance: 12 miles (19 km)
Total ascent: 740m
Time: 6.5-7 hours
Accommodation in Conwy
The final day of the trail and it doesn’t disappoint. We begin by heading back up onto the upland tracks and paths that lead over the northern edges of the Carneddau, passing ancient stone circles and admiring the steep sea cliffs.
Walking through heather moorland we reach Conwy mountain with its Iron Age hill-forts, and then begin the descent into Conwy. With the great castle always visible ahead, we reach the town and walk along the riverfront for a brilliant ending in front of the city walls and the harbour.
This last day is a shorter one, leaving us plenty of time for a celebratory drink.
Distance: 9 miles (14 km)
Total ascent: 420m
Time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation in Conwy
Today is departure day and time to say our farewells. You can make use of the convenient train or bus station in Conwy itself.
If you need to return to Machynlleth for your car we can help you with arrangements for this.
What's Included?
The cost includes
- Accommodation for 8 nights (breakfast included)
- 7 days guided walking
- Qualified UK Mountain Leader as your guide
- Luggage transfer
- Support vehicle
- Full Information Pack
- Training advice
- Maximum group size of 12
Not included in our packages
- Lunches, snacks and dinners
- Arrival and departure transport
Accommodation Options
Bed & Breakfast
The Bed and Breakfast option provides good standard accommodation, with cooked or continental breakfast included in the price of the holiday.
The B&Bs we use are located in small towns or villages, giving you access to local shops and a choice of pubs, ensuring plenty of opportunities for an evening meal. In areas where no B&Bs are available or where facilities such as shops and pubs are lacking, we will drive you to a nearby village to ensure a better overall experience.
FAQs
This trek is graded 4/5 on our trekking scale.
A more challenging trek usually due to longer days, lots of hills and/or pathless sections over rough ground. Treks of this grade will include more remote days/stages.
For the most pat the Snowdonia Way follows valley tracks and hillside paths to link up existing rights of way. There are some steep ascents and descents to negotiate as well as some longer more strenuous days.
To help you decide if this trip is right for you, please also refer to the itinerary, which includes daily distances, ascent, and detailed descriptions of the terrain.
You can read more about our grading system in our Trip Difficulty Guide.
Please note: all long-distance walking is challenging, particularly if you are not used to walking/exercising on consecutive days. What makes a trek challenging is personal and depends on your fitness, strengths, and preferences.
The Snowdonia Way is a relatively new long-distance trail, so you perhaps isn’t one with which you are familiar. The route was devised by Alex Kendall, one of our former guides, after two years of research.
The trail was first completed as a continuous trek in December 2016 by Scarlet, the director of Thistle Trekking at the time, and Alex himself. It is therefore a route close to our hearts.
As the name suggests, this trail winds through the heart of Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park, starting in Machynlleth, just south of the park’s boundary, and ending in Conwy, to the northeast. Over the course of seven days, you’ll experience many of the highlights of this historic and dramatic landscape.
With human structures in Snowdonia dating back to 2500 BC, it’s no surprise that this area has a rich and fascinating history, steeped in legends, including those of King Arthur. Along the route, you’ll be treated to stunning views of towering mountains such as Cadair Idris, Moel Siabod, and Cnicht, as well as the powerful rapids of the River Glaslyn, glistening lakes, mountain passes, and the ancient castle of Dolwyddelan.
With its abundant scenery, legendary atmosphere, and the welcoming hospitality of Eryri, this trail is sure to become famous in its own right.
The Snowdonia Way would be a tough introduction to long-distance walking for a first timer, unless good fitness has already be acquired through other sport and activity. However, if you have walked something like the West Highland Way and found that fairly straightforward and not too challenging, then this would be a good trek for you. You can look at the daily descriptions, distances and ascents in the itinerary above to get an idea of the challenge of this trail.
If you are looking for wonderful Welsh scenery and a bit of a walking challenge then this is an excellent route for you.
You can travel to Machynlleth by car, bus or train. The trainline links to Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool via Shrewsbury. Machynlleth is also on the TransCymru bus route T2.
You will usual spend the first night in Machynlleth, 2 nights in Dolgellau, a night in Bedgellert, then 2 nights in each of Betws-y-Coed and Conwy.
This gives you the advantage of not having to repack every day while still getting to experience the different villages and towns on the trail. Whilst we cannot guarantee this is where you will be staying each night this is certainly the experience most of our customers receive.
The accommodation offers a comfortable and welcoming stay, with breakfast included to fuel you for each day’s adventure.
Machynlleth & Dollgelau – these villages are each well served by places to eat a small Co-op supermarket.
Beddgelert – a small village with a number of pubs and cafes, and a village shop.
Betws-y-Coed – a small village with 2 convenience stores, and plenty places for evening meals.
Conwy – as well as a central convenience store there are a number of supermarkets across the river, and lots of places to eat.
You will be provided with a full kit list, but as a guide you will need:
A small rucksack (around 25 litres), walking boots, waterproof trousers, waterproof jacket, hat, gloves, a spare warm layer and walking trousers (not jeans or denim), a water bottle, sun and midge protection.
With Thistle Trekking you get a personal service. We are happy to answer any questions and queries and help where we can with all aspects of your trip.
Your point of contact will be the same person from the first enquiry to the final communication before your West Highland Way trek.
Our guides are all qualified, experienced, and fun companions on the trail.
Dates
We do offer private and bespoke group trips on all our treks and walking holidays. These can start on any date of your choosing, with a minimum of 4 people.
Please contact us with your preferred dates and accommodation, along with your group size.
-
View Package PricesSaturday28 August 2027Sunday5 September 2027
