I'm debating whether to take the train trip on Snowdonia Railroad from Llanberis to the top of Mount Snowdon or the trip on Festiniog Welsh Railway from Caernarfon to Beddgelert. Has anyone done one or the other or both? The price is comparable but I'm not sure of the length of time each trip is. I was leaning towards Snowdonia before I found out you only get 30 minutes at the top of the mountain before you have to re-board the train for the trip back down. That doesn't seem like a lot of time to sit and enjoy the view or walk about a little. But I do like the idea of traveling through Snowdonia and seeing the mountains. Does anyone know what the trip on Festiniog is like - what do you see?
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
You actually have a choice of three. In addition to the Snowdon Mountain Railway, there's the other one you mentioned from Caernarfon which is properly called the Welsh Highland Railway. The Festiniog Railway starts at Porthmadog.
I have ridden all three and would recommend the Snowdon Mountain Railway (note a slight difference in my terminology from yours). However, I hike a lot in Snowdonia and am highly prejudiced toward the higher elevations which provide excellent views. For starting points, Caernarfon is probably the best because of its castle. Porthmadog is an interesting small town which I like (especially for its small harbor), but many would consider nothing special.
Posted by
BC, Canada
345 posts
If you want to guarantee a trip on the Snowdonia, be careful. Busy days book out in advance, but even in summer they have days where they're clouded in and there's no view. It was cloudy and obstructed on my day there, so I walked instead and had a lovely day. Met a Welsh mining demonstrator that I think might be a serial killer, he had that vibe, lol. And bought a lovely necklace in Llanberis, and some amazing mead. Mmmm.
In the area, I loved Caernarfon, Beaumaris, and Conwy. Mmm, cream cakes in Conwy.
Northern Wales is magical and lovely.
Posted by
OP
Amherst, OH, United States
13 posts
Replies from Ed and JumpinBug bring up a couple of more questions.
First: What do you think of the 30 minutes allowed between the trip up and the trip down on Snowdonia? Is that enough to do or see anything? And Second: Is there a reliable weather forecaster (tv, computer, etc,) one could check a day or two before to see if Mount Snowdon is going to be fogged in or clouded over? I noted that you both enjoyed hiking up or down Mount Snowdon, and 10 or 20 years ago I could have done that too, but age and unreliable feet no longer allow a 4 to 10 mile hike up and down mountains so I don't think a one-way trip will work for me. Thanks, Diane