Snowdon Sherpa Timetables - The ONLY regularly updated website about the "Snowdon Sherpa" bus services showing connections and giving all the news - mid-timetable corrections and service changes for both the Snowdon Sherpa network and the connecting journey

Welcome to John's Snowdon Sherpa website

Latest - Gwynfor have formally registered changes for the summer (commencing 4th April 2020)
So far, no details have been made public, but this website will be updated as soon as they are
However, based on the fact Gwynfor has a five-year contract with both Conwy CC and Gwynedd CC
it s reasonable to assume the number of "S2" journeys will again be "doubled" from winter 2019-2020
and the normal extra summer-dated journeys on other Sherpa routes will be re-instated

	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 need some careful pre-planning
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" Sherpa
mid-winter at 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 normally continue beyond Beddgelert*

* - 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
THERE IS ALWAYS ONLY ONE BUS - SO DON'T GET LEFT BEHIND !!!

(see instead the "S4" 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 which connect with the "S2" Sherpa at Betws-y-Coed

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
- but in 2018 and 2019 was diverted to Pen-y-Pass
but is NOW withdrawn again for the winter
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" does NOT continue beyond Beddgelert to Pen-y-Pass and
Betws-y-Coed
- the section between Bedgelert and Penygwryd should now only show "S4" (although some of the new Sunday journeys MAY again revert to "S97")
- 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 re-instated in 2017, but only on summer Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays and will be 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 is now the "S97"
d) Most "S4" journeys now operate to/from Pen-y-Pass on weekdays

The correct current routes 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 on Saturdays only)
REINSATED for the summer
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)
S4 - Pen-y-Pass - Beddgelert - Rhyd Ddu - Caernarfon
(now includes limited through services between Beddgelert - Rhyd Ddu - Caernarfon on Sunday)
S6 - Bethesda - Capel Curig - Llanberis
(Two return journeys on summer Saturdays and Sundays ONLY)
REINSATED for summer 2019 but NOW withdrawn again for the winter
These augment the very limited non-Sherpa NORTHBOUND ONLY "6B" service
S97 - Beddgelert - Porthmadog
(note - the mid-afternoon journey from Porthmadog diverts via the School
on School Days with extended journey time )

in ALL cases some journeys do NOT operate the whole of the route also some journeys are diverted en-route
- see also individual timetables for details of 'through' and 'connecting' cross-Snowdonia journeys

Make sure you use the Snowdon Sherpas in 2020 !
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 2019-2020 Sherpa Timetables
are now in operation
and are expected to continue until Friday 3rd April 2020

DON'T KNOW YOUR WAY
ROUND SNOWDONIA ?

Anyone on the Coast wishing to spend a day in Snowdonia should find the PROVISIONAL
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
MAKE SURE YOU RE-VISIT THIS WEBSITE IN CASE GWYNFOR DECIDE TO MAKE ANY FURTHER CHANGES

NO
printed
Timetables
available
yet
again !

Gwynedd CC is the only North Wales Council not to produce a printed
version of their bus service timetables
- instead, some local offices now charge 10p for every sheet
they print off the internet for you !!!!!
(This is despite ALL official Gwynedd CC Tourist Information Centres have closed !!!
although some Snowdonia Information Centres, such at Beddgelert, still remain)

This arrangement applied throughout 2018 and will no doubt again apply throughout 2019
despite justifiable pressure from the local tourist industry
However you can download the same information
direct from the Gwynedd CC official website

Pen-y-Pass Sherpa bus stop

the rather "sorry" looking departure sheet at Caernarfon - now brought up to date

REMEMBER Many last Sherpas from Pen-y-Pass
during the winter are MUCH earlier
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Betws-y-Coed at 16.50
Betws-y-Coed at 1650 on Sundays

Llanberis (for Caernarfon) at 16.10 and 17.55*
* - NO onward connection to Caernarfon Llanberis at 16.10, 16.50# and 17.55* on Sundays
# - NO onward connection to Caernarfon
* - NO onward connection to Caernarfon or Bangor

Beddgelert at 12.20 and 16.35
(Beddgelert at 1445 and 1720 on Sundays)

Porthmadog at 12.20 and 16.35
(Porthmadog at 1220 and 1720 on Sundays)

Caernarfon via Beddgelert at 16.35 (change at Beddgelert)
(Caernarfon via Beddgelert at 1445 on Sundays)
but there is also a later service via Llanberis at 1610

Make sure you are down from the mountain in time and
and don't get stranded at Pen-y-Pass !

NOTE SPECIALLY
the former weekday 1430 departure from Pen-y-Pass to Porthmadog HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN

2019-2020
Timetable

Betws-y-Coed
departure sheet 2019
(snow showing summer S2" journeys)

The Conwy CC 2019-20 timetables booklet
(commencing 28th July) can also be viewed "on line"
This gives details of all the bus services in the Conwy County area including the Sherpa Network as well as details of the Conwy Valley Railway Line services

Printed copies are still available
but note specially the '10 journeys each day' "S2" service has been "halved" from 4th November
BEWARE - the coloured, printed Summer 2018 Sherpa Timetable leaflet is now 'out if date' (except for Table "S2" and so far - the 2019 edition is still not available

* - Still NO "6B" timetable (along the Ogwen Valley) shown in either their printed booklet or included on their website - it started operating back in early-2015) despite now being included in the index to places served and on the maps !!!

BEWARE
most departure sheets at bus-stops have yet to be updated with the revised REDUCED LEVEL OF Autumn or Winter changerd 2019 times (the majority throughout the County CC area are dated January 2019) - so carefully check the issue date at the top of the display at your stop rather than ending up waiting for a non-existant journey !!!

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED !!!

(2nd 2018 edition cover)	*The Denbighshire CC 2018 printed timetables and updated on-line timetables are now* available**
	UPDATE There has been five versions of their on-line timetable since the start of 2017 - including two last year - some of which still stem from the earlier demise of GHA If you have already saved a copy of ANY of their tables, make sure you have downloaded the correct version - if in doubt DELETE it and start again Despite all the re-issues,

Most
Timetables
on their
website
have been updated
(commencing September 2019)

LLEW JONES

They made several changes from the start of the school term in September ---it is understood no further alterations are planned for November/December - but you are advised to check again nearer the time to be sure

no printed timetables

The winter Sherpa timetables are now on their website
Their TravelineCymru "Journey Planner" is also updated but BEWARE it requires five minutes between an arrival and a subsequent departure to be recognised as an official connection
(in several instances the Sherpa network does not conform and you are sometimes advised to travel on a much earlier journey to connect
- the same applies to "through" workings across Beddgelert when the route number changes between "S4" and "S97")

The Summer 2020 Sherpa Timetables
are planned to commence on Saturday 4th April 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
These are based on the current winter timetable with ANTICIPATED changes for the summer
(as happened in previous years)

In most cases additional and/or later journeys should also operate - details to follow
as soon as they are made available

MAKE SURE YOU RE-VISIT THIS WEBSITE IN CASE GWYNFOR DECIDE TO MAKE ANY FURTHER CHANGES

Headline News...................
Click here for further information
including archieved items

Late Summer Public Holiday Monday 3 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

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

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

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

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

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 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 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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