Where to stay for Snowdon
- Walk Snowdonia
- Jun 26
- 7 min read
Updated: Jun 27
Snowdon, known in Welsh as Yr Wyddfa is the highest mountain in Wales. It is surrounded by, rugged cliffs, stunning lakes and charming villages. This picturesque landscape offers plenty of great places to stay.
Snowdon attracts over half a million walkers annually and there is a variety of places to stay nearby to service this demand. Due to; proximity to the mountain, range of accommodation on offer, amenities and beauty the best options are:
Llanberis
Betws-y-Coed
Beddgelert
Caernarfon
Where is Snowdon?
Snowdon, known in Welsh as Yr Wyddfa, is located in Eryri - Snowdonia National Park in North Wales.
It is a 29.2 mile drive on narrow country lanes around the base of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). To drive around the base of the mountain takes around an hour.
The Snowdon Sherpa bus has regular busses from the main towns and villages to the most popular footpaths.
Type of accommodation near Snowdon
No matter your budget or preference, there’s a good range of accommodation to suit everyone:
Hotels & Inns - Comfortable stays with food and amenities
Bed & Breakfasts - Cozy, locally-run options with a personal touch
Hostels - Budget-friendly and often really close to the trailheads. Great for solo travelers or groups
Camping & Glamping - Immerse yourself in nature with a tent or luxury pod
Self-Catering Cottages & Lodges – Ideal for families or groups wanting more flexibility
Airbnb - Ideal for those looking for a home from home. These tend to fill up quickly so are best booked well in advance
Proximity to Snowdon’s footpaths
One of the best things about Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) is that there are six footpaths to the top. These footpaths start on different sides of the mountain and converge at the summit.
Travel time can be reduced significantly by choosing accommodation close to the footpath you plan to walk up.
Closest town or village to Snowdon
The villages of Llanberis and Rhyd Ddu are right at the bottom of the mountain. They both have a Snowdon footpath (named after them) starting in the village.
Closest base to Snowdon
If you just want to roll out of bed and start climbing, here are the closest places to stay for each footpath:
Llanberis Path – The village of Llanberis, with plenty of hotels, B&Bs, and hostels. The Royal Victoria Hotel is right at the bottom of the route.
Snowdon Ranger Path – Snowdon Ranger YHA is conveniently located at the foot of the trail and can be booked out by large groups. Caernarfon is the nearest town.
Pyg Track & Miners' Track - Pen-y-Pass YHA is just steps from both trailheads. Alternatively, the village of Llanberis is just minutes away by car or bus.
Rhyd Ddu Path – There is a charming Inn - The Cwellyn Arms (aka Base Camp Snowdon) in the village of Rhyd Ddu as well as cottages. Options are very limited so the nearby village of Beddgelert has more choice.
Watkin Path – Nant Gwynant offers camping as well as Bryn Dinas glamping pods. Beddgelert is the nearest village with a decent range of accommodation options.
Beautiful places to stay near Snowdon
Beddgelert and Betws-y-Coed are two of Eryri's (Snowdonia) most enchanting villages, each offering its own unique charm.
Beddgelert is nestled at the foot of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), is a picture-perfect stone village with a bridge crossing where rivers meet, surrounded by lush forest and mountain views. Its peaceful atmosphere, scenic walking trails, and the legend of Gelert the dog give it a timeless, storybook feel.
Betws-y-Coed is known as the gateway to Snowdonia. It captivates with alpine-style buildings, artisan shops, and a vibrant outdoor culture.
With a backdrop of wooded hillsides and riverside walks, both villages blend natural beauty with authentic Welsh character, making them irresistible bases for hikers. Beddgelert has more of a sleepy village feel whereas Betws-y-Coed is more lively.
Where to stay for amenities?
The towns and villages near Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) are well catered for tourists with plenty of shops, restaurants and things to do. Here are the best options:
Llanberis - A decent sized tourist village with lots of outdoor shops and cafes. There are plenty of things to do in Llanberis including Padarn lake, Dolbadarn castle and the National Slate Museum. It's perfect for people using public transport as Llanberis is a Snowdon Sherpa bus and taxi hub.
Betws y Coed - A beautiful alpine-style village with lots of cafés, restaurants, outdoor shops and a few pubs. In addition there is lots of things to do on a day off. Betws-y-Coed is well connected by the Snowdon Sherpa bus and railway station.
Beddgelert - This quaint village has a few shops, pubs and cafes. It's suitable for those who want to get away from it all but want to browse a few shops or eat out after hiking.
Caernarfon - A vibrant coastal town with restaurants, pubs, supermarkets, petrol stations and a castle.
Bangor - A university city with a good selection of pubs, bars and restaurants. It is the best place in the local area for a night out.
Porthmadog - A lively harbour town with excellent amenities and easy access to south west Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon).
Where to stay in Llanberis
Llanberis is one of the most popular bases for climbing Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) - especially for first-time hikers. The easiest and most popular route up Snowdon starts from the village and there are plenty of accommodation options and things to do in Llanberis.
The village is perfect for anyone wanting a short and easy commute to Yr Wyddfa's (Snowdon's) most popular routes.
