Planning to climb Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and looking for somewhere to stay?
There are several hostels around Eryri (Snowdonia), but they are not all suited to the same kind of trip. Some are right at the foot of the mountain, some are better if you want to cook for yourself, and others make a great base for exploring Llanberis and the wider area.
We’ve been welcoming walkers, runners, cyclists and other outdoor enthusiasts to Lodge Dinorwig since 2015, so we know that choosing where to stay can make a surprisingly big difference to your trip.
We’re obviously not completely impartial here. We run Lodge Dinorwig, so you can take our recommendation with a pinch of salt. But there are some genuinely good hostels around Snowdon, and the best one for you depends on what you want from your stay.
Here’s our guide to the main options.
The best hostels near Snowdon at a glance
Lodge Dinorwig – Best for a small independent hostel, food included and a great base for exploring Eryri
The Rocks at Plas Curig – Best for self-catering and staying in Capel Curig
YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass – Best for being as close as possible to the main Pen-y-Pass routes
Gallt y Glyn – Best for staying in Llanberis and having the town on your doorstep
So which one should you choose?
1. Lodge Dinorwig
Best for: walkers who want a small, independent hostel with breakfast included
Lodge Dinorwig is a little different from a traditional large youth hostel.
We’re a small independent hostel in Dinorwig, not too far from Llanberis, with one 14-bed bunkroom. The hostel was converted from an old school building, and we’ve kept plenty of its original character.
It’s a particularly good option if you’re looking for somewhere that feels more like a friendly base for an outdoor trip than simply somewhere to sleep.
Breakfast is included in the price, and you can also book a home-cooked evening meal and packed lunch. There are drying facilities for wet walking gear, free parking and a bus stop close to the hostel.
The location also makes it a useful base if you’re planning to do more than just climb Snowdon. You’re close to Elidir Fawr, Dinorwig Quarry and a whole network of walking routes around Eryri.
And if you don’t have a car, that’s not a problem. Local buses connect the area with other parts of Eryri, making it possible to explore without driving everywhere.
Why choose Lodge Dinorwig?
- Small, independent hostel
- 14-bed bunkroom
- Cooked breakfast included
- Home-cooked dinner available
- Packed lunches available
- Free parking
- Bus stop right outside
- Great views towards Yr Wyddfa, Llanberis and Anglesey
- Good base for exploring more than just Snowdon
Who might prefer somewhere else?
If your main priority is being able to walk straight out of your accommodation and onto the Pyg or Miners’ Track, Pen-y-Pass is closer.
And if being in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Llanberis is important to you, Gallt y Glyn may be a better fit.
But if you want somewhere small, relaxed and geared towards people who have come to spend a few days exploring the mountains, Lodge Dinorwig is hard to beat.
2. The Rocks at Plas Curig
Best for: self-catering and staying in Capel Curig
The Rocks at Plas Curig is in Capel Curig, making it a good option if you’d like to base yourself on the eastern side of Eryri.
It’s particularly appealing to people who want more independence during their stay. The hostel has self-catering facilities, so you can prepare your own meals rather than relying on eating out or booking food in advance.
Capel Curig is also a great location for walking. There are plenty of mountain routes nearby, and the Sherpa bus network runs through the village, connecting the area with Pen-y-Pass, Llanberis and Betws-y-Coed.
Why choose The Rocks?
- Self-catering facilities
- Great location in Capel Curig
- Good choice for people who want to cook for themselves
- Family rooms
- Sherpa bus connections
Who might prefer somewhere else?
If you want breakfast cooked for you before a big day on the mountain, Lodge Dinorwig might suit you better.
Likewise, if your main aim is to be as close as possible to Pen-y-Pass, there is a more obvious choice…
3. YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass
Best for: being right at Pen-y-Pass
If your number one priority is location, it’s difficult to argue with YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass.
The hostel sits at Pen-y-Pass, at the foot of Yr Wyddfa, making it particularly convenient for anyone planning to walk the Pyg Track or Miners’ Track. It is also connected to nearby towns by the Snowdon Sherpa bus network.
You’re essentially staying right where many people start their Snowdon walk.
There is one important thing to consider if you’re driving, though: the hostel doesn’t have its own customer car park. Parking is available nearby, with arrangements and prices changing depending on the season.
Why choose YHA Pen-y-Pass?
