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[[File:Llyn Llydaw from Crib Goch 2.jpg|right|thumb|350px|Llyn Llydaw from Crib Goch]]
'''Snowdonia''' ({{lang|cy|Eryri}}) is a mountain region in north [[Wales]], almost wholly in [[Caernarfonshire]].  It has given its name too to the Snowdonia National Park which covers not just he Snowdonia range but the wider mountainous fastness of Caernarfonshire and [[Merionethshire]].

At the heart of Snowdonia is [[Snowdon]], the highest mountain in [[Great Britain]] outside the [[Highlands]] of Scotland, rising to 3,560 feet above sea level.

The Snowdonia Society is a registered charity formed in 1967. It is a voluntary group of people with an interest in the area and its protection.

==Names of Snowdonia==
[[File:Snowdon from Llyn Llydaw.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Snowdon from Llyn Llydaw]]
The current English name of the range, Snowdonia, derives from Snowdon.  An earlier name was the Forest of Snowdon, in his ''Britannia'' of 1586, William Camden, who lavished unrestrained praise on the Snowdon Forest, notes that ''Snaudonia'' had appeared as a name amongst the "Latin historians".<ref name="Camden">{{Camden|Caernarvonshire}}: ''before that Wales was laied out into shires they termed it by the name of Snowden Forest, and the Latin historians Snaudonia of that Forest, and Arvonia out of the British name, because it hath Mona, that is, Anglesey, just over against it.''</ref>

The name of Snowdon is English; the mountain is named ''Snawdun'' ("Snow mountain") in the [[Anglo-Saxon Chronicle]] in 1095.<ref>{{ASC|E|1095}} ''fyrde eall togædere com to ealra halgena to Snawdune. Ac þa Wylisce a toforan into muntan and moran ferdan þæt heom man to cuman ne mihte''</ref>

In Welsh, this region is named ''Eryri''. One assumption is that the name is derived from ''eryr'' ("eagle"), but others state that it means quite simply ''Highlands'', as leading Welsh scholar Sir Ifor Williams asserted.<ref>Ifor Williams, ''Enwau Lleoedd'' (Liverpool, 1945), p.18. Compare the late professor's article in ''Bulletin of the Board of Celtic Studies'', vol. iv, pp. 137-41. The plural of Welsh ''eryr'' (eagle) is ''eryrod'' or ''eryron'', with no example of a form ''eryri'' being attested. A second word ''eryr'', plural ''eryri'', means "shingles" in modern Welsh; in the old Welsh place name this suggests uneven or upraised ground, a land of hills; "the uplands" or "highlands"</ref>

In the Middle Ages the title "Prince of Wales and Lord of Snowdonia" (''Tywysog Cymru ac Arglwydd Eryri'') was used by Llywelyn ap Gruffudd; his grandfather Llywelyn Fawr used the title "Prince of North Wales and Lord of Snowdonia".

Since the designation of the National Park, the term "Snowdonia" has come to be used for the far wider area of the park than the [[Snowdon]] massif to which it properly belongs, and indeed to an area more than twice that size extending far to the south into [[Merionethshire]]. The traditional Snowdonia, as ascertained in books published before the aggrandisement of administrative boundaries, includes the ranges of Snowdon and its satellites, the Glyderau, the Carneddau and the Moel Siabod group. It does not include the hills to the south of Maentwrog.

==Shape of the land==
[[File:Maesglase.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Maesglase]]
Snowdonia proper contains the greatest mountains in England and Wales.  This part of the Park is the most popular part with tourists.  It includes (from west to east):
*[[Moel Hebog]]
*[[Mynydd Mawr]]
*The [[Nantlle Ridge]]
*The [[Snowdon]] Massif
*The [[Glyderau]]
*The [[Carneddau]].

These last three groups are the highest mountains in [[Wales]], and include all of Wales' mountains over 3000 feet; the "Welsh 3000s".

William Camden in ''Britannia'' did not stint on praise for the Forest of Snowdon, but said that they are the true British Alps:
{{cquote|A man may truely, if hee please, terme these mountaines the British Alpes: for, besides that they are the greatest of the whole Island, they are no lesse steepe also with cragged and rent rockes on every side than the Alpes of Italie, yea and all of them compasse one mountaine round about, which over-topping the rest so towreth up with his head aloft in the aire as hee may seeme not to threaten the skie, but to thrust his head up into heaven.<ref name="Camden"/>}}

==The Welsh 3000s==
[[File:The Carneddau from Elidir Fawr 488564.jpg|right|thumb|250px|SW end of the Carneddau range from Elidir Fach, in Glyderau]]
All of the mountains over 3,000 feet in Wales are in Snowdonia and all are within Caernarfonshire. There are fifteen of these, known as the '''Welsh 3000s'''. The highest are of course [[Snowdon]] at 3,600 feet followed by [[Garnedd Ugain]] (also known as Crib y Ddysgl) at 3,494 feet.

