Snowdonia - Walking the Mountains

Take on some of Snowdonia’s ‘Greatest Hits’ with a group of like-minded walkers and a qualified Mountain Leader.

Experience Type: Multi-Day Experience
Duration: 2 nights
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Group Size: Maximum 10
Level: Active Plus
Age: 18+
Dogs: Trained assistance dogs only

In a nutshell:

Experience some of Snowdonia’s best mountain walks with a Mountain Leader and group of fellow walkers.
Bed down in superb guesthouse accommodation, and fantastic social areas for kicking back after a day out on the trails.
Enjoy fabulous meals with your group prepared by your Large Outdoors host.
Feel fantastic after 2 nights of proper mountain walking in one of the most beautiful parts of the UK.

Collections: Snowdonia : Walking the Mountains of : Dol Peris Snowdonia

We are not currently offering this walk.

If you would like to organise your own private walk we can arrange this via our Hire a Guide service. Details can be found here…

How do we grade our walks?

Explore our experience levels here!

Walk classic peaks and routes on a Snowdonia walking holiday.

Snowdonia is home to a huge number of classic mountain walks, each providing exceptional views and extraordinary looks at North Wales’ cultural and natural heritage. From dramatic glacial landforms and almost impossibly beautiful rock structures, to pretty wildflowers and bird life, there’s so much to see on Snowdonia’s leg-stretching walking routes.

For this brilliant getaway, we’ve put our heads together to come up with what we think are some of Snowdonia’s real classics: mountain routes and summit treks that will show you some of the National Park’s best bits. You’ll head out on daily walks past pristine tarns, try out some beginner-friendly scrambling (no experience necessary), and possibly bag a couple of Welsh 3000s (summits over 3,000ft - there are only 15 in the country!). You’ll do all of this in the great company of fellow outdoors lovers, all keen to get out on the mountains and have a fantastic time.

Please note: Snowdonia is full of many amazing peaks and this trip will aim to show you just some of the alternatives to Snowdon, this does mean that this weekend package will NOT be going up Snowdon. If your aim is Snowdon then why not join our dedicated Summit Snowdon Challenge Weekend.

Suggested Itinerary

This getaway is made up of a collection of some of our favourite mountain walks around Snowdonia, and so we haven’t limited the trip to a specific itinerary for each day. This flexibility means we’ll be able to consider the best routes for the weather conditions each day, meaning you’ll get the best views possible each day.

Day 1

You’re welcome to arrive at our lovely guesthouse accommodation at any time from 5pm, where you’ll be greeted by your Large Outdoors host who’ll get the kettle on, help you find your room, and introduce you to your fellow walkers for the holiday.

Your mission tonight is to kick-back and get to know the group over a glass of wine or a cuppa. Our accommodation has an excellent lounge area for relaxing in, and a garden which, given you’ll be here at the height of summer, hopefully you’ll make plenty of use of. Dinner, prepared by your host, will be served at around 8pm, and we’ll discuss our upcoming walks over the meal.

Days 2-3

We’ve kept the itinerary for this getaway flexible deliberately, meaning we’re able to head out on the most suitable and exciting walks each day, achieving what sounds best to the group and what works with the weather conditions - we want you to get the best views possible! On some days there could be a short drive required - where activities don’t start from the door of the accommodation. We don't include transport and participants normally car share. Some of our possible routes for the trip mean we may need to jump on a local bus - the cost for these journeys is not included.

Some of the possible routes we’ll walk include:

Moel Siabod - Moel Siabod is a classic mountain walk with a starting point that’s accessible a short walk from the door of our accommodation for this weekend. Moel is Welsh for ‘bare hill’, but the origins of Siabod are unclear - but our autocorrect seems to like to correct it to ‘Seabed’! In reality, you’ll be pretty far from the seabed when you reach the summit of Moel Siabod as, at 872 metres (2,861 ft), it’s the highest peak in the Moelwynion mountain range. With the glory of a listing in Trail magazine’s ‘Walks of a Lifetime’ series, Moel Siabod is a good challenge with 745m of ascent and provides an opportunity to try out some light scrambling - you’ll use your hands in places, but it’s not intimidating or exposed. The views are legendary: on a clear day, it’s possible to see 13 of the 14 highest peaks in Wales without turning your head, so you should definitely try to get them all in one photo!