- Right at Pen-y-Pass
- Excellent location for the Pyg and Miners’ Tracks
- Mountain scenery all around
- Food available
- Sherpa bus connections
Who might prefer somewhere else?
If you’re planning to stay for several nights and explore different parts of Eryri, you might prefer a location with easier access to shops, restaurants, parking and other attractions.
It’s also worth remembering that being at Pen-y-Pass doesn’t necessarily mean you have the easiest Snowdon experience. The route you choose, the weather and your fitness will have far more impact than whether you’re staying a few miles closer to the summit.
4. Gallt y Glyn
Best for: staying in Llanberis
If you want to stay in Llanberis itself, Gallt y Glyn is worth considering.
Llanberis is a very popular bas for exploring Yr Wyddfa and the surrounding area. You’ve got shops, pubs, restaurants, and other facilities within easy reach, as well as access to the Llanberis Path.
Gallt y Glyn is a particularly good choice if you want to be close to the village and like the idea of having a restaurant and bar on site.
Why choose Gallt y Glyn?
- Stay in Llanberis
- Good base for the Llanberis Path
- Restaurant and bar
- Close to shops and other facilities
Who might prefer somewhere else?
If you’re looking for a very small hostel away from the centre of things, Lodge Dinorwig offers a quieter setting.
And if self-catering is important, The Rocks is probably the better option.
So which hostel is actually best for Snowdon?
The honest answer is: it depends.
There isn’t one hostel that is objectively the best for everyone.
| If your priority is… | We’d look at… |
|---|---|
| Small independent hostel | Lodge Dinorwig |
| Breakfast included | Lodge Dinorwig |
| Home-cooked dinner | Lodge Dinorwig |
| Free parking | Lodge Dinorwig |
| Self-catering | The Rocks |
| Family Stay | The Rocks |
| Being right at Pen-y-Pass | YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass |
| Walking the Pyg or Miners’ Track | YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass |
| Staying in Llanberis | Gallt y Glyn |
| Having pubs and restaurants nearby | Gallt y Glyn |
Do you need to stay near Pen-y-Pass to climb Snowdon?
No.
This is something worth knowing before you book your accommodation.
Pen-y-Pass is obviously incredibly convenient if you’re walking the Pyg or Miners’ Track. You’re already at the starting point, which means less travelling before your walk.
But the mountain isn’t going anywhere, and you don’t need to sleep at Pen-y-Pass to climb it.
The Snowdon Sherpa bus network makes it possible to stay elsewhere and travel to the start of your chosen route. That can give you considerably more flexibility, particularly if you’re staying for more than one night.
For many people, choosing accommodation based purely on being closest to the mountain means missing out on some of the advantages of staying in a proper village or small local hostel.
What should you look for in a Snowdon hostel?
After years of hosting people who come here to walk, run and explore the mountains, we’d say there are a few things that matter more than they initially appear.
Somewhere to dry your gear
North Wales isn’t exactly famous for guaranteed sunshine.
A space to dry your gear can be worth its weight in gold after a wet day in the mountains.
Breakfast
If you’re getting up early for a long mountain day, having breakfast sorted makes life considerably easier.
Transport
Don’t assume you need to drive everywhere. Check the local bus routes before booking. The Snowdon Sherpa network connects many of the main walking areas and villages.
Parking
If you’re driving, check whether parking is included with your accommodation. This can make a significant difference to the overall cost of your trip.
Food
After six or seven hours in the mountains, cooking dinner isn’t necessarily everyone’s idea of fun.
Some hostels offer self-catering, some have restaurants or bars, and some, like Lodge Dinorwig, offer home-cooked meals.
Think about what you’ll actually want after a day on the hill.
Our verdict
If you’re looking for the absolute closest place to stay for the Pyg or Miners’ Track, YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass is the obvious choice.
If you want to cook your own food and like the idea of staying in Capel Curig, have a look at The Rocks.
If you want to stay in Llanberis, with its shops, pubs and restaurants close by, Gallt y Glyn is worth considering.
But if you’re looking for a small, independent hostel with breakfast included, free parking, a drying room and the option of dinner and packed lunches, we’d obviously put Lodge Dinorwig at the top of your list.
We’re not the biggest hostel in Eryri, and we’re not the closest to the summit.
That’s actually part of the appeal.
We’re a small place run by two people who live here, and most of our guests come because they want somewhere comfortable and friendly to come back to after a day outside.
If that sounds like your kind of place, we’d love to have you stay.
