Dolgellau (or Dolly Golly as my kids used to call it) is a great starting point for a lot of walks, ranging from wild-ish coastline to mountains. The proximity of the hills to the sea makes the tops seem higher than they are. There's also the beautiful Kings hostel and there used to be bunkhouse accommodation at a place called Isl