This spectacular loop takes you way out into the Snowdonia National Park and circumnavigates the Snowdon range. You’ll cross Pen-y-Pass before dropping through Llanberis Pass into the town of Llanberis. Here lies the remains of Dolbadarn Castle, and the town is also the starting point for the Snowdonia mountain railway. The route then heads up towards Caernarfon where the spectacular castle sits high above the bay.

The return leg brings you around the western side of Snowdon where, if you’re lucky, you may get to see one of the steam trains running on the narrow gauge Welsh Highland railway. You will then climb back towards Capel Curig before descending past Swallow Falls back into Betws-y-Coed.

Start point: Betws-y-Coed railway station
Grid reference: SH 79534 56521
Postcode: LL24 0AE
Total distance: 82km
Total elevation: 1377m
Max elevation: 383m

To see a rough map of this route, click here.