Shepherd's huts near Beddgelert

In the northwest of Snowdonia, riverside Beddgelert numbers among Snowdonia (Eyri) National Park’s prettiest villages: a condensation of fetching stone houses, pubs, cafes, and shops at the rushing convergence of rivers Afon Glaslyn and Afon Colwyn. It’s arguably the camping capital of the park with all of the top attractions—Snowdon, the Welsh Highland Railway, and the Llŷn Peninsula, to name a few—within easy reach. The heritage railway connects many key destinations within the park, while big treks like the Snowdonia Slate Trail also pass through. Campers are well catered to here, with even a highly regarded outdoor supply store, and well-placed campsites can be found north of the village.

During a camping holiday near Beddgelert, the village itself is well worth a look around. With a few pubs and eateries, a handful of gift shops, and a picturesque setting at the confluence of the Colwyn and Glaswyn rivers, it’ll have you reaching for the camera for sure. You can read the story of how the town got its name at a statue erected in memory of Prince Llewelyn’s legendary hound, Gelert, then hop aboard the Welsh Highland Railway at its Beddgelert Station. Just outside of town is the Sygun Copper Mine, where campers can don hard hats and set off on a self-guided tunnel tour.

But if you’re staying around Beddgelert, it’s likely the national park that you’ve come to see. Luckily, the village’s park information centre can help you set off on the right track, whether walking, climbing, caving, coasteering, or sightseeing. Many Beddgelert campers have peak-bagging in mind, with some preparing to attempt the 1,085-metre Snowdon, Wales’ highest mountain.

Several well-trodden routes run up the mountain, with the Watkin Path and the Rhyd Ddu Path setting off closest to Beddgelert. The Watkins Path, which runs past the Cwm Llan Waterfall, is thought to be one of the most challenging routes, while the path from Rhy Ddu is a little easier.

If your knees are quaking at the prospect of an 8-mile roundtrip excursion, how about heading 15 miles north to Llanberis? From here, you can approach the mountain from the other side on an easier path or even hop aboard the Snowdon Mountain Railway to reach the top. And after all that walking, the seaside is a solid option for relaxation—Porthmadog is the closest stretch, just eight miles down the road, with vast Black Rock Sands nearby. The beach-lined Llyn Peninsula is also close.