
As Wales’ first National Park and the third most popular National Park in Britain, Snowdonia is something special. It stretches over 827 square miles of unspoilt scenery with rocky mountains, clear lakes and thick forests. It has plants and insects you won’t find anywhere else in the world. And at the heart of it is Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales.
Or so I’d been told at least – the first time I’d visited you could barely see a metre in front of you through thick fog and drizzle. So when the last day of our weekend trip to North Wales dawned blue and bright, it was perfect excuse for a scenic Snowdonia road trip.
Read more: A legendary South Wales road trip itinerary

A scenic Snowdonia road trip
When the sun shines in Snowdonia, you have to get out among it all – however you can. Ideally we’d have had a couple of days to climb Snowdon and hike the mountains, or even a day for a shorter walk. But all we had was a car and a few hours. After a bit of research I came up with a Snowdonia road trip taking in some of the National Park’s most scenic drives.
So if you’re limited on time – or aren’t able to walk far – you can still get a taste of Snowdonia’s beautiful scenery. The route covers 39 miles and takes around 1.5 hours to drive (depending on how many photo/tea and cake stops you make along the way).

Snowdonia driving route
Our route started in the town of Porthmadog on the North Wales coast. This harbour town was our base for the weekend, and it’s also the hub for the West Highland and Ffestiniog steam railways as well as being close to the quirky Italian-style village of Portmeirion.
From Porthmadog we followed the A498 past the village of Tremadog and on through the narrow Aberglaslyn Pass to the town of Beddgelert. Dog lovers might want to stop off at Gelert’s Grave, the resting place of the faithful hound of 13th century Welsh Prince Llewelyn the Great, which is a short walk along the riverside south of the village.

The road carries on through the forest and along the banks of Llyn Dinas lake. This 60-acre lake is home to salmon and trout – and possibly the throne of Britain. Legend has it that ancient British king Vortigern hid the throne under a great stone by Llyn Dinas for safekeeping and it’s still there. If you fancy taking a look a mile-long path circles the lake.
We drove on around the edge of Llyn Dinas and it wasn’t long until we came to an even more beautiful lake – Llyn Gwynant. On a calm, still morning the lake was perfectly flat with the mountains, blue sky and fluffy clouds reflected like a mirror (well at least until a dog jumped in for a swim – if it wasn’t 10 degrees in the water I might’ve been tempted too).

The start of autumn is a gorgeous time to visit Snowdonia with a mix of green, gold and red shades everywhere you look. The road follows the Nant Gwynant river from the lake and climbs 600 feet upwards in just two miles. At the top there’s a viewpoint where you can stop off and take a look back down to the lake (where the image at the top of this post was taken) and over towards the Cwm Dyli hydro-electric power station.
At the top of Nant Gwynant we took a diversion to the left, following the A4086 to the Pen-y-Pass. This is the start of three of the main walking routes up Snowdon – the Miners Track, Pyg Track and Crib Goch. The car park was packed with hikers getting ready to start the climb up, and there’s a café full of others who were celebrating getting back down.

The road up here started life as a miners’ path in the 1830s which was used to transport copper ore from Snowdonia down to Llanberis. It still winds the same way downhill to Llanberis, base for lots of outdoor activities like mountaineering, climbing and mountain biking, as well as diving in Llyn Padarn lake if you’re feeling brave.
Llanberis is where catch the Snowdon Mountain Railway to the top of the mountain if you don’t fancy walking. Or where you start the Llanberis Path if you do – it’s the longest but least strenuous walk up to the summit which runs next to the railway line.

From Llanberis we backtracked to the Pen-y-Pass and then followed the A4086 over the hills past the grey slate cottages in the village of Capel Curig. Then from Capel Curig we took a right onto the A5, heading towards Betws-y-Coed on the edge of Snowdonia. The road gets flatter here and there are more trees and less mountains.
Betws-y-Coed is another hub town, a former coach stop on the Irish mail route from London to Holyhead. It has a pretty village green surrounded by shops, hotels and an old church. You can visit the Miners’ Bridge and walk along the riverside or out to the Pont-y-Pair and Swallow Falls waterfalls before refuelling with cake at the Alpine Coffe Shop.

