ROAD TRIP TO SNOWDONIA AND NORTH WALES

A ROAD TRIP TO NORTH WALES


When you are looking for some inspiration where to go for a long weekend break or summer holiday in the UK, here is my tip.

I think the best places to visit are North Wales and Snowdonia National Park. 

If you want to get away from busy life and cheer up new energy Snowdonia offers spectacular landscape and mountains. To enjoy beaches and historic places are worth to visit Anglesey Island or Wales coast. 

I visited North Wales during April. I spent there 4 days. Personally, I think it is the nicest place I have ever visited in the UK. The weather there is unpredictable but I had there mostly sunny days.

Snowdonia National Park

It is third most popular national park in Britain. It is situated at north-west Wales. You can find there the highest mountain of Wales and England called Snowdon (1,085 m).
If you like an adventure, Snowdonia offers lot of activities you can do it. As I have already mentioned the weather is unpredictable and usually, it change every 5 minutes. According to weather condition I would divide the activities into two categories such as good weather and nasty weather.
When are conditions good for hiking or scrambling I would recommend to do trails which offer Snowdonia.
If you are beginner in hiking I would recommend to take easier path to Snowdon. The most popular trail is Miners Path. If you want something less touristic with free parking I would recommend Ogwen Waterfalls or Watkin trail.
If you want to do something more exciting I can recommend Crib Goch trail to Snowdon or trail toward Devil's Kitchen. However, before you decide to do this two path please have a look on YouTube if you are able to do it. I am afraid of highs and I had to gave up in the middle of trail as mountain is too steep.
When are the weather conditions unsuitable for hiking such as raining, snowing or foggy "don't worry" you can still fill the day with different sort of activities.

Something adrenaline such as the zip line!
Zip World Velacity: The fastest zip line in the world and longest in Europe. I didn't try this one but I've been recommended by many people to try it. The price is from £75 per person.

Underground trampoline in a cave! Rough Guides is a trampoline built in a old mine in the centre of Snowdonia.

If you are looking for an activities for children Betws-y-coed is great centre for activities.

Glyder Fawr and Devil's Kitchen:

On the first day of arrival, I fell on one of the most difficult trail in Snowdonia. Devil's Kitchen is good for scrambling but in my option unsuitable for people with out previous an experience in a scrambling or a climbing.
What to take from you:
Obviously, you need a good hiking shoes and waterproof clothing as the weather can change any time and you may get a wet. Good camera to catch a spectacular view to lake and mountains.
You will need touristic map as the mobile reception is very poor and I didn't have any Internet. So you can forgot about Google maps!
You can find there plenty of free parking and this place is not so busy then Snowdon (parking is expensive and difficult)

Watkin Path and Waterfalls

On the second day I took easier Watkin Path along Waterfalls. The path terminated at Snowdon mountains so this is one of the option how to get to Snowdon (approximately 4h). There is lots of free parking and trail is mainly not difficult.

Caernarfon Castle

Caernarfon Castle is located on the north coast of Wales in the small royal town called Caernarfor. The castle is dated to 11th century. Inside of castle you can fine a museum about history and wars. Moreover, you can see there a short film about Coroner of Charles, Prince of Wales from 1969. After the tour you can walk toward the town centre and explore port or small farmer market.
Entrance to castle cost £9 per person. There is lots of parking around the castle but you need to pay for it.

Isle of Anglesey

Anglesey is an island situated on the north coast of Wales. You can get there by a car from Bangor bridge. There are many things to see on the island. There are 5 lighthouses operational around the coast of Anglesey. You can spend whole day at Beaumaries town and explore castle or posh old town. You can take a trip to Holyhead lighthouse or town. I spend one day at Trwyn Du lighthouse and Ynys Llanddwyn lighthouse. On the way from Penmon I stopped at Beaumaries. I think whole coast of Anglesey is spectacular. A cliffs and stone beaches are beautiful.

                                     

Trwyn Du lighthouse, Penmon

The lighthouse is situated on the east coast of Anglesey. You can get there from Penmon village and I took off road to beach. I had to pay a toll to get there with a car to beach but it was only £2. In the background you can see Puffins Island. You can find on the beach perfected round stones which are very precious. On the way back I stopped at Penmon village where is old ruin of monastery. 

Ynys Llanddwyn lighthouse 

An spectacular lighthouse from famous Demi Moore film (The Half Light) is situated on the west coast of Anglesey. I parked the car and Itook the walk true the forest of coniferous trees. It took me 1.5h to get to the beach. There is nice sand beach with glamorous lighthouse. You can see there lots of places from the film. From the lighthouse is a spectacular view to Snowdonia mountains. 

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