Tour Snowdonia on the Welsh Highland Railway

Journey through the villages and foothills of Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park on an authentic steam train

Rattling along the tracks past rocky peaks and rushing rivers, a trip on the Welsh Highland Railway takes you through the heart of Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park in comfort and style. This authentic steam railway is the longest of its kind in the UK, and was originally built in the early 1800s to link the region’s slate quarries with the port in Porthmadog.

The route runs for 40 km (25 miles) from the castle walls of Caernarfon, up into the foothills of Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon), along the tree-lined gorge of Aberglaslyn Pass, and on to the coastal town of Porthmadog. At every stage, you’ll be treated to views of sheer cliffs, undulating green hills, serene lakes, and meandering streams through the large windows.

You can begin your journey at either end of the line — or mid-way at the old mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog — and travel as far as you want. Along the way, you can disembark and explore some of the stops on the route, including the picturesque mountain village of Beddgelert and Rhyd Ddu, the highest station on the railway, where you can stretch your legs on the slopes of Yr Wyddfa itself.

However, with trains like these, you probably won’t be in a hurry to get off. Some routes offer cream teas and picnic baskets featuring local produce, and you also have the option to book a first-class observation carriage at the back of the train, with uninterrupted views of the landscape.

Journey times vary from approximately two and half to seven hours, including free time at the stops along the route.