WINTER SUNDAY TRIPS from PORTHMADOG

Express Motors "S97" Sherpa    
by



via the
Aberglaslyn Pass
and Beddgelert
to the mountains
of Snowdonia
    Padarn "S2" Sherpa
    Padarn "S4" Sherpa
These trips also depart TREMADOG approximately four minutes later
or PRENTEG approximately seven minutes later
sherpanetwork
  B E W A R E ....................... !!!
Car Parking in Snowdonia is very limited and can be expensive if a space can be found

The alternative is to leave your car behind and use the
Snowdon Sherpa Bus network

It is now possible to make a scenic Sunday trip from
Porthmadog to BetwsyCoed across Snowdonia
(Alternatively use the Sherpa buses to reach and climb up or ride round Snowdon in either direction)

Suggested timings are shown below and all the trips featured can all be done for just £5.40 using a "Red Rover"
which is valid all day on any bus in Gwynedd - this gives you the flexibility to change your mind
if you suddenly decide to go elsewhere or stop off en-route !
(Purchase from the driver of your first bus)

This "unofficial" website attempts to show what services are available
It contains composite timetables of connecting services on a cross-Snowdonia route basis
where a change of bus is necessary --- hopefully it will help you plan your days out
It also includes some suggested "trips round Snowdonia - without your car"
You can click on any underlined location to go direct to the appropriate timetable

Snowdon Sherpa
Sundays - 8th Januray 2011 to 25th March 2012
  Click here for suggested Sunday itineries from 1st April 2012 until further notice
Click here for suggested Monday to Saturday itineraries from Porthmadog
"Trips around Snowdonia - without your car"
from Porthmadog
Sherpas start from the "Parc" and also pick up Tesco and the Main Line Railway Station
Winter is the ideal time to see the views without the worry of driving !

   Click here if you want to climb Snowdon or Tryfan,  otherwise..........

  OPTION ONE visit BetwsyCoed via Aberglaslyn Pass, Beddgelert, Nant Gwynant Pass, Peny Pass, Twin Lakes, Capel Curig and Swallow Falls)
   Click here for a later departure - a coffee break at PenyPass then spend the afternoon in BetwsyCoed
   Click here for a coffee break at PenyPass or BetwsyCoed then spend some time in Llanberis
   Click here for a coffee break at Beddgelert then spend the afternoon in Caernarfon
   Click here for an "anticlockwise" trip all round Snowdon
   Click here for a "clockwise" trip all round Snowdon
   Click here for a circular walk up Snowdon (return by a dfferent path)
   Click here for an alternative circular walk up Snowdon (return by a dfferent path)


Aberglaslyn Pass     Nant Gwynant Pass        Capel Curig and Twin lakes    
PORTHMADOG <-----> PenyPass <-----> BetwsyCoed

 
Suggested itinerary
latest times should be confirmed from the individual timetables on the official Gwynedd CC website
 
 
Porthmadog (Express S97) dep
(Sherpa destination is PenyPass)

Llyn Dinas and Llyndy Isaf

Snowdon in the winter

PenyPass Inter-change Bus Stop and Cafe
09.00
  
 
PenyPass arr
09.38
  
 
change buses
 
  
 
PenyPass (Padarn S2) dep
(Sherpa destination is BetwsyCoed)

Swallow Falls on the outskirts of BetwsyCoed

BetwsyCoed

Railway station in the snow
09.45









Tell the driver if you prefer to alight at Swallow Falls

return Sherpas call opposite the road from the falls
(5 minutes after leaving BetwsyCoed)
alternatively catch a
later Sherpa into BetwsyCoed (5 minutes after leaving Capel Curig)
  
 
BetwsyCoed arr
10.05#
 
 
change buses

Llyn Ogwen

The same view in mid-winter

Ogwen Falls
time for a tea or coffee

# - Alternatively stay on the bus for a run along the scenic
Ogwen Valley to Bethesda (back 1113)



If you prefer to stretch your legs.........
......why not alight at the far end of the lake (arrive 1033)
and view Ogwen Falls before re-joining the same
"S6" Sherpa back to BetwsyCoed at 1055 ?
  
