South Snowdonia
The Southern Snowdonia region of Gwynedd stretches from the Traeth Bach Estuary, eastwards to Y Bala and as far south as the Dyfi Estuary. Virtually all the area is within the Snowdonia National Park.
Although not as well trodden as the Snowdon Massif, the mountains in Southern Snowdonia can be just as challenging to the seasoned fell walker and include The Arenigs, Arans, Rhinogs and Cadair Idris.
The region is well blessed with lakes too, including the largest natural body of water in Wales, Llyn Tegid, famous for its unique alpine fish, Gwiniad and Teggie, its very own lake monster. Aided by man’s hand are the reservoir lakes at Trawsfynydd, renowned for its fly fishing and Llyn Celyn, home to the National Whitewater Centre. Other lakes include Tal Y Llyn near Cadair Idris and Llyn Cwm Bechan near Harlech.
Renowned for their beauty are the estuaries Dyfi, Mawddach and Traeth Bach, each one’s views and moods changing with the ebb and flow of the tides.
There are seaside resorts to suit every taste, family orientated, like Barmouth or quiet and picturesque like Aberdyfi, all with safe bathing, clean waters and sandy beaches.
Historical castles such as the lofty Harlech or the atmospheric Castell Y Bere near Tywyn will delight the history buffs, with their tales of strife between the Welsh and the English.
Market towns at Dolgellau and Y Bala, with their interesting history, friendly Welsh service and fine shopping, never fail to impress.
There are narrow gauge railways too, at Fairbourne, Corris, Tywyn and Bala Lake, each with their own steam or diesel engines hauling passengers through the scenic beauty of their unique settings.
The largest forest in North Wales, Coed Y Brenin, is in this region, with its world-class mountain biking trails, its waterfalls, picnic sites and historical gold mines.
Sports enthusiasts are spoilt for choice in the region, with excellent hill walking, safe bathing and world-class facilities for golf, wind-surfing, canoeing and mountain biking.
Southern Snowdonia then, has more than its fair share of attractions, both natural and man-made. Southern Snowdonia is the perfect destination for anybody seeking natural scenic beauty, an excellent choice for either those visitors wishing to relax and recharge their batteries, or those that choose to expend their energy
Locations in South Snowdonia
Aberdyfi
The Dyfi Estuary, one of the pretty estuaries on Gwynedd’s Cardigan coast, is the natural border between Mid Wales and North Wales.
On the northern shore, terraces of pastel coloured houses cling .....
Bala
Bala, (Y Bala), is a thriving market town at the north east tip of Bala Lake (Llyn Tegid), in the Dee Valley, alongside the A494, a town often overlooked by the visitor en-route to the Cambrian .....
Barmouth
Where the north shore of the Mawddach Estuary and the south-western slopes of Snowdonia meet on the Cambrian coastline is the beautiful location for one of Gwynedd’s most popular seaside resorts, .....
Corris
In the footsteps of the Gwynedd Princes from centuries ago, the A487 winds its way from Dolgellau to Machynlleth.
Nestling beneath the modern road is the picturesque village of Corris, squeezed .....
Dolgellau
Dolgellau is a thoroughly Welsh market town set at the foot of Cadair Idris on the southern bank of the River Wnion. The buildings are of a handsome grey stone and slate arranged in narrow streets .....
Fairbourne
Fairbourne is a small, seaside village situated on the Southern shore of the Mawddach Estuary, opposite Barmouth (1 mile away). A steep bank of pebbles fronts the beach area, which, from mid-tide, .....
Harlech
An attractive cluster of stone-built houses, hostelries, cafes and shops, within narrow streets, are dominated by Harlech’s main attraction its castle.
Standing magnificently atop a 200ft rocky .....
Trawsfynydd
Alongside an attractive lake of the same name, Trawsfynydd, in a sparsely populated area, is often used as a refreshment stop by visitors passing along the A470 en-route to Snowdon or Dolgellau. This .....
Tywyn
Tywyn is a small seaside town on the Cambrian coast, popular with families seeking resort facilities and easy access to beautiful scenery. Its main offering is the fine stretch of sand and pebble .....