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Snowdonia & the North Wales Coast: Route Guide

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Conwy Castle above the estuary
Photo: Nilfanion · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

A medieval walled town, slate mountains and the highest peak in Wales, threaded by narrow-gauge steam railways.

Snowdonia & the North Wales Coast is a 140 km one-way journey (self-drive). It works best as 3–5 days; the plan below is the 4-day version for June, built from 110 verified places, with real road-routed transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

3–5
days
140km
distance
5
Stops
110
curated stops

Plan your own version → 3-day plan · 4-day plan · 5-day plan · best time to go

The route

Conwy→ 25 kmBetws-y-Coed→ 25 kmLlanberis→ 12 kmCaernarfon→ 38 kmPorthmadog

What you'll see

Conwy castle
Enjoy sea views and green hills from historic stone walls.
Conwy
Dolwyddelan Castle
Gaze up at the imposing tower of an ancient fortress.
Betws-y-Coed
Dolbadarn castle ruins
Walk among the weathered stones of a majestic fort.
Llanberis
Caernarfon Castle
Explore imposing stone walls of this medieval fortress.
Caernarfon
Welsh Highland Heritage Railway
You will hear the whistle and feel the gentle rumble of a historic train winding through scenic Welsh landscapes.
Porthmadog
The Smallest House in Great Britain
Visit the narrowest house officially recorded in the UK.
Conwy
Conwy Valley Railway Museum
Ride a mini steam train and explore tram tracks.
Betws-y-Coed
Padarn Country Park
Hike through the grounds of a UNESCO-listed quarry.
Llanberis

Choose your length

3-day plan17 stops · 5.8 h transit5.7 stops/day · 1.9 h transit/daySee the full plan →4-day plan22 stops · 5.2 h transit5.5 stops/day · 1.3 h transit/daySee the full plan →5-day plan29 stops · 4.6 h transit5.8 stops/day · 0.9 h transit/daySee the full plan →

When to go

Best months: May, June, July, August, September

The mountain railway runs to the summit and the passes are clear — prime Snowdon weather, by Welsh standards.

See the month-by-month breakdown →

Similar journeys

Plan your own version →