Snowdonia Slate Trail
The Snowdonia Slate Trail is a 133 km circular route around the slate-quarrying landscape of north-west Snowdonia, starting and finishing in Bangor and linking Llanberis, Blaenau Ffestiniog and Betws-y-Coed through one of Wales's most distinctive industrial heritage landscapes.
This route has no official waymarking. Serious navigation experience is required — do not rely on GPS alone. Carry OS 1:25,000 maps and study the line before you go.
About Snowdonia Slate Trail
The Snowdonia Slate Trail is a recent addition to Wales's long-distance route network, opening in 2021 to showcase the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Gwynedd slate landscape — the quarries, inclines, railway lines and quarrymen's villages that define the character of north-west Snowdonia.
For trail runners it provides a distinctive circuit that mixes mountain terrain with heritage paths, tramways and forest tracks. The route passes through Llanberis (at the foot of Snowdon), Nantlle, Rhyd-Ddu, Blaenau Ffestiniog and Betws-y-Coed before returning north to Bangor. The waymarking is good throughout with a slate-coloured marker.
Most runners cover it in three to four days. The terrain is varied — some classic mountain running over Mynydd Mawr and the Moelwynion, some forest and valley tracks, and long sections on the old quarry tramways that are particularly fast underfoot.
The route
Bangor to Rhyd-Ddu (~40 km): Over Moel Eilio and Mynydd Mawr with views to the Menai Strait. Llanberis is a major waypoint with full facilities.
Rhyd-Ddu to Blaenau Ffestiniog (~35 km): Through the Nantlle Valley and over the Moelwynion. The Slate quarry landscapes become increasingly dramatic. Blaenau Ffestiniog is the slate capital of Wales.
Blaenau to Betws-y-Coed to Bangor (~58 km): Forest tracks, the Gwydir Forest and the Conwy valley. Betws-y-Coed is the main tourist hub with accommodation. Return to Bangor via the Ogwen Valley or Bethesda.
Getting there & logistics
Start/finish: Bangor, well-served by rail on the North Wales Coast Line.
Key stops: Llanberis (full services), Blaenau Ffestiniog (train connections on the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways), Betws-y-Coed (good range of accommodation and food). Bangor has a university and good range of hotels and B&Bs.
Best time: Year-round — the lower terrain makes it accessible in most conditions, though the mountain sections need appropriate kit.
Safety
The Snowdonia Slate Trail is less serious than the high mountain routes, but the Mynydd Mawr and Moelwynion sections cross genuine fell terrain. Some sections cross old quarry workings — stay on the waymarked path as shafts and instability are present in quarry areas.
In an emergency: call 999 or 112, ask for Police then Mountain Rescue. Llanberis MRT covers the central section.
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