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.
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!
Why guests love YHA Idwal Cottage
Accommodation at YHA Idwal Cottage
Things to do around YHA Idwal Cottage
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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.
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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.
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Ropes and ladders
High level activities to get the heart racing! Enjoy the leaps, swings and zip line with spectacular views of Eryri (Snowdonia).
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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 p
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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.
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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
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Penrhyn Castle
This enormous neo-Norman castle is crammed with fascinating items, such as a one-ton slate bed made for Queen Victoria.
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Cwm Idwal Nature reserve
Discover a landscape that was sculptured by ice thousands of years ago.
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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.
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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
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Portmeirion
Portmeirion, the setting for the cult 60s series The Prisoner – 'I am not a number. I am a free man.
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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 &
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
Hostel facilities
- 24-hour access after check-in
- Ambulant accessible
- Coach parking on premises
- Contactless payments
- Cycle store
- Free parking on premises
- Games
- Garden/grounds
- Highchair
- Large garden/grounds
- Library
- Licensed bar
- Minibus parking on premises
- Mountain view
- Near bus stop
- No WiFi
- 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: There is parking at the hostel.
WiFi: There is no WiFi at YHA Idwal Cottage so it's the perfect opportunity to 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 - 95.34 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.
Find out more and apply to volunteer at this hostel through YHA volunteering.
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.
