Snowdonia Photography – 11 Breathtaking Locations

Are you looking for the best Snowdonia photography locations to start planning your itinerary?

Snowdonia National Park (Eryri) is famed for its dramatic landscapes, glistening waterfalls and majestic mountains and is one of the best places for landscape photography in Wales.

Given Wales is a short distance from our home base in the UK and Steffan is originally from Wales, we have spent countless weeks searching for the best views in Snowdonia (Eyri) discovering epic waterfalls, mountains and beaches! 

When planning our itinerary we struggled to find informative blogs or information online giving us the details we were searching for as landscape photographers. 

So we decided to pull this blog together to help other photographers or beauty spot hunters so you can plan your own Snowdonia Photography road trip with ease! 

We visited all of these beautiful photo spots on our Snowdonia road trip in just two weeks,.

So the travel time between them is easily doable with plenty of time to squeeze in hikes and pub lunches as well!

So let’s jump into the best Snowdonia photography locations including Cadair Idris, Cregennan Lakes and many more, to help you start planning your own Snowdonia National Park road trip!

1. Cregennan Lakes

Cregennan Lakes was one of our favourite morning spots for Snowdonia photography and just a 15-minute drive from where we were staying at the beautiful Coed Cabins.

Located in Southern Snowdonia National Park this photo spot is extremely easy to access with a car park right next to the lake and lots of vantage points just a few steps from the car park making shooting very easy.

Location Information

• Cregennan Lakes are owned by the National Trust and are renowned for their tremendous views of the Mawddach Estuary and Barmouth Bridge from near the lake.

• The lakes are situated on the northern slopes of Cadair Idris, some 800 ft. above sea level, and the views are stunning with clear mountain reflections in all directions.

• While the car park was free during our visit a few years back, online reviews have confirmed parking is £5 for the day so take some cash with you. You don’t have to pay if you are a National Trust member. There are also toilets in the car park if you are desperate.

• Two natural lakes that form Cregennan are connected by walking or a single-track road through the mountains.

Photography Tip

Across the lake from the boat-house try to find half-submerged rocks to make an interesting foreground subject.

2. Cwm Idwal

Cwm Idwal Cirque is a unique mountain range stretching across northern Snowdonia National Park.

It is said to have been a favourite haunt of Charles Darwin and became the first National Nature Reserve in Wales in 1954.

It is a popular area with walkers and hikers in the daytime but if you opt for sunrise or early morning photography you may, like us, get this place all to yourselves! 

Cwm Idwal has to be one of our favourite Snowdonia photography spots as there are so many incredible views in every direction and it reminds us of some of the landscapes on the Isle of Skye in Scotland!

The whole area has just a magical feel to it, dotted with waterfalls and lakes you can see in the distance, and we didn’t even go very far. 

Easily up there in our top five spots In North Wales photography locations.

Location Information

• The cost of parking is £6.50 for a day or £3 for four hours and there is also a small tea shop and toilets available. 

• Parking is at the Ogwen Visitors Centre and from there, Cwm Idwal is a reasonably easy walk with a gentle incline to the first lake and waterfall. Although this is via a cobbled path.

Photography Tip

Try carrying your camera handheld when hiking to capture any fleeting light that breaks through on a cloudy day that could create an exciting image.

3. Aber Falls

Aber Falls, also known as Rhaedr Fawr in Welsh, is a waterfall located about two miles south of the village of Abergwyngregyn in Snowdonia National Park and is around 37 metres in height making it a perfect subject for your Snowdonia Photography list!

Dotted with trees, fields, flowers and historic buildings there is plenty to discover on your way and lots of opportunities to get some lovely landscape photographs.

Location Information

• Aber Fall has two car parks that cost around £5 to park for the day and have toilets available. 

• The walk from the car park to the waterfall is relatively easy as it’s all flat ground but it is just over a mile each way. 

• Along the walk to the Falls, there are a few exciting Bronze-aged settlements such as a roundhouse and smithy, and there are some stone circles, which are interesting to check out.

