Welcome  to  John's  Snowdon Sherpa  website

UPDATE..... Monday 2nd September 2024     There are detailed changes to the Llew Junes "19" Conwy Valley connecting journeys NOTE SPECIALLY the last direct weekday journey of the day from Betws-y-Coed to Llandudno has been ADVANCED to 1505

SUMMARY OF SNOWDON SHERPA NETWORK - SUMMER 2024     Increase in the level of service for the Summer Sherpa routes (commencing Saturday 23rd March 2024) have been announced..........     The level of "S1" Sherpa journeys via Pen-y-Pass and Llanberis" remains basically hourly - with the first and pen-ultimate journeys reinstated (they were suspended for the winter)     "S2" Sherpa journeys from Bangor to Pen-y-Pass via Llanberis are again extended to operate to Pen-y-Pass on the 'alternate' half-hour to the "S1" giving a minimum summer headway of "every 30 minutes" from Llanberis     This is augmented by exrea "S5" "shuttle journeys" at peak timss,  giving a bus every 15 minutes along the busy "core" section     The level of "S3" Sherpa journeys along the western side of Snowdon is increased to hourly with the last 1902 summer return journey from Beddgelert reinstated     The level of "S4" Sherpa journeys along the Nant Gwynant pass has again been increased to basically hourly BUT BEWARE alternate journeys DO NOT OPERATE ON LOCAL SCHOOL DAYS - see journeys headed "S+GSH" against a white background for details     Most journeys are extended to Morfa Bychan on both weekdys and Sundays     All the additional "S5" "Park and Ride" journeys which were SUSPENDED for the winter are reinstated     The level of the "T10" Traws-Cymru service (serving Tryfam - Llyn Ogwen) is considerably increased - especially at weekends - BUT this did not start until Sunday 24th March - one day later than the Sherpas     The very limited "19" bus service from Llandudno along the Conwy Valley continues unaltered with the last direct return journey from Betws-y-Coed STILL at 1520 - with later slower journeys via the Ogwen pass     Several outward journeys involve nearly an hour's wait at Betws-y-Coed - time for a 'cuppa'     These are augmented by trains on the scenic 'Conwy Valley Railway Line

IMPORTANT Llew Jones has WITHDRAWN all their former "T19" connecting journeys from Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog to/from Betws-y-Coed (for the "S1" Sherpa and the "T10" Traws-Cymru) as per their earlier announcment There are NO changes to any SHERPA journey as a result Limited alternative connections are available using the PARTIALLY-REVISED "19" service FROM Llandudno and return FROM Betws-y-Coed.......... NOTE SPECIALLY - THE LAST WEEKDAY NORTHBOUND DEPARTURE OF THE DAY NOW DEPARTS 1520.......... (connects off the 1340 "S1" Sherpa from Caernarfon) ..........DESPITE SOME OFFICIAL WEBSITES AND ELECTRONIC DEPARTURE DISPLAYS STILL (after 12 months) SHOWING "OTHERWISE"

GETTING STARTED The REVISED Summer Sherpa Timetables are now in operation and are advertised to continue until Sunday 3rd November 2024 In order to give visitors an idea of the service to expect - the following information might be a useful start point to begin to "plan ahead".......... DON'T  KNOW  YOUR  WAY ROUND  SNOWDONIA ? The links below go to the current timetable,  but later dates can be found by clicking the white "next period" box at the bottom of every page Anyone on the Coast planning to spend a day in Snowdonia should find the latest Summer Timetable - from Llandudno/North Wales Coast to Betws-y-Coed (for the "S1" Sherpa and "T10" Traws-Cymru) Summer Timetable - from Llandudno/North Wales Coast Summer Timetable - from Bangor via Llanberis Summer Timetable - from Barmouth/Harlech/Bl.Ffestiniog via Porthmadog Summer Timetable - from Pwllheli/Criccieth via Porthmadog or the Summer TrawsCymru Timetable - from Betws-y-Coed to Bangor via the Ogwen Pass a useful starting point to see "what is now available" alternatively select ANY other timetable page from the index below........... ..........THEN FOLLOW THE LINK TO THE "NEXT PERIOD" SOME PAGES ON THIS WEBSITE ARE STILL IN THE PROCESS OF BEING UPDATED AS SOME "OFFICIAL" INFORMATION WAS ONLY RECENTLY BEEN MADE PUBLIC AT THE LAST MINUTE ! Please also see the introduction note above  then bookmark this page NOW and return later to check if there is any further more up-to-date information available There is a date at the bottom of every page on this website to quickly show when it was last updated --- jn view of the occasional mid-timetabe alterations to the Sherpa network AND other connecting services.......... ..........you are strongly advised to check direct with the opeator/s concerned BEFORE setting out for Snowdonia