 
BetwsyCoed (Padarn S2) dep
(Sherpa destination is Llanberis)

The "Ugly House in mid-winter

River Llugwy at Capel Curig

Snowdon from the Twin Lakes
partially frozen over in mid-winter

PenyPass Inter-change Bus Stop and Cafe
11.20 or 13.20 or 15.10*
 
 
PenyPass arr
11.42 or 13.42 or 16.10
  
 
change buses
 
  
 
PenyPass (Padarn S4)  (Express S97) dep
(Sherpa destination is Beddgelert/Caernarfon(S4)
or Porthmadog/Morfa Bychan(S97))

Overlooking Llyn Gwynant

Llyn Dinas and Llyndy Isaf
recently acquired by the National Trust
11.50(S4) or 14.15 or 16.40
  
 
Beddgelert arr
12.07 or 14.32 or 16.57
  
 
change buses
time for a tea or coffee
  
 
Beddgelert (Express S97) dep
(Sherpa destination is Porthmadog/Morfa Bychan)

Aberglaslyn Bridge has not changed in 50 years
although large lorries keep trying to damage it !
            14.35 or 17.10
  
 
Porthmadog arr
            14.55 or 17.30
  
 

  OPTION TWO (change at PenyPass - time for a coffee) - then spend lunchtime and the early-afternoon in BetwsyCoed


                      Aberglaslyn Pass           Nant Gwynant Pass        Capel Curig and Twin lakes
PORTHMADOG <---> Beddgelert <---> PenyPass <---> BetwsyCoed

 
Suggested itinerary
latest times should be confirmed from the individual timetables on the official Gwynedd CC website
 
 
Porthmadog (Express S97) dep
(Sherpa destination is Beddgelert)
11.00
  
 
Beddgelert arr
11.19
  
 
change buses
 
  
 
Beddgelert (Padarn S4) dep
(Sherpa destination is PenyPass)

Llyn Dinas and Llyndy Isaf

Snowdon in the winter

PenyPass Inter-change Bus Stop and Cafe
11.24 or 13.54
  
 
PenyPass arr
11.42 or 14.12
  
 
change buses
time for a tea or coffee
  
 
PenyPass (Padarn S2) dep
(Sherpa destination is BetwsyCoed)

Swallow Falls on the outskirts of BetwsyCoed
Ask the driver if you prefer to aligh there

BetwsyCoed

Railway station in the snow
12.27 # or 14.27









# - Tell the driver if you prefer to alight at Swallow Falls

return Sherpas call opposite the road from the falls
(5 minutes after leaving BetwsyCoed)
alternatively catch a
later Sherpa into BetwsyCoed (5 minutes after leaving Capel Curig)
  
 
BetwsyCoed arr
12.47 or 1502
  
 
change buses
 
  
 
BetwsyCoed (Padarn S2) dep
(Sherpa destination is Llanberis or Bethesda)

The "Ugly House in mid-winter

River Llugwy at Capel Curig

Snowdon from the Twin Lakes
partially frozen over in mid-winter

PenyPass Inter-change Bus Stop and Cafe
13.20 or 15.10 #
# - this "S2" Sherpa returns to PenyPass via the scenic Ogwen pass, Llyn Ogwen and Bethesda
* - this "S2" Sherpa bus returns via the Ogwen Valley and Bethesda









If you prefer to stretch your legs.........
......why not alight at the far end of the lake (arrive 1528)
and view Ogwen Falls before re-joining the same
"S2" Sherpa back to PenyPass at 1550 ?
 
