A visit to Snowdonia, will, in my opinion definitely leave you wanting to go back for more. The scenery is stunning with so many things to see and do. First port of call was off to the summit of Snowdon itself. Snowdon has an altitude of 1,085 metres (3,560 ft) above sea level. You can take a beautiful, steep, train ride to the top and back again if you wish. However, you only get 30 minutes to take a look around. I chose to get a one-way ticket and walk down. The walk is not for the feint hearted, it is tough, taking around 2 to 3 hours. It is hard on the legs and slippery under foot at points, but worth it for the views you will take in. Make sure you take food and water, plus good walking gear and a coat as the weather can change very quickly. I would recommend you pre book the train as it is very popular and gets full.

Padarn is a glacially formed lake in Llanberis and an example of a moraine dammed lake.  Padarn is approximately 2 miles long and at its deepest point is 94 feet (29 m) deep. You can take a walk around its entirety.  One side you will walk with views of the lake and then other you go uphill, seeing some lovely old houses where I was able to chat with a retired quarry worker that loved sharing his stories of the area.

Dolbadarn Castle is a fortification built by the Welsh Prince Llywelyn the Great during the early 13th century. It stands at the base of Llanberis Pass. A photographers dream!

Facts about Snowdonia National Park:

• Situated on the west coast of Great Britain.
• The first to be designated a national park in Wales in 1951 and is the largest.
• Covers 823 square miles of diverse landscapes.
• Hosts the highest mountain in England and Wales.
• Over half of the population speak Welsh.
• Snowdonia in Welsh is ‘Eryri’.
• The park’s entire coastline is a special area of conservation.

Click here to see some of more of my shots of the area on Flickr.

Snowdonia National Park, Wales

Snowdonia National Park, Llanberis, Wales

Padarn Lake, Llanberis, Wales

Dolbadarn Castle, Snowdonia National Park, Wales

Dolbadarn Castle Window, Llanberis, Wales