Walking the Trail and using this website.
Use this Site to follow and discover the 83-mile Snowdonia Slate Trail.
The Trail follows public rights of way or permissive paths. It crosses rough and remote areas and passes next to disused quarry workings or along minor roads. The Snowdonia Slate Trail Trust accept no liability for its use or for any error or omission with regards to content of the website.
Please inform us should you find any inaccurate information on the website or app, and we will correct it as soon as we can.
Planning to walk the Trail
This Trail was created in 2017 and facilities will develop as its use increases. When planning your walk round the Trail, special attention will be necessary in planning transport, accommodation and refreshment.
The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales is undoubtedly fascinating, but by its very nature can be remote, dangerous and challenging. A significant proportion of the landscape is within private ownership and some of this on land where no public access is permitted.
Before you set off to explore the slate landscape, ask yourself, am I allowed to access this site? Do I have the right gear? Do I know what the weather will be like? Do I have the knowledge and skills for the day? Go to AdventureSmart.uk to find out how to enjoy your visit safely.
Those walking the route continuously will be able to use the regular public transport back from Bethesda to Bangor, However, if you decide to walk the Trail in one-off day walks, you will need to carefully plan your sections to fit in with your transport arrangements. Public transport in some sections is poor, and two cars may be necessary. For information about transport, press the information button.
Look at these videos by Anthony Pipes at your leisure for a taste of the Trail. Anthony walked the Trail in 5 days.
Day 1 Bangor to Llanberis
Day 2 Llanberis to Beddgelert Forest
Day 3 Beddgelert Forest to Llan Ffestiniog
Day 4 Llan Ffestiniog to Betws y Coed
Day 5 Betws y Coed to Bethesda
Walkers who want a momento of their walk can obtain an impressive bronzed medal by filling in their passport. All profit from this scheme goes towards maintaining and improving the Trail. For full details, go to our passport page on the menu.
Accommodation and refreshments
There are no shops between Llanberis and Beddgelert so you will need to ensure that you buy and carry your food and drink before you set off on these sections.
You will need to check the availability of meals at the end of your day. Again, Llan Ffestiniog and Penmachno have very limited eating opportunities. At least, Llan Ffestiniog has a small shop, as does Penmachno.
Please remember that mobile phone coverage is patchy in Snowdonia, so book accommodation in advance.
https://snowdoniaslatetrail.org/accommodation-refreshments/
Walking the Trail by public transport
It is possible to do the Trail in seven days using public transport based in Caernarfon or Bangor. There is a free public car park a short way from the Trail head in Beach Road. No overnight parking is allowed in this car park. The parking at the Trail itself is private.
Most information is available on the Traveline Cymru app.
Day 1. Bangor – Bethesda – Llanberis
Return. Llanberis to Bangor by bus
Day 2. Llanberis – Waunfawr – Nantlle
Outward. Bangor to Llanberis by bus
Return. Nantlle to Caernarfon to Bangor by bus
Day 3. Nantlle – Rhyd Ddu- Beddgelert
Outward. Bangor to Caernarfon to Nantlle by bus
Return. Beddgelert to Pen y Pass to Bangor by bus
Day 4. Beddgelert- – Croesor – Blaenau Ffestiniog – Llan Ffestiniog
Outward. Bangor to Caernarfon to Beddgelert by bus
Return. Llan Ffestiniog to Blaenau by bus then train to Llandudno Junction to Bangor.
Day 5. Llan Ffestiniog – Cwm Penmachno
Outward. Bangor to Llandudno Jctn to Blaenau by train then bus to Llan Ffestiniog.
Return. Cwm Penmachno to Llandudno Junction by Ffelcsi bus then bus or train to Bangor
Day 6. Cwm Penmachno – Penmachno – Betws y Coed – Capel Curig
Outward. Bangor to Llandudno Jctn to Betws by train then Fflecsi bus to Cwm Penmachno
Return. Capel Curig to Llanberis to Bangor by bus
Day 7. Capel Curig – Bethesda or Bangor to Capel Curig by the T10 bus
Outward. Bangor to Caernarfon to Capel Curig by bus
Return. Bethesda to Bangor by bus.
Basing in Caernarfon might be best as most buses originate/terminate there.
The Sherpa service is a brilliant service if you know your way around them. For details of Sherpa services visit https://www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/en/Residents/Parking-roads-and-travel/Travel-passes/Snowdon-Sherpa.aspx
There is only one direct bus from Cwm Penmachno which goes to Llandudno. Arrange by Fflecsi if you think you’ll be later or going onto Penmachno. For details of the Conwy Valley Fflecsi bus service visit
https://www.fflecsi.wales/locations/conwy-valley/
Also, see https://www.trawscymru.info/t10/ for services between Bangor Railway Station and Betws y Coed
The Traws Cymru bus T10 runs all year , every 2 hours between Bangor and Corwen, so it is really useful for the section of the Trail between Bangor and Betws (for Penmachno).
Baggage transfer and guiding services
Although this is a new Trail a number of local companies have already undertaken to provide walkers with a variety of services:
Although this is a new Trail a number of local companies have already undertaken to provide walkers with a variety of services:
RAW Adventures can provide a fully guided and inclusive service for walkers and runners
They will welcome you on your arrival and spend some time going through what the next 3-6 days will look like with your RAW Adventures guide, depending if you`re running or walking. They will book the necessary accommodation for each night and transfer your baggage so it will be ready and waiting for you at the end of each day. Included in their cost is a copy of the official Snowdonia Slate Trail guidebook. Contact them on 01286 870 870 or visit https://www.raw-adventures.co.uk/challenges/snowdonia-slate-trail
Anelu/Aim Higher provides a fully supported guided service and can be contacted on 07877 902624 or visit www.mountain-hill-courses.co.uk.
Breese Adventures are offering a 5-day challenge which includes a qualified and experienced mountain leader, 4 nights’ accommodation, all meals, luggage transfer and a Snowdonia Slate Trail commemorative Bronze medal. For further information please contact Tracey on 07525 625 375 or visit https://www.breeseadventures.co.uk/events/snowdonia-slate-trail/
Contours Holidays offer the Snowdonia Slate Trail as a complete self-guided walking holiday package, to include B&B accommodation, luggage transfers and maps and guidebook. We offer the full trail or a short break option also. More information can be found on http://wwcontours.co.uk/snowdonia-slate-trails
Exodus Travels provide full accommodation and baggage transfer services for a self-guided walk along the Trail. Visit https://www.exodus.co.uk/wales-holidays/walking-trekking/walking-snowdonia-slate-trail/tdx
Snowdon Taxis of Llanberis can provide baggage handling services. Tel: CK Cabs on 01286 871 768
A number of websites are available with details of accommodation as well as baggage transfer and guiding services.
https://independenthostels.co.uk/snowdonia-slate-trail-hostel-and-bunkhouse-accommodation
www.bedandbreakfasts.co.uk/llanberis-tourist-information-centre
www.bedandbreakfasts.co.uk/blaenau-ffestiniog-railway-station