 
PenyPass arr
13.42 or 16.10
  
 
change buses
time for a tea or coffee
  
 
PenyPass (Express S97) dep
(Sherpa destination is Porthmadog/Morfa Bychan)

Aberglaslyn Bridge has not changed in 50 years
although large lorries keep trying to damage it !
14.15 or 16.40
  
 
Porthmadog arr
14.55 or 17.30
  
 

  OPTION THREE (time for coffee break at PenyPass or BetwsyCoed then spend the afternoon in Llanberis)


                      Aberglaslyn Pass           Nant Gwynant Pass        Llanberis Pass
PORTHMADOG <---> Beddgelert <---> PenyPass <---> Llanberis
                                                                    |
                                                                    BetwsyCoed

 
Suggested itinerary
latest times should be confirmed from the individual timetables on the official Gwynedd CC website
 
 
Porthmadog (Express S97) dep
(Sherpa destination is PenyPass)

Llyn Dinas and Llyndy Isaf

Snowdon in the winter

PenyPass Inter-change Bus Stop and Cafe
09.00
  
 
PenyPass arr
09.38
  
 
change buses
 
  
 
PenyPass (Padarn S2) dep
(Sherpa destination is BetwsyCoed)

Swallow Falls on the outskirts of BetwsyCoed

BetwsyCoed

Railway station in the snow
11.47*  (direct to Llanberis arrive 1157)

* - time for a tea or coffee
  
Alternatively use the time for a trip to BetwsyCoed

09.45







Tell the driver if you prefer to alight at Swallow Falls

return Sherpas call opposite the road from the falls
(5 minutes after leaving BetwsyCoed)
alternatively catch a
later Sherpa into BetwsyCoed (5 minutes after leaving Capel Curig)
 
BetwsyCoed arr
10.05 #
 
 
change buses

Llyn Ogwen

The same view in mid-winter

Ogwen Falls
time for a tea or coffee






# - Alternatively stay on the bus for a run along the scenic
Ogwen Valley to Bethesda (back 1113)















If you prefer to stretch your legs.........
......why not alight at the far end of the lake (arrive 1033)
and view Ogwen Falls before re-joining the same
"S6" Sherpa back to BetwsyCoed at 1055 ?



  
 
change buses
 
  
 
BetwsyCoed (Padarn S2) dep
(Sherpa destination is Llanberis)

The "Ugly House in mid-winter

River Llugwy at Capel Curig

Snowdon from the Twin Lakes
with the lake partially frozen over

Climbing the narrow road to PenyPass
overlooking the Nant Gwynant pass

Decending the Llanberis Pass
11.20
 
 
Llanberis arr
11.57
 
 
change buses
time for a tea or coffee
or lunch overlooking Snowdon
  
 
Llanberis Joe Brown (Padarn S2) dep

The narrow High Street in Llanberis
14.00

Click on the time for a later service via Caernarfon and Beddgelert
  
 
Llanberis (Padarn S2) dep
(Sherpa destination is BetwsyCoed)

Leaving Llanberis before climbing to PenyPass

Pont y Gromlech near the top of Llanberis Pass
14.02

Click on the time for a later service via Caernarfon and Beddgelert
  
 
PenyPass arr
14.25
  
 
change buses
 
The Miners Path to Llyn Glaslyn (and Snowdon)                      
time for a tea or coffee
and/or a stroll along the foothills of Snowdon
  
 
PenyPass (Express S97) dep
(Sherpa destination is Porthmadog/Morfa Bychan)

Overlooking Llyn Gwynant

Llyn Dinas and Llyndy Isaf
recently acquired by the National Trust

Aberglaslyn Bridge has not changed in 50 years
although large lorries keep trying to damage it !
16.40
  
 
Porthmadog arr
17.30
  
 

  OPTION FOUR (time for coffee break at Beddgelert then spend the afternoon in Llanberis)


                  Aberglaslyn Pass               Llyn Cwellyn
PORTHMADOG <---> Beddgelert <---> Caernarfon

 
Suggested itinerary
latest times should be confirmed from the individual timetables on the official Gwynedd CC website
 
 
Porthmadog (Express S97) dep
(Sherpa destination is PenyPass or Beddgelert)
09.00 or 11.00
  
 
Beddgelert arr
09.19* or 11.19*
  
 
change buses
* - time for a tea or coffee
  
 
Beddgelert (Padarn S4) dep
(Sherpa destination is Caernarfon)

Leaving Beddgelert over the river bridge

Llyn Cwellyn
12.10
  
 
Caernarfon arr
12.40
  
 
change buses
time for a tea of coffee or lunch
  
 
Caernarfon (Padarn S4) dep
(Sherpa destination is Beddgelert)

