The rural village of Trawsfynydd sits in the foothills of the Rhinog mountains, which are considered to be the wildest and most remote mountains in Wales. It is surrounded by sheep-grazed moorland, sweeping mountain vistas, and ancient coniferous woodlands including the Celtic rainforest of Coed Felenrhyd. It is a straight-up stunning part of the world, and a great escape for a restorative Welsh holiday.
There are some really beautiful walking routes straight out of the front door, from very pleasant circular strolls around Llyn Trawsfynydd (the lake is the third largest lake in Wales at around 5 miles long), to more robust walking routes up into the Rhinog mountains. With canoeing, kayaking, trout fishing, and a new cycle route around the lake, the cottage is perfectly placed for an active family getaway.
Trawsfynydd is within a very easy drive of some of Eryri (Snowdonia)'s most beautiful towns and villages, including Harlech, Dolgellau, Barmouth, Porthmadog, and Portmeirion. The coast - there are beautiful beaches at Harlech, Criccieth and Dyffryn Ardudwy - is a very pleasant 15 mile drive away.
Dolgellau, 13 miles south, is where you'll find the famous Precipice Walk and Cader Idris.
Just 4 miles away is Coed Y Brenin mountain biking centre, where you can bring your own bike or hire one from the Beics Brenin visitor centre. There are eight trails ranging from blue to black, so something for the whole family. There are also excellent running and walking trails through the woods.
Harlech, which is a beautiful 30 minute drive, is home to a clifftop UNESCO World Heritage Site medieval castle, and one of the best links golf courses in the UK at Royal St David's. Its hills and winding lanes provide plenty of nooks and crannies to explore, and some great places for a decent lunch, afternoon tea or dinner. If medieval castles are your thing, head a little further north to Criccieth and Caernarfon to see more of the great fortresses of Wales.
There's easy access to many of Eryri (Snowdonia)'s most popular attractions and destinations from this impressive property at the foot of the Rhinog mountains. They include Zip World, Bounce Below and the Llechwedd Deep Mine experience and Ffestiniog steam railway at Blaenau Ffestiniog. The enchanting village of Portmeirion, with its Italianate follies, interesting shops, famous chinaware, cafés and beautiful gardens, is a 20 minute drive.
If you prefer to keep things lo-fi on your hols, you're in great walking country. The Rhinog mountains offer some of the most spectacular landscapes in the UK with all-shades-of-satisfying routes and no shortage of spectacular spots for a picnic. And there are some interesting echoes from the past to be explored too, including the ruins of a Roman hillfort at nearby Tomen y Mur. Take a look at our blog for some Rhinog walking inspiration.