REMEMBER..........     Due to so many last-minute changes to the various services in the area,  unfortunately many official websites (including the TravelineCymru "Journey Planner") continue to show journeys which have either been "CHANGED" or sometimes even "WITHDRAWN"     Where known,  these are also identified throughout THIS website as a warning - to help avoid you being caught out !!!     Please bookmark and revisit nearer the time to check if there have been any further known changes since your last visit to this page     Journeys shown on this website with a "strike through" line ARE still operating,  BUT it is NO LONGER possible to get a (bus) connection back to the "start" location of THAT particular page - eg  1234      Throughout Snowdonia there are unfortunately numerous cases of "sub-standard" connections which are NOT recognised by the TravelineCymru "Journey Planner" (as they are less than 5 minutes) - these are highlighted with a "lime" background - eg 17.15 17.15     Although this website strongly advises you NOT to 'chance' them.......... ..........they are included to draw your attention to the fact that if everything is 'spot on time' and you are "very quick" - it can sometimes get you to your destination considerably earlier This "unofficial" website attempts to show what is available..... and to encourage greater use of the network also includes some suggested "trips round Snowdonia - without your car"

BEST "DAY" FARE.......... The £6.50*# North Wales day 'bus ticket' called "1 BWS" (one bus) has been introduced covering all bus journeys throughout Snowdonia.......... as well as any connecting journeys from both the North Wales and the northern Cambrian Coast areas including as far afield as Chester,  Machynlleth and Whitchurch * in addition, a weekly version is now available for £28.00 This area covered is not only considerably greater than the "Red Rover" it basically replaces.......... BUT IT IS ALSO CHEAPER !!! # - a family ticket is also available for just £14.20 BE "GREEN" --- NOW THERE IS NO NEED TO TAKE YOUR CAR INTO SNOWDONIA

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) which offer options if you are unfortunate enough to miss the last Sherpa of the day 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 on these and where known they are highlighted on this webste to help you avoid 'falling' for the WRONG / OUT OF DATE INFORMATION Always better to be "fore-warned" than to be "caught out" !!! (especially in Snowdonia where it is a very 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" daily all-year "S2" daily all-year "S3" daily all-year "S4" daily all-year "S5" daily during the summer         Gwynfor "S97" Sherpa   Porthmadog - Beddgelert   Conwy Valley connections         LLew Jones "T19" 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) (and these days requires pre-booking) 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 !!!!

The correct revised Sherpa and other current route numbers (as further amended in early-April 2022) are shown on the diagrams below and on the timetables throughout this website  BEWARE.... Large wooden "Poster boards" with a network map appeared during summer 2011 at strategic locations throughout Snowdonia but unfortunately some STILL contain some incorrect route numbers (as at the time !) Important - the former "S97" no longer operates.......... it is replaced by the new "S4" between Motfa Bycham and Pen-y-Pass and NO LONGER continues to Betws-y-Coed (so use the re-numbered S1" between Pen-y-Pass and Betws-y-Coed) The former "S4" between Beddgelert and Caernarfon has been renumbered "S3" with most journeys extended to either Dinorwig or Bangor via Bethal       Note - in ALL cases THERE IS ONLY ONE BUS - SO DON'T GET LEFT BEHIND..... .....especially if the indicator on the front of your "S3" or "S4" Sherpa shows an intermediate location (eg Beddgelert or Caernarfon) at the start of its journey Far more worrying the former open-top Arriva "S2" Sherpa service via Llanrwst (which actually started from Llandudno, NOT the Junction) was withdrawn at the end of the 2009 season ! Use the alternative current "19" Conwy Valley bus services - most journeys connect with the "S1" Sherpa at Betws-y-Coed - BUT NOTE SPECIALLY the last direct weekday northbound weekday journey currently departs VERY EARLY at 1520.......... - but there are later "T10" Traws-Cymru bus services via the Ogwen Valley and Bangor (alternatively use the "Conwy Valley" Railway trains which generally make better return connections The former "S6" section of the network between Capel Curig and Bethesda (has now been completely withdrawn and replaced by the new "two-hourly" all-year-round "T10" TrawsCymru service between Bangor and Corwen which also serves Llyn Ogwen (for Tryfan), Capel Curig (for the "S1" Sherpa to Pen-y-Pass and Llanberis) and Betws-y-Coed ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Weekdays Sundays and Public Holidays Current Snowdon Sherpa services are........ S1 - Betws-y-Coed - Pen-y-Pass - Llanberis - Caernarfon S2 - Bangor - Llanberis - Nant Peris - Pen-y-Pass S3 - Beddgelert - Caernarfon - Llanrug/Dinorwig   S4 - Pen-y-Pass - Beddgelert - Porthmadog - Morfa Bychan S5 - additional Llanberis "Park and Ride" journeys TrawsCymru T10 - Bangor - Capel Curig (- Betws-y-Coed - Corwen) connecting into the "S1" Sherpa at Capel Curig to Pen-y-Pass (for "S4" to Beddgelert) - Llanberis (for "S2" to Bangor) - Caernarfon (for "S3" to Beddgelert) Make sure you use the Snowdon Sherpas in 2024 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 £6.00 "1 bws" (one bus) Day Rover available from the driver of your first bus (or a North Wales Day Rover if travelling from further afield including partially travelling by train to the Sherpa network) 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 !!!