Beddgelert Bridge
16.30
  
 
Beddgelert arr
17.00
  
 
change buses
 
  
 
Beddgelert (Express S97) dep
(Sherpa destination is Porthmadog/Morfa Bychan)

Aberglaslyn Bridge has not changed in 50 years
although large lorries keep trying to damage it !
17.10
  
 
Porthmadog arr
17.30
  
 

  OPTION FIVE  Ride "anti-clockwise" right round Snowdon (time for a coffee break at PenyPass or BetwsyCoed then spend the afternoon in Llanberis and/or Caernarfon)

                      Aberglaslyn Pass           Nant Gwynant Pass        Llanberis Pass
PORTHMADOG ----> Beddgelert ----> PenyPass ----> Llanberis
                                                      |                               |
          |                               |
  BetwsyCoed                    |
                                          |
                                          |
                                          |
                                          |
                                         \|/
Porthmadog <---- Beddgelert <----- Caernarfon <---- Llanberis
             Aberglaslyn Pass        Rhyd Ddu   Llyn Cwellyn                 Llanberis Lake

 
Suggested itinerary
latest times should be confirmed from the individual timetables on the official Gwynedd CC website
 
 
Porthmadog (Express S97) dep
(Sherpa destination is PenyPass)

Llyn Dinas and Llyndy Isaf

Snowdon in the winter

PenyPass Inter-change Bus Stop and Cafe
09.00
  
 
PenyPass arr
09.38
  
 
change buses
* - time for a tea or coffee
  
 
PenyPass (Padarn S2) dep
(Sherpa destination is BetwsyCoed)

Swallow Falls on the outskirts of BetwsyCoed

BetwsyCoed

Railway station in the snow
11.47*  (direct to Llanberis arrive 1157)

* - time for a tea or coffee
  
Alternatively use the time for a trip to BetwsyCoed

09.45







Tell the driver if you prefer to alight at Swallow Falls

return Sherpas call opposite the road from the falls
(5 minutes after leaving BetwsyCoed)
alternatively catch a
later Sherpa into BetwsyCoed (5 minutes after leaving Capel Curig)
 
BetwsyCoed arr
10.05 #
 
 
change buses

Llyn Ogwen

The same view in mid-winter

Ogwen Falls
time for a tea or coffee






# - Alternatively stay on the bus for a run along the scenic
Ogwen Valley to Bethesda (back 1113)















If you prefer to stretch your legs.........
......why not alight at the far end of the lake (arrive 1033)
and view Ogwen Falls before re-joining the same
"S6" Sherpa back to BetwsyCoed at 1055 ?



  
 
change buses
 
  
 
BetwsyCoed (Padarn S2) dep
(Sherpa destination is Llanberis)

The "Ugly House in mid-winter

River Llugwy at Capel Curig

Snowdon from the Twin Lakes
with the lake partially frozen over

Climbing the narrow road to PenyPass
overlooking the Nant Gwynant pass

Decending the Llanberis Pass
11.20 or 13.20 or 14.20
  
 
Llanberis arr
11.57 or 13.57 or 14.57
  
 
change buses
 
  
 
Llanberis Maes Padarn (Padarn 88) dep
(bus destination is Caernarfon)

The narrow High Street in Llanberis

Looking across Llyn Padarn at the steam train
13.01 or 14.01 or 15.01 or 16.01 #
  
 
Caernarfon arr
13.25 or 14.25 or 15.25 or 16.25 #
  
 
change buses
 
  
 
Caernarfon (Padarn S4) dep
(Sherpa destination is Beddgelert)

Beddgelert Bridge
16.30 #
# - these services are normally worked by the same bus
confirm with the driver on the day
  
 
Beddgelert arr
17.00
  
 
change buses
 
  
 
Beddgelert (Express S97) dep
(Sherpa destination is Porthmadog/Morfa Bychan)

Aberglaslyn Bridge has not changed in 50 years
although large lorries keep trying to damage it !
17.10
  
 
Porthmadog arr
17.30
  
 

