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Campsites in Snowdonia For Hillwalkers

By Dave Roberts   

on August 6, 2018    5/5 (1)

Posted in Outdoor Articles, Walks in Snowdonia National Park

Campsites in Snowdonia For Hillwalkers

There’s no better way to start off a Snowdonia hill walk than staying in a campsite (unless you’re Wild Camping!) Snowdonia has it’s choice of cool campsites, but do you really want one that ensures you’ve got logs for the log burner in your pure yak-skin yurt? Probably not, you’re on a budget and if you wanted to pay much more then you’d be wrapped up nice and warm in a nearby hotel! So here’s our list of the best campsites in Snowdonia for hill walkers. Ideally they’ll be near a pub, have only the facilities they need and absolutely at the start of some awesome hill walks.

Gwern Gof Uchaf and Gwern Gof Isaf

Nestling below Tryfan, these have got to be two of the best placed campsites in Snowdonia. The facilities are basic but more than sufficient, and they only charge around £5 per night (per person). We don’t like the fact that there are absolutely no pubs or similar nearby, so you’ll need to be fully stocked up when you arrive and no pub meals for you.

This is perfectly placed for walking up Tryfan’s North Ridge, or to walk up to Carnedd Dafydd and Carnedd Llewelyn. It’s also perfectly placed in order to walk any of these walks from Ogwen.

Campsites in Snowdonia For Hillwalkers

Nant Peris – Ty Isaf

Basic is not the word to describe this campsite! However, for all the lack of facilities, you have the most excellent Faenol Arms directly opposite. It’s also dirt cheap!

The best routes from here would be Elidir Fawr and Y Garn from Nant Peris and the Snowdon Horseshoe from Pen y Pass (yes, you’ll need to catch a bus). It’s also near enough to enjoy the bright lights of Llanberis.

Dolgam Campsite – Capel Curig

This one’s located a little far out from the village for our liking, but not too far! There are 3 pubs in the village as well as the Siabod Cafe, so you won’t be lacking for places to eat the night before or for breakfast. The campsite is a large and pleasant riverside field.

This is the one for walking up Moel Siabod’s Daear Ddu, or any of our other walks from Capel Curig.

Nant Gwynant – Gwynant Campsite

The location of this campsite is second to none. Not only is it next to a lake or a river, it’s also rather large so you can find your own little spot. There’s no pub nearby (the Pen y Gwryd is arguably within walking range, but you wouldn’t want to over do it), but they do pizzas onsite which more than makes up for that! There’s also the Caffi Gwynant near the Watkin Path for those looking for breakfast.

Ideally located for the Watkin Path up Snowdon, or any other of our Walks from Nant Gwynant. You could also walk up to Pen y Pass and start any of the routes up Snowdon from there.

High on the Watkin Path

Cwm bychan Campsite

You want basic? You got it! A field with running water and a toilet with just about nothing within range. However, to get you into the mindset for crossing the Rhinogydd then it’s perfect.

This campsite is perfectly placed for walking up Rhinog Fawr via the Roman Steps, or even crossing the Rhinog Badlands of Craig Wion, or even both.

Cwmrhwyddfor Campsite – Minffordd

Finally, we have the Cwmrhwyddfor campsite in Minffordd. If only for the fact that there’s an excellent pub nearby – the Minffordd Hotel.

This campsite is perfectly located for the Minffordd Path or even the Mynydd Moel Path up Cader Idris. For more ideas of walks in the area, you can check out this article on walks in the Dolgellau and Barmouth area.

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Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts founded Walk Eryri in 2004, with the aim of providing routes that are off the beaten track. Walk Eryri is now part of Mud and Routes which continues to provide more off beat routes and walks in Snowdonia and beyond. Dave has been exploring the hills of Eryri for over thirty years, and is a qualified Mountain Leader. Dave also established Walk up Snowdon, Walk up Scafell Pike and Walk up Ben Nevis just to mention a few.

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