Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park – Mountains, Slate Landscapes, and Wales’s High Ground

Sharp Peaks, Deep Cwms, and a Cultural Mountain Landscape

Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park lies in north-west Wales, covering a large area of Gwynedd and parts of Conwy. Wales’s highest and most dramatic mountain region, Eryri is defined by steep ridges, jagged summits, and deeply cut cwms — a landscape shaped by ice, rock, and centuries of human interaction with the land.

Walking journeys here are shaped by verticality and definition. Steep ascents rise quickly from valley floors, ridges narrow into exposed crests, and routes often demand hands-on movement as much as steady walking. Progress is rarely subtle. Distance is compressed by gradient, and the experience is defined by height gained, ground underfoot, and rapidly changing conditions.

At the heart of the park stands Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), the highest peak in Wales and a focal point for movement and identity. Multiple routes climb its flanks, ranging from broad paths to narrow ridges, but even away from this central summit the landscape remains resolutely mountainous. Peaks such as Tryfan, Glyder Fawr, and Cadair Idris contribute to a dense concentration of high ground unmatched elsewhere in Britain.

Glacial processes have carved the park into a series of dramatic forms. Sharp arêtes, hanging valleys, and deep corries create walking defined by constant variation in terrain. Lakes sit beneath cliffs, and narrow passes link one basin to the next, producing routes that feel purposeful and contained rather than expansive.

Human history is inseparable from the landscape. Slate quarries, inclines, and abandoned workings thread through valleys and hillsides, leaving a strong industrial imprint alongside the natural forms. This relationship between mountain and labour is now formally recognised, with parts of the park designated as a UNESCO slate landscape, reinforcing Eryri’s identity as both a natural and cultural environment.

Despite its popularity, Eryri retains a strong sense of seriousness. Weather can shift rapidly, cloud often obscures summits, and exposure is ever-present on higher routes. Walking here rewards experience, preparation, and sound judgement, particularly on ridges and less frequented lines.

Lower ground offers contrast. Valleys, lakesides, and wooded slopes provide routes that soften the intensity of the high mountains, allowing journeys that combine demanding ascents with quieter approaches and recoveries. This vertical layering gives the park depth and flexibility, accommodating a wide range of walking styles.

Long-distance routes intersect the park, reinforcing its role within Wales’s wider walking network. Trails such as the Cambrian Way pass through the heart of the mountains, linking upland sections with lower valleys and neighbouring landscapes.

Settlements sit mainly at the edges or within broader valleys, acting as gateways rather than destinations in themselves. This pattern preserves the dominance of the mountains and reinforces the feeling of entering a landscape shaped primarily by geology and weather.

For walkers drawn to height, drama, and routes where terrain demands attention and respect, Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park offers the most concentrated and challenging mountain walking in Wales.

Where to Walk and Explore

High Mountain Ridges

‍Narrow, exposed routes across sharp crests and summits, including classic ridge lines and scrambling terrain.

Glacial Cwms and Lakes

‍Deep corries and hanging valleys shaped by ice, often centred on dark lakes beneath steep cliffs.

Slate Landscapes and Historic Valleys

‍Routes through quarrying areas where industrial heritage sits directly within the mountain terrain.

Lower Valleys and Woodland Slopes

‍Sheltered approaches and linking routes that balance high-level walking with quieter ground.

Adventure Highlights

• Wales’s highest and most rugged mountain landscape
• Sharp ridges, steep ascents, and exposed routes
• Iconic peaks including Yr Wyddfa
• Strong cultural and industrial heritage
• Dramatic glacial landforms
• Weather-led, technical mountain walking