  OPTION SIX  Ride "clockwise" right round Snowdon (option of a coffee break at Beddgelert then spend late-morning and the afternoon at Caernarfon and/or Llanberis before returnimg via PenyPass)

                   Aberglaslyn Pass          Rhyd Ddu   Llyn Cwellyn                 Llanberis Lake
PORTHMADOG ----> Beddgelert ----> Caernarfon ----> Llanberis

Porthmadog <---- Beddgelert <----- PenyPass <---- Llanberis
                Aberglaslyn Pass           Nant Gwynant Pass        Llanberis Pass

 
Suggested itinerary
latest times should be confirmed from the individual timetables on the official Gwynedd CC website
 
 
Porthmadog (Express S97) dep
(Sherpa destination is PenyPass or Beddgelert)
09.00 or 11.00
  
 
Beddgelert arr
09.19* or 11.19*
  
 
change buses
* - time for a tea or coffee
  
 
Beddgelert (Padarn S4) dep
(Sherpa destination is Caernarfon)

Leaving Beddgelert over the river bridge

Llyn Cwellyn
12.10#
  
 
Caernarfon arr
12.40#
  
 
change buses
 
  
 
Caernarfon (Padarn 88) dep
(bus destination is Llanberis)

Llyn Padarn with the mountains beyond

Looking across Llyn Padarn at the steam train
12.45#
# - these services are normally worked by the same bus
confirm with the driver on the day
  
 
Llanberis arr
13,09#
 
 
change buses
 
  
 
Llanberis Joe Brown (Padarn S2) dep
(Sherpa destination is BetwsyCoed)

The narrow High Street in Llanberis
14.00

Click on the time for a later service via Caernarfon and Beddgelert
  
 
Llanberis Interchange (Padarn S2) dep
(Sherpa destination is BetwsyCoed)

Leaving Llanberis before climbing to PenyPass

Pont y Gromlech near the top of Llanberis Pass
14.02

Click on the time for a later service via Caernarfon and Beddgelert
  
 
PenyPass arr
14.25
  
 
change buses
 
The Miners Path to Llyn Glaslyn (and Snowdon)                      
time for a tea or coffee
and/or a stroll along the foothills of Snowdon
  
 
PenyPass (Express S97) dep
(Sherpa destination is Porthmadog/Morfa Bychan)

Overlooking Llyn Gwynant

Llyn Dinas and Llyndy Isaf
recently acquired by the National Trust

Aberglaslyn Bridge has not changed in 50 years
although large lorries keep trying to damage it !
16.40
  
 
Porthmadog arr
17.30
  
 

  OPTION SEVEN (take the bus right to the foot of Snowdon avoiding having to walk up the busy narrow road from PenyGwryd, time for a coffee break at PenyPass then walk up Snowdon and return by a different path - without having to go back for your car !)

  Go up the Miners track or the PYG track (or Crib Goch - but only if you are an experienced climber)
  Return down the PYG track, Miners track, Watkin path, Rhyd Ddu track or Ranger track

 Snowdon Ranger ...Ranger track..                                         ...Crib Goch......                                   
Rhyd Ddu ......Rhyd Ddu track.....\.. SNOWDON ../....PYG track......\PenyPass
                    \                                                                  :         \..Miners track../            /|\    
                \--------->--------\             Watkin : path                                        |
                                                          \                       :                                               |
PORTHMADOG <------> Beddgelert <--------------- PenyGwryd          
            Aberglaslyn Pass               Nant Gwynant Pass    

 
Suggested itinerary
latest times should be confirmed from the individual timetables on the official Gwynedd CC website
 
 
Porthmadog (Express S97) dep
(Sherpa destination is PenyPass)
09.00
  
 
PenyPass arr
09.38
  
 

walk up and down Snowdon
if the weather is bad or you find the going is too hard - turn back
and catch the 1150(S4), 1415(S97) or 1640(S97) Sherpa bus from PenyPass

  
 
PenyPass (Express S97) dep
16.40
  
 
Nant Gwynant (Express S97) dep
(Watkin path)
16.52
  
 
Snowdon Ranger (Pararn S4) dep
(Y.H.A.)
16.49 - change buses at Beddgelert
  
 
Rhyd Ddu (Pararn S4) dep
(car park)
16.51 - change buses at Beddgelert
  
 
Beddgelert (Express S97) dep
17.10
  
 
Porthmadog arr
17.30
  
 

  OPTION EIGHT (take the bus to the west side of Snowdon, then walk up one of the paths up Snowdon and return by a different path - without having to go back for your car !)

