Group of six people standing on rocks near a lake, celebrating with raised arms, surrounded by a green, hilly landscape.
Mountain landscape with a lake and vibrant purple flowers in the foreground.
Serene lake with mountains, bare trees, and a golden sunset reflecting in the water.
Hikers on a trail overlooking a scenic valley with a lake and lush green hills.
Scenic landscape of a calm lake reflecting a colorful sunset, surrounded by green hills and a forest. Large stones and grass are in the foreground with distant mountains in the background.
A scenic view of a mountain pathway with stone steps, surrounded by green grass and purple wildflowers, under a partly cloudy blue sky.
Scenic landscape of a flowing stream, lush greenery, and a rocky mountain peak, under a cloudy sky.
Serene lake surrounded by mountains at sunset with soft light and reflections on the water.
Mountain landscape with rocky terrain, flowing stream, green foliage, and cloudy sky.
Mountain landscape with rocky hills, purple heather, and lush green valley under a blue sky with clouds.

Newbies Walking Weekend - Eryri (Snowdonia)

A welcoming weekend of guided walking, relaxing in a cosy guesthouse, and meeting new people – perfect for your first Large Outdoors trip.

Experience Type: Multi-Day Experience
Duration: 2 nights
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Group Size: Maximum 18
Level: Leisurely Plus
Age: 18+
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs

What to expect on your walking break

  • New to Large Outdoors? A relaxed and sociable introduction to our trips, with fully guided walks and a supportive atmosphere.

  • Supportive and Sociable Atmosphere: Perfect if you're nervous about joining your first trip.

  • Cosy Guesthouse Base: Centrally located in Llanberis, with private rooms, a log burner, drying room, and plenty of free parking.

  • Fully Guided: Walks are led by experienced guides. You're covered with full support and insurance.

  • All Welcome: Whether it’s your first Large Outdoors trip or you're returning for another adventure.

 
 

A Warm Welcome to Large Outdoors

If you're curious about joining a social group walk but feel a bit unsure, this weekend is the ideal way to take your first steps. Our Newbies Walking Weekend is designed to be welcoming, relaxed, and fun. Whether you come on your own or with a friend, you'll be joining a supportive group led by friendly hosts who are there to help everyone feel at ease.

Large Outdoors has been running sociable walking trips since 2008. All of our walks are fully guided, and we focus on creating a friendly, down-to-earth atmosphere where everyone can enjoy being in the outdoors without pressure or expectations.

This weekend is a great chance to experience one of our favourite spots in Wales – Eryri (Snowdonia) – while making new friends and enjoying a proper break from everyday life. We stay in the heart of Llanberis, in a lovely guesthouse that’s just for our group, with a lounge for relaxing by the log burner and all the comforts you need after a walk.

Still unsure? Have a look at our Friends of Large Outdoors Facebook group where you can meet others, ask questions, or browse through previous trip photos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/largeoutdoors

Looking down the Ogwen Valley in Snowdonia towards Tryfan

Suggested Itinerary

Here’s what we’ve got planned - of course, we may have to offer alternatives or make amendments if the weather misbehaves or other unexpected situations arise!

  • Arrive any time from 5pm and get settled in at Dol Peris, our exclusive guesthouse for the weekend. You’ll be met by your host, offered a brew, and shown around. If it’s a chilly evening, we’ll have the log burner going in the lounge.

    There’s a Spar shop next door if you fancy grabbing a few snacks or a bottle of wine. You’re welcome to bring your own drinks to enjoy by the fire or with dinner.

    Dinner is included and prepared by your host. We offer options for vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and other dietary needs – just let us know when booking or at least 7 days in advance.

    After dinner, the evening is yours to relax in the lounge or head over to the nearby pub.

  • Start your day with a continental breakfast – cereals, toast, fruit, yoghurt and more. Then prepare your packed lunch with a spread of sandwich fillings (including vegetarian and meat options), snacks and crisps – all included.