Here are some accommodation options for Llanberis;
🏨 The Royal Victoria Hotel – Mid-range hotel, right at the base of Snowdon.
🏡 The Lake View Hotel – Award winning B&B just outside the village in generous grounds.
By car
Driving time from Llanberis to…
Llanberis Path: 0 mins
Ranger Path: 12 mins
PYG & Miners Track: 15 - 18 mins
Rhyd Ddu Path: 18 - 20 mins
Watkin Path: 25 - 30 mins
Where to stay in Betws y Coed
Betws-y-Coed (pronounced Bett-oos uh Coyd) is a charming alpine-style village often called the gateway to Snowdonia.
Betws y Coed is an excellent base for walkers who want a lively village atmosphere with good transport links.
Here are some accommodation options for Beddgelert;
🏨 The Riverside Hotel - Luxury accommodation set in beautiful gardens and surrounded by breathtaking views. Perfect for couples.
🏨 Royal Oak Hotel - Stylish and central, with a popular bar and restaurant.
Driving time from Betws y Coed to…
Llanberis Path: 30–35 mins
Ranger Path: 30 mins
PYG & Miners Track: 30–35 mins
Rhyd Ddu Path: 30–35 mins
Watkin Path: 35–40 mins
Betws-y-Coed is a great base for anyone spending a few days in the area and ideal if you want a well-equipped, beautiful village with good access to Eryri (Snowdonia) as a whole.
Where to stay in Beddgelert
Beddgelert is regarded by many as the most picturesque village in Eryri (Snowdonia) due to it's timeless feel.
It offers a quiet and charming base with excellent access by car to the quieter footpaths .
Here are some accommodation options for Beddgelert;
🛏️ Plas Tan y Graig - Riverfront location, stylish interiors, very close to cafes and shops.
🏡 Sygun Fawr Country House - Hidden in the hills just outside Beddgelert, amazing views and peace.
Driving time from Beddgelert to…
Llanberis Path: 25 mins
Ranger Path: 15 mins
PYG & Miners Track: 20 mins
Rhyd Ddu Path: 11 mins
Watkin Path: 9 mins
Beddgelert is perfect if you value charm, calm, and natural beauty. It is a good location for anyone doing Snowdon South Ridge, Rhyd Ddu Path or using our Private Guiding service.
Caernarfon
Caernarfon is a beautiful walled town with a UNESCO-listed medieval castle, harbour, and cobbled streets.
The town offers a large range of accommodation and places to eat.
Here are some accommodation options for Caernarfon;
🏨 The Black Boy Inn – Historic pub with rooms; characterful and central.
Premier Inn Caernarfon – Budget-friendly, modern rooms with harbour views.
Driving time from Caernarfon to…
Llanberis Path: 25 minutes
Ranger Path: 20 minutes
PYG & Miners Track: 35–40 minutes
Rhyd Ddu Path: 25 minutes
Watkin Path: 35 minutes
Caernarfon is perfect for anyone wanting to add a little culture to their trip and is close to both the Llanberis Path and Ranger Path.
Other options
Other locations which are worth considering due to their proximity to some footpaths include Rhyd Ddu, Waunfawr, Blaenau Ffestiniog, & Porthmadog.
Llandudno, Conwy, Anglesey and the Llyn Peninsula each have their own charm and are popular with visitors however, they are more than 30 minutes drive to the nearest Snowdon footpath.
Where to stay if using public transport?
If you're relying on public transport, Bangor or Betws-y-Coed are best. These locations have train stations with connections to major cities as well as regular bus services to Snowdon.
Llanberis is another good option with regular buses to Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) however, the village doesn't have a National Rail train station.
Where to stay for large groups
For a large groups such as corporate or school groups, you'll need to book well in advance.
The best options for large groups include:
Craflwyn Hall (Nant Gwynant) – National Trust property in rural location. Sleeps up to 16 guests
Swallow Falls Hotel (Betws y Coed) – Has group accommodation in a scenic location
Celtic Royal Hotel (Caernarfon) – Multiple conference rooms, large group dining, spa & pool
Premier Inn (Caernarfon) – Budget-friendly with bulk booking options
Plas Curig Hostel (Capel Curig) – Boutique bunkhouse sleeping 50+
Royal Victoria Hotel (Llanberis) – 100+ rooms, large dining areas, meeting space
IXORA Hotel and Spa (Conwy) – 106 guest rooms and four meeting rooms
YHA (Llanberis, Snowdon Ranger & Pen-y-Pass) - Serviced group stays for 16-110 people
How to make your Snowdon hike a success
Book accommodation in advance – Popular places fill up quickly, especially in peak season
Check the weather – Conditions can change quickly, so be prepared
Start early – Avoid the crowds and give yourself plenty of time
Take the right gear – Sturdy boots, waterproofs, and layers are essential
Bring plenty of snacks & water – There are no shops on the mountain!
Know Your Route – Study the path before setting off and carry a map or GPS.
Join a guided walk - Increase safety and your chances of success by joining a walk led by a local mountain guide
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