Welcome  to  John's  Snowdon Sherpa  website

L A T E S T   S H E R P A   N E W S ...........     The Winter Sherpa timetables commenced earlier than usual on Saturday 24th October 2020 (to co-incide with the Welsh 'lockdown') which remain unaltered     However there were some changes made to connecting journeys during November and more are planned from different dates in December - the timetables on this website have been brought up to date with all the "known" changes and will contine to be adjusted as and when necessary     BEWARE - many official websites and local bus stop displayes are now OUT OF DATE * !      * - details of known errors on official websites can be found here     If you need to make a journey,  you are STRONGLY advised to first confirm direct with the operator(s) concerned if the journey you intend to make will still be operating     Please bookmark this page NOW and keep referring back to see if there have been any further changes - check the date at the bottom of every page and use the index to link to any page for the latest information known to your web-master on a route by route basis     * * * - - if YOU spot any error (or are away of any further changes to either the Sherpa or connecting journeys) please advise the webmaster so they can be quickly corrected for the benifit other visitors to this website

This is the ONLY website about the "Snowdon Sherpa" bus network which is regularly updated with all the news,  mid-timetable corrections and service changes for both the Snowdon Sherpa services and all the local bus and train connecting journeys !!! Unlike any of the official websites,  it also shows later alternative non-Sherpa journeys (where available) as well as offering options if you are unfortunate enough to miss the last Sherpas A FULL ROUND-UP OF THE OFFICIAL WEBSITES CAN BE FOUND ON MY CONTACTS PAGE BEWARE some are still not yet fully updated Numerous errors have been spotted and these are highlighted to help you avoid falling for WRONG INFORMATION Always better to be "fore-warned" than to be "caught out" !!! (especially in Snowdonia where it is a long walk if you miss a 'non-existent' bus) This website is produced purely as a hobby to help promote greater use of the limited public transport to and across Snowdonia which IS more than adequate for most journeys even in the mid-winter,  but you may need some careful pre-planning to ensure you can get back home It also gives some ideas in the form of suggested itineries for "days out" to Snowdionia both from locations on the Sherpa Network itself AND  from further afield using the various connecting servivces It concentrates of giving the real "facts" rather than attempting to look "fancy" !!! Comprehensive accurate official publicity for ALL services in Snowdonia is difficult - if not impossible - to find and unfortunately bus operators and councils often only show "their" journeys It also attempts to warn visitors of potential "pitfalls" advised to me by others and highlights numerous known errors in official publications ( "always far better to be 'pre-warned' than 'caught out' !!!! " ) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sherpa journeys are normally shown in GREEN with other bus journeys and connections in blue or black Mid--timetable earlier re-timing are normally shown in BOLD BLUE (eg 0920) and "warnings" about connections, regular overcrowding, etc. shown as "# - xxxxxxxxx" Where available - later services via alternative non-Sherpa routes are shown to prevent anyone being stranded - see individual tables for details These are normally shown against a "gold" background Sherpa tickets are not valid on these journeys but Red Rover Day Tickets are Most Sherpa weekday journeys run every day but some operate either restricted days, dates  and/or  LOCAL school holiday periods (which are not always the same for Caernarfon, Conwy, Llanberis, Llanrwst or Porthmadog schools - and very often differ from those "across the border") These are identified by an appropriate note and usually times are shown against a white background as an additional warning Times at some intermediate locations vary by a few minutes in different official publications Throughout this website, the earliest know time is used to ensure passenegers can arrive in sufficient time to catch their Sherpa Remember many roads in Snowdonia are very narrow and as a result of this some Sherpa journeys can be delayed considerably by heavy traffic - so don't panic ! Throughout this website, clicking on underlined text will lead to another page or picture --- IF this is another timetable it will be the current page and it may be necessary to follow the links on that page to a later period To help you find your way round this website there is a timetable index at the bottom of every page with the page you are currently viewing shown in blue Always check the page issue date in case there have been any updates since you last looked !!! As with all websites,  errors can occasionally creep in, but your webmaster always appreciates advice about anything, including any out of date page, links, etc. so it can be immediately corrected for the benefit of the many other visitors to this website

this is an unofficial website and the latest times should always be confirmed from the individual timetables on one of the County Council or another official website  along with any subsequent amendments thereto

