Cicerone The Snowdonia Way

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Guidebook to walking the Snowdonia Way in Wales, a long-distance route through Snowdonia National Park from Machynlleth to Conwy. Low-level route of 97 miles (6 to 8 stages) includes Pass of Aberglaslyn, Ogwen Valley and Aber Falls. The mountain route is 122 miles in 9 stages, including Cadair Idris, Snowdon and Glyders. With planning information.

Cicerone says

This guidebook describes the Snowdonia Way in Wales, a long-distance route through Snowdonia National Park from Machynlleth to Conwy. A low-level route of 97 miles (in 6 stages of between 13 and 21 miles) passes through the heart of Snowdonia’s stunning mountain scenery and includes Pass of Aberglaslyn, Ogwen Valley and Aber Falls. It is suitable for walkers of average fitness and stamina, though days are long. An alternative mountain route covers 122 miles in 9 stages of 12–18 miles giving a spectacular journey over the most famous peaks such as Cadair Idris, Snowdon and Glyders. The high-level route is more physically challenging and requires good navigation skills.

Full route descriptions for each stage are accompanied by OS maps and profiles. The guide also includes lists of accommodation and transport providers and a table of facilities to help with itinerary planning. Background notes on Snowdonia’s geology, wildlife and history and extra information about features encountered along the way will help you discover more about this ancient and beautiful land

Our Verdict

For nearly 50 years Cicerone have been producing guidebooks on recognised treks, regions, areas and general tips for hikers.

We have used them countless times and they’ve always provided excellent insight and knowledge that you only get through experience, giving you the edge to make your trip a success and more enjoyable too.

If you’re a gram counter you can easily remove sections of the book to take with you making your own ultra-lightweight guidebook with only the essential sections that you require.

– Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear

Features

• Seasons: Both the main route and mountain route can be walked throughout the year, though in winter conditions the mountain route requires full winter mountaineering equipment
• Centres: Machynlleth, Abergynolwyn, Dolgellau, Trawsfynydd, Penrhyndeudraeth, Beddgelert, Pen-y-Pass, Dolwyddelan, Capel Curig, Bethesda, Llanfairfechan, Conwy
• Difficulty: Though the walking days are long, the main route is mostly easy to navigate and stays at a low level, only crossing passes when necessary. Walkers should be used to full days out. The mountain route requires good navigation and includes a considerable amount of ascent, sometimes with no path
• Must See: Snowdon, Cadair Idris, The Glyders, Lake Trawsfynydd, The Ogwen Valley, The Vale of Ffestiniog, Aber Falls, The Pass of Aberglaslyn, The castles of Llewelyn the Great, The myth of King Arthur, Llyn Gwynant, Llyn Ogwen, Nantgwynant, Coed y Brenin, The Moelwyns, Moel Siabod, The Carneddau, Slate quarrying, Owain Glyndŵr

Specifications

• Edition: First
• Number of pages: 176
• Size: 17.2 x 11.6 x 1.1cm
• Weighs 210g

Contents

Introduction
The Snowdonia Way
Landscape
Plants and wildlife
Geology
History
Understanding Welsh
When to go
Getting there
Accommodation
Planning your itinerary
Route difficulty
What to take
Maps and GPS
Safety
Using this guide
The Snowdonia Way
Stage 1 Machynlleth to Dolgellau
Stage 1A Machynlleth to Abergynolwyn (mountain route)
Stage 1B Abergynolwyn to Dolgellau (mountain route)
Stage 2 Dolgellau to Trawsfynydd
Stage 2A Dolgellau to Trawsfynydd (mountain route)
Stage 3 Trawsfynydd to Beddgelert
Stage 3A Trawsfynydd to Penrhyndeudraeth (mountain route)
Stage 3B Penrhyndeudraeth to Beddgelert (mountain route)
Stage 4 Beddgelert to Dolwyddelan
Stage 4A Beddgelert to Pen-y-Pass (mountain route)
Stage 4B Pen-y-Pass to Capel Curig (mountain route)
Stage 5 Dolwyddelan to Bethesda
Stage 5A Capel Curig to Bethesda (mountain route)
Stage 6 Bethesda to Conwy
Stage 6A Bethesda to Conwy (mountain route)

Appendix A Accommodation
Appendix B Facilities tables
Appendix C Useful contacts
Appendix D Further reading