Though all in Snowdonia, they fall within three ranges, all sufficiently close to make it possible to reach all 15 summits within 24 hours, a challenge known as the Welsh 3000s challenge.

The length of the Welsh 3000s challenge (from first peak to last) is about 26 miles, but including the walk to and from any start point, this will total some 30 miles.  Most people undertaking the challenge walk it, and many achieve it in much less than 24 hours.  The record for the challenge (from first peak to last) stands at 4 hours 19 minutes, by Colin Donnelly in 1988.<ref>[http://www.14peaks.com/index2.php?id=10 The Record], Snowdonia Society website.</ref> On 17/18 June 1978 John Wagstaff of West Bromwich Mountaineering Club completed a triple crossing in 22 hours 49 minutes, a feat which has yet to be repeated.<ref>[http://www.14peaks.com/index2.php?id=10 “The Record” Snowdonia Society website]</ref><ref>Clayton & Turnbull (1997) “The Welsh Three Thousand Foot Challenges: A Guide for Walkers and Hill Runners”  Grey Stone Books, Darwen, Lancashire.  ISBN 978-1902017020</ref>

The walk is also known as "The 14 Peaks" as [[Carnedd Gwenllian]] (or "Garnedd Uchaf") is not always included, as it has the least relative height, being little more than a bump on the ridge rather than a separate summit in its own right.  Many nevertheless choose to make the small diversion to include it on the traverse.  There is also an option to include a sixteenth top, [[Castell y Gwynt]] on the Glyder range which has been reclassified since a survey in 2007.

{|WIDTH="100%"
|-
!WIDTH="33%";|[[Snowdon Massif]] !!WIDTH="33%";|[[Glyderau]] !!WIDTH="34%";|[[Carneddau]]
|-
|
*[[Snowdon]] (3,600 feet)
*[[Garnedd Ugain]] (3,494 feet)
*[[Crib Goch]] (3,028 feet)
|
*[[Glyder Fawr]] (3,284 feet)
*[[Glyder Fach]] (3,261 feet)
*[[Y Garn (Glyderau)|Y Garn]] (3,107 feet)
*[[Castell y Gwynt]] (3,041 feet){{*}}
*[[Elidir Fawr]] (3,031 feet)
*[[Tryfan]] (3,012 feet)
|
*[[Carnedd Llewelyn]] (3,491 feet)
*[[Carnedd Dafydd]] (3,425 feet)
*[[Pen yr Ole Wen]] (3,209 feet)
*[[Foel Grach]] (3,202 feet)
*[[Yr Elen]] (3,156 feet)
*[[Foel-fras]] (3,091 feet)
*[[Carnedd Gwenllian]] (3,038 feet){{*}}
|-
|COLSPAN="3"|{{*}}''if included''
|}

==Mountain walking==
[[File:Badgernet Snowdonia walks 1.JPG|right|thumb|170px|Southern edge. Waymarked path near Llyn Barfog]]
Many of the hikers in the area concentrate on [[Snowdon]] itself. It is regarded as a fine mountain, but can become quite crowded, particularly with the Snowdon Mountain Railway running to the summit.<ref>{{cite book|last=Parker|first=Mike|coauthors=Whitfield, Paul|title=The Rough Guide to Wales|publisher=Rough Guides|date=2003|edition=4|pages=385|isbn=978-1843531203}}</ref>

The other high mountains with their boulder-strewn summits, and as well as [[Tryfan]], one of the few mountains in the United Kingdom south of Scotland whose ascent needs hands as well as feet, are also quite popular. There are however some spectacular walks in Snowdonia on the lower mountains which tend to be relatively unfrequented. Among hikers' favourites are [[Y Garn (Glyderau)|Y Garn]] (east of Llanberis) along the ridge to [[Elidir Fawr]]; Mynydd Tal-y-Mignedd (west of Snowdon) along the [[Nantlle Ridge]] to Mynydd Drws-y-Coed; [[Moelwyn Mawr]] (west of Blaenau Ffestiniog); and [[Pen Llithrig y Wrach]] north of [[Capel Curig]]. Further south are [[Y Llethr]] in the [[Rhinogydd]], and [[Cadair Idris]] near [[Dolgellau]].

==National Park==
[[File:SnowdoniaMap.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Map of Snowdonia National Park]]
The Snowdonia National Park was created in 1951; the third National Park in Britain, following the [[Peak District]] and the [[Lake District]]. It covers 827 square miles, and has 37 miles of coastline.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/travel-national-parks--the-complete-guide-to-britains-national-parks-1108194.html|title=National Parks - The complete guide to Britain's national parks |last=Culliford|first=Alison|date=24 July 1999|publisher=''The Independent''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://estb.msn.com/i/26/9D3386135C8A465B0C44431A53D2F.swf|title=Our national parks|publisher=MSN}}</ref>  The National Park covers an area far beyond Snowdonia itself and deep into the mountains of [[Merionethshire]].

