Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
From Monday through Saturday, buses run frequently throughout the day from Ban-
gor to Llanberis, taking about 40 minutes each way. The minor Conwy Valley rail
line between Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog passes through Betws-y-Coed and
Dolwyddelan, but it runs just four trains each way daily. There are also regular buses
from Llandudno and Porthmadog to towns in the park.
The best routes to Snowdonia by car from England are the A55 North Wales
coastal road and the slower, but more scenic A5 from the Midlands, through Llangol-
len, a spectacular route first laid down by engineer Thomas Telford between 1815
and 1830.
VISITOR INFORMATION The major information point for Snowdonia is the
Betws-y-Coed Information Centre, Royal Oak Stables ( &   01690/710426 ), open
from Easter to October, daily 9:30am to 5:30pm and in the off season, daily 9:30am
to 4pm. There are smaller offices at Canolfan Hebog, Beddgelert ( &   01766/890615;
daily Easter-Oct, Fri-Sun rest of the year); at Stryd Fawr, Harlech ( &   01766/780658;
daily Easter-Oct, closed rest of the year); and at Stryd Fawr, Dolgellau
( &   01341/422888; daily Easter-Oct, Thurs-Mon rest of the year). The Llanberis
Tourist Information Centre, 41B High Street ( &   01286/870765; www.visit
snowdonia.info) is due to move in 2012 from 41B High Street to a unit in Padarn
Country Park. Hours are subject to review, but currently it's open from Easter to the
end of September, Saturday to Wednesday from 9:30am to 4:30pm. The official
National Park website www.eryri-npa.gov.uk is packed with planning information.
Exploring Snowdonia
LLANBERIS & ENVIRONS
The Snowdon Mountain Railway runs from Llanberis to within a few paces
of Mount Snowdon's peak at 1,085m (3,560 ft.). The only rack-and-pinion train in
Britain, it is also the country's steepest train ride. The final stretch affords views over
classic glacial landscape features like U-shaped troughs and hanging valleys, as well
as a frightening look down into the Llanberis Pass with the Glyderau peaks beyond.
For information and schedules, call &   0844/493-8120 or visit www.snowdon
railway.co.uk . Trains run to the summit between May and October, costing £25
round-trip for adults and £18 round-trip for children 14 and under. You can get most
of the way up between late March and the end of April. It's closed in winter. Insider
tip: If you book by phone at least a day in advance for a 9am departure, ticket prices
are £6 cheaper per person.
The romantic ruins of Dolbadarn Castle, subject of an iconic painting by Turner,
overlook Llyn Padarn, a half-mile east of Llanberis; the castle is a relic of the time
when the Llanberis Pass was crucial to any conquering army. You can take a look
around the meager yet dramatic ruins for free; follow the marked trail opposite the
parking-lot entrance.
Electric Mountain Visitor Centre, along the A4086 ( &   01286/870636;
www.fhc.co.uk), is the gateway to one of the most technologically advanced power
stations in Wales, Dinorwig. It incorporates a hydroelectric system harnessing the
waters of a pair of nearby lakes, with its turbines concealed deep within the moun-
tains so as not to spoil the natural beauty. Entrance to the visitor center is free, and
1-hour tours of the turbines run daily from Easter to October. Reservations are
advised. Tickets cost £7.75 for adults, £3.95 for children 4 to 15, and £11 to £46 for
a family ticket.
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