    Today’s walk is around 10 miles and we rate it as Leisurely Plus. You can read more about our walking grades here: https://www.largeoutdoors.com/experience-levels

    We’ll drive to the charming village of Beddgelert, known for its riverside setting, colourful cottages and the legend of Gelert the dog. From here we follow the Cambrian Way alongside Afon Glaslyn towards Llyn Dinas, a peaceful lake fringed by woodland and overlooked by hills like Cnicht. We’ll pass the Sygun Copper Mine, once part of Snowdonia’s mining boom, and explore woodland paths rich in slate heritage.

    The route then enters the dramatic Pass of Aberglaslyn, part of the Snowdonia Slate Trail, also known as the Fisherman’s Walk – a lovely stretch beside the river with plenty of photo stops.

    After returning to Beddgelert, you’ll have time to explore, visit craft shops or enjoy a well-earned ice cream at Glaslyn Artisan Ice Cream parlour.

    Please note: Transport is not included, but we encourage car sharing. The walk start point is around 20 minutes from the guesthouse.

    Back at Dol Peris, you’ll have time to freshen up before another evening meal prepared by your host. Relax in the lounge, chat about the day, or head out again – it’s your evening.

  • After breakfast, we pack up and leave the guesthouse before heading out on a final walk from the doorstep.

    We’ll complete a 6-mile circular route around Llyn Padarn, with views of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and through ancient woodland. We'll pass through the small hillside village of Fachwen and continue around the massive Dinorwig Slate Quarry, once one of the largest in the world. It’s a striking reminder of the area’s industrial past, with impressive views throughout.

    Before returning to Llanberis, we’ll stop by the ruins of Dolbadarn Castle, a 13th-century Welsh fortress built by Llywelyn the Great, perfectly placed at the foot of Yr Wyddfa.

    After the walk, there’ll be time for a cuppa, cake, or light lunch (not included) in the village before saying farewell. You’ll leave with new walking buddies and a whole new part of the country discovered.

Stream and waterfall in Llyn Idwal in Snowdonia

Useful Info

  • You’ll be staying at Dol Peris, right in the centre of Llanberis. It has a log-burning stove, drying room, free parking, and a range of single or shared room options.

  • All meals mentioned are included: two breakfasts, two evening meals, and one packed lunch.

  • Bring your own drinks for the evenings if you'd like, or head to the pub.

  • Walking routes are subject to change depending on weather and group needs.

Questions or want to connect with others before booking?
Come and join the chat in our friendly Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/largeoutdoors

Cozy living room with brown leather sofas, coffee table, and a wood-burning stove. A piano is on one side, a large window on another, with lamps and framed artwork on walls. Soft lighting creates a warm ambiance.
Brick building with self-catering accommodation sign, surrounded by trees, with parked cars in the background.
Cozy bedroom with a plaid bedspread, wall mirror, and window. A small table with a plant, a couch, and an open door leading to a bathroom are visible.
A cozy bedroom with two single beds covered in colorful plaid bedding. There's a black sofa with green pillows, a wooden coffee table, wall artwork, and potted plants. A window allows natural light, and a mirror is against the wall.
Cozy single bedroom with a bed, desk, lamp, chair, and wall art.
Cozy bedroom with an orange bedspread, wooden furniture, large window with green view, and plants on the windowsill.

Essential Information

  • Meeting Time: from 5pm.

    You can arrive any time from 5pm - the Large Outdoors host will be at the accommodation to welcome you. Dinner will be served around 8pm so if you intend to arrive later than this, please ensure you have something to eat on the way.

    Meeting Location:
    Dol Peris
    High Street
    Llanberis
    Gwynedd
    LL55 4HA

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    Parking: There is free parking available at the accommodation.

    Public Transport: The easiest way to get to Dol Peris on public transport is a train to Bangor and then the S2 bus from Bangor Train Station to Llanberis. Please check service/timetables before travelling.

    Taxi: A taxi from Bangor Train Station to Llanberis can cost around £30.

    Please Note: On some days there could be a short drive required - where activities don’t start from the door of the accommodation. We don't include transport and participants normally car share. Some of our possible routes for the weekend mean we may need to jump on a local bus - the cost for these journeys is not included.