The road out of Betws-y-Coed leaves Snowdonia behind, but if you’ve not had enough beautiful scenery there are a couple of different directions you can take to continue your North Wales road trip. Go north on the A470 to the medieval seaside town of Conwy, with a 13th-century castle, historic city walls and the UK’s smallest house to squeeze into.
Or head south on the A5 towards Llangollen and the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. The aqueduct is a seriously impressive piece of engineering, which was built in 1805 to carry the Llangollen Canal over the River Dee. At 38 metres high up it’s Britain’s longest and highest aqueduct, which is just wide enough for one canal boat. You can take a boat trip across or walk along the towpath across the aqueduct for even more spectacular views.

Snowdonia road trip map

Snowdonia driving route GPS/sat nav directions
If you’re navigating using a GPS/sat nav, then you can input the following postcodes to follow the scenic Snowdonia road trip route. From Porthmadog (LL49 9AU), navigate to:
- LL55 4YD (Beddgelert)
- LL55 4NT (top of Nant Gwynant)
- LL55 4TU (Llanberis)
- LL24 0EN (Capel Curig)
- LL24 0AE (Betws-y-Coed station car park).
Then you can carry on to Conwy (LL32 8HT) or Pontcysyllte Aqueduct (LL20 7TG).

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62 Comments
Confuzzled Bev
November 17, 2016 at 11:56 amWow, it’s stunning! I’ve never actually made it to Snowdonia.
Lucy
November 19, 2016 at 4:30 pmIt’s so beautiful – especially when the sun makes an appearance!
Antony
October 25, 2020 at 8:33 pmWhen is the best time to go
Lucy Dodsworth
November 2, 2020 at 6:02 pmWales’ weather can be pretty unpredictable at any time of year! I would recommend spring or autumn though (lockdowns permitting) as it’s not so busy but you avoid any road closures for snow and ice.
Noelle
November 17, 2016 at 2:36 pmThat aqueduct looks so cool! I’d love to do a road trip of Snowdonia.
Lucy
November 19, 2016 at 4:33 pmGreat isn’t it – watching the boats go over had me thinking about doing a canal boat trip sometime!
Mark James
November 17, 2016 at 6:42 pmAgree with most of your roue, some terrific places to see, but if you’ve got more time, stay in Dolgellau, take the A470 to Llaneltyd, then the A496 to Barmouth, great coastal town with incredible iron bridge, then follow the road along the coast, past Harlech Castle, cross the new Bont Briwat bridge to Penrhyndeudraeth, pass Portmerion and cross The Cob to Porthmadog, do the route as you’ve got it, then from Betws-Y-Coed take the A470 back down to Dolgellau, taking in Dolwyddelan Castle, Trawfynydd Power Station and lake and Coed-Y-Brenin forests. Takes a little long, but well worth it.
Lucy
November 19, 2016 at 4:28 pmGreat tips thanks – I stayed in Barmouth last year and explored the coast down around Harlech so a good idea to combine the two!
bitaboutbritain
November 17, 2016 at 11:55 pmExcellent!
Lucy
November 19, 2016 at 4:23 pmThank you!
aeparker81
November 18, 2016 at 9:29 amYou should stop at the Pen Y Gwyrd pub and see all the paraphernalia from the Hilliary and Tenzing training as well as the shrunken head from south America! Love that bit of Wales
Lucy
November 19, 2016 at 4:25 pmSounds great – one for next time for sure!
leigh423
November 18, 2016 at 6:26 pmBeautiful scenery – I hope to visit Wales someday! That aquaduct is quite unique, I’ve never seen anything like that!
Lucy
November 19, 2016 at 4:12 pmThe aqueduct was amazing – I’d like to go back and take a boat trip over it next time, the views were fantastic!
Kerry Taylor
November 19, 2016 at 8:47 amWhat a great post thanks! I’m going there in a couple of weeks and hadn’t even thought of doing any driving through the National Park. You’ve just made me rethink my whole itinerary! I too only have a few hours to explore. I plan to tweak your route slightly to go from Llanberis to Anglesey and then back to Conwy as that is going to be my base for the 2 days I’m there. Thanks again. I always enjoy reading your posts as they have inspired me to visit more of my home countries!
Lucy
