Itinerary for 2 days in North Wales and The Sherpa buses vs. Snowdon Mountain Railway

Posted by wamyous1 on 04/22/24 01:43 AM

We'll have two and a half days in North Wales. On the agenda is Mount Snowdon, Caernarfon Castle, Conwy Castle, Gwydir Castle, Betws y Coed and maybe Beddgelert if time, though we're open to suggestions. Our crew tires easily, so this may be too ambitious. One site per day is probably better. So tough to choose!

We thought we'd take one day to explore Snowdonia, do some short walks here and there and the mountain railway looks lovely. It is expensive, however, and only allows for 30 minutes at the top. I just learned of the Sherpa buses that would allow more opportunities for walking/hiking, but also seeing several of the villages. Does anyone have experience with either and have an opinion on which is better? If you have used the Sherpa bus system, how easy is it to do this? Are the bus times/frequency posted reliable? We will have a rental car, but would like to be mindful of adding emissions to the environment, so these options are appealing. However, if much easier (less stressful) to drive, we'll do it. Thoughts?

Also, is it possible to spend a few hours in Snowdonia and also see either Beddgelert or Caernarfon castle in the same day? Too exhausting? We have a reservation in Betws y Coed as we wanted to be close to Gwydir Castle in Llanwrst, which is the top priority due to ancestry.

Thanks! Amy

Posted by James

04/22/24 08:08 AM

2573 posts

One of the problems in Snowdonia is that the car parks are not big enough to cope with demand. This has led to some people parking on the side of the main roads and getting towed away by the police. They are trying to encourage use of the Sherpa bus network - though I have not used it and just used my car.

The car park at Pen-y-Pass gets full very early as this is the highest point on the Llanberis Pass & the start of a path up Snowdon from the NE. However, I would not advise climbing the mountain from here as you end up on an arête with sheep drops on both sides. I did however, park in Llanberis village & took the mountain railway to the summit - which can get crowded as people queue to have photos taken on the summit of the highest mountain in Wales & England. If you want to climb Snowdon, the easiest route is from Llanberis village and takes about 3 to 4 hours one way. So, to climb up and down is basically a day gone.

I would suggest you drive the following route:> Leave Betws-Y-Coed on A5 to Capel Curig - then A4086 and A498 to Beddgelert. The S through Aberglaslyn Pass - where you turn L to A4085 to Penrhyndeudraeth > visit nearby Portmeirion. Then A487 to Caernarfon to see the castle. Return to base by A4086 over the Llanberis Pass. Alternatively, if you are running out of time after Portmeirion - head back to base via Blaenau Ffestiniog - which is an unattractive former slate mining town.

Two and a half days is really not enough time to see everything in NW Wales. When you go to Llanwrst, you might like to consider continuing to Bodnant Gardens.

Posted by richard

Yorkshire

04/22/24 10:47 AM

1349 posts

Ths short walk up Cwm Idwal is worth a wander.
For a quiet walk in the hills if you go up the crazy steep road to Cwm Eigiau, Lyn Dulyn is on a well made track.

Posted by wasleys

Lincolnshire, UK

04/22/24 08:43 PM

2279 posts

I've never been enamoured by Snowden Mountain Railway.
They run the trains full and unless you get a window seat the views are going to be restricted.
You don't get long at the top and share it with the world and his wife... It will busy and noisy.
You need to be book in advance (as you can't guarantee getting a ticket if you just turn up...
You don't want to go up if it is raining or low cloud as you won't be able to see the views...

If you do get to Beddgelert, there is a lovely and very easy walk to Gelert's Grave

Posted by wamyous1 OP

04/23/24 11:46 PM

2 posts

Thanks very much! Yes, I wish we had more time, but it's either 2+ days, or none, so we're packing the rest of the trip pretty tightly in order to go at all. Looks so amazingly beautiful!