Snowdonia - Snowdonia visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Snowdonia' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Gwynedd.

Snowdonia National Park is a popular tourist destination in Wales. Known as 'Eryri' in Welsh, Snowdonia covers 838 square miles (2,170 km²) and is filled with lovely countryside, mountains, valleys and rivers. Named after Snowdon, the English name for the highest mountain in Wales, the region has seen human occupation since Neolithic times. It is therefore also rich in ancient historic sites, monuments, castles and other buildings.

Snowdonia National Park was founded in 1951, the first such park in Wales. It covers a region much larger than Snowdonia itself, and can be divided into four main ranges. The northernmost region contains Moel Hebog, Mynydd Mawr and the Nantlle Ridge; the Snowdon Massif; the Glyderau; and the Carneddau. The next region contains Moel Siabod, Cnicht, the Moelwynion, and the mountains around Blaenau Ffestiniog. Further south are the ranges covering Rhinogydd, the Arenig and the Migneint (mostly bogland), and Rhobell Fawr. The southernmost region contains Cadair Idris, the Tarren range, the Dyfi hills, and the Aran group, including Aran Fawddwy. The whole region is managed by the Snowdonia National Park Authority with local interests being represented by the Snowdonia Society charity.

Snowdonia - Tourism

Snowdonia is a very popular tourist destination in Wales, attracting more visitors than any other Welsh location. It is very popular for walking and hiking, with much of the activity naturally focussed around Snowdon itself, which has a train, the Snowdon Mountain Railway, running to the top. Almost everything about Snowdonia is orientated to the outdoors, and the park has Park has 1,479 miles (2,380km) of public footpaths, 164 miles (264km) public bridleways, and 46 miles (74km) of other public rights of way. Part of the Snowdonia is also covered by Right to Roam laws.

The entire of Snowdonia's coastline to the west, running south from the Llŷn Peninsula is a Special Area of Conservation, full of wildlife, dramatic coastal walks and popular with bird watchers. The forests of the park are also rich, full of natural mixed deciduous trees. Even some of the modern conifer forests are being allowed to revert to traditional trees once harvested.

Snowdonia is also uniquely home to Snowdon Lily, which can be found in northern Snowdonia. Other species unique to Snowdonia include the Snowdon beetle (Chrysolina cerealis) and Snowdonia hawkweed (Hieracium snowdoniense). Rare mammals that can occasionally be spotted include otters, polecats, and the feral goat. Among the rare birds are raven, peregrine, osprey, merlin and the red kite.

Snowdonia - Tourist Attractions

This Snowdonia map contains a growing collection of virtual tours taken around Snowdonia. It shows some of the sights and attractions, mostly mountains, lakes and hills. Visitors should, however, be aware that Snowdnia is the wettest area within the UK. Top tourist attractions and things to don in Snowdonia include:

• Snowdnon - reaching 1,085m this is the highest, and busiest, mountain in Snowdonia, with numerous walking trails, 6 ridges and views extending as far as Ireland, Scotland and into England on a clear day.
Helfa Gelf /Art Trail - the biggest Open Studio Event in North Wale taking place in September with art and crafts from 125 studios throughout the region.
• Edge of Wales Walk and the Llŷn Coastal Path - 84 mile (146km) long coastal path down the western edge of Snowdonia.
• Slate Valleys Path - path exploring the history of slate mining, and the 60 quarries around the mining communities of Gwynedd - Ogwen, Peris, Nantlle, Blaenau Ffestiniog and Corris.
• Mary Jones Walk - 28 mile long walk through old Meirionnydd county from the foot of Cadair Idris to the shores of Llyn Tegid.
• Beaches - along the coast are many fine, sand beaches, the most popular of which include Aberystwyth, Borth,
  Aberdovey, Tywyn, Barmouth, Harlech, Criccieth and Pwllheli.
• Bodnant Garden - situated at Tal y Cafn above the River Conwy and managed by the National Trust, considered to be one of the best gardens in the UK.
• Castles Of Snowdonia - Snowdonia has a number of ancient castles, top among which are Beaumaris Castle,Carndochan Castle, Caernarfon Castle, Conwy Castle, Criccieth Castle, Castell Carn Fadrun, Castell-y-Bere and Harlech Castle
• Gwynedd Museum & Art Gallery - containing exhibits about the history of North Wales with an emphasis on Gwynedd.
• Padarn Country Park - 800 acres of parkland within which is Llyn Padarn Lake.
• GreenWood Forest Park - eco-attraction theme park with various rides and other activities, great for the kids.
• Glasfryn Parc Activity Parc and Bowling Centre - with water sports, water skiing, go-carts and other activities for all the family.
• Llechwedd Slate Caverns - take an underground tour in a slate mine which has been active since 1836.
• National Slate Museum - found in Padarn Country Park this outdoor museum explores the history of slate mining in Snowdonia with some old cottages and steam train and more.

