Guidebook: Weathering Wales

Getting there: From LAX, nonstop service to London’s Heathrow is available on British, Virgin Atlantic, American, United and Air New Zealand. Direct service is offered to Gatwick on American and Continental. Restricted round-trip fares begin at $984.

You can also fly into Birmingham, England, from LAX. Direct service is offered on Continental, and connecting service (change of planes) is available on Aer Lingus, American, Continental, Lufthansa and Swiss. Restricted round-trip fares begin at $1,042.

From London to Bangor, Wales: Trains leave hourly from London’s Euston Station. Fares are about $90 round trip for standard-class saver ticket; travel time is about four hours.

From Birmingham to Bangor: Hourly departures, travel time about 2 1/2 hours, fare about $42. National Rail: 011-44-8457-484- 950, https://www.nationalrail.co.uk.

Telephones: To call the numbers below from the U.S., dial 011 (the international dialing code), 44 (country code for Britain) and the local number.

Where to stay: There are many options for accommodations in Snowdonia, including bed-and-breakfasts, farmhouse stays and hotels. Visit the Wales Tourist Board Web site, https://www.openspace.visitwales.com, for other listings.

High Trek Snowdonia, Tal y Waen, Deiniolen, Gwynedd, Wales LL55 3NA; 1286-871-232, https://www.hightrek.co.uk. Welsh 3,000s weekend about $385, including three nights’ accommodation, all meals, wine with dinner, equipment and guides. Other programs include mountain walking, navigation, scrambling and climbing.

Pen y Gwryd Hotel, Nant Gwynant, Gwynedd, Wales LL55 4NT; 1286-870-368, https://www.pyg.co.uk. Bed and breakfast about $40, dinner about $30. Be sure to reserve for dinner each night; there are few other choices. The meal is superb and an excellent value. Packed lunches can also be arranged. Closed November and December; open weekends only January and February.

For more information: The Snowdonia National Park Authority, National Park Office, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd, Wales LL48 6LF; 1766-770-274, fax 1766-771-211, https://www.eryri-npa.gov.uk.

Wales Tourist Board, Brunel House, 2 Fitzalan Road, Cardiff, Wales CF24 0UY; 2920-499-909, fax 2920-485-031, https://www.openspace.visitwales.com.

British Tourist Authority, 551 Fifth Ave., Suite 701, New York, NY 10176; (800) GO-2-BRITAIN (462- 2748), https://www.travelbritain.org.

James Gilden