Book and travel with confidence. Read more about our enhanced flexibility here.

Walk the Welsh Highland Railway

7 days

from

$1,549 USD

incl. taxes

View Dates & Prices

Walking & Trekking

Suitable for:

Age 8+

Activity level:

Leisurely / Moderate

Trip code:

W06WR

Way to Travel:

Self-Guided Holidays

Activity:

Self-Guided Walking

Group size:

1–6

Min age:

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 (if applicable on each departure date)

Call for general departures:

1 844 227 9087

Call for private group trips:

1 844 227 9087

Live Chat >

Request a Brochure >

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Days of Walking & Trekking

Day by day breakdown

Day 2 14.0km/9.0miles

Day 3 9.0km/6.0miles

Day 4 4.0km/2.5miles

Day 5 9.0km/6.0miles

Day 6 12.0km/7.5miles

At Exodus we believe in the power of Responsible Travel.

Every time we travel, we are part of a global movement that creates jobs, builds more sustainable societies, encourages cultural understanding and safeguards common natural and cultural heritage. To learn more about what Responsible Travel means to Exodus click here…

On this trip in North Wales, the accommodation we use provides vital jobs to locals and uses locally sourced ingredients where possible to minimise the carbon footprint. Our agent works with a carbon offset project (Forest Carbon) to create new native woodland within the UK, so all of their trips have some form of carbon offset (whilst recognising it's not a solution, they believe it's a positive step while they work on carbon reduction).

Itinerary

Expand all

Porthmadog

Caernarfon

Day 1

Arrive in Porthmadog

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)
Day 2

Porthmadog (Nantmor) to Beddgelert

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
Day 3

At Beddgelert

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
Day 4

Beddgelert to Rhyd Ddu

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 Cwellyn Arms (Breakfast and evening meal included)

Meals included: Breakfast Dinner
Day 5

At Rhyd Ddu

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 Cwellyn Arms (Breakfast and evening meal included)

Meals included: Breakfast Dinner
Day 6

Snowdon

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
Day 7

Depart after 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

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Show map

Essential Info

Visas

United Kingdom

UK passport holders do not need visas for this trip. Other nationalities should check with the relevant embassies.

For further Brexit travel advice please visit https://www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/brexit-advice-for-travellers

Vaccinations

United Kingdom

No vaccinations are obligatory.

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.

Call for general departures:

1 844 227 9087

Call for private group trips:

1 844 227 9087

Live Chat >

Request a Brochure >

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Accommodation

Hotels and Guesthouses

On this trip, you'll stay in a mix of guesthouses and hotels. They all either have their own restaurant or there are local options for eating. All the accommodations are in traditional brick buildings with comfortable furnishings and bedrooms are all ensuite.