Walk the Welsh Highland Railway

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7 Days from

0 Days from

USD 2,049

Walking & Trekking

Ways to Travel :

Self-Guided Holidays

Activity :

Walking & Trekking

Activity Levels :

3 out of 7 - Moderate

Group Size :

1 - 6

Ages :

Trip Code :

W06WR

This holiday highlights some of the best scenery the Snowdonia National Park has to offer, both on foot and by journeying on sections of the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway.

You begin on the coast at Porthmadog, with your accommodation a short walk from the marina before heading into the Snowdonia National Park. The walks will take you through the idyllic natural beauty of the park, through woodland, along ridges and rivers, across moorland and beside lakes to end with the summit of Snowdon at 1,085m, the highest point in the British Isles outside the Scottish Highlands. Routes are planned to combine walking with sections of travel on the Welsh Highland Railway (tickets included), allowing more distance to be covered.

Highlights

Peaks, ridges and lakes of the National Park of Snowdonia
Picturesque village of Beddgelert, and the grave of its legendary faithful dog
Coastal views across to Anglesey
Rail journeys on the Welsh Highland Railway

Key Information

6 nights in a mix of guesthouse, inn and hotel accommodation
2 days hotel to hotel walking plus walks on days 3, 5 and 6; averaging 4 hours per day
3 walking transfers using the Welsh Highland Railway
Summit the highest mountain in Wales - Snowdon
Altitude maximum 1085m, maximum ascent 890m

Countries visited: United Kingdom

What's Included

All breakfasts
All accommodation (see accommodation section)
3 x Walking transfers on the Welsh HIghland Railway
Luggage transfers between hotels
Route directions and maps provided

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)
Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)

5 Days of Walking & Trekking

Day 2

14 km / 8.7 miles

Day 3

9 km / 5.6 miles

Day 4

4 km / 2.5 miles

Day 5

9 km / 5.6 miles

Day 6

12 km / 7.5 miles

Itinerary

On arrival in the coastal town of Porthmadog head out for a stroll around the marina before finding somewhere to eat near the guesthouse.
Stay overnight at Yr Hen Fecws Guesthouse (Breakfast included)

Take the short heritage rail journey to Nantmor from where you head, up and over, through ancient woodland and across the moor to beautiful Llyn Dinas. You follow the course of the river, passing the Sygun Copper mine on to the picturesque village of Beddgelert.
Stay overnight at Plas Tan y Graig B&B Guesthouse (Breakfast included)

Meals Included: Breakfast

From the day you arrived you'll have seen Moel Hebog rising above Beddgelert. Today you will enjoy a circular hike from the picturesque village and through the surrounding farmland before making an ascent towards the summit before it opens out onto a plateau. Enjoy a grassy descent down the other side, winding through Beddgelert forest before returning to the village.
Stay overnight at Plas Tan y Graig B&B Guesthouse (Breakfast included)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Spend time this morning exploring the small shops and cafes in the village, before a gentle stroll via Gelert's grave, the faithful hound to 13th century Llewelyn, prince of North Wales, to your next train station. Take the Heritage train to Rhyd Ddu and walk on to your overnight stop, the Cwellyn Arms.
Stay overnight at Ty Mawr (Breakfast included)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today's hike begins with a big climb but it's worth the effort. Nantlle Ridge is a stunning ridge walk with views across the water to Anglesey and inland towards Snowdon: a sneak peak of what tomorrow has in store.
Stay overnight at Ty Mawr (Breakfast included)

Meals Included: Breakfast

The grand finale. Your final hike ascends the Rhyd Ddu path to Snowdon’s summit. Take time at the top to enjoy the 360° views before descending via the Ranger’s path, you’ll finish at the Snowdon Ranger’s station before taking the Heritage train on to your final destination, Caernarfon.
Stay overnight at Celtic Royal Hotel (Breakfast included)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Explore the grand medieval town of Caernarfon, with its mighty castle, pretty harbour and views across the Menai Strait to Anglesey before departing.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Visa

United Kingdom

Travellers from the US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter the United Kingdom. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Vaccination

United Kingdom

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for polio, tetanus and rabies (bat lyssavirus). Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Eating and Drinking

Full English/Welsh Breakfasts are included throughout.

Try out traditional local country pubs for lunch or enjoy a picnic in the countryside. Please note, if you order a picnic from the hotel, please do so the evening before.

Weather

Summers in North Wales tend to be slightly cooler than you might expect and winters can be milder especially on the coast, while higher, upland areas have more chance of harsher weather conditions. The warmest months to visit are from June through to August, although temperatures start to warm up around April and remain pleasant until October time. We advise you take waterproofs as rain / showers can occur at any time of year.

Is this trip for you?

The walks on this holiday highlight some of the Snowdonia National Park's best scenery - both on foot and whilst journeying on the Welsh Highland Railway. Walk across moorland, through ancient woodland, along spectacular ridges and up to the summit of Snowdon along the Rhyd Ddu path - one of the quieter ascents. There will be times when a head for heights is required.

This is a self-guided tour, as such there will be no group or tour leader and you are free to complete the walks at your own pace. We have suggested that 8yrs is the minimum age for this trip, but as it is self-guided and you will be leading your own family we will ultimately leave this decision up to you.

For those wanting to travel on their own there is a single supplement for the accommodation and where there is only one "solo" traveller on a particular departure there is also a solo traveller supplement.

Covid-19 refund commitment

You will get a refund if you have to cancel your trip due to COVID-19.

Availability

This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and is now fully booked, although we may have people holding spaces without payment. Please contact our Sales team for further information.

Walk the Welsh Highland Railway

This holiday highlights some of the best scenery the Snowdonia National Park has to offer, both on foot and by journeying on sections of the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway.

5 Days of Walking & Trekking

Itinerary

Essential Info

Visa

United Kingdom

Vaccination

United Kingdom

Eating and Drinking

Weather

Is this trip for you?

Hotels and Guesthouses

Would you like to include flights with your booking?

Looking to set your own pace on your next adventure?

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