Welcome  to  John's  Snowdon Sherpa  website

A special "Thank You" to everyone who has been in touch with me throughout 2019 saying how useful the "ideas for days out"  "tips" and "warnings" were........ Thank you too to those of you who supplied news,  pictures and 'what's actually happening,' etc. PLEASE keep up the good work in 2020 !!! I hope I have thanked everyone personally, but in case there is anyone I have missed, this is especially for you !!!
	A Very Happy Christmas to all visitors to my 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 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 2019 and 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 Sherpa Timetables are now in operation 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 NEARER THE TIME IN CASE GWYNFOR DECIDE TO MAKE ANY "LAST MINUTE" CHANGES FROM WINTER 2018-2019 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")

Headline News...................   Click here for further information including archieved items Sunday 12th January 2020     ADVANCE INFORMATION     Arriva are plannimg to 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     Any known changes will be included on this website as soon as details are made public   (some information from the recent local "Bus Surgery" is already included)   New Year's Day - Wednesday 1st January 2020       There are no local bus services (including the whole of the "Snowdon Sherpa Network") on Christmas Day     Normal weekday services re-commence on Thursday 2nd January Boxing Day - Thursday 26th December 2019     There are no local bus services (including the whole of the "Snowdon Sherpa Network") on Boxing Day     Normal weekday services re-commence on Friday 27th December   Christmas Day - Wednesday 25th December 2019       There are no local bus services (including the whole of the "Snowdon Sherpa Network") on Christmas Day Sunday 15th December 2019     Transport for Wales introduce an 'all-year-round' Sunday train service on the Conwy Valley Line providing additional Sherpa connections at Betws-y-Coed The new 2024 journey from Blaenau Ffestiniog (which connects off the Llew Jones 1840 "1S" journey from Porthmadog) provides a much later option to return north (the last direct Sunday "T2" service departs at 1605)   Monday 4th November 2019       The "S2" service is again halved for the winter with the last journey in each direction withdrawn     There are also retimings to some "S4" and "S97" journeys with the summer 1450 and 1745 journeys form Beddgelert along with the 1430 and 1810 from Pen-y-Pass along the Nant Gwynant Pass withdrawn Late Summer Public Holiday Monday 26th August 2019     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 22nd July 2019       Llew Jones has increased the number of weekday "19-X19" connecting journeys along the Conwy Valley from and back to Llandudno Sunday 14th July 2019     There are many "late" changes to the times of the Sunday connecting "88" service operated by Dilwyns from and back to Caernarfon ..........note specially - on Sundays journeys from Caernarfon operate via the by-pass direct to the Interchange stop before returning along the Llanberis main street   Spring Public Holiday Monday 27th May 2019       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 20th May 2019     The frequency of the weekday connecting "88" service from and back to Caernarfon has been reduced to just hourly throughout the day..... .....despite Gwynfor's own website continuing to show the withdrawn journeys !!!!!   Early Spring Public Holiday Monday 6th May 2019       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 22nd April 2019     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 19th April 2019       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 13th April 2019*     The Summer Timetables are "expected" to commence..........     (* - normally from "the Saturday before Easter Weekend")     The level of service on the "S2" route is again EXPECTED to double from five to ten journeys each way     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 2018   Monday 1st April 2019       Gwynfor took over the weekdays and Sunday connecting "85" service from and back to Bangor     The level of service is reduced and all evening journeys are withdrawn Sunday 31st March 2019 or Saturday 30th March 2019 ???     After the last journeys of the day,  Arriva will cease to operate connecting services from both Bangor (on weekdays and Sundays) and Caernarfon (on Sundays)     This is based on the statement on the Arriva website which shows " From Sunday 31st March 2019, Arriva will no longer operate tendered services 1E, 1NS, 67C, 67L 82, 83, 85, X85, 86, 88, 91 in Gwynedd. " ..........notwithstanding the fact some of the revised tables on the Gwynedd CC website only show new operators taking over from Monday 1st April !!!!!    details of who will take and any possible changes to times to follow   Monday 27th January 2019       There are major changes to the Arriva connections from both Pwllheli (on weekdays and Sundays) also Blaenau Ffestiniog (weekdays)    Llew Jones takes over these connections on Sundays     In addition there are changes to the times of the direct return evening connections back to Bangor also Caernarfon 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 Sunday trips from Pwllheli 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 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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This page last   on 9th December 2019   e-mail webmaster   (c)2009-2019