The Ffabulous Ffestiniog Railway & Welsh Countryside
-
Port
Holyhead, Wales, United Kingdom
-
Activity Level
Moderate Activity
-
Excursion Type
All
-
Wheelchair Accessible
No
-
Starting At (prices in USD)
$300
-
Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
-
Duration
8 Hours
-
Meals Included
Meals not included
Take this opportunity to travel on the old Ffestiniog slate train. This miniature steam-hauled train runs along a 13½-mile narrow-gauge line connecting the mountains at Blaenau Ffestiniog with the coast at Porthmadog.
Leaving Holyhead by road, you'll cross the island of Anglesey with its landscapes of meadows, farmland, and low-lying hills to reach the Menai Strait Bridge.
Pass through Caernarfon and leave the coach in Porthmadog — an attractive, busy little town built on land reclaimed from the sea in the 19th century. Porthmadog was once a flourishing slate port, with the narrow-gauge Ffestiniog Railway, completed in 1836, bringing slate from the quarries of Blaenau Ffestiniog. The railroad closed in 1964 but has since been restored and re-opened.
Board the train for the 1¼-hour journey along the original railway's route. At Dduallt, you'll come to a section of the line called the spiral, where the railway, uniquely in Britain, crosses over itself to gain elevation. The train puffs its way slowly up the steep gradients, climbing 700 feet in elevation to reach the slate-mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. Every twist and turn brings magnificent vistas.
Upon arrival in Blaenau, reboard your coach and travel via beautiful Snowdonia National Park.
Welcome to the distinctly alpine Betws-y-Coed. This beautifully-situated Victorian resort lies amid conifer-clad crags, historic bridges, waterfalls and placid countryside. You'll stop here for lunch and time to browse in the shops.
Continuing west in the afternoon, you'll cross stunning Llanberis Pass, at the foot of Mount Snowdon itself, before descending to the fertile plains and to Anglesey and Holyhead.
Please note:
Mobility devices (wheelchairs, walkers, scooters, etc) cannot be accommodated on the transportation. Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair or for those with mobility limitations. Terrain includes even and uneven surfaces, with some steps. Tour requires walking approximately 600 yards, with additional walking at guests' discretion.