Gwynfor "S4" Sherpa       Pen-y-Pass - Beddgelert - Caernarfon  Betws-y-Coed - Pen-y-Pass - Llanberis  Gwynfor "S2" double-deck Sherpa       at Capel Curig en-route to Pen-y-Pass         Snowdon Sherpa   Bus Timetables unofficial website Sherpa Network "S1" - summer only "S2" daily all-year "S4" weekdays all-year "S6" summer weekends only "S97" daily all-year         Gwynfor "S97" Sherpa   Porthmadog - Beddgelert   Conwy Valley connections         LLew Jones "X19" from Llandudno

R E M E M B E R ....................... !!! Car Parking in Snowdonia is very limited and can be expensive if a space can be found (the popular one at Pen-y-Pass is often full before 0900 on fine summer days) The alternative is to leave your car behind and use the Snowdon Sherpa Bus network This "unofficial" website attempts to show what is available by all operators It contains composite timetables of connecting services on a cross-Snowdonia route basis where a change of bus is usually necessary --- hopefully it will help you plan your days out It also includes some suggested "trips round Snowdonia - without your car"

The majority of Snowdon Sherpa bus services are operated by modern low-floor minibuses but are sometimes replaced by a larger bus during busy periods There is no specific requirement for groups to pre-book, but ANY parties are advised in their own interests to ring the operator the day before to ensure a sufficiently large bus or duplicate is provided Squeezing even a dozen extra passengers into a small minibus can sometimes be quite a challenge !!!!

BEWARE.... Large wooden "Poster boards" with a network map appeared during summer 2011 at strategic locations throughout Snowdonia but unfortunately they STILL contain some incorrect route numbers Important - the "S97" does NOT continue beyond Penygwryd towards Betws-y-Coed  * - Some of the new Sunday Beddgelert - Pen-y-Pass and v.v. journeys now show "S97" on the front of the bus in one direction and "S4" in the other and often only "Beddgelert" until they reach that point if they start from Porthmadog or Caernarfon  (currently SUSPENDED) THERE IS ALWAYS ONLY ONE BUS - SO DON'T GET LEFT BEHIND !!! (use the "S97" between Beddgelert and Pen-y-Pass and the S2" between Pen-y-Pass and Betws-y-Coed) Far more worrying the former open-top Arriva "S2" Sherpa service north of Llanrwst (with actually started from Llandudno, NOT the Junction) was withdrawn at the end of the 2009 season ! Use the alternative current Conwy Valley bus services - some journeys connect with the "S2" Sherpa at Betws-y-Coed (alternatively use the Conwy Valley Railway trains which generally now make better connections The "S6" section of the network between Capel Curig and Bethesda (which had been completely withdrawn for a couple of years) was reinstated to operate ON SUMMER SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS ONLY - and is now diverted to Pen-y-Pass The "S6" augments the very limited 'all-year-round' weekdays only northbound "6B" commuter service along the Ogwen Valley --- NOTE SPECIALLY the return "6B" evening journey which used to extend from Llyn Ogwen as far as Capel Curig (for Llanberis), Betws-y-Coed and/or Llanrwst) WAS WITHDRAWN (from late-July 2019) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In addition, Gwynedd CC have produced a poster and associated leaflet for the Tourist Information Centres showing the principal bus routes in their county area but unforunately yet again the revised associated map contains route number errors as well as still showing sections of route no longer served......   The following errors within the Snowdon Sherpa network area should be noted... a) the "S97" now AGAIN continues beyond Beddgelert to Pen-y-Pass BUT NOT TO Betws-y-Coed - the section between Bedgelert and Penygwryd should now only show "S97"  (although some of the new Sunday journeys MAY again revert to "S97")  (now SUSPENDED) - the section between Pen-y-Pass and Capel Curig should now show "S2" and "S6" - the section between Capel Curig and Betws-y-Coed should only show "S2" b) the "S6" was again restored in 2017, but only on summer Saturdays,  Sundays and Public Holidays and was diverted to Pen-y-Pass in 2018     (these augment the very limited non-Sherpa "6B" weekday bus service) c) the last evening service "1" from Porthmadog to Pen-y-Groes via Beddgelert was withdrawn many years ago - the ONLY service between Porthmadog and Beddgelert/Pen-y-Pass is now the "S97" d) "S4" journeys NO LONGER operate to/from Pen-y-Pass The correct revised Sherpa and other current route numbers (as amended in both October and November 2020) are shown on the diagrams below and on the timetables throughout this website Weekdays Please note - the weekday "6B" service is only operating in the northbound direction at the moment Sundays and Public Holidays Current Snowdon Sherpa services are........ S1 - Llanberis - Nant Peris - Pen-y-Pass (extra spring/summer/autumn "Park and Ride" journeys via Nant Peris Car Park) SUSPENDED FOR THE WINTER S2 - Llanberis - Pen-y-Pass - Capel Curig - Betws-y-Coed (direct services - one morning journey and one afternoon journey extends to/ starts from Llanrwst on local School Days only) (the first eastbound journey now starts from Caernarfon) S4 - Beddgelert - Rhyd Ddu - Caernarfon - SUNDAY SERVICE REMAINS 'SUSPENDED' following the Coronavirus pandemic S6 - Bethesda - Capel Curig - Llanberis (Two return journeys on summer Saturdays,  Sundays and (local) Public Holidayd only) SUSPENDED FOR THE WINTER These augment the very limited non-Sherpa NORTHBOUND ONLY "6B" service S97 - Pen-y-Pass - Beddgelert - Porthmadog (note - the mid-afternoon journey from Porthmadog diverts via the School on School Days with extended journey time) - SUNDAY SERVICE REMAINS 'SUSPENDED' following the Coronavirus pandemic Make sure you use the Snowdon Sherpas LATER in 2020 but ONLY AFTER the Snowdonia National Park fully reopens Please do your bit to help the environment by keeping all unnecesary cars out of Snowdonia                   If you MUST take you car - remember many roads in Snowdonia are designated "clearways" (ensure you park at an appropriate location or you are likely to end up with a hefty parking fine !!!!!) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Much easier, cheaper and greener to use the Snowdon Sherpas !!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ That way you can go up Snowdon by one path and return down by another