November 19, 2016 at 4:25 pmHope you have a fantastic time – I’d like to go and explore Conwy properly next time, and its been years since I was in Anglesey too, so much to see in that part of the world!
invertedsheep
November 20, 2016 at 12:06 amI haven’t been to Snowdonia for a while, but you’ve reminded me of how beautiful it is. I really must get back there soon.
Lucy
November 23, 2016 at 1:08 pmIt’s a beautiful part of the country – though if only the weather was guaranteed to be like that every time!
Marlies
November 22, 2016 at 6:02 pmwow amazing pictures! I have never heard of Snowdonia. You did it in one day?
Lucy
November 23, 2016 at 1:06 pmWe did! We were staying nearby so got an early start but if you want to do some of the walks I’d recommend a couple of nights there.
Suzanne Jones
November 25, 2016 at 10:16 pmStunning photos and some great tips Lucy – I’d live to hike through that scenery…
Lucy
November 26, 2016 at 12:24 pmNext time I’m definitely going to make sure we’ve got time to do some walking!
MummyTravels
November 27, 2016 at 6:04 pmSuch amazing scenery there – I climbed Snowdon once with my parents as a child and went back years later with my now husband… we started climbing but it was November and we were not properly equipped so I had visions of us being on local news later that day with mountain rescue so we went back down! Driving routes sound much more achievable…
Lucy
November 27, 2016 at 6:45 pmDriving is a lot easier! I must try the climb up Snowdon at some point though – but maybe not in November!
Kathryn Burrington
November 27, 2016 at 6:44 pmThat looks so beautiful Lucy. I’m ashamed to say I had no idea. Snowdonia is now on my bucket list! Great photos by the way.
Lucy
November 27, 2016 at 6:45 pmThanks, we had such a beautiful day, couldn’t have hoped for better!
Vlad
November 28, 2016 at 7:44 pmWow, the scenery is gorgeous! I haven’t been to Wales, but this looks like a great place to visit 😀
Lucy
December 2, 2016 at 10:02 amSo much beautiful scenery in Wales (though like Scotland you take your chance with the weather!).
Robin Large
December 2, 2016 at 3:05 pmYou missed out visiting Abbey House in Llandudno – its a great B&B if you are heading out into Snowdonia :-)… and for those on a road trip we have our own off street parking!
Lucy
December 6, 2016 at 8:58 amI didn’t get chance to make it to Llandudno this time, but thanks for the tip, I’ll be back sometime for sure!
Sara Dobak
December 5, 2016 at 11:33 pmI’m definitely on a mission to see more of our home nations in 2017, and this has just reinforced that sense of purpose – such treasures so close to home, eh?
Lucy
December 6, 2016 at 8:46 amCertainly are – I’m hoping to see a bit more of Scotland next year, and the Cotswolds which are practically on my doorstep!
Miranda
December 8, 2016 at 5:01 amGreat article! Such a beautiful place like a paradise, I will pin this for sure for my future reference. Thanks.
Lucy
December 8, 2016 at 9:58 amThanks so much, hope you get to make the trip someday!
Thomas
January 17, 2017 at 12:53 pmLooks like a Fairytale! Thanks.
Lucy
January 17, 2017 at 10:40 pmThanks – glad you liked it!
Leigh-Anne Brown
October 31, 2017 at 3:39 amWould this route still be possible in January?
Lucy
November 1, 2017 at 11:45 amHi, yes it should be fine – the highest likelihood of snow is late Jan/early Feb but the main roads are usually gritted or cleared if there is snow or ice.
Leigh-Anne Brown
November 1, 2017 at 12:07 pmThanks. It looks a great route.
Hassanah
January 28, 2018 at 7:26 amHi Lucy, travel blogs like yours are so helpful for overseas visitors. I’m an Australian from Melbourne, but my ancestors are Welsh. I know I need to see Wales, and to feel it, as I’ve carried that deep heritage all my life. But I will only have 2 days and have decided the Wales I want to see is Snowdonia, and wondered how much I could cover in 2 days. Thanks so much for sharing your experience, it will be very valuable. I’m going in August – is that high Summer?
Lucy
February 2, 2018 at 8:27 pmSo glad it was useful – and hope you have an amazing trip. August is summer in Wales but the weather does change a lot here so you might need a waterproof or an umbrella too!
Keith Kellett
February 21, 2018 at 8:38 amA lovely drive indeed! Just one small nit-picking point, if I may; it’s not ‘Mount’ Snowdon, just Snowdon (the -don’ bit means ‘mountain’
As to the weather … around there, they say ‘If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute, or go into the next valley’
Lucy
February 22, 2018 at 8:40 pmOoh thank you I’ll update it. And yes, all those Welsh holidays I did as a child taught me that Wales does like its weather!
Sud
July 17, 2018 at 7:55 pmMany thanks! Did the trip from Dolgellau today and it was absolutely amazing!
Lucy
July 19, 2018 at 1:58 pmThat’s great – so glad you enjoyed it!
Himanshu Mishra
August 18, 2018 at 7:09 pmHi Lucy,
Lovely pictures.
I will be in the UK in June 2019 and as part of that trip, I will be in Liverpool for 2 days. SInce Snowdonia is not very far from there and is so beautiful. I would like to know a couple of things.
1) Where to base myself if I am planning to spend 2/3 days in Snowdonia.
2) Apart from the road trip, is a lot of walking also required, considering I will be with my 1-year old kid
3)How much time will it take to do the road trip you have created on the map?
4)How do I fit the heritage train trip in this?
Lucy
August 23, 2018 at 9:54 amHi there, the road trip only takes around 1.5 hours of driving but add on a bit extra for photo stops. There isn’t much walking other than a few short sections to viewpoints so it should be fine with a small child. If you want to do the West Highland or Ffestiniog steam railway then Porthmadog is a good place to stay – it’s the starting point for both the drive and the trains. Have a great trip!
F
December 5, 2018 at 2:28 amJust come across this after a Google search of nice scenic routes in North Wales as I’m taking a drive up from London with my wife and baby. Really looking forward to it, and even more so now after having a read! Thanks!
Lucy
December 5, 2018 at 11:45 amHope you enjoy the drive, it’s such a lovely part of the world!
Minal
March 1, 2019 at 6:05 pmAmazing! Have done North wales 6 years ago.. stayed up in Llandudno and we did the Great Orme cliffs and Snowdonia! Truly scenic place.
Lucy
March 5, 2019 at 9:46 pmIt is gorgeous around there!
Abdullah
August 14, 2019 at 4:41 pmHi lucy your website was very helpful during our north wales trip. thank you so much. I am planning to go to Scotland this September its a 3 day road trip . I am staying in edinburgh , can you suggest any scenic routes for 3 days from Edinburgh.
regards
Abdullah
Lucy
September 2, 2019 at 2:32 amSo glad it was useful! You could head south from Edinburgh into North Berwick where there are some pretty seaside villages and then on into Northumberland in England which has some beautiful castles.
Mark James
March 17, 2020 at 3:02 pmWhat a place it is! Snowdonia is an awesome place for the outing and this place is very ideal for mountain biking. Thanks for share with us such a wonderful place.
Zay
August 11, 2020 at 8:15 amJust want to say a massive thank you! We went to Snowdonia this weekend and the postcodes was a great time saver! Each location was stunning and well planned! Thank you
Lucy Dodsworth
August 11, 2020 at 11:07 amAh thank you that’s great to hear! Really glad you enjoyed it.
Shiraj
August 19, 2020 at 10:35 amHi Lucy
I went to Snowdonia last week with my family. I went online to try and find the best routes to take and I found your most scenic drive route. It was very helpful and was just what we were looking for, the scenery was fantastic especially the views from Nant Gwynant. Everything was very well planned which saved a lot of time. Thank so much.
Lucy Dodsworth
August 27, 2020 at 5:39 pmThat’s great, glad you enjoyed it – it’s a lovely part of the world!
Roger Bruno
November 22, 2020 at 12:28 pmLast Year I went to Snowdonia with my brother, and we had a great time enjoying every bit of scenic views. Now, I am planning to visit once again with my wife.
Lucy Dodsworth
November 23, 2020 at 12:38 pmHope you have a great time!