Snowdonia Mountain Railway
Travel on Britain’s only rack and pinion railway to Hafod Eryri, the stunning new visitor centre at the Summit of Snowdon. Visit the website
YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass
Caernarfon, Gwynedd, LL55 4NYOverview
If it's dramatic, breath-taking views of mountainous landscapes you're after then YHA Snowdon Pen y Pass is the location for you. Situated at the foot of the magnificent Mount Snowdon, over 1,000ft above sea level, this Youth Hostel is the perfect choice for climbing holidays and budding mountaineers.
This much loved and famed location is now a state of the art accommodation base in the heart of Snowdonia. The hostel also pays tribute to its famous past and information about the surrounding mountains can be seen throughout the building.
Why guests love YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass
Accommodation at YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass
The hostel
YHA Snowdon Pen y Pass at a glance:
- £1.3 million investment
- Climb Snowdon from the front door
- Updated group and education facilities
- Mallory's Cafe
- 16 en-suite rooms
YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass boasts cosy snug social areas where you can relax and share stories with your fellow travellers. There's no phone signal up here, but with wi-fi, games, books and excellent company you won't mind.
YHA Snowdon Pen y Pass benefits from a modern classroom with high tech conference facilities, ideal for group presentations, business conferences and school groups, as well as probably the swankiest self-catering kitchen you've ever seen in a hostel.
The café at Pen-y-Pass is named after Mallory and is a fantastic setting for mountaineers to rest and recover from the day’s exertions. And as a solo traveller, you’ll never be lonely. Simply sit down with a beer, open the OS map and within minutes you’ll be trading experiences with a fellow adventurer.
Food and drink at YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass
Things to do around YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass
Walking and Rambling in Snowdonia
From the front door of all our Snowdonia hostels you will be treated to unrivalled access to some of the UK's finest walking and hiking territory. From YHA Snowdon Pen-Y-Pass: There are three route
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
Portmeirion
Portmeirion, the setting for the cult 60s series 'The Prisoner' ("I am not a number.
Greenwood Forest Park
The rides and activities at this unique eco-attraction have been designed for fun with a difference – you provide the energy!
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
Electric Mountain
Electric Mountain is home to the Dinorwig Power Station, set in the mountains of Snowdonia and dubbed "Britain's largest battery" this hydroelectric station houses 6 electric generators producing
Snowdon Mountain Railway
Snowdon Mountain Railway Take a journey to the rooftop of Wales.
Sygun Copper Mine
Tour the large colourful chambers, magnificent stalactite and stalagmites and copper ore veins with traces of gold and silver. Visit the website
Climbing in Snowdon Pen-y-Pass
Try the brilliant tracks directly across the road from the hostel. Crib Goch offers grade 1 scrambling opportunities, with lots of famous climbing crags available in the immediate area.
Bach Ventures
Bach Ventures offers courses in rock climbing, kayaking, canoeing and adventure activities in the beautiful area of Snowdonia. Open to families, friends, youth groups, and school trips. Visit
Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways
Travel on the glorious line from Caernarfon through Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog - some 40 miles of narrow-gauge steam! These are 2 separate railways which meet at the central station of Por
Snowdonia Riding Stables
Located between Snowdon and the sea, experience superb riding amongst some of the best mountain and coastal scenery in the British Isles, whatever your ability. Visit the website
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.
Zip World - Fforest
In a stunning woodland setting nestled in the North Wales Conwy Valley, close to the iconic Snowdonia village of Betws y Coed, a host of forest adventures and foodie delights await.
Caernarfon Castle
Mighty Caernarfon is the most famous of Wales's castles, built over 800 years ago. Its sheer scale and commanding presence easily set it apart from the rest. This is where the investiture
Facilities
General
- Ambulant accessible
- Classroom
- Cot available
- Wheelchair accessible
Essentials
- Drying room
- Laundry
- Lounge
Entertainment
- Board games
- Games room
- TV
Accommodation options
- Private rooms available
- En suite rooms available
Food & drink
- Cafe
- Dining room
- Group catering available
- Licensed bar
- Meals available
- Self-catering kitchen
Other YHA products
- Trade bookings
- YHA School Trips
Need to know
Check in: 15:00 - 23:00
Check out: Before 10:00
Towels and toiletries: Towels and toiletries are not provided but are available to hire or purchase from reception. Bedding is supplied.
Parking: We have space in our layby for around 6 cars (Free of charge and are first come first serve). Parking permits for the Pay & Display are available for purchase from reception on arrival and are on a first come first serve basis. Once these are gone, you will need to purchase a ticket from the National Park machines. The National Park machines are located in the pay and display across the road. This costs £10 for the day and £10 for the night (run by Snowdonia National Park).
Breakfast: Breakfast is served from 7.30am til 9am.
YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass - Access Statement
(PDF download - 153.53 KB)
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.
You can find out more and apply to volunteer at this hostel on the volunteering website.
History
Welsh for "resting place", the Gorphwysfa Hotel was a famed mountaineers inn. The hotel was built in the 1870's. The building was sold to YHA in 1968 to become YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass.
Meet the team
Manager recommends: Climbing Mount Snowdon can be a life affirming moment, and it’s within your grasp and on the doorstep at YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass. Escape the crowds in the Glyderau. The summits of Glyder Fach and Glyder Fawr can be reached from the hostel. Be sure to grab a photo on the famous ‘Cantilever Stone’ rock formation.
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