Photography Tip

The full scale of Aber Falls can only be captured from a distance. With this in mind, try using a telephoto lens, and a little compression will capture the whole scene more effectively.

4. Tryfan Mountain

Tryfan is one of the most recognisable peaks in Britain and is found in the Ogwen Valley in Snowdonia National Park and it is easy to see why it’s so often on the list of Snowdonia Photography locations.

We decided to get up at 2.45 AM to try and get there for the sunrise, given it’s one of the best times to capture beautiful photographs, and we made it! 

Although the pink hues in the sky lasted just 15 minutes and had floated on by the time we got into position to take photographs, it remained just as beautiful.

Surrounded by farm fields, rocky crags, and small waterfalls with the River running down into Llyn Ogwen, it is genuinely a stunning landscape.

A landscape unique to any other we saw when photographing North Wales so it has to be on your Snowdonia photography bucket list!

Location Information

• If you get there early there is parking along the roadside, but later in the day, this may be full, and you may have to opt for Ogwen car park nearby.

• We visited in April and the surrounding fields were particularly boggy, so it is worth wearing waterproof boots if there has been heavy rainfall.

• You can hike Tryfan but be warned even the easiest route is classified as a scramble, so not necessarily one to get the picnic out.

• If you want something less strenuous, but you still want to experience the magic, there are some beautiful walks around the lake with views of Tryfan.

Photography Tip

From the opposite hill, you can see Tryfan in all its glory.

A stream runs down the hill with lots of attractive mini waterfalls, rocks, bushes, and trees to create foreground interest.

5. Fairy Glen

 The Fairy Glen or Ffos Anoddun in Welsh is a secluded gorge and beauty spot that lies on the Conwy River and is considered one of the prettiest spots in the area.

It is an extremely unique Snowdonia photography spot.

If you have been to Finnich Glen in Scotland then you will see the similarity here, both are dramatic gorges with a magical feel!

It is named the Fairy Glen for the mythical sprites which are said to live there and have inspired many writers and poets to scribble down thoughts invoked by this magical place.

Location Information

• The land is privately owned so there is a small fee to use the car park and access the site. The cost for both parking and access is £1 per adult and 50p for a child. This helps pay for the upkeep of the paths. The postcode is LL24 0SL.

• There are two walking routes down; one is along the River, and the other leads straight to the gorge; both take around 30 minutes and require decent walking shoes.

• The walk down to it is not the easiest with access being small, slippery steps, so be sure to wear hiking boots!

• It is located near the famous and equally beautiful Betws-y-Coed which is another gorgeous Snowdonia Photography spot– just 10 minutes from the centre.

• Once you are down the gorge is rocky in every direction and requires some light scrambling around. You may struggle to set up a tripod super easily. Still, there are many boulders at the bottom of the steps and some flat enough to get set up to get your perfect capture.

Photography Tip

Arrive as early as possible to ensure there aren’t many people getting in the way of your shots.

We visited this spot in summer, but it would be at its best in autumn due to the surrounding woodland overhanging the glen.

6. Dolgoch Falls

One of the many things North Wales can boast is its variety of stunning and uniquely diverse waterfalls perfect for Snowdonia photography adventures!

Dolgoch has to be up there in our top three!

The Dolgoch Falls is a series of three waterfalls based in Gwynedd and a popular walk from the nearby Dolgoch station on the Talyllyn Railway. 

Its just a 90-minute walk to see all three, and as we were so mesmerised with the first, we barely scratched the surface!

This is one of our favourite Snowdonia photography locations!

Location Information

• The first waterfall is a short 20-minute walk from the car park, and in all honesty, we could have spent the whole time here exploring this stunning waterfall from various viewpoints.

• The car park is pay and display and we paid £2 for four hours or £4 for the whole day. The postcode for the car park is LL36 9UW.

• You can view the first waterfall from the left-hand side by walking straight on where you will also find a small cave to be explored. You can then explore the right side of the falls by crossing a bridge further down the path as you walk away from the falls. Both viewpoints are equally as stunning!

