Snowdonia by train

You don’t need a car to climb Yr Wyddfa or spend a weekend in the woods and waterfalls of Eryri. Hop on a train to Betws-y-Coed, catch the mountain bus from the village, and you’re at the foot of the hills. Here’s how it works.

Why go car-free in Eryri

If you’ve ever tried to park at Pen-y-Pass on a sunny Saturday, you’ll know the car parks fill up early and the day can start with a lot of driving round. Coming by train and bus means you can skip all that.

It’s a nicer way to arrive too. You watch the estuary and the forest go past the window, then step off the train in the middle of a stone village. It’s easier on the landscape, and there’s no long drive home at the end of the day.

Getting to Betws-y-Coed by train

Betws-y-Coed is on the Conwy Valley line, a little railway that follows the river inland from the coast. From most of England you’ll head for Llandudno Junction on the North Wales coast line, then change onto the Conwy Valley line for the trip up the valley. There are connections from London, Manchester and Liverpool.

The station is about ten minutes’ walk from the middle of the village, and from there it’s a bus ride to the mountains.

Reaching Yr Wyddfa and the trailheads

The Sherpa’r Wyddfa buses link the villages with the main trailheads on Yr Wyddfa. From Betws-y-Coed they run through Capel Curig to Pen-y-Pass, where the Pyg Track and the Miners’ Track start, and you can change for Llanberis and the paths on the other side of the mountain.

Because the buses go round the mountain, you can walk up one path, come down another and catch the bus back. Have a look at the timetable before you set off, and make sure you leave time for the last bus.

What to do without a car

Yr Wyddfa is the big one, but there’s plenty to do on the days you give the summit a miss. The Gwydir Forest rises up from the village, with walking and mountain bike trails through the trees. Swallow Falls is a little way up the road, and the old slate mines nearby run underground tours and zip lines. On a slow morning, the village itself is a lovely place to wander, with its bridges, cafes and the river running through.

Travelling light

Travelling without a car means carrying everything you bring, so pack for Welsh weather. If you’re bringing a bike, it can come on the train with you, and there’s a rack in our garage so you can ride the forest from the door. Just bring a lock.