DAY 1: CWN LLAN

WILD SWIMMING IN A WATERFALL

AFTERNOON

Despite its remote setting in a ruggedly picturesque part of North Wales, SNOWDONIA is within four or five hours’ drive of most of the UK, so you should still have time to enjoy a short afternoon walk on your first day. An easy introduction to the area is the CWM LLAN WATERFALL WALK, which runs part-way up the Watkin Path, one of six routes that ultimately snake their way to the summit of Snowdon itself. The section you’ll be walking on doesn’t venture beyond the foothills, but it will give you a taste of the kind of epic scenery you’ll be growing used to over the next few days.

You can access the hike from Pont Bethania car park, on the A498, 3 miles northeast of the village of Beddgelert; the stone stairs on the opposite side of the road mark the start of the trail. You’ll head through ancient woodland before ascending a rocky path that curves up and round towards Cwm Llan Waterfall. The falls begin after about a mile, but continue on until you come to a gate in the main trail, where a little side track runs off to a slate bridge propped across the Cwm Llan (around 45 minutes from the start of the hike). You can wander along the series of waterfalls and river pools that dot the river here, both above and below the bridge; the water is ice cold but beautifully clear, and it’s an amazing spot for wild swimming if anyone’s prepared to take the plunge.

WHERE TO STAY

SNOWDON SNUG