Photography Tip

For a professional-looking photograph of the waterfall, bring a pair of wellies or waders to get in the water and get some unique compositions. In the summer, ferns can be used to create foreground interest.

7. Cadair Idris

Cadair Idris lies at the southern end of Snowdonia National Park and is one of the highest mountains in the area towering at just under 900m.

Whilst it is a popular peak to conquer it is not for the faint of heart with a steep walk to the first glacial lake and beyond. 

But the view of the lake is one of the most gorgeous Snowdonia landscapes we have found, absolutely worth the climb up. Just be sure to check the weather and pack layers as the winds can be very harsh.

Location Information

• There is a car park at the bottom of the mountain which costs roughly £3 for four hours or £6 for the day. The car park is quite large so you should have no issue finding a spot.

• The starting point for this hike via the Miffordd Path is the Cadair Idris/Dol Idris car park. The postcode is LL37 9AJ.

• The hike up is very steep and can be slippy underfoot depending on the weather so be sure to wear sturdy boots and even walking poles may be handy

• Reaching the glacial lake, there is a significant drop in temperature and the crosswinds also add to the chill so be sure to pack extra layers.

Photography Tip

There are some rocks in the glacial lake that you can use as a foreground to make for an interesting photo!

8. Llyn Gwynant

Llyn Gwynant is a stunning lake located in Nant Gwynant Valley in Snowdonia National Park and is one of the larger lakes in North Wales. 

Popular with swimmers, kayakers and canoeists in the warmer months and with photographers year around.

On a calm day, the most perfect reflections glistened back at us and layer upon layer of rolling hills framed the lake making this the perfect Snowdonia photography spot and one not to be missed.

Location Information

• There are limited pull-in spots on the main road for parking but if you arrive early enough you should be able to find a spot.  If all else fails, there is paid parking on the Watkins path. The postcode is LL55 4NR.

• There is a popular and picturesque camping site on the lake which offers free parking and is dog friendly as well as having a small pizzeria if you fancy spending the night.

Photography Tip

For an alternate perspective, you can pull in on the hill above the lake to get a complete view of the entire landscape.

9. Llyn Padarn & the Lonely Tree

Lyn Padarn is a beautiful lake located in the village of Llanberis in Snowdonia National Park, surrounded by spectacular mountain views and home to the famous Lonely Tree. 

Measuring approximately 3km long, Llyn Padarn was formed thousands of years ago and is one of the largest lakes in all of North Wales. 

The lonely tree has to be one of the most photographed trees in all of Wales stands alone on the shore and is often surrounded by picture-perfect reflections on a calm day.

Location Information

• The car park closest to The Lonely Tree can be found opposite Snowdonia Watersports and it is a short and easy walk to the shore from there. It is free of charge to use but does fill up throughout the day.

• Pack yourself a hot coffee in a flask or some lunch as there are some benches right next to the shoreline which is perfect to sit and wait for the perfect light at this beautiful Snowdonia photography spot.

Photography Tip

Use an ND filter and a long exposure to smooth out some of the movement in the water to give the image a cleaner look.

10. Llynnau Mymbyr

Llynnau Mymbyr are two stunning lakes found in Dyffryn Mymbyr and sitting amongst Snowdonia’s highest mountains. 

From the lakes, there are terrific views of the beautiful mountain scenery across to the Snowdon Horseshoe and you can see the the peaks of Snowdon, Grib Goch, Crib y Ddysgl and Lliwedd in the distance making this the perfect Snowdonia photography spot and up there in our top North Wales photography locations.

Location Information

• There is a free car park near the lake and also plenty of parking can be found on the main road between Capel Curig and Beddgelert.

• There are also toilets available near the car park.

• The walk to the lake is an easy and short walk but uneven and steep in a few spots so watch your footing.

Photography Tip

It’s best to shoot this location at sunrise, however, for the best light on the mountains behind the lake it may be a short wait after the sun makes its appearance.

