Snowdonia National Park is located in the west of North Wales. The National Park attracts over six million visitors per year and has many attractions and popular towns and villages.
One of the main points in Snowdonia is Snowdon, the highest mountain in England and Wales. The mountain is located in Llanberis and has numerous routes leading to the summit. A popular way to reach the peak of the mountain if you’re not a climber is the Snowdon Mountain Railway (SMR), a tourist railway which travels 4.7 miles to the top.
The Snowdon Mountain Railway is the only public rack and pinion railway in the UK and has been operating for over 100 years. The railway is owned by Heritage Great Britain plc, and they operate it is some of the harshest weather conditions in Britain. It closes during the winter, from November to mid March.
There is a visitor centre located at the summit of Snowdon called Hafod Eryri. The centre includes a refreshments area offering a selection of hot and cold snacks and drinks. A range of souvenirs are also available.
The trains run to the top of the mountain regularly every day during the summer months, sometimes the trains have to stop due to the extreme weather conditions experience on top of the mountain. The winds can reach over 150mph, with rainfall reaching 5 meters and temperatures hitting -20.
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay during your visit to the railway, they don’t come much better than the Oakeley Arms hotel in Blaenau. It’s one of the most popular of its kind throughout the region and is renowned for its great hospitality along with the great range of different options you have open to you.
Make sure you go full speed ahead and take a journey on the famous Snowdonia Mountain Railway when you stay in North Wales. You’re guaranteed to have a great time.
“Journey to Snowdon summit” by www.flickr.com/photos/22746515@N02, license: creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0 – 29/07/2014