Great Spots for Landscape Photography in North Wales this Winter

North Wales is full of great scenery, so it is an obvious natural hotspot for photographers. Landscape photography can take many forms, so here’s a list of some of our favourite spots to take stunning landscape shots.

For more information about visiting North Wales and staying in Porthmadog, visit our accommodation page.

Cwm Idwal, Ogwen Valley
Ogwen Valley is arguably one of the most spectacular rock valleys in England and Wales. It is situated just a short distance from Ogwen Cottage, where the rock valley cradles a glacial lake.

There are plenty of opportunities around the lake to capture both these natural wonders in harmony together.

The walk from the carpark is relatively short, so its not too bad if you’re lugging equipment up there!

Porthmadog Harbour
This quaint harbour offers a number of photogenic spots, from the jetty overlooking the colourful boats to the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway which starts at the harbour.

This spot is particularly good at dawn and dust, when the orange glow from the sun glistens off the harbour water.

Llyn Elsi above Betws-y-Coed
The Llyn Elsi lake, located above the village of Betws-y-Coed, offers a variety of shots where you can catch the reflection of the trees and light on the Snowdonia mountains beyond.

Pictures in this location are all about the reflections and tree colours, so different times of the year produce different images. In the winter months, an element of snow adds a shade of mystery to the location.

Cwm Idwal/The Devil’s Kitchen, Snowdonia
The Cwm Idwal lake is a great place for both walkers and photographers alike. The lake is only a short walk from the car park, meaning you are able to carry equipment.

For the best positions to take truly fabulous shots, you will need to put a little more effort and head round the shores of the lake and follow the footpath up at the far end. From here you can capture truly stunning scenery of the lake and surrounding area.

Llyn Padarn, Snowdonia
The Llyn Padarn is another great water-based photography location. Its long thin shape allows you to capture both distance shots of the mountain range and more closeup shots of the wildlife and water’s edge.

This location constantly changes – depending on the season – so whichever time of the year you choose to visit, you will always get different wonderous shots!

Nant Gwynant, Snowdonia
The Nant Gwynant valley runs from Pen-y-gwryd down to Beddgelert. It is a photographer’s paradise, with views of the lush green valley, to the gorgeous seasonal colours which reflect off both the valley’s lakes.

There are plenty of places to pull up along the A498 which runs the length of the valley to take your photos from.