Kings Youth Hostel

Main building (added by manager 14 Sep 2014)
Main building
Campfires are warmly encouraged at the site
Camping field
The brand new guest self catering kitchen
Campers can relax and warm up in the hostel lounge
Camping next to the river gwynant
Having fun in the dining room
The mawddach trail which runs close by the hostel
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This is a small site in its own wooded valley (part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest), on the bottom slopes of the Cader Idris mountain, about four miles from the town of Dolgellau. It is in a lovely location and has views of mountains all around. The Afon Gwynant river runs along the edge of the site and there is plenty of car parking right next to the campsite. Once checked in, you have 24-hour access to the hostel facilites - hot showers, toilets, a fully-equipped self-catering guest kitchen (the downstairs loos and the kitchen having been refurbished in 2015), lounge, dining room, drying room, books and games, and a fully-licensed bar. Our bar proudly serves a very reasonably priced range of beers, including local ales, and wines. As well as full hot breakfasts - including a delicious full Welsh brekkie - we also offer fresh, home-cooked evening meals, desserts, light lunches, special kids' meals and even picnics to take away for when you're out and about during the day. Just check out our menu board at reception. There is no mobile phone signal at all on any network but there is a payphone. Please note, that with the exception of registered assisted guide dogs, unfortunately we cannot accept dogs on the site at all.

Site type

Tent pitches 4
Motorhome pitches 2
Lodges, cabins, pods or huts 7
Open all year
Opens

Tourist board rating

Languages spoken

English

French

Welsh

This site is a member of YHA group.

AA Holiday Centre
View all YHA parks.

Nearby sites that are bookable on Pitchup.com

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

Want to know more about camping in Gwynedd?

Features

No dogs allowed

Campfires 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 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

Budget/backpacker Forest Lake and/or mountain Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Walkers' paradise Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Chemical disposal Communal freezer Communal fridge Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby

Type

Tiny (1-10 pitches)

Accessibility

Disabled facilities

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Climbing nearby Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horse riding nearby Mountain biking nearby Restaurant nearby Sailing nearby Watersports nearby

Location

Kings Youth Hostel

Kings

Penmaenpool

Dolgellau

Gwynedd

Wales

LL40 1TB

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

52.72567°N
-3.951°W

Route directions

From the A470, turn on to the A493 (just north of Dolgellau), signposted for Tywyn. About one mile west of the village of Penmaenpool, at bottom of a slope, just before the bridge over the river, take the turning on the left with a big brown sign saying 'Youth Hostel 1 mile'. Follow the tarmac road up to the youth hostel and park in the car park.

Nearest transport

Coach
16 mi Sportsman
16 mi Tesco
16.8 mi Market Square
Rail
3.6 mi Morfa Mawddach Rail Station
4.4 mi Barmouth Rail Station
4.6 mi Fairbourne Rail Station
Ferry
4.2 mi Porth Penrhyn Ferry Landing
4.3 mi Barmouth Ferry Landing

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

Walking for all levels and abilities straight from the site - take a hike up Cadair Idris mountain, a more gentle stroll across to the Cregennan Lakes, or just wander off into the stunning landscape all around the site here in the quieter southern end of Snowdonia National Park. For bikers, there is the mountain bike mecca of Coed Y Brenin about 20 minutes away, or the trails at Machynnleth and Bewts y Coed. For those looking for something a bit less strenuous there is the Mawddach trail - a nine-mile-long old railway line that hugs the shoreline of the the Mawddach estuary between Dolgellau and Barmouth. There's also the Centre for Alternative Technology, King Arthur's Labyrinth, Corris Craft Centre, Harlech Castle, Llanfair Slate Caverns, Tal y Llyn Railway , and loads more attractions. Alternatively you also have huge uncrowded sandy beaches at Fairbourne and Barmouth.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020 2019 2018 2017
Barmouth 4.6 mi Sea Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Fairbourne 5 mi Sea Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Tal-Y-Bont 7.3 mi Sea Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Dyffryn (Llanendwyn) 8.3 mi Sea Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Llandanwg 10.4 mi Sea Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

MOMA Wales - Y Tabernacl 10.1 mi

CADW - Harlech Castle 11.3 mi

Rheilffordd Talyllyn Railway 11.5 mi

Portmeirion Gardens 14.4 mi

Ffestiniog Railway 15.5 mi

National Trust

Ty^ Mawr Wybrnant 23.1 mi

Plas yn Rhiw 28.8 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

Llynau Greggan from Ty Nant 1 mi

Cadair Idris 1 mi

Cadair Idris by the Fox's Path 1.3 mi

Mawddach Estuary 1.8 mi

The New Precipice Walk from Llanelltyd 3 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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Frequently asked questions

  • Does Kings Youth Hostel have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Kings Youth Hostel dog friendly? No View all features
  • What attractions are near Kings Youth Hostel? Walking for all levels and abilities straight from the site - take a hike up Cadair Idris mountain, a more gentle stroll across to the Cregennan Lakes, or just wander off into … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Kings Youth Hostel?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  12 p.m. –  Anytime
    Depart by:  10:30 a.m.
    On-site accommodation
    Arrive:  4 p.m. –  Anytime
    Depart by:  10 a.m.

    Reception open 8am to 10am and 5pm to 10pm. Late arrivals must notify us as soon as possible. Please vacate site by 10.30am on day of departure.

    Read more