Snowdonia - August 15-20, 2010
Introduction
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In the wilds of Snowdonia National Park we experience the primitive beauty of a mystical land where a singular language and culture still thrive. The passion of Welsh poetry and music is inspired by wondrous landscapes where mountains sweep down to green valleys and white sand beaches. Kings real and imagined did battle here; saints, poets and bards sang its praises.
A center of gastronomy, Wales offers organic produce, succulent lamb, artisan cheeses and fish fresh from the seas.
Walk highlights include listening to the sweet music of a Welsh harpist and watching a farmer and his dog herd sheep.
Walk Summary
| Date | 15-AUG-10 - 20-AUG-10 |
| Trip | 6 days, 5 nights |
| Terrain |  Walk Rating: Moderate. Drovers paths, estuary shores, ascending and descending paths through woodlands and alongside streams. Daily walks are between 8-10 miles, encountering modest hills. |
| Price |
Walk begins in Dolgellau, with arrival at Chester Rail Station and ends in Caernarfon, with departure from Bangor Rail Station.
Walk Itinerary
Sunday
We rendezvous at Chester Rail Station to take a pretty drive to Dolgellau for our Introductory Talk and Welcome Dinner.
Monday
From our hotel in Dolgellau we walk through meadows and farmyards, via an old drovers' road to a river bubbling down to the serene Mawddach Estuary. We lunch at a 17th-century waterside pub and watch birds feeding on the tidal mud flats. A walk into the old town of Dolgellau to explore its historical USA connections completes the day.
Tuesday
We walk where Druids made their sacrifices, cross a 7th-century clapper bridge, descend a secretive waterfall and cross the mouth of the Mawddach Estuary for lunch. The afternoon takes in a leisurely stroll through the hills. We finish our day in Barmouth, a town praised in poems by Tennyson and Shelley.
Wednesday
After a gentle ascent into the hills we see the dramatic 13th-century Harlech Castle below us, now enclosed from the sea by drifting sands. After a castle tour we lunch at the country's leading tea-room before visiting a hill-farm with working border collies. We descend to our award winning hotel Maes-y-Neuadd in Talsarnau, with its beautifully tended kitchen gardens.
Thursday
We descend along the lovingly restored, narrow gauge steam railway from Blaenau Ffestiniog over undulating meadow land with views over the vale below. A short 'Thomas the Tank Engine' ride takes us to lunch in Portmeirion, a fantasy village modelled on Portofino. We cross the 'Cob' to Porthmadog with magnificent views of Snowdon, the highest mountain in England and Wales.
Friday
After breakfast we transfer by minibus to visit the mightiest of castles, Caernarfon, on our way to our departure at Bangor Rail Station.
This itinerary represents a typical Walk. We prepare itineraries well in advance of the trip and therefore we reserve the right to make changes due to weather, local events or other circumstances - but always to improve the experience of our guests.
Hotels
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Penmaenuchaf Hall Hotel - Sunday, Monday & Tuesday
Penmaenpool
Dolgellau
Gwynedd
North Wales LL40 1YB
T: +44 (0)1341-422-129
F: +44 (0)1341-422-787
E: relax@penhall.co.uk
W: www.penhall.co.uk
This luxury country house hotel is set in the beautiful Snowdonia National Park close to the market town of Dolgellau, where Mid Wales meets North Wales. Penmaenuchaf Hall evokes a bygone era with its polished oak floors and panelling, sumptuous rugs, fresh flowers, a blazing log fire, leather sofas, deep set armchairs and oriental rugs.
Fresh produce and herbs from the hotel's own gardens are used to create exceptional cuisine. The Chef and his team produce 'Modern British Food' with an emphasis on lightness and simple, careful presentation.
The hotel has a warm welcome reinforced by little details like fresh fruit and sweet platters offered on all bedroom corridors and rooms serviced twice daily for guests' comfort. Each bedroom boasts a wonderful view out across the landscaped gardens to the Mawddach valley and mountains beyond. The rooms come in all shapes and sizes, but all have exquisite furnishings, luxurious drapes and 21st century amenities including TV, clock radio, hairdryers and telephone. There are also handy in-house drying facilities for wet clothes! The hotel has a computer available for guests' use but there is no wireless internet connection.
Maes-Y-Neuadd - Wednesday & Thursday
Talsarnau
Nr. Harlech
Gwynedd
North Wales LL47 6YA
T: +44 (0)1766-780-200
F: +44 (0)1766-780-211
E: maes@neuadd.com
W: www.neuadd.com
Maes-y-Neuadd is a very old Welsh manor house dating from the 14th century, now converted into a country house hotel. Situated amongst some of the most beautiful scenery in Britain with spectacular views across the Snowdonia National Park, it nestles into a wooded mountainside. Steeped in history, the sixteenth, eighteenth and twentieth century additions to this gracious, historic Manor, blend harmoniously and retain the old world character.
The individual ensuite bedrooms vary in style, reflecting the different eras. Features range from high ceilings in Georgian rooms to 16th century beams but all are furnished and equipped to provide luxury, comfort and warmth. Instead of tea and coffee making facilities in the rooms, the staff are always on hand to provide you with this service.
In the gracious and elegant dining-room, guests can enjoy the highly acclaimed cuisine is focussed around what is locally available such as freshly picked fruit and vegetables from the hotel's garden, Welsh lamb from nearby farms, fresh fish from Cardigan Bay and Welsh cheeses.
Maes-Y-Neuadd requests that guests kindly respect the hotel's dress code at dinner: no denim jeans/skirts, no trainers or sportswear.
The hotel has wireless internet connection available in the conservatory but not in guest bedrooms.
This hotel list is a provided as an example. We may use different hotels of the same quality and style on specific trips. The Wayfarers will notify confirmed travelers of any changes to the hotels.
Photo Gallery
Travel Information
Before & After Your Walk:
- Have a night or two in Chester and walk the Roman walls, which encircle the ancient city
- Take a local train to South Wales and explore St. David's Cathedral and the Pembroke Coast
- Take a fast ferry from Holyhead to visit Dublin, Ireland
Weather:
Temperatures usually range from around 45º to 65ºF (7º to 18ºC) in spring/autumn and from 60º to 70º F (15º to 21ºC) in summer although it can rise to above 80º F (27ºC) on some days. You are likely to need a light jacket or sweater in the evenings. Rainfall is unpredictable but occurs all year round and can be heavy, even in summer. Equally there can be long spells of warm dry weather so you will need to bring clothing to accommodate all situations.
To see more Travel Information and a list of our recommended tips please register or sign in. Once you confirm a booking for this walk, as a registered website member, you will be able to access detailed Joining Instructions including exact arrival and departure points and times as part of the Travel Information.
FAQs
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Are there any hidden costs?
Our Vacations do not include the cost of air or rail fares to and from the destination or tips for your walk leader and manager. -
How large are the Groups?
Our maximum group size is 16, but groups average between 8-12 people. -
Will I feel welcome as a single traveler?
Yes! Our walks are the perfect environment of comfortable camaraderie for the single traveler. -
Can you accomodate special diets?
Yes! -
How physically fit do I have to be to do a Wayfarers Walk?
If you are in good health and reasonably fit you will be comfortable participating in a walk.
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What's Next?
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