Snowdonia - The Mountains

Most people visit Snowdonia for the walking and climbing. This is a list of some of the most popular and important mountains in Snowdonia, some linked to virtual tours taken by walkers and climbers as they explored the area. Each is presented with it's height and OS reference:

• Mount Snowdon (1085m) OS grid ref. SH 60989 54375
• Carnedd Ugain (1,065m) OS grid ref. SH 6107 5515
• Carnedd Llywellyn (Carneddau range) (1,064m)OS grid ref. SH 6836 6438
• Canedd Dafydd (Carneddau range) (1,040m) OS grid ref SH 6836 6305
• Glyder Fawr (Glyderau range) (999m) OS grid ref. SH 6424 57973
• Glyder Fach (Glyderau range) (994m) OS grid ref. SH 6563 5828
• Pen Yr Ole Wen (Carneddau range) (978m)OS grid ref. SH 65604 61943
• Foel Grach (Carneddau range) (976m) OS grid ref. SH 6887 6588
• Yr Elen (Carneddau range) (962m) OS grid ref. SH 67373 65069
• Y Garn (Glyderau range) (947m) OS grid ref. SH 63091 59571
• Foel Fras (Carneddau range) (942m) OS grid ref. SH 693 6817
• Crib Goch (Snowdon) (923m) OS grid ref. SH6239 5518
• Elidir Fawr (Glyderau range) (920m) OS grid ref. SH 61199 61300
• Tryfan (Glyderau range) (915m) OS grid ref. SH 66410 59395
• Aran Fawddwy (905m) OS grid ref. SH862223
• Cadair Idris (893m) OS grid ref. SH 71114 3039
• Carnedd Moel Siabod (Moelwyn range) (872m) OS grid ref. SH 705546
• Mynyd Moel (Cadair Idris) (863m) OS grid ref. SH 72750 13683
• Crfwy (Cadair Idris) (811m) OS grid ref. SH 70380 13343
• Craig Cwm Amarch (Cadair Idris) (791m) OS grid ref. SH7106512130
• Allt Fawr ((Moelwyn range)(698m) OS grid ref. SH 682475
• Moel Druman (Moelwyn range) (676m) OS grid ref. SH 671476

Snowdonia Tourist Information Offices - Snowdonia has several tourist information offices found in the towns and villages. Those listed below also offer hotel and holiday accommodation booking services.

Barmouth Tourist Information Centre
Station Road
Barmouth
LL42 1LU
Phone: (01341) 280787
Email: barmouth.tic@gwynedd.gov.uk

Llanberis Tourist Information Centre
41b High Street
Llanberis
LL55 4EU
Phone: (01286) 870765
Email: llanberis.tic@gwynedd.gov.uk

Y Bala Tourist Information Centre
Pensarn Road
Bala
LL23 7SR
Phone: (01678) 521021
Email: bala.tic@gwynedd.gov.uk

Road: Snowdonia is about 100 miles west of Birmingham and Manchester, about 75 miles southwest of Liverpool.