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

Tent pitches 50
Touring caravan pitches 5
Motorhome pitches 5
Open all year

Languages spoken

English

Nearby sites that are bookable on Pitchup.com

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

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Features

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 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)

Accessibility

Disabled facilities

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 BST (GMT+01:00)

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