How to spend a week in Snowdonia! 🏴
I recently went on a trip to Snowdonia in Wales. The idea was to film a vlog every day on our adventures, use some new equipment and get used to creating travel content for YouTube. We were staying a Penmachno which was just outside of Betws-y-Coed (I would recommend stay in Betws-y-Coed if you have the chance!), which mean’t that we were coming in from the North via Llandudno.
Day 1
We decided to make our first stop at Abergwyngregyn to see the wonderful Aber Falls. This was such an amazing sight as we were able to scale all the rocks that lead right alongside and underneath the falls, something that doesn’t occur too often. We also managed to take a slight detour to the smaller falls ‘Rhaeadr Fawr’ and had a wonderful time shooting as the sun was starting to set. A terrific first day with much more in-store.
Day 2
Climbing Mt. Snowdon feels like a right of passage when in Snowdonia, so on our second day we decided to tackle the Miner’s Track. It was a tough feat, but it felt so much more satisfying reaching the top. We took the Llanberis path earlier in the year and it was a very easy and steady walk, but if you fancy a bigger challenge, the Miner’s path will make you feel more accomplished once you reach the summit. After having our lunch at the peak, we headed back down the Pyg track which offered some stunning views looking out over the Miner’s path valleys.
Day 3
The third day was filled with wonder. Our adventures took us to the magical Fairy Glen Gorge. It was such a peaceful and hidden area that had us scaling the rocks and flying our drone down stream to capture the natural beauty. There is some sort of air that shrouds the gorge that gives you a very organic explorative experience. With the really warm weather we were having, it allowed us to get really deep into the cavern. If you are staying in Betws-Y-Coed then you have to visit the Fairy Glen which only a 10 minute walk away from the town centre.
From there we headed to the Vale Of Ffestiniog trail, taking us on a tour through the Snowdonia countryside. Following our guidebook, we caught up with the miniature railways lines which took us past some spectacular properties looking out over the valley. This is a wonderful trail walk, but if you plan on doing both the Fairy Glen & Vake Of Ffestiniog in the same day like us, then you will need a car to get to the start point.
Day 4
Our fourth day had us lost in Gwydir Forest. We began following our trails guide into the woods, but a large number of collapsed trees blocked our path and we had to scale up the hill until we could find a clearing! We were getting cut, scratched and stung by brambles and twigs, but when we reached the top, the sights were magnificent. We ventured onwards towards the Llyn Elsi lake and then back down the hill, towards Swallow Falls.
From Llyn Elsi you take a delightful trail descending through farmland and cobbled paths which lead you all the way to Miner’s Bridge. We took the path left of the bridge which leads you all the way around to the Swallow Falls viewing area which costs a couple quid to enter. After making our way to Swallow Falls, we took the long riverside decent through the forest, past the Miner’s Bridge back towards Betws-y-Coed for a wonderful curry at a place called Abbasi’s. They were extremely accommodating to us arriving so late in the evening from our 8 hour walk, but the stayed open and cooked us freshly prepared curry dishes. It was one of the best curries i’ve had from a restaurant!
Day 5
Our final day had us explore Conwy Falls that were quite literally 5 minutes from our lodges. Located between Penmacno & Betws-y-Coed, we again were lucky enough to scale down the rocks right across where the river had dried up due to the warm spring heat we were having. From here, we headed out around a 10 minute drive to the next village over to tackle the Lledar Valley trail. This was a wonderful way to round off our incredible Snowdonia adventure. The slightly undulating path the takes you in the woods that look over the caravan camp sites that are situated between Dolwyddelan and Betws-y-Coed. Mount Snowdon can be seen in the distance standing tall and clear over the valley. The trail then snakes back on itself bringing you alongside Afon Lledar river leading right back to where you started.
Snowdonia will always have a place in my heart. The first destination that I decided to make travel content from, and an adventure that has set the bar for many journeys to come. After returning home from this trip, I lost all the footage whilst in the backup process due to failed hard drives. It was an emotional time, but we managed to recover the lost footage, sending the drive off to a data recovery centre who actually managed to obtain the lost files.
This project became a hard fought starting point for my YouTube channel. It has taught me a number things, but the main take away is that you can create magic without the greatest equipment. The whole trip was shot on a Nikon D5300 with a small RØDE Video Micro and a Joby Gorilla Pod. An inexpensive set up that costs way under £300. You can really take an audience with you for little to no money (in the camera world that is.) Don’t get me wrong, the drone footage also helped a bunch, so as ever thank you to Ed for sharing that with me.
There is so much of Snowdonia to explore. You can build your own itinerary and just get lost in the Welsh wilderness. If you want to follow my journey, you can head over to my channel via the Aber Falls video, or any of the videos above and follow along for yourself.
Reccomendations (Circled words are clickable)
Hotels 🏨: If you’re planning a similar trip I would recommend staying in Betws-y-Coed. A beautiful little town, with restaurants, bars, tourism centre, bus links, petrol stations and a great central point to work from for your Snowdonia trip!
Cars 🚗: Getting around to these natural wonders and to reach the start point for your Mt. Snowdon climb, then I would definitely rent a car!
Food 🍛: If you are in Betws-y-Coed then you have to go to Abassi’s for a curry!
Peace 🖖🏽