Cwm Idwal self-guided walking route
A great walk to Llyn Idwal which is surrounded by steep, high crags and scree slopes. With lots for geologists and botanists to enjoy this stunning route provides great views across the Ogwen valley...
YHA Idwal Cottage
Overview
This eco-friendly hostel offers superb Eryri (Snowdonia) accommodation for activity breaks in the Ogwen Valley and is surrounded by all of the area’s geographical wonders. YHA Idwal Cottage is great for strolls to the Cwm Idwal nature reserve, or for walking holidays on the Cambrian Way or the Welsh 3000s.
This is YHA’s longest standing hostel – follow in the footsteps of YHA's founders and relive the walks and scrambles enjoyed by the Merseyside Group in those early years. Remember to pick up a copy of the 'Idwal log' at the hostel!
Accommodation at this hostel
- Bed in a shared room is offered here
- Private room is offered here
- Camping & Cabins is offered here
- Entire place is offered here
Why guests love this hostel
- YHA's oldest location in Wales
- Excellent Eryri (Snowdonia) accommodation
- Stay in style in our Anglesey Hut
Accommodation at YHA Idwal Cottage
Hostel facilities
- 24-hour access after check-in
- Ambulant accessible
- Coach parking on premises
- Contactless payments
- Cycle store
- Games
- Garden/grounds
- Highchair
- Large garden/grounds
- Library
- Licensed bar
- Minibus parking on premises
- Mountain view
- Near bus stop
- No WiFi
- Paid parking on premises
- Self-catering kitchen
- Shared drying room
- Shared laundry room
- Shared lounge
- Sole use available
- Water refill station
- Wheelchair accessible
Hostel need to know
Reception opening hours: From 08:00 - 10:00 and 17:00 - 20:30.
Licensed bar: This hostel has a licensed bar offering a range of alcohol and soft drinks. It is not possible for guests to bring their own alcohol, except when hiring the whole hostel through YHA Exclusive Hire.
Self-catering: YHA Idwal Cottage is self-catering only. Guests have access to a kitchen.
Parking: Paid parking is available at this hostel. YHA guests can park for free from 5pm to 10am each day (daily charges apply outside these times).
WiFi: There is no WiFi at YHA Idwal Cottage. Get away from the hustle and bustle and have a digital detox.
Dogs: Pets are not permitted at YHA Idwal Cottage. Assistance dogs are welcome - please notify us at the time of booking.
YHA Idwal Cottage - Access Statement
(PDF download - 131.67 KB)
Food and drink at YHA Idwal Cottage
Things to do around YHA Idwal Cottage
Carnedd Dafydd and Carnedd Llewelyn self-guided walking route
An exhilarating and rugged mountain route which is steep in places, with short scrambles. Including a high-level section of the Cambrian Way, this route provides stunning mountain scenery and far...
Y Garn self-guided walking route
A challenging route passing the stunning Cwm Idwal to the single peak of Y Garn. With a couple of steep scrambles, and great views throughout, this is a very enjoyable mountain walk.
Plas Menai National Watersports Centre
Ideal for sailing, windsurfing, canoeing and powerboating with easy access to the open sea and superb coastal scenery. Visit the website
Betws-y-Coed – Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park Information Centre
Visit the Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park Information Centre at Betws-y-Coed – the perfect place to learn about what makes Eryri (Snowdonia) spectacular as well as advice on visiting sustainably...
Beddgelert – Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park Information Centre
Visit the Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park Information Centre at Beddgelert for all you need to know about exploring the area sustainably and making the most of your visit to Wales. Information centres...
Portmeirion
Portmeirion, the setting for the cult 60s series The Prisoner – 'I am not a number. I am a free man. The village consists of a cluster of brightly coloured houses. There are also shops, cafes...
Zip World - Slate Caverns
A unique range of very special adventures. Experience Europe's longest Ziplines, or massive underground trampolines and high-rope cavern adventures called Bounce Below. See the Zip World website for...
Zip World - Penrhyn Quarry
A unique range of very special adventures. Experience the world's fastest Ziplines, or a tour of the quarry.. See the Zip World website for full details of all the adventures.
Penrhyn Castle
This enormous neo-Norman castle is crammed with fascinating items, such as a one-ton slate bed made for Queen Victoria. View its fantastical exterior, admire its extensive collections of paintings...
Zip World - Fforest
In a stunning woodland setting nestled in the North Wales Conwy Valley, close to the iconic Eryri (Snowdonia) village of Betws-y-Coed, a host of forest adventures and foodie delights await. With...
Electric Mountain
Electric Mountain is home to the Dinorwig Power Station, set in the mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia) and dubbed "Britain's largest battery" this hydroelectric station houses 6 electric generators...
Walking and rambling in Idwal
Walk around Llyn Idwal and discover stunning waterfalls, the famous Devils Kitchen and the magnificent Eryri (Snowdonia) hills - beautiful on any day of the year.
Ropes and ladders
High level activities to get the heart racing! Enjoy the leaps, swings and zip line with spectacular views of Eryri (Snowdonia).
Cwm Idwal Nature reserve
Discover a landscape that was sculptured by ice thousands of years ago. Cwm Idwal has the glacial lake of Llyn Idwal at its centre, is encircled by some of Wales' most impressive mountains and is home...
Running in Idwal
Glyder Ridge Distance: 5.5 miles/8km Start/Finish: Ogwen car park, Llyn Ogwen, LL57 3LZ Terrain: Mountain track, trail Toughness: Challenging Ascent: 731 metres Navigation: Moderate to challenging...
Mountain biking in Idwal
Popular with confident mountain bikers from all over the world, there's excellent mountain biking in the area, especially on the Marin Trail - but this is only suitable for serious mountain bikers as...
Cycling in Idwal
The Lon Las route takes you from Portmadog to Bangor. You can either do the route in one day, or take time to explore the mountains and use the hostel as your base. There are numerous circular routes...
Climbing in Idwal
The best climbing in the whole world, well, so the hostel manager says! You'll find all varieties of rock and levels. Even beginners can get a grasp of the rock as instructor led courses and equipment...
Watersports in Idwal
Llyn Ogwen is very popular with fishermen. You might even catch a Gwyniad, a sub-species of European white fish, trapped in the lake after the Ice Age 10,000 years ago.
More about this hostel
Volunteering
Volunteering with YHA is a fantastic way to have fun, learn new skills, boost your CV and travel to different places. We have a variety of different opportunities to choose from and volunteering roles to suit everyone.
The tasks are varied and in return you will meet some great people, who both work and stay in our hostels, as well as enjoying your time off discovering the local area and attractions.
Find out more and apply to volunteer.
History
Our network's second oldest hostel opened the day after it was acquired, in April 1931, and became an almost overnight success. In Idwal's first year of operation, camp beds had to be squeezed into every available space to accommodate the mountaineers that thronged here to conquer the crags of Snowdonia.
In the 1950s, extensive improvements began on the hostel, improving the exterior, electricity, water supply, number of beds and much more. To this day, YHA Idwal Cottage is a very popular hostel, due to the great access of exploring the iconic Snowdonia National Park.
Meet the team
Manager recommends: Don't miss Cwm Idwal Nature reserve, one of Wales’ most important wildlife sites. The footpath to the lake takes you through spectacular and breathtaking scenery. YHA Idwal Cottage is great for cheap family breaks to Wales, or walking holidays and activity breaks in a unique and dramatic landscape.
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