11. Llyn Mwyngil

Tal-y-llyn Lake, ⁽Llyn Mwyngil) is a large and perfectly picturesque glacial lake in North Wales and a very popular Snowdonia photography spot all year around.

Laying just below the stunning cader Idris, It’s approximately 220 acres in area, 1 mile long, and has gorgeous mountain views to photograph as well as some stunning reflections if you visit on a calm day. 

Location Information

• Parking can be found at laybys along the B4405 which runs along the south side.

• Facilities at the southern end include a hotel/pub and an ice cream shop.

Photography Tip

There is a house across the river that makes for a good subject and you can also find some boats floating by the river banks.

If you are looking for more beautiful North Wales photo spots that are close to Snowdonia National Park then these are our favourite locations we discovered on our two-week trip.

More Photography Locations in North Wales

Pistyll Rhaeadr

For epic waterfall shots head to Pistyll Rhaeadr which is one of the tallest waterfalls in Wales! 

With a camping ground, parking, a cafe and toilets this location has all of the facilities needed for a photography visit. 

The waterfall is located a stone’s throw from Snowdonia National Park so very easy to combine with other Snowdonia photo spots.

Trefor Stacks

Trefor Sea Stacks is a beautiful coastal location 40 minutes drive from Snowdonia National Park and boasts dramatic rock formations sandwiched between mountains and sea.

If you love coastal views and dramatic photography then this is a spot that cannot be missed!

A short walk from the car park and lots of beautiful views along the way. Parking at Trefor Beach car park is plentiful and easy to find. 

Penmon Lighthouse

Trwyn Du Lighthouse, also known as Penmon Lighthouse, is a lighthouse around 35 minutes drive from Snowdonia National Park.

Surrounded by little islands and a popular kayaking and photography spot this palace is worth a trip! Parking is plentiful and can be found here.

South Stack Lighthouse

South Stack is another dramatic lighthouse and just a 45-minute drive from Snowdonia National Park on the rugged island of Anglesey. 

Full of nature and wildlife this lighthouse spot is super unique and has lots of gorgeous views even from the car park.

Porthdinllaen

Porthdinllaen is located 40 minutes from Snowdonia National Park and is a small coastal village on the Llŷn Peninsula named an area of outstanding natural beauty and home to some epic North Wales landscapes. 

Despite South Wales’s reputation as a beach destination, North Wales and the Llyn Peninsular offer some stunning views and landscapes too!

The area almost deserves a trip on its own but if you are short on time a day trip is well worth it. Owned by the National Trust there is a well-serviced car park available.

Port Meirion

Port Meirion is located a short distance from Snowdonia National Park this can easily be done as a day trip without ever really leaving the park. 

This Italian-styled village is on the North Coast of Wales and comes with a rich history, lots of colourful corners to explore and some of the best ice cream we had in our two-week trip!

A day ticket costs £10 and can be pre-booked online here and there is a dedicated car park with lots of spots.

Ynys Llanddwyn

45 minutes from Snowdonia National Park, Llanddwyn Island and its lighthouse (Ynys Llanddwyn) are located on the beautiful island of Anglesey and is one of our favourite lighthouses in North Wales.

The island is only accessible by a 30-minute walk from the car park and there are toilet facilities available.

Dinas Dinlle

Dinas Dinlle located 30 minutes from Snowdonia National Park is a gorgeous large sand and pebble beach that boasts dramatic views across the Llyn Peninsula.

Although Cornwall in the UK is most well known for its beautiful coasts and beaches, we would argue that the Llyn Peninsula in North Wales is one of the most beautiful hidden gems we have been lucky enough to visit!

With all of the beauty and none of the crowds!

There are three free car parks as well as cafes and toilets. 

The beach and car parks also have good facilities including a cafe and toilets.

We hope this guide will help you plan out your own Snowdonia and North Wales road trip and also make photographing North Wales that little bit easier. 

It’s certainly one of our favourite areas in the UK!