    Finish Time: We aim to finish on the final day between 1pm and 3pm - the exact finish time may depend on the planned/chosen activity, group dynamic, weather conditions, whether the group chooses to grab a coffee or lunch together during/after, etc. If you’ve travelled via public transport, please ensure you book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket), to allow for flexibility.

  • We’ll be staying in the lovely Dol Peris guesthouse on this trip. It’s a spacious and cosy converted farmhouse set on the edge of Snowdonia National Park, so it’s perfectly placed for our itinerary. With views towards the forests and mountains, it’s a haven that we love coming back to. Wi-Fi is available, there’s a handy drying room and even a wood-burning stove for extra comfort!

    Bedding is provided - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.

    Accommodation Address:
    Dol Peris
    High Street
    Llanberis
    Gwynedd
    LL55 4HA

    Room Types:
    You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:
    Bed in a Shared Female Room
    Bed in a Shared Male Room
    Double/Twin Room
    Single Room (shared bathroom)

    There are Shared Rooms, where you’ll be sharing a room - with single beds, no bunks - with other participants (room sizes vary and bathrooms are shared).

    Double/Twin Rooms sleep up to two participants booking together (bathrooms are shared with other rooms or en-suite).

    Single Rooms are for one participant and have a single bed (bathrooms are shared with other rooms).

  • Included:

    • 2 nights accommodation in a guesthouse - we have taken over exclusive use of the accommodation, so it will just be Large Outdoors participants staying.

    • A Large Outdoors host/guide to welcome you, deal with meal preparation and the logistics for your experience.

    • Guided walks on 2 days (Day 2 & Day 3).

    • Home-cooked set 2-course dinners at the accommodation on both evenings.

    • A DIY breakfast each morning (toast, cereals, fruit and yoghurt provided).

    • A DIY packed lunch (sandwich and snacks) for Day 2’s walk.

    • Tea (including decaf and herbal options), coffee (including decaf option), and squash at the accommodation.

    • Bedding - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.

    • The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.

    • Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.

    Not included:

    • Travel to and from the meeting location.

    • Travel from the accommodation to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the door. On some days there could be a short drive required - we don't include transport and participants normally car share.

    • Any extra (i.e. not mentioned above in ‘Included’) excursions or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.

    • Bottled water - tap water and squash are available at the accommodation, so please ensure you bring sufficient water bottles or carriers to fill up and take out with you.

    • Alcoholic drinks - please feel free to bring something with you to enjoy at the accommodation, or there’s a handy shop next door.

    • Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.

    • Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.

  • Please see our Residential (Walking) Kit List.

    The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should be carrying the items listed.

  • • What level of fitness is needed?
    This trip is graded as Leisurely. Click here to see Large Outdoors’ Experience Levels.

    • Can I attend on my own?
    Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.

    • I am currently on a specific diet / have an allergy - can you cater for me?
    Unfortunately, we are generally unable to cater for a wide variety of diets or food preferences due to the nature and cost of our catered trips and/or the use of shared kitchens. However, we can offer vegetarian meals, vegan meals, provide meals with gluten* free ingredients, and/or provide dairy* free meals - these options can be selected when booking. *Please see our general FAQs for more information about dietary options.

    • What transport is provided during this trip?
    We do not provide any transport for this experience. On some days there could be a short drive required to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the accommodation - participants normally car share. Some of our possible routes for the weekend mean we may need to jump on a local bus - the cost for these journeys is not included.

    • Can I bring my dog?
    Dogs are not allowed on this experience, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the itinerary and any activity/equipment/accommodation, and of course additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.

  • The first designated National Park in Wales, Snowdonia includes Wales’ highest mountain, Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), and an array of other peaks. Beyond the mountains, there are valleys, sandy estuaries, glacial lakes, forests and miles of walking trails.

    Bounded by the Rivers Conwy and Dovey in the east and south, the view to the north and west stretches over the sea where, on a clear day, you can see the Llyn Peninsula, Cardigan Bay and even Ireland. Nestled among the mountains, you’ll find the history of the area in the form of sheep farming, forestry, and slate mining, and settlements dating back thousands of years.

This map is provided for guidance regarding the general location. For detailed meeting information, please refer to the 'Meeting Time & Location' section.