Beautifully positioned for both the mountains of the Snowdonia National Park and with easy access to the coast, Dolgellau at the base of the Cader Idris mountain range is a vibrant market town, with an open square, narrow streets and a good selection of shops and country pubs.
The town has a long history and was once the County Town of what is now called Gwynedd. A visit to the ancient ruins of Cymer Abbey, which was built in 1198, is highly recommended if you visit the area. From the middle of the town centre there are plenty of walking trails and cycle tracks that lead you into the beautiful countryside, while the serious climbers will find three popular hiking routes that lead up Cader Idris from Dolgellau. The town is the main base camp for the Cader Idris mountain range, so expect to see other climbers of various ability levels if you head up towards the peaks.
Another popular outdoor attraction in the area is white water rafting on the River Wnion, attracting enthusiasts from all over the UK for some of the most fun courses you'll find anywhere. Other activities include horse riding and cycling; there are a number of excellent off-road mountain biking routes within the vicinity, including Coed-y-Brenin Forest, where there’s also a visitor centre.
The town throws an annual Summer Celebration that combines a town fete with an agricultural show and market, so if you time things right, you can enjoy the town fete fun one day and hit the peaks the next.
For self-catering accommodation in the area see Dolgellau holiday cottages, for a relaxing outdoor break in Wales.