Gwynedd is the home of Snowdon - England & Wales' highest mountain at 3560 ft. The summit is reached via various walks or by the Snowdon Mountain Railway from Llanberis. On clear days, there are spectacular views from its summit to the Wicklow mountains of Ireland and the Lake District.
The Ffestiniog Railway snakes up from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog with its slate caverns. Gold and copper were also extracted from these North Wales quarries.
Portmeirion is near the sea terminus of this narrow gauge railway, with its unique Italianate town designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis. There are two Signpost recommended hotels here.
Further south the Mawddach estuary is a bird sanctuary and area of outstanding natural beauty.
The drive from Dolgellau towards Machynlleth is one of the most spectacular in Britain, past Cadair Idris and the Centre for Alternative Technology - a former slate quarry now displaying means of alternative energy from sun, wind and water. |