Snowdonia National Park

Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri

By Julia Revitt Photography

February 23^rd, 2017

Snowdonia National Park

Snowdonia National Park in the northwest of Wales often lies shrouded in cloud and hidden from view.

It is over 2,000 km², edged by the Irish sea and contains the highest mountain in England and Wales, Snowdon. It has something for everyone, from beaches to lakes and mountains, cute villages, bridges and plenty of coffee shops.

I've been staying in this the third largest of the UK's national parks since autumn, awaiting the return of spring. I didn't expect to fall in love with the place, but I have. Let me show you why...

View from Pen-y-Pass through a rain storm

Mountains

The mountains in Snowdonia vary from the craggy to the smooth. The highest and most well known is Snowdon at 1085m and it's frequently covered in cloud. The adjoining Grib Goch is the wettest place in the UK which I can attest to living just down the road from it!

Start of a walking route from Beddgelert towards Snowdon

Rocky outcrop seen from the spectacular A4086

Layers of mountains in the evening sunshine

Lakes

Lakes (or Llyn in Welsh) are everywhere. They represent Snowdonia National Park to me - whipped by wind, calm, icy and frequently hidden from sight by the shadows of the mountains and clouds.

The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves - John Muir

A glassy Llynnau Mymbyr reflecting Snowdon

Rivers & Bridges

There are so many picturesque stone bridges in Wales due to the number of rivers created by its climate.

Despite many being so old, narrow and therefore picturesque, many are still in use today. A good example is Beaver Bridge (see b&w below) forming part of the A470 - one of the main trunk roads through North Wales.

The bridges of North Wales - I could do a whole photo essay on them!

Pont-ar-Ledr bridge was built in 1948 by Hywel Saer

The Afon LLugwy glinting in the afternoon light

Pont-yr-Afanc or Beaver Bridge in English over the River Conwy

Beddgelert village bridge over Afon Colwyn

Afon Llugwy coursing through the mountains

Coastline

Snowdonia National Park meets the Irish Sea at various points around its borders. It perhaps doesn't have the hashtag impact of the #pnw (Pacific North West) but we have been enjoying the 'Atlantic North Wests' coastline.

The whole of this coastline is designated a 'special area of conservation'. With beautiful inlets, windswept shorelines and tidal rivers - I love a visit to the coastline.

Barmouth bridge straddling the River Mawddach

Barmouth Beach looking out into the Irish Sea

Slate mines

The slate mines litter the outskirts of the park. They are brutal relics of a time gone by. Ruins, piles of slate and old paths are found on numerous abandoned sites in and around the edges of Snowdonia.

When exploring the slate mines, I can't help wonder about the lives of the miners who lived and worked there. It really does look like they just didn't show up for work one morning and the slate mines are inexorably being reclaimed by nature, year after year.

I wonder in a million years if they will return to the way they were?

Ruin at Cwm Penmachno abandoned slate mine

Real Life

Snowdonia National Park is a working park. Real people live and work here and it shows. With the slate mining, the coffee shops, and fishing boats. I've found it to be a welcoming place, even in the middle of winter. Snowdonia is also a dark sky reserve which makes for some great star gazing and moon watching.