|
History
of Snowdownia National Park
Snowdownia
National Park is a recent creation and covers a much wider area than the
traditional Snowdownia, extending inland from the coast between Penmaenmawr and
Caernarfon by way of Bethesda to Bala Lake and Llanfairfechan. Access to a
beautiful part of this area, including Snowdon itself, is made easier by the
Snowdon Mountain Railway, which starts from Llanberis. 'Eryri' is the Welsh name for Snowdonia, the Land of the Eagle. This park is
one of the most popular hiking and climbing places in Britain. Not only does it
offer rugged mountain scenery, but also beaches, dunes and valleys. It contains
over 50 lakes and smaller pools. The park features a rich cultural heritage;
roman remains, prehistoric circles, stone walls and sheep farms.
Tourist
Attractions in Snowdownia National Park
Bala
On the eastern edge of Snowdonia the A 4212 leads to Bala Lake, with the little
market town of Bala (pop. 1,600), a lively holiday place at the foot of the
Aran and Berwyn Mountains. Its main attractions are the 4mi/6km long lake,
which offers ideal conditions for sailing and angling, and the Bala Lake
Railway, a narrow-gauge railroad which runs
... Morealong
the shore of the lake.
Beddgelert
... More
Beddgelert (pop. 500), the village at the confluence of the rivers Colwan and
Glaslyn, is one of the most charming little places in Wales, a favorite
starting point for walks and climbs, situated as it is at the junction of three
main roads. From Moel Hebog, a 2 hours' climb from here, there is a splendid
panoramic view extending out into Cardigan Bay. One road from here descends to Caernarfon,
another runs northeast through Nant Gwynant, the valley of the Glaslyn and one
of the most beautiful in Wales.
Gilfach
Ddu - Welsh Slate Museum
The workshops of the Welsh Slate Museum in Gilfach Ddu were built in 1870 for
the slate quarry of Dinorwic, which at the time was the largest in the world,
and consists of a huge amphitheater carved directly into the slopes of the
Elidir mountains.
Snowdon
Mountain Railway
The easiest method of ascending Snowdon from Llanberis is provided by the
tiny Snowdon Mountain Railway. It steams up to the summit of Snowdon at a speed
of little more than 5mi/8km an hour, passing through Hebron, Halfway and
Clogwyn stations. There is a bus service, the "Snowdon Sherpa",
serving Porthmadog, Beddgelert, Llanrwst, Betws-y-Coed, Capel Curig, Caernarfon
and Llanberis, all good starting points for trips into Snowdonia. There are National
Park information centers at Llanrwst, Llanberis, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Harlech,
Bala, Conwy, Aberdyfi and Dolgellau. A variety of waymarked trails, each only a
few miles long, enable visitors to become acquainted with the scenery, flora
and fauna and geology of the region. There are five waymarked and relatively
safe and easy routes to the summit, starting from Llanberis, Pen-y-Pass,
Beddgelert, Nant Gwynant and the Snowdon Ranger. The most direct route, albeit
the least attractive, is the one from Llanberis; the best ascent is to start
from Beddgelert and return to Pen-y-Pass, or vice versa.
How
to reach Snowdownia National Park
By rail:
Train: Llandudno Junction Station, Blaenau Ffestiniog Station or
Penrhyndeudraeth Station
By Road:
Bus: Public services.
By Air:
Manchester Airport.
Photo Gallery | Hotels | View Map
|
