Great North Snowdonia Easy Walks and Hill Walks with Children
By Dave Roberts 
Posted as a walk in – Europe, Low Level and Easier Walks in Snowdonia, North Wales, Snowdonia National Park, Wales
Great North Snowdonia Easy Walks and Hill Walks with Children
It’s not always easy to know what walks might be suitable for kids in Snowdonia. We think all the best family walks for kids will have plenty of interest and ideally end somewhere they can be fed as bribery can be quite an incentive for tired little legs. Of course, these easier walks will have obstacles on the way such as rocky sections, and you’ll need to be ready for this! These are NOT pushchair or necessarily easy walks in Snowdonia! Only the first two are really easy underfoot, with the rest of the walks being proper wild walks as well as a smattering of mountains! One or two sections will be off path as well, but only enough to make it exciting rather than difficult.
You’ll know your kids – you’ll have to decide what they’re capable of. If they’re keen on the outdoors then there are plenty of younger kids out there who’ll think nothing of walking up Snowdon or Tryfan on a weekend. These are more on an introductory level.
Beddgelert Walk to Gelert’s Grave
This walk from Beddgelert is as easy as it gets, but one for the really little ones to get out there or for a really easy walk for older kids who just want some fresh air!
Lon Gwyrfai From Rhyd Du to Beddgelert
This is a steady walk of 8.5km between the villages of Rhyd Ddu and Beddgelert, and would be best completed by taking the WHR in one direction as it’s a linear walk. There are also infrequent buses between the start and finish, so plan carefully. Can also be completed on a mountain bike. Bonus of an ice cream or snack in Beddgelert if they need bribing! A detour to Llyn Llywelyn was worth it before the trees were felled, but that should soften over time.
Aber Falls Easy Walk
This walk to the Aber Falls is flexible, with an easy 4km walk to the waterfalls being all tarmac with a detour through the forest for more adventurous children. Would make a great family walk where the smaller kids could return and older kids could walk the harder sections and perhaps even complete the Aber Falls Circuit.
A Walk Around Cwm Idwal
This is a short circular walk around Cwm Idwal, but with a lot of reward for your efforts. The path from Ogwen Cottage to Cwm Idwal is well made and poses no problems but the going around the lake can be a bit tough. Just walk to the lake for an easier option, or as a family you could picnic at the lake while more energetic members complete the circuit of the lake.
Cwm Bychan from Beddgelert
Another Beddgelert walk, but one that we think is one of the best little walks in the area. This one has views, woodland, a riverside walk known as the Fisherman’s Path (with metal hand holds!) and old mining remains along the way.
You can add a short dog-leg onto the walk to get to Caffi Gwynant if you fancy a break half way, or just have a picnic at Llyn Dinas.
Moel Eilio From Bwlch y Groes
Moel Eilio is an easy first mountain that is made easier from Bwlch y Groes but with the road to that car park being increasingly difficult for regular cars to pass it may not be an option. A bit of a longer proposition from Llanberis.
Yr Eifl From Llithfaen *
Distance is nothing on this walk, but it’s a surprisingly rugged walk to Yr Eifl, and what feels like a proper mountain summit. Feels taller due to being next to the sea. Definitely make sure you include Tre’r Ceiri, every local kid should have visited this special site at some point!
Llyn Llydaw and Glaslyn From Pen y Pass.
Not confiident to walk your kids up Snowdon, then try this as a taster. It’s an out and back walk, so you can turn back at any point without it feeling like giving up. Toddlers could easily make it to Llyn Llydaw (we have pics to follow!) and older children to Glaslyn. This is an excellent option in the winter months where you can walk only as far as it’s safe to do, and hopefully enjoy superb views of Yr Wyddfa. Not only that, but you’ll have them begging to bring you back for the full walk in the spring!
Eagle eyed kids may spot the causeway as the location for the recent Visit Wales ad.
North Carneddau Low Summits
Bit of an unknown this one, but well worth the trouble! There are few paths, but the going is generally good and a perfect introduction to taking little uns off path. There are a number of mini ridges as well as the Carneddau proper looking particularly gigantic from this angle. Finish the day off by marching them off home on a Roman road.
There are so many options, we had a difficult time cutting it down to these nine walks! Share your favourite with us below or on Twitter.
*Close enough to count – before you start pointing this out to us!
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Dave Roberts
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