Eryri National Park (Snowdonia)
Walk mountain paths, visit glacial lakes and explore slate villages in North Wales’s Eryri National Park, a destination for hiking and Welsh history.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Eryri National Park, also known as Snowdonia, is in North Wales. People come to walk and climb among its mountains, visit glacial lakes and explore communities shaped by slate quarrying. Yr Wyddfa, or Snowdon, is the park’s highest mountain at 1,085 meters. The slate industry left its mark on the region, and parts of the former quarrying landscape are included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales.
Plan a visit around walks and mountain scenery, with time for villages and lakes if those interest you. The park suits travelers who can adapt outdoor plans to changing weather and choose routes that fit their experience. A stay of several days gives you more time to explore different parts of Eryri; with less time, choose one area as your base. There is no entry fee for the national park, but reaching trailheads and finding parking require separate planning. If your trip depends on a fixed outdoor schedule, changeable mountain conditions can make Eryri harder to plan.
Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) in five
- Plan parking before you driveCar parks at the Yr Wyddfa path starts fill early, and the authority asks visitors to use official car parks and avoid lay-bys on the Pen y Pass road. The Sherpa'r Wyddfa bus links the paths.Parking for Yr Wyddfa
- Pick your Yr Wyddfa routeSix main paths lead to the summit, from the long, gentle Llanberis Path to the rocky Watkin Path. Most walkers take 6–8 hours up and down.Climbing Yr Wyddfa
- Check the mountain forecastThe summit is often in cloud, and wind and cold are much worse than in the valleys. Winter brings snow and ice that need crampons and skills.
- Book the mountain railway aheadThe Snowdon Mountain Railway climbs 4.7 miles from Llanberis toward the summit. It is run privately, not by the park; check dates and book on its own site.
- Flying into Manchester or Liverpool? Get the ETA firstIf you fly into a northern English airport on the way to Eryri, a visa-exempt passport still needs an approved UK ETA before boarding. Irish citizens are exempt.UK ETA explained
Things to do in Eryri National Park (Snowdonia)
See all attractions in Eryri National Park (Snowdonia)
Need to know
- Entrance
- Free; you pay only for parking and the railway
- Permits
- None for walking; follow the Countryside Code
- Season
- Year-round; summit walks easiest May–Sep
- Nearest town
- Llanberis, Betws-y-Coed, Beddgelert
- Getting there
- Train to Bangor or Betws-y-Coed, then Sherpa buses
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuarySnow on summit
- FebruarySnow on summit
- MarchCold, icy tops
- AprilLonger days
- MayDrier spells
- JuneLong light
- JulyBusy paths
- AugustBusy paths
- SeptemberQuieter
- OctoberWet, windy
- NovemberWet, windy
- DecemberSnow on summit
Right now in Eryri National Park (Snowdonia)
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 5°
- Humidity
- 91%
- Wind
- 10 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Eryri National Park (Snowdonia)
10:38 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today8°4°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue7°5°0%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 7°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed7°4°0%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 7°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu5°4°0%Thursday: Drizzle. High 5°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri4°3°4%Friday: Drizzle. High 4°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Sat6°0°8%Saturday: Drizzle. High 6°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Sun6°0°6%Sunday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 6%.
Updated 09:49 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.7469 GBP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Eryri National Park (Snowdonia)
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Eryri National Park (Snowdonia), checked
- Use official car parks for Yr Wyddfa and avoid lay-bys on the Pen y Pass road and parking in residential areas.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
- Check the Yr Wyddfa ground condition reports before late autumn and winter walks; they come out twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
Plan around Eryri National Park (Snowdonia)
Cardiff, the coast and entry rules
Read the guidePembrokeshire CoastThe other national park, on the south-west coast
Read the guideCardiffThe capital, a long day south by road or rail
Read the guideLake DistrictEngland's other big mountain park, to the north-east
Read the guideTrains, buses and carsReaching Bangor and Betws-y-Coed without a car
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for hill walking and weather delays
Read the guideUK ETA explainedWho needs one and how to apply
Read the guideEryri National Park (Snowdonia) FAQ
How long does it take to climb Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)?
Most walkers take 6–8 hours up and down, depending on the path. The Llanberis Path is the longest and gentlest; the Pyg Track and Miners' Track start at Pen y Pass.
Is there an entry fee for Eryri National Park?
No. UK national parks are free to enter. You pay for parking, the Snowdon Mountain Railway and some attractions.
Can I take the train to the top of Snowdon?
The Snowdon Mountain Railway runs from Llanberis to the summit station in season, weather permitting. It is privately run, so check its dates and book on its site.
What is the best base for Eryri?
Llanberis for Yr Wyddfa and the railway, Betws-y-Coed for forest walks and rail links, Beddgelert for the quieter south side.
When is the best time to climb Yr Wyddfa?
May to September has the longest daylight and the easiest conditions, but July, August and weekends are busiest. Outside that window, read the mountain forecast and the ground conditions report, because snow and ice make it a winter climb.