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Gwern Gof Isaf Campsite

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Century-old site close to popular peaks in Snowdonia National Park
A five-minute drive to the National Outdoor Centre and Mymbyr lakes
On a Sustrans cycling trail and the long-distance Cambrian Way path

‘Legendary’ isn’t a word often used to describe a place to rest your head for a night or two, but it’s worth making an exception for Gwern Gof Isaf Campsite, a spot in Snowdonia National Park that first opened back in 1906 and served as mountaineer Sir John Hunt’s base while he trained for his successful mission to the top of Everest in 1952. Fast-forward over a century since its launch and the site’s currently helmed by Henry and Kirsty Williams, the eighth generation of the same family of owners, and has closed just four times in its life – once when the British Army used it in WWII for artillery training. Nowadays, it’s the home of holidaymakers keen on commandeering the Conwy countryside, especially the Tryfan, Glyders and Carneddau, with trails up these peaks starting from a five-minute drive or half-hour walk away. Gwern Gof Isaf is also on two famed routes – a Sustrans cycling trail and the Cambrian Way footpath running from Cardiff to Conwy – for long-distance trekkers and bikers. But perhaps more appealing for thrill-seekers is the fact that climbing and abseiling are both available right on the site’s grounds. While the park has a no-frills feel (hey, who needs creature comforts when you’ve got such epic views over Tryfan peak from base ?), it has basic amenities like toilets and hot showers, chemical disposal facilities and an indoor washing-up area. The nearest large supermarkets are outside the national park, so it’s best to do a big shop somewhere enroute.

Site type

Open all year

Languages spoken

English

Features

No dogs allowed

Leisure on site

Bar or club house

Cycle hire

Evening entertainment

Fishing

Fitness centre

Games room

Indoor swimming pool

Kids' club

On-site restaurant/cafe

Outdoor swimming pool

Play area

TV room

Take away

Tennis

Watersports

Amenities on site

Bath available

Car parking by pitch/unit

Composting toilet

Disabled facilities

Dog park

Drying room

Food shop

Free wifi

Ice pack freezing

Internet access

Launderette

Parent & baby washroom

Pick-up from public transport

Portable toilet

Pub toilets

Public telephone

Shower available

Toilet block

Washing-up area

Wifi

Groups welcome

Family friendly

Motorcycle friendly

Single-sex groups welcome

Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue provided

Barbecues allowed

Campfires allowed

Commercial vehicles allowed

Dogs allowed

No dogs allowed

Themes

Peaceful

Spectacular scenery

Walkers' paradise

Utilities

Charging facilities

Chemical disposal

Electric car charging point(s)

Gas cylinders available

Recycling available

Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby

Dog walk nearby

Public transport nearby

Shop nearby

Type

Farm

Large (51-200 pitches)

Nearby leisure

Climbing nearby

Horse riding nearby

Location

Gwern Gof Isaf Campsite

Capel Curig

Betws Y Coed

Conwy

Wales

LL24 0EU

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London GMT (GMT+00:00)

GPS

53.12177°N
-3.96609°W

Nearest transport

Coach

9.9 mi Bus Station

12.8 mi Bus Station

13 mi Station

Rail

5.7 mi Roman Bridge Rail Station

5.8 mi Pont-y-Pant Rail Station

5.9 mi Dolwyddelan Rail Station

Ferry

28.1 mi Barmouth Ferry Landing

28.3 mi Porth Penrhyn Ferry Landing

Airport

25.3 mi Anglesey Airport

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Local attractions

Before tiring out the legs on treks up Snowdon there are a fair few other activities to try out in north Wales, from gleefully whizzing over the Penrhyn Quarry at Zip World (15 minutes’ drive) to traversing an abyss inside a cavern at Go Below Underground Adventures (20 minutes). Safely back on solid ground, have a nosey at the Rhaeadr Y Gwraig Llwyd waterfall in Betws-Y-Coed (20 minutes) or seek out somewhere even more sedate – the National Trust’s Bodnant Garden (35 minutes), with 80 acres of manicured lands to walk through as you wait for your heart rate to lower. The Llanberis Lake Railways, 25 minutes, is another low-key way to see the area. Jump on board a train taking you past some of Snowdonia’s most stunning scenery, the northern shores of Llyn Padarn lake, with not a hiking boot in sight. If you're into history, school yourself on the industrial past of Cymru (that’s Wales in the local lingo) at the National Slate Museum, 25 minutes away, and the Lechwedd Slate Caverns, 35 minutes.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name	Distance	Type	2020	2019	2018	2017
Llanfairfechan	9.8 mi	Sea	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Penmaenmawr	10.6 mi	Sea	Good	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Llandudno West Shore	14.3 mi	Estuary	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Llanddona	15.1 mi	Sea	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Llandudno North Shore	15.2 mi	Sea	N/A	N/A	Good	Good

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Snowdon Mountain Railway 6.2 mi

National Slate Museum 6.2 mi

Penrhyn Castle 6.8 mi

Bodnant Garden 10.4 mi

Beaumaris Castle 11.1 mi

National Trust

Ty^ Mawr Wybrnant 7 mi

Bodnant Garden 10.4 mi

Plas Newydd Country House and Gardens 12 mi

Aberconwy House 12.4 mi

Cycle routes

Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.

Other

Pont Pen-y-benglog - Pen yr Ole Wen - Tat y Llyn Ogwen - Pont Pen-y-benglog 2.2 mi

Pen-y-benglog - Llyn Idwal - Devil's Kitchen - Pen-y-benglog 2.3 mi

Ogwen Cottage - Llyn Bochlwyd - Glyder Fach - Glyder Fawr - Devil's Kitchen 2.3 mi

Capel Curig - Crimpiau - Llyn Crafnant - Capel Curig 2.5 mi

The Miners' Track and the Three Lakes of Snowdon 3.6 mi

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

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Does Gwern Gof Isaf Campsite have a swimming pool? No View all features
Is Gwern Gof Isaf Campsite dog friendly? No View all features
What attractions are near Gwern Gof Isaf Campsite? Before tiring out the legs on treks up Snowdon there are a fair few other activities to try out in north Wales, from gleefully whizzing over the Penrhyn Quarry at Zip World … Read more
When can I check in and check out of Gwern Gof Isaf Campsite?

Camping and touring

Arrive: Anytime – Anytime

Depart by: Anytime

Read more