Snowdonia, Wales

After crossing by ferry from Dublin, Ireland we had a restful night camping in Holyhead, Wales. We departed early and enjoyed the sunrise on our way to Snowdonia National Park.

 Located in northwest Wales, Snowdonia National Park's rugged landscape features rolling hills, a few lakes, and fifteen mountain peaks that rise above 3,000 feet. 

Our goal this day was to summit the tallest peak called Snowdon or Yr Wyddfa in the Welsh language. It can be hiked, but in the interest of time and because we love trains, we took the Llanberis Mountain Railway to the top.

Waterfalls amidst the fall colors and under gray skies provided a moody atmosphere. View from the train.

Snowdonia National Park was established in 1951 and covers 823 square miles. As the train climbed the mountain, the trees thinned eventually giving way to windswept mountain tops with low growing plants.

This view looks like the train is about to go over the edge into the abyss. The sheep near the track don't seem concerned about the heights.

At the top, we look back to the valleys below and the Irish Sea in the far distance. We saw several hikers from the train as they made their way up by foot. 

The summit of Snowdon at 3,560 feet elevation was socked in with fog at the top. My husband Brian stands here at the very top after walking the 'path' of slippery, jagged rocks to the top. Still nursing my injured foot, I opted for watching from a safe distance and level ground below. 

After taking the train back down the mountain, we continued our drive in the Snowdonia National Park. The fall colors were lovely, but I was also struck by the brown and curling bracken fern that you can see in big patches in the photo above. 

This picturesque roadside house serves lunch daily, according to the sign. Unlike in other countries, the United Kingdom's national parks are comprised of private and public lands. 

These private lands may contain homes, businesses, and farms that have been established for centuries. I caught a couple photos of a sheep farm from the road. Although the wool industry in Wales is past its heyday, Welsh woolen products are still in demand. I bought a lovely pair of mittens in Conwy, our next stop and subject of my next post.