  Walk up the Rhyd Ddu path or the Ranger path
  Return down the PYG track, Miners track or Watkin path

 Snowdon Ranger ...Ranger track..                                         ...Crib Goch......                                   
Rhyd Ddu ......Rhyd Ddu track.....\.. SNOWDON ../....PYG track......\PenyPass
                    \                                                                :           \..Miners track../             |      
               \---------<--------\             Watkin : path                                         |
                                                          \                        :                                              \|/
PORTHMADOG <------> Beddgelert <--------------- PenyGwryd          
            Aberglaslyn Pass               Nant Gwynant Pass    

 
Suggested itinerary
latest times should be confirmed from the individual timetables on the official Gwynedd CC website
 
 
This itinerary is ONLY available during the summer
It is expected to re-commence late-May 2012
Click here for an alternative all-year climb outward via PenyPass
  
 


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    Contents    
Timetables
Suggested Sherpa Trips
Click here for the next period of this page
Bangor/Llandudno - BetwsyCoed - Llangollen
Barmouth - Porthmadog   (connections)
Bethesda - Capel Curig - BetwsyCoed
Bethesda - PenyPass - Llanberis
BetwsyCoed - Capel Curig - Bethesda - Bangor
BetwsyCoed - PenyPass - Llanberis
BetwsyCoed - Llandudno   (connections)
BetwsyCoed - PenyPass - Porthmadog
Caernarfon - Beddgelert - Llanberis
Caernarfon - Beddgelert - Porthmadog
Caernarfon (WHRly) - Beddgelert - Llandudno
Caernarfon (WHRly) - Beddgelert - Porthmadog
Climb Snowdon - with the Sherpas   (summary)
Llanberis Pass   (Park and Ride)
Llanberis - PenyPass - Bethesda - Bangor
Llanberis - PenyPass - BetwsyCoed
Llanberis - Beddgelert - Caernarfon
Llandudno - BetwsyCoed   (connections)
Llandudno - Beddgelert - Caernarfon (WHRly)
Llandudno - BetwsyCoed - PenyPass
Llangollen - BetwsyCoed - Llandudno/Bangor
PenyPass - BetwsyCoed - Llandudno
Porthmadog - Barmouth   (connections)
Porthmadog - PenyPass - BetwsyCoed
Porthmadog - Beddgelert - Caernarfon
Porthmadog - Beddgelert - Caernarfon (WHRly)
Porthmadog - Pwllheli   (connections)
Pwllheli - Porthmadog   (connections)
Suggested weekday trips from Beddgelert
Suggested Sunday trips from Beddgelert

Suggested weekday trips from BetwsyCoed
Suggested Sunday trips from BetwsyCoed

Suggested weekday trips from Caernarfon
Suggested Sunday trips from Caernarfon

Suggested weekday trips from Colwyn Bay/Rhyl
Suggested Sunday trips from Colwyn Bay/Rhyl

Suggested weekday trips from Llanberis
Suggested Sunday trips from Llanberis

Suggested weekday trips from Llandudno
Suggested Sunday trips from Llandudno

Suggested weekday trips from Llanrwst
Suggested Sunday trips from Llanrwst

Suggested Sunday trips from Morfa Bychan

Suggested weekday trips from
Suggested Sunday trips from
North Wales Coast Railway stations
(via BetwsyCoed)

Suggested weekday trips from Porthmadog
Suggested Sunday trips from Porthmadog
Additional and updated pages are in the process of being prepared - please bookmark this page and keep returning for the very latest information available

This page last  Updated - snowdon sperba bus service on 9th February 2012   e-mail webmaster   (c)2011-2012