Cwm Brwynog will be familiar to the thousands of walkers that climb Yr Wyddfa each year. Its the long valley that starts at the edges of Llanberis and snakes up towards the famous summit, framed by the peaks of Moel Cynghorion, Foel Gron and Foel Goch to the west. The valley appears deserted with only a few ancient abandoned farmsteads dotting the landscape but look closely and you may be able to make out Yr Helfa, perhaps a trail of woodsmoke from the chimney being the only sign of habitation.
It too had fallen into ruin but was completely renovated a few years ago to become an off-grid mountain refuge, surrounded by pristine nature but without compromising on comfort. Electricity is supplied by solar panels and a back up generator (enough for lights and phones but don't expect dishwashers and TV's) and a wood pellet boiler takes care of heating and hot water with the woodburning stove provide extra warmth. The water may be some of the purest you'll ever taste- UV filtered and direct from the spring on the hillside above.
You may be immersed in wilderness with no neighbours but you're far from roughing it- there's a well-equipped kitchen, a very cool dining area and a cosy sitting room to spread out in. In true mountain refuge style, sleeping arrangements are in three dormitory bedrooms but three wetrooms ensure there aren't the usual long queues for showers after a day on the mountains. You will be the only group here.

Gardens surround Helfa with uninterrupted 360 degree views of one of the most magnificent mountain landscapes in the UK. Whether you're baking in a July heatwave or braving a January blizzard, we cant imagine many finer places to be. Switch off, decompress and enjoy a memorable and truly unique experience.