Snowdonia
Snowdonia is known the world over for its spectacular scenery. Sir Edmund Hillary trained on Snowdon before attempting Everest and the area’s craggy landscape has inspired artists, botanists, poets, geologists and engineers such as Thomas Telford who built a coach road between the peaks.
Snowdonia is Wales’ most dramatic area with Snowdon the highest summit south of Scotland. Its Welsh name, Eryri, is either derived from eryr – land of eagles, or perhaps more appropriately now the eagles have gone, eira – land of snow.
The Welsh for the highest point ‘Yr Wyddfa’ – the burial place – indicates that people have been climbing the peak for millennia. Going even further back, geologists have found 500 million year old fossil shells here from when Snowdon was on the sea bed.
The remoteness provided a hiding place for the last true prince of Wales, Llewelyn ap Gruffydd in 1277 during his final battle with Edward I and it is from here Owain Glyndwr carried on his valiant struggle against the English in the early 15th century.
Mountaineering, hill-walking, kayaking in mountain lakes, going deep underground, riding on narrow gauge railways or just admiring the views and getting close to nature, you’ll find lots of things to entrance you. Evenings can be spent in Victorian hotels or traditional whitewashed pubs working your way through the menu or perhaps having a sing a long.