North
Wales is an old country; geologically old, with some of the
most ancient rocks in the world; old in its economy, based still
on the immemorial pastoral or sheep-rearing way of life; old
in culture, with traditions in poetry and music that may date
back to the Bronze Age; and old in language, for the Welsh you
will hear spoken everywhere in the mountain villages is Europe's
oldest living language. No wonder the deep valleys seem still
to hold the echo of the myths, legends and bardic traditions
of the past. The relics of the past lie undisturbed still in
the hills the Neolithic stone circles, the Bronze Age chambers,
the fortifications of the Celtic Iron Age, the Roman fort, and
the monuments of the great Welsh princes. Compared to southern
Britain, Snowdonia is truly wild.
The
Snowdonia National Park consists largely of
blocks of undisturbed mountain and moorland divided from each
other by deep valleys along which most of the main roads have
been made. A few beautiful villages such as Betws-y-Coed and
Beddgelert are the only claims that man has placed on this truly
magnificant landscape. The highest peak, which is also the highest
point in England and Wales, is Snowdon (3,560 feet).
There
are 13 other peaks that top the 3,000-foot contour. Snowdonia
is ideal country for getting out and about. You can explore
on foot, by car, on one of the magnificent mountain trains,
or by horseback from one of the several pony-trekking centres.
The Forestry Commission provides trails, car parks and picnic
sites for visitors, but urges people to observe the Highway
Code.
Welcome
to
Betws-y-Coed, Snowdonia National Park & North Wales.
If
you are exhausted by rushing around each day, come to the Snowdonia
National Park, you will be breathless just standing still.
