Eryri for the first time

Mountain landscapes and villages in the national park of north Wales.

Where to stay

Explore Eryri

Eryri is a landscape to choose from, rather than a single summit to complete. Its mountains, rivers, woodland and coast offer very different days. For a first visit, begin with a village and one clearly described walk. That gives you time to understand the surroundings before deciding whether a larger mountain day belongs later in the trip.

Betws-y-coed is a useful starting point. The national park’s Bridges route follows the Llugwy River through woodland and the village, linking the bridges that give the walk its name. The authority lists it as a 3.6-kilometre circular route, graded easy, while noting some steps and gently undulating surfaces. Read the full route description and map to judge whether it suits your group; a short distance alone does not describe every access need.

Make the walk the centre of the morning, with a pause afterwards for the village itself. Betws-y-coed developed as a Victorian visitor destination and attracted landscape artists. Its galleries, craft shops and cafés make that history a useful lens for looking around. Try noticing the river and woodland as subjects in their own right, rather than only as foreground to distant peaks.

The park’s information centres in Betws-y-coed, Beddgelert and Aberdyfi can help with the next stage of a visit. Ask about the area you actually want to explore and consult the official walks directory, which distinguishes coastal, woodland, lake and mountain routes. An access-for-all route and a strenuous mountain path are different outings; choose deliberately instead of following the most famous name.

Keep travel simple by concentrating on one part of Eryri each day. Betws-y-coed has train and bus connections, with current journeys available through Traveline Cymru. Check the forecast, local route information and return transport before setting out. The mountain photograph accompanying this guide shows another aspect of Eryri, not the view promised along the village walk.