10 Best Things to Do in Snowdonia National Park

Swallow Falls is a system of multiple waterfalls on Afon Llugwy in Snowdonia National Park. Known locally as ‘Rhaeadr Ewynnol’, or ‘Foaming Waterfall’, the spectacular 42-metre natural waterfall draws many visitors for its unique appearance and surrounding scenery of the Llugwy. You can see the falls from the car park nearby, but the best views come from walking the footpath along the northern bank. You can also hike around the falls to see the beauty of the Gwydir Forest and the river.

Dolbadarn Castle is an imposing fortification that offers tours of the grounds to see the remains of a once-dramatic defence structure. Constructed in the 13th century by Llywelyn the Great, a Welsh prince, the castle resides at the base of Llanberis Pass and served as an important fortress for military use and royal status. When you visit, you can enter through the courtyard to see the towers, round keep and curtain wall, some of which are ruined from past warfare. The interior staircase remains, and you can climb to the upper storey to take in the views.

The Ogwen Valley is a vast glacial valley with soaring peaks, tranquil lakes and historic towns to explore on a hike. Several hiking trails travel through the valley and along stunning natural landscapes like the glacial landscape of Cwm Idwal and the upland lakes and waterfalls near Glyder Fawr. At the summit, you can see spectacular views of Snowdon and the surrounding northern Wales landscape. More adventurous types can enjoy mountain climbing on Tryfan or Carnedd Llewelyn, which are among the highest peaks in the country.

Tŷ Siamas is an interactive, multipurpose facility dedicated to Welsh music that features stag performances and music lessons. Housed within a grand Victorian building in a former marketplace, the building has been used as a cinema, public gallery, disco hall, concert hall and festival venue over the years. Now, it serves as a national centre for the folk music of Wales and focuses on the revival of Welsh customs and culture. During your visit, you can take music lessons on instruments like the violin or piano, or you can see a concert or event that’s scheduled during your stay.

Llechwedd Slate Caverns is a fascinating attraction that illustrates the history of slate quarrying in Gwynedd through mine tours. When you visit, you can take the Llechwedd Deep Mine Tour that travels on the steepest narrow-gauge railway in the UK into the slate caverns. You might also enjoy the Quarry Explorer Tour, which showcases the history of mining in the region. Several other attractions are available in Llechwedd Slate Caverns, such as mountain biking trails, zip-lining, underground trampolines in the caverns and more.

The Trefriw Woollen Mills has been in operation since 1825 and can be seen on tours that showcase the full wool production process, including raw wool spinning, dyeing and weaving. Once complete, the wool is used to create tapestries, rugs and tweed fabric. The mill also has a gift shop where you can purchase local goods, and you can visit the garden to see plants that are used for natural dyes and fibres. In the summer months, the mill hosts demonstrations of wool production and rug making.

The Centre for Alternative Technology is a fascinating eco-centre that demonstrates and teaches sustainable living and development through tours and exhibits. Though the facility began with a focus on alternative technology, it now offers information on all aspects of sustainable living. You can tour the facility or take courses to learn about organic farming, renewable energy, sustainable architecture, gardening and more. The centre also has a shop that sells eco-friendly items and a restaurant where you can try organic, farm-to-table foods.

The Snowdon Mountain Railway offers scenic heritage rides from Llanberis to the peak of Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales. The railway has some distinction, being in operation for over a century and the only public rack and pinion railway in the UK. On the ride, you’ll see stunning views of the countryside and sweeping landscape views of the park from the peak of Snowdon. Some of the sights include a towering waterfall in the gorge, Rocky Valley and Eryri, known as the ‘Land of the Eagles’.

The Menai Strait RIB Ride offers an exhilarating, unique ride through the Menai Strait, passing landmark bridges like the 1850 Britannia Tubular Bridge and the Menai Suspension Bridge. Short for Rigid Inflatable Boat, a RIB is a high-performance boat that reaches incredible speeds for thrills on the water, while still providing a safe and comfortable ride. On your trip through the shallow tidal waters, you may also see the adorable colony of puffins that live on Ynys Seiriol, an uninhabited island, and historical landmarks like the Caernarfon Castle and Napoleonic Fort Belan.

Zip World Bounce Below is an exciting attraction that takes you into a subterranean playground with caverns to find all kinds of fun experiences. The caverns hold activity areas like giant slides that travel between levels, giant bouncy nets above the cavern and passageways through the old slate mines. During the tour, the caverns are lit by multicoloured neon lights for an enchanting feel. Whether you’re taking the kids or want some whimsical fun for adults, Zip World Bounce Below provides once-in-a-lifetime thrills in a historic landmark.