Headline News...................   Click here for further information including archieved items Monday 2nd September 2024     Llew Jones has made further changes to the connecting journeys in the Conwy Valley     Most important - the last direct weekday journey of the day from Betws-y-Coed to Llandudno has been ADVANCED to 1505 --- still connects off the 1340 "S1" Sherpa from Caernarfon due 1455   Late Summer Public Holiday Monday 26th August 2024       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 27th May 2024     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 Monday 6th May 2024       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 1st April 2024     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 also the Cambrian Coast railway lines normally operate to their weekday timetable   Good Friday 29th March 2024       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 also the Cambrian Coast railway lines normallyoperate to their weekday timetable Sunday 24th March 2024     Extra "T10" journeys operate at weekends - giving an hourly frequency at the peak times of travel   Saturday 23rd March 2024     The Summer "Sherpa" Timetables commence     The level of service on the "S1" route from Betws-y-Coed to Caernarfon is again increase to hourly throughout each way     The "S2" from Bangor to Llanberis is again extended to Pen-y-Pass.... .....with timings adjusted to give a half-hour "pattern between" Llanberis and Pen-y-Pass     The "S3" from Caernarfon to Beddgelert is again increased to hourly     Extra "S4" journeys run between Pen-y-Pass and Beddgelertalong the Nant Gwynant pass - with most journeys now extended to Black Rock Sands   New Year's Day - Monday 1st January 2024       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 Tuesday 2nd January Boxing Day - Tuesday 26th December 2023     There are no local bus services (including the whole of the "Snowdon Sherpa Network") on Boxing Day     Normal weekday services re-commence on Wednesday 27th December   Christmas Day - Monday 25th December 2023       There are no local bus services (including the whole of the "Snowdon Sherpa Network") on Christmas Day     Normal weekday services re-commence on Wednesday 27th December Monday 11th December 2023     As a result of some minor changes to the times of the Conwy Valley Line trains,  in particular the advancing of the weekdays mid-morning train from Llandudno..........     ..........the mid-morning "S1" Sherpa from Betws-y-Coed to Llanberis is ADVANCED to 1103 (on pattern)     Unfortunately,  this severs the connection off the ONLY mid-morning bus from Llandudno   Late Summer Public Holiday Monday 28th August 2023       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 29th May 2023       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 Coronation Weekend Public Holiday Monday 8th May 2023     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 Monday 1st May 2023       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 commence 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 - Llyn Ogwen - Betws-y-Coed Bangor - Capel Curig - Llanberis Bangor - Snowdonia  (via Llanberis) Barmouth - Snowdonia  (via Porthmadog) Betws-y-Coed - Llyn Ogwen - Bangor Betws-y-Coed - Pen-y-Pass - Llanberis - Caernarfon Betws-y-Coed - Llandudno  (connections) Betws-y-Coed - Pen-y-Pass - Porthmadog Caernarfon - Llanberis - Pen-y-Pass - Betws-y-Coed Caernarfon/Porthmadog - Beddgelert - Llanberis Caernarfon - Beddgelert - Porthmadog Llanberis Pass --- Park and Ride Llanberis - Capel Curig - Bangor Llanberis - Pen-y-Pass - Betws-y-Coed Llanberis - Beddgelert - Caernarfon/Porthmadog Llandudno/Colwyn Bay - Betws-y-Coed  (connections) Llandudno - Snowdonia  (via Betws-y-Coed) Porthmadog - Beddgelert - Caernarfon 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 weekday trips from Betws-y-Coed Suggested weekday trips from Caernarfon Suggested weekday trips from Conwy 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 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 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 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 20th September 2024   e-mail webmaster   (c)2009-2024