Snowdonia National Park covers 800 square miles, mainly in Gwynedd, in mountainous North Wales but also has 37 miles of coastline and stretches from seaside Aberdovey and Barmouth to Conway Castle. Snowdon stands at 3500ft, the highest peak in England and Wales. Fourteen other 3000ft+ peaks in Wales are clustered in three ridges; Snowdon Massif, Glyderau and the Carneddau . The Welsh 3000s is a tough challenge to climb all 15 peaks and walk 24 miles in 24 hours. Plas y Brenin is the National Mountain Centre in Capel Curig near Betws y Coed. Blaenau Ffestiniog is deliberately outside Snowdonia National Park to allow new industry to replace the decimated slate mines. The ten Great Little Trains of Wales were originally narrow gauge railways to haul slate to the coast, but now offer delightful sightseeing. These include Lalanberis Lake in addition to the well-known Snowdon Mountain Railway. The National Whitewater Centre near lake Bala, offers white-water rafting and canoeing year round as the water levels are artificially controlled.
Snowdonia National Park is also great for...
Snowdonia National Park boasts mountains, lakes and charming villages that ooze Welsh culture during the day, but as an International Dark Sky Reserve, it is also an amazing place to gaze up at the night sky.
So the home of Wales' highest mountain has made it onto our list of top stargazing locations this winter. Discover more about the entire list, using our interactive stargazing map.