The Park has 1,479 miles of public footpath, 164 miles of public bridleways, and 46 miles of other public rights of way.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walkingnorthwales.co.uk/home.php?walks_by_region;rid=11|title=Walks for region - Snowdonia Mountains and Coast|publisher=Walking in North Wales}}</ref> A large part of the Park is also covered by Right to Roam laws.

The Park is governed by the Snowdonia National Park Authority, which is made up of local and regional government representatives, and its main offices are at [[Penrhyndeudraeth]].  Unlike national parks in other countries, Snowdonia (and other such parks in Britain) are made up of both public and private lands under central planning authority.
{{clear}}
[[File:North snowdonia panorama.jpg|left|thumb|900px|View of some of the Snowdon Massif including Snowdon (centre right) taken from Mynydd Mawr. The Glyderau are visible in the distance]]
{{clear}}
[[File:Snodonia mines area.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Disused quarry near Llanberis in the foothills of the Glyderau]]

More than 26,000 people live within the Park, of whom about 62% can speak at least some Welsh.<ref>{{cite news|title=Make the most of Snowdonia|last=Thomas|first=Helen|date=28 October 2001|publisher=''The Independent''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eryri-npa.co.uk/page/index.php?nav1=learning&nav2=2&nav3=13&lang=eng&contrast=1&view=graphic|title=The Welsh Language|publisher=Snowdonia National Park Authority}}</ref> The Park attracts over 6 million visitors annually, split almost equally between day and staying visitors, making it the third most visited National Park in England and Wales.<ref>[http://www.eryri-npa.gov.uk/page/index.php?nav1=learning&nav2=11&nav3=1&lang=eng&view=graphic&contrast=1 Park Profile 2007]. Snowdonia National Park Authority.</ref>  Whilst most of the land is either open or mountainous land, there is a significant amount of agricultural activity within the Park.

There is a hole in the middle; around the town of [[Blaenau Ffestiniog]] a slate quarrying centre. This was deliberately excluded from the Park when it was set up in order to allow the development of new light industry to replace the slate industry, which has collapsed.

===Nature, landscape and the environment===
[[File:Rain coming in over the lake.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Rain coming on Llyn Cowlyd]]
The Park's entire coastline is a Special Area of Conservation, which runs from [[Llŷn]] down the mid-Wales coast, the latter containing valuable sand dune systems.

The Park's natural forests are of the mixed deciduous type, the commonest tree being the Welsh oak. Birch, ash, mountain-ash and hazel are also common. The Park also contains some large (planted) coniferous forested areas such as [[Gwydir Forest]] near [[Betws-y-Coed]], although some areas, once harvested, are now increasingly being allowed to regrow naturally.

Northern Snowdonia is the only place in Britain where the Snowdon Lily, an arctic-alpine plant, and the rainbow-coloured Snowdon beetle (''Chrysolina cerealis'') are found, and the only place in the world where the Snowdonia hawkweed ''Hieracium snowdoniense'' grows.

A large proportion of the Park is today under designation (or under consideration for designation) as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, National Nature Reserves, Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas, Biosphere and Ramsar sites.

One of the major problems facing the Park in recent years has been the growth of ''Rhododendron ponticum''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/3301402/Important-Plant-Areas-in-the-UK.html|title=Important plant areas in the UK|date=24 July 2007|publisher=''The Daily Telegraph''}}</ref> This fast-growing invasive species has a tendency to take over and stifle native species. It can form massive towering growths and has a companion fungus that grows on its roots producing toxins that are poisonous to any local flora and fauna for a seven-year period after the ''Rhododendron'' infestations have been eradicated. As a result, there are a number of desolate landscapes.

Rare mammals in the park include otters, polecats, and the feral goat, although the pine marten has not been seen for many years.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/08/03/if-you-go-down-to-the-woods-today-you-might-find-an-endangered-pine-marten-91466-24300490/|title=If you go down to the woods today you might find an endangered pine marten|last=Turner|first=Robin|date=3 August 2009|publisher=WalesOnline}}</ref> Rare birds include raven, peregrine, osprey, merlin and the red kite.

==Outside links==
{{Commonscat|Snowdonia}}
*[http://www.eryri-npa.co.uk/ Snowdonia National Park Authority]
*[http://www.snowdonia-society.org.uk/ Snowdonia Society]
*[http://www.walkeryri.org.uk/ Photographs and walking guide to Snowdonia]
*[http://www.flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/sets/711616/ Photographs of Snowdonia]
*[http://www.panoramio.com/user/74349/tags/Snowdonia More photographs of Snowdonia]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Snowdonia| ]] [[Category:Mountains and hills]] [[Category:Caernarfonshire]] [[Category:National Parks of the United Kingdom]]