By Chris Littley
As we continue to contemplate summer caravan holidays post-lockdown, this edition of Dream Destinations is another staycation location – Snowdonia. It’s the perfect place to escape to the mountains and forget your troubles, letting nature revive you.
The national park in Wales’ northwest corner is home to spectacular peaks including Snowdon, Tryfan and Cader Idris. There are more than 100 lakes to discover and views out across the sea towards Ireland to enjoy. All of which represent the perfect antidote to lockdown once caravanners are offered more freedoms.
All you really need to enjoy a caravan holiday in Snowdonia is a pair of walking boots and some trusty waterproofs. Most first-time visitors like to tackle Wales’ highest peak, Snowdon, and there are no fewer than six routes to the top.
The Llanberis Path may be the longest, but it’s also the easiest, with the Ranger Path and Miners’ Track representing a little bit more of a challenge. The Watkin Path and Crib Goch should only be attempted by those with mountain experience as there is some exposed scrambling to do near the top.
If you don’t fancy the hike, the Snowdon Mountain Railway will take you all the way to the summit in relative comfort. Setting off from Llanberis, it has transported tourists the 4.7 miles to the highest point in Wales since 1896.
For those keen to explore Snowdonia on two wheels instead of two feet there’s plenty of options – from long-distance routes to steep challenges. The Ffordd Brailsford Way can be completed as either a 50-mile or 75-mile loop and takes in stunning scenery, as well as a number of historic castles.
Pen-y-Pass is the classic Welsh cycling climb out of Llanberis and will put you through your paces over 2.4 miles, but there’s a nice cafe at the top as a reward. Several routes to the summit of Snowdon start from there, so the climb could represent the start of your day’s activities.
It would be a shame not to take advantage of the coast during your caravan trip to Snowdonia, as there are 200 miles of it. This encompasses 35 beaches, representing plenty of opportunities to indulge in everything from sea swimming and surfing to sailing and sandcastle building.
Where are your post-lockdown dreams taking you? We’d love to know.