Marchlyn Mawr Horseshoe - The Marchlyn Mawr Horseshoe route is a real ‘greatest hit’ of Snowdonia mountain walking. Taking in four separate summits, the route circumnavigates the Marchlyn Mawr and Marchlyn Bach reservoirs, the second of which is dammed as part of an impressive hydro electric scheme buried deep in the mountain. The summits covered by the Horseshoe route - Carnedd y Filiast, Minydd Perfedd, Elidir Fawr and Elidir Fach - are diverse in appearance and offer superb viewpoints of North Wales’ locations and history - from slate mining heritage to the aforementioned power project. At various points, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of Snowdon, the Carneddau range, and out to Anglesey and the Irish Sea beyond.

The Glyders - Glyderau, or The Glyders, are a mountain range, the name of which is derived from its two highest peaks, Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach. This classic route is stretching but features some truly impressive features that make it well worth the effort. Skirting the edge of the tranquil waters of Llyn Idwal, the route passes the spectacular Idwal Slabs - a spectacular post-glacial landscape feature. Heading up along the menacingly named Devil’s Staircase, with its extraordinary rock architecture, you’ll reach the first peak, Glyder Fawr, and head along a ridge walk over to Glyder Fach, the route’s second peak. Congratulations, you’ve just bagged two of the Welsh 3000s! (15 mountains in Wales that climb to over 3,000ft). One the way back down on this circular route, you’ll pass the Cantilever Slab, a precarious-looking rock formation that seems impossibly balanced - a perfect photo stop!

Cnicht - Cnicht is sometimes called the Matterhorn of Wales, and when you see its impressive pyramid-shape from below you’ll know why! This is a fantastic route punctuated by lower-level woodlands, streams, and waterfalls. The route to Cnicht’s dual peaks involved a bit of easy scrambling, though nothing enough to be regarded as frightening. As you head along the grassy ridge to the top, you’ll enjoy views of pristine tarns below and some of the area’s bird populations - sandpipers and wrens breed in the area and love making their presence known as they hunt for insects in mid-air. The summit offers incredible views of Snowdon, Glyderau, Cwn Croeser, and Moelyn Mawr.

Carnedd Dafydd and Llewelyn - This route is a great challenge that sees you bag two of the Welsh 3000s (mountains with a summit over 3000ft, and there are only 15 in total!). The mountains are big, the views are spectacular, and we’re certain you’ll enjoy a seriously fun day out as you ascend with your group and mountain leader. With an initial (non-intimidating!) scramble to the top of Pen yr Ole Wen, you’ll enjoy one of the loftiest ridge walks in Snowdonia, with fabulous views across North Wales throughout. Carnedd Llewelyn, one of our target peaks today, is the third highest mountain in England and Wales. On the way down, you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the Ffynnon Llygwy reservoir, as you make your way down towards it.

After our days walking in the mountains, we’ll head back to our accommodation to take it easy and relive the day’s experiences over a drink or two, or you could visit one of the local pubs if you’d like to. During the evenings your Large Outdoors host will cook dinner for you at the accommodation.

Please note: On some days there could be a short drive required - where activities don’t start from the door of the accommodation. We don't include transport and participants normally car share. Some of our possible routes for the trip mean we may need to jump on a local bus - the cost for these journeys is not included.

