Surround Yourself With Vibrantly Lush Mountains At One Of The UK's Most-Visited Lakes

Verdant, green landscapes. Historic castles. Charming villages. Picturesque coastlines. Old towns and an ancient, unique language. These are just a few of the words that describe Wales, England's lesser-visited and wildly underrated neighbor. But did you also know that Wales is home to some epic mountainous landscapes in Snowdonia National Park, including Mount Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), one of the tallest mountains in Great Britain? 

Snowdonia — officially known as Eryri National Park — is located in the northwest of Wales. The largest and oldest national park in the country, it's home to nine mountain ranges, miles of coastline, stunning trails, and acres of woodland. It's also home to a variety of pristine and beautiful lakes, including the legendary Llyn Llydaw (Lake Brittany), surrounded by deep green valleys and craggy peaks. Lying on the slopes of Snowdon, the clear, glacial lagoon of Llyn Llydaw is often considered one of the world's most beautiful places. Many visitors pass by the lake on their way to the top of Snowdon, but it's well worth a visit on its own. 

Even though Llyn Llydaw is part of one of the world's most underrated tourist destinations, it is consistently voted as one of the prettiest sights in the U.K. It's not just known for its beauty, however. It's one of the most storied places in Wales, and legend has it that King Arthur received his fatal wound at the Battle of Camlann, at the nearby Bwlch y Saethau (Pass of the Arrows). Once he knew he was dying, he instructed his loyal knight — Sir Bedivere — to toss his sword (the famous Excalibur) into the waters of Llyn Llydaw for the Lady of the Lake. Arthur himself was then carried to its shores, where three maidens swept him off to the island of Avalon for his death.

In contrast to the mystical air around Llyn Llydaw is its mining history. Ruins on the edge of the lake show evidence of copper mining, which took place here at the Britannia Mine from 1800 to 1916. The main route that reaches Llyn Llydaw — the Miners' Track — is also evidence of the area's former industry. Originally built in the early 19th century to provide easier access for the workers, the path, which crosses the lake and winds up the slopes of Snowdon, is now one of the most popular routes for reaching the peak. The causeway over the lake — built in 1853 after the water levels were artificially lowered — is one of the most picturesque spots of the journey.

Llyn Llydaw can only be reached by foot via the old Miners' Track, which starts at the car park near the bottom of Pen y Pass. Note that the parking lot is small and requires pre-booking; visit Snowdonia National Park's website to reserve a spot. The hike on the Miners' Track is considered moderately challenging yet accessible to those inexperienced in the mountains, as it remains more of a road than a trail. If you only want to see Llyn Llydaw, you can take a circular route around the lake before descending to Pen y Pass. You can also hike slightly longer to see the nearby Llyn Glaslyn (Blue Lake) or commit to the full trek and bag the impressive Mount Snowdon at 3,560 feet.

If you want to summit Snowdon without hiking, you can take the Snowdon Mountain Railway, departing from Llanberis Station during the spring, summer, and early fall. However, you'll only be able to see Llyn Llydaw from a distance (at the top of Snowdon). Whichever route you choose, you'll easily see why Snowdonia is one of the most beautiful national parks in the world.