Several different operators cover the Sherpa network AND connecting services - especially on Sundays Generally speaking, to give you maximum flexibility, the best ticket for travelling to, round and returning from Snowdonia for a whole day is the £6.80 Red Rover available from the driver of your first bus (or a North Wales Day Rover if travelling from further afield by train) So make sure you select and ask for the appropriate ticket for ALL of your proposed itineraries as many companies also offer their own day rover, which are only valid on their services !!!

The Winter 2020-2021 Sherpa Timetables WERE planned to start on Monday 2nd November 2020 BUT due to the further Coronavirus pandemic RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY THE WELSH GOVERNMENT COMMENCING FRIDAY 23rd OCTOBER 2020 which also re-introduced "ESSENTIAL TRAVEL ONLY" - ALL Winter Sherpa Timetables commenced on Saturday 24th October 2020 DON'T  KNOW  YOUR  WAY ROUND  SNOWDONIA ? Anyone on the Coast wishing to spend a day in Snowdonia should find the latest Summary Timetable from Llandudno/North Wales Coast Summary Timetable from Bangor via Llanberis Summary Timetable from Barmouth/Harlech/Bl.Ffestiniog via Porthmadog or the Summary Timetable from Pwllheli/Criccieth via Porthmadog to all parts of Snowdonia served by the Sherpas a useful starting point

Headline News...................   Click here for further information including archieved items New Year's Day - Friday 1st January 2021       There are no local bus services (including the whole of the "Snowdon Sherpa Network") on New Year's Day     Normal weekday services re-commence on Saturday 2nd January Monday 28th December 2020     AT THIS STAGE - as Boxing Day falls at a weekend,  a Sunday service will operate throughout Gwynedd for both the Sherpa ("S2" only") and connecting journeys DESPITE THIS BEING THE END OF THE EASEMENT OF TRAVEL BETWEEN 23rd AND 27th DECEMBER ---- this may change as a result of the latest "Christmas Bubble" regulations     Normal weekday services re-commence on Tuesday 29th December   Sunday 27th December 2020     AT THIS STAGE - a Sunday service will operate throughout Gwynedd for both the Sherpa ("S2" only") and connecting journeys DESPITE THIS BEING THE LAST DAY OF "Christmas bubble" TRAVEL BETWEEN 23rd AND 27th* DECEMBER ---- this may have to change as a result of the latest "Christmas Bubble" regulations requiring people to return home by this date       * - so far the "usual arrangements" only appears on Lloyds Coaches official Facebook page     Normal weekday services re-commence on Tuesday 29th December   Boxing Day - Saturday 26th December 2020     There are no local bus services (including the whole of the "Snowdon Sherpa Network") on Boxing Day     Normal weekday services re-commence on Tuesday 28th December   Christmas Day - Friday 25th December 2020       There are no local bus services (including the whole of the "Snowdon Sherpa Network") on Christmas Day Monday 9th November 2020       Llew Jones has made further changes to the connecting journeys in the Conwy Valley which means several former 'long-standing' journeys NO LONGER CONNECT with the Sherpas - PARTICULARLY RFETURNING IN THE AFTERNOON     In most casea the is an alternative train on the Conwy Valley line - unfotunately still requiring a "wait" at Betws-y-Coed..... .....but far better than a "much longer wait" for the next bus !     The most noticable change was the WITHDRAWAL of the timetabled bus connections from Corwen - but this was replaced by a new "Fflecsi service in in the area operated by Alpine Saturday 24th October 2020     REVISED start date for the "S2" "S4" and "S97" winter Sherpa timetables - advanced from early-November,  due to the Welsh Coronavirus precautions two week "Lock Down"     Summer Sherpa routes "S1" and "S6" were SUSPENDED from the same date     Llew Jones connecting Conwy Valley "19" and "X19" journeys were also reduced for the period of the "Lock Down"   Tuesday 1st September 2020       With local schools re-opening,  there were NUMEROUS changes to many of the connecting journeys - most of which have resulted in an increased frequency........ ..........BUT the changes by Llew Jones in the Conwy Valley meant several former 'long-standing' journeys NO LONGER CONNECTED with the Sherpas - particularly returning in the afternoon     The most noticable change was the WITHDRAWAL of a connection from Llandudno into the first "S2" Sherpa of the day  (except on "TUESDAYS ONLY" using the local route "70" market day journey to Corwen as a "link" between Llanrwst and Betws-y-Coed !!!!! Late Summer Public Holiday Monday 31st August 2020     The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes) operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday     However the connecting train services (shown against a light blue background) on the Conwy Valley and Cambrian Coast railway lines will operate to their weekday timetable   Monday 17th August 2020       Most of the Snowdon Sherpa network returned to the pre-Coronavirus restrictions level......... ..........with the exception of the Sunday "S4" and "S97" routes which remained SUSPENDED on Sundays     To assist with "Social Distancing,  the majority of "S2" journeys were operated by larger double-deck buses instead of the usual mini-buses Saturday 11th July 2020     Additional "S1" and "S2" Saturday Sherpa journeys were added to give more or less the normal peak-summer level.......... ..........although on other days of the week,  the normal winter level of journeys continued   Tuesday 29th June 2020     Some additional "S2" Sherpa journeys were re-instated following easement of the Coronoavirus precautions,  but nowhere near the "usual" level     However the "skeleton" service for 'locals only' remained on the "S97" and "S4" routes   Late Spring Public Holiday Monday 25th May 2020     The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes) operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday     However the connecting train services (shown against a light blue background) on the Conwy Valley and Cambrian Coast railway lines will operate to their weekday timetable   Early Spring Public Holiday - "Victory" Friday 8th May 2020       The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes) operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday     However the connecting train services (shown against a light blue background) on the Conwy Valley and Cambrian Coast railway lines will operate to their weekday timetable Tuesday 14th April 2020     Caelloi increase the level of their weekday connecting "3" service from/back to Pwllheli - which augments the basic Arriva service - to hourly during the daytime     All weekday evening and Sunday journeys continue to be operated by Arriva (unaltered)   Easter Monday 13th April 2020       The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes) operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday     However the connecting train services (shown against a light blue background) on the Conwy Valley and Cambrian Coast railway lines will operate to their weekday timetable Good Friday 10th April 2020     The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes) operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday     However the connecting train services (shown against a light blue background) on the Conwy Valley and Cambrian Coast railway lines will operate to their weekday timetable   Saturday 4th April 2020   DEFERRED "until further notice" due to the coronavirus restrictions     The Summer "Sherpa" Timetables commence     The level of service on the "S2" route is again EXPECTED to double from five to ten journeys each way     Both the seasonal "S1" and "S6" services SHOULD be re-instated for summer weekends     In addition,   later journeys are EXPECTED to be re-introduced to/from Beddgelert from both Pen-y-Pass and Porthmadog - also Caernarfon on weekdays - similar to 2019     Also,  there are minor changes to the weekday Gwynfor connecting services "85" and "88" from Bangor and Caernarfon respectively Sunday 12th January 2020     Arriva make numerous changes to their services in the area - whilst this will NOT change any Sherpa journey,  it will mean changes to several connections - especially at Porthmadog from Pwllheli and Blaenau Ffestioniog BEWARE - several journeys are considerably EARLIER than previously   Wednesday 31st March 2010 Snow in Snowdonia on 31st March 2010       The first week of the 2010 Summer Timetable !     It snowed so hard causing the roads to be closed and the Sherpa services to be suspended for the day     A very unusual occurance (even in the middle of winter !)     BUT BEWARE ! Walking on the hills when covered with snow can be very dangerous Click here for all the news items This "unofficial" website attempts to give full details of what services are available today and for the next few months It also includes some suggested "trips round Snowdonia - without your car" If you spot any error on this website (or have any additional information), please e-mail the webmaster so the information can be corrected / updated for the benefit of other visitors to this website