Meeting Time: from 5pm.
You can arrive any time from 5pm - the Large Outdoors host will be at the accommodation to welcome you. Dinner will be served around 8pm so if you intend to arrive later than this, please ensure you have something to eat on the way.
Meeting Location:
Dol Peris
High Street
Llanberis
Gwynedd
LL55 4HA
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Parking: There is limited parking available at the accommodation and plenty of pay-and-display car parks nearby.
Public Transport: Llanberis is located 10.6 miles from Bangor Train Station, with services to/from Holyhead and Crewe.
The easiest way to get to Dol Peris on public transport is a train to Bangor and then the 85/86 bus from Bangor Train Station to Llanberis - which will drop you at the door of Dol Peris, just ask the driver for the Heights pub. Please check service/timetables before travelling.
Taxi: A taxi from Bangor Train Station to Llanberis can cost around £30.
Please Note: On some days there could be a short drive required - where activities don’t start from the door of the accommodation. We don't include transport and participants normally car share. Some of our possible routes for the trip mean we may need to jump on a local bus - the cost for these journeys is not included.
Finish Time: We aim to finish on the final day between 4pm and 5pm - the exact finish time may depend on the planned/chosen activity, group dynamic, weather conditions, whether the group chooses to grab a coffee or lunch together during/after, etc. If you’ve travelled via public transport, please ensure you book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket), to allow for flexibility.
We’ll be staying in the lovely Dol Peris Guesthouse on this trip. It’s a spacious and cosy converted farmhouse set on the edge of Snowdonia National Park, so it’s perfectly placed for our itinerary. With towards the forests and mountains, it’s a haven that we love coming back to. Wi-Fi is available and there’s even a wood-burning stove for extra comfort!
Bedding is provided - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.
Accommodation Address:
Dol Peris
High Street
LLanberis
Gwynedd
LL55 4HA
Room Types:
You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:
Bed in a Shared Female Room
Bed in a Shared Male Room
Double/Twin Room
Single Room (shared bathroom)
There are Shared Rooms, where you’ll be sharing a room - with single beds, no bunks - with other participants (room sizes vary and bathrooms are shared). Double/Twin Rooms sleep up to two participants booking together (bathrooms are shared with other rooms or en-suite). Single Rooms are for one participant and have a single bed (bathrooms are shared with other rooms).
Included:
- 2 nights accommodation in Dol Peris guesthouse.
- A Large Outdoors host/guide to welcome you, deal with meal preparation and the logistics for your experience.
- Guided walks on 2 days through the magical Snowdonia National Park.
- Home-cooked set 2-course dinners at the accommodation each evening.
- A DIY breakfast each morning (toast, cereals, fruit and yoghurt provided).
- A DIY packed lunch (sandwich and snacks) for Day 2-3’s walks.
- Tea (including decaf and herbal options), coffee (including decaf option), and squash at the accommodation.
- Bedding - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.
- The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.
- Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.
Not included:
- Tavel to and from the meeting location.
- Travel from the accommodation to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the door. On some days there could be a short drive required - we don't include transport and participants normally car share. Some of our possible routes mean we may need to jump on a local bus - this cost is not included.
- Any extra (i.e. not mentioned above in ‘Included’) excursions or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.
- Bottled water - tap water and squash are available at the accommodation, so please ensure you bring sufficient water bottles or carriers to fill up and take out with you.
- Alcoholic drinks - please feel free to bring something with you to enjoy at the accommodation, or there’s a handy shop next door.
- Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.
- Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.
Please see our Residential (Walking) Kit List.
The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should have the items listed.
- What level of fitness is needed?
  This trip is rated Active Plus. Click here to see Large Outdoors’ Experience Levels. There’ll be a good deal of ascent and descent on all of the walks we go on, with some sections that may require a bit of scrambling - though nothing exposed or more intimidating than just relying on your hands for extra stability.
- Can I attend on my own?
  Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.
- I am currently on a specific diet / have an allergy - can you cater for me?
  Unfortunately, we are generally unable to cater for a wide variety of diets or food preferences due to the nature and cost of our catered trips and/or the use of shared kitchens. However, we can offer vegetarian meals, vegan meals, provide meals with gluten* free ingredients, and/or provide dairy* free meals - these options can be selected when booking. *Please see our general FAQs for more information about dietary options.
- What transport is provided during this trip?
  We do not provide any transport for this experience. On some days there could be a short drive required to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the accommodation - participants normally car share. Some of our possible routes for the weekend mean we may need to jump on a local bus - the cost for these journeys is not included.
- Can I bring my dog?
  Dogs are not allowed on this experience, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the itinerary and any activity/equipment/accommodation, and of course additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.
The first designated National Park in Wales, Snowdonia includes Wales’ highest mountain, Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), and an array of other peaks. Beyond the mountains, there are valleys, sandy estuaries, glacial lakes, forests and miles of walking trails.
Bounded by the Rivers Conwy and Dovey in the east and south, the view to the north and west stretches over the sea where, on a clear day, you can see the Llyn Peninsula, Cardigan Bay and even Ireland. Nestled among the mountains, you’ll find the history of the area in the form of sheep farming, forestry, and slate mining, and settlements dating back thousands of years.

Dol Peris Guesthouse is our base for this two night walking adventure - see photos below: