Snowdonia Slate Trail
Long-distance footpath in North Wales
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Snowdonia Slate Trail is a long distance footpath, running 83 miles (134 km) as a circular route around Northern Snowdonia starting from Bangor.[1][2][3][4][5][6] It passes through the main areas and heritage sites associated with the slate industry, and also through some of the major landscapes.
| Snowdonia Slate Trail | |
|---|---|
| |
| Length | 83 mi (134 km) |
| Location | Snowdonia, Wales |
| Established | 2017 |
| Trailheads | Circular from Bangor |
| Use | Hiking |
| Elevation gain/loss | 14,603 ft (4,451 m) |
| Highest point | 1,690 ft (520 m) |
| Difficulty | Very challenging |
| Season | All year |
| Website | www |
It is possible to do the trail in seven days using public transport based in Caernarfon or Bangor.[7]
An ultra marathon is organised around the entire trail each year.[8]
The route
The trail is arranged in 13 sections, ranging in length from 4 to 13 miles:[9]
(Distances, ascent and time are taken from the website.)
- Section 1 - Bangor to Bethesda - (Distance: 10.2 km, 6.3MLS; Ascent: 325M, 1050FT; Time: 3 – 4hrs)
- Section 2 - Bethesda to Llanberis - (Distance: 11.6 km, 7.2MLS; Ascent: 360M, 1200FT; Time: 3 – 4hrs)
- Section 3 - Llanberis to Waunfawr - (Distance: 6.1 km, 3.8MLS; Ascent: 310M, 1000FT; Time: 2 – 3hrs)
- Section 4 - Waunfawr to Nantlle - (Distance: 9.5 km, 5.9MLS; Ascent: 270M, 900FT; Time: 3 – 4hrs)
- Section 5 - Nantlle to Rhyd Ddu - (Distance: 8.2 km, 5.1MLS; Ascent: 260M, 850FT; Time: 2 – 3hrs)
- Section 6 - Rhyd Ddu to Beddgelert - (Distance: 8.4 km, 5.2MLS; Ascent: 110M, 350FT; Time: 1.5 – 2.5hrs)
- Section 7 - Beddgelert to Croesor - (Distance: 7.2 km, 4.4MLS; Ascent: 400M, 1300FT; Time: 2 – 3hrs)
- Section 8 - Croesor to Tanygrisiau - (Distance: 7.4 km, 4.6MLS; Ascent: 470M, 1550FT; Time: 3 - 4hrs)
- Section 9 - Tanygrisiau to Llan Ffestiniog - (Distance: 8.6 km, 5.4MLS; Ascent: 250M, 850FT; Time: 2.5 – 3.5hrs)
- Section 10 - Llan Ffestiniog to Penmachno - (Distance: 21.3 km, 13.2MLS; Ascent: 880M, 2850FT; Time: 8 – 9hrs)
- Section 11 - Penmachno to Betws y Coed - (Distance: 8.6 km, 5.3MLS; Ascent: 150M, 500FT; Time: 2 – 3hrs)
- Section 12 - Betws y Coed to Capel Curig - (Distance: 9.5 km, 5.9MLS; Ascent: 420M, 1350FT; Time: 3 – 4hrs)
- Section 13 - Capel Curig to Bethesda - (Distance: 17.6 km, 11.0MLS; Ascent: 150M, 500FT; Time: 5 – 6hrs)
The route also passes close to several narrow-gauge railways, mostly linked to the slate industry, namely the Penrhyn Quarry Railway, Llanberis Lake Railway, Snowdon Mountain Railway, the Welsh Highland Railway and the Ffestiniog Railway.
