Towns and villages
The area covered by this guide mixes busy visitor towns with quiet villages. The archived category page listed several of them, with the following highlights.
Betws-y-Coed
One of the best known villages in Snowdonia. Its name is usually translated as a prayer house in the wood. The guide also kept a set of Victorian photochrom images of the village, and the former railway goods yard now houses a railway museum with a large miniature layout.
Beddgelert
Famous for its setting and for a small mound known as Gelert’s Grave, which is the subject of a well-known local legend.
Dolgellau and its surroundings
Dolgellau is a market town on the northern side of the Cader Idris range. Close by are Llanfachreth, a village about three miles to the north, and Cymer Abbey, reached via a riverside walk along the Mawddach. The area also holds a photographic history of Dolgellau.
Around Bala and Trawsfynydd
Bala sits on Llyn Tegid, the largest natural lake in Wales. Trawsfynydd is spread around a man-made reservoir of 1,180 acres.
Barmouth and Porthmadog
Barmouth offers a wide sandy beach and views over Cardigan Bay, and Porthmadog lies on the estuary of the Afon Glaslyn. Nearby is Blaenau Ffestiniog, the old slate town.
Planning tip
Most of these places are close enough to combine in a single trip, especially if you use the heritage railways. See things to do for ideas.