Home Page         News Page         Tickets         Contacts         Contents	Timetables	Suggested Sherpa Trips
	Click here for the latest news about the Sherpa services Bangor - Snowdonia  (via Llanberis) Barmouth - Snowdonia  (via Porthmadog) Bethesda - Capel Curig - Betws-y-Coed Bethesda - Capel Curig - Llanberis Betws-y-Coed - Capel Curig - Bethesda Betws-y-Coed - Pen-y-Pass - Llanberis Betws-y-Coed - Llandudno  (connections) Betws-y-Coed - Pen-y-Pass - Porthmadog Caernarfon/Porthmadog - Beddgelert - Llanberis Caernarfon - Beddgelert - Porthmadog Caernarfon (WHRly) - Beddgelert - Llandudno Caernarfon (WHRly) - Beddgelert - Porthmadog Corwen - Llanrwst - Llandudno Llanberis Pass --- Park and Ride Llanberis - Capel Curig - Bethesda Llanberis - Pen-y-Pass - Betws-y-Coed Llanberis - Beddgelert - Caernarfon/Porthmadog Llandudno/Colwyn Bay - Betws-y-Coed  (connections) Llandudno - Beddgelert - Caernarfon (WHRly) Llandudno - Llanrwst - Corwen Llandudno - Snowdonia  (via Betws-y-Coed) Porthmadog - Beddgelert - Caernarfon Porthmadog - Beddgelert - Caernarfon (WHRly) Porthmadog/Caernarfon - Beddgelert - Llanberis Porthmadog - Pen-y-Pass - Betws-y-Coed Pwllheli - Snowdonia  (via Porthmadog) Snowdonia - Bangor  (via Llanberis)  Snowdonia - Barmouth  (via Porthmadog)  Snowdonia - Llandudno  (via Betws-y-Coed or Caernarfon)  Snowdonia - Pwllheli  (via Porthmadog)	Climb Snowdon - with the Sherpas   (summary) Ride Round Snowdon - with the Sherpas   (summary) Suggested weekday trips from Barmouth Suggested weekday trips from Beddgelert Suggested Saturday trips from Bethesda Suggested weekday trips from Betws-y-Coed Suggested weekday trips from Caernarfon Suggested weekday trips from Conwy Suggested weekday trips from Corwen Suggested weekday trips from Llanberis Suggested weekday trips from Llandudno Suggested weekday trips from Llanrwst Suggested weekday trips from Porthmadog Suggested Sunday trips from Barmouth Suggested Sunday trips from Beddgelert Suggested Sunday trips from Bethesda Suggested Sunday trips from Betws-y-Coed Suggested Sunday trips from Caernarfon Suggested Sunday trips from Conwy Suggested Sunday trips from Llanberis Suggested Sunday trips from Llandudno Suggested Sunday trips from Llanrwst Suggested Sunday trips from Porthmadog Suggested weekday trips from Suggested Sunday trips from North Wales Coast Railway stations (via Betws-y-Coed)
	Later non-Sherpa weekday journeys from...... Beddgelert area to Llandudno/Conwy Valley Pen-y-Pass area to Llandudno/Conwy Valley Porthmadog area to Llandudno/Conwy Valley Beddgelert area to Llanberis Betws-y-Coed area to Llanberis Porthmadog area to Llanberis Llanberis area to Caernarfon Llanberis area to Porthmadog area	Later non-Sherpa Sunday journeys from...... Beddgelert area to Llandudno/Conwy Valley Pen-y-Pass area to Llandudno/Conwy Valley Porthmadog area to Llandudno/Conwy Valley Beddgelert area to Llanberis Betws-y-Coed area to Llanberis Porthmadog area to Llanberis Llanberis area to Caernarfon Llanberis area to Porthmadog area
Additional and updated pages are in the process of being prepared - please bookmark this page and keep returning for the very latest information available

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This page last   on 29th November 2020   e-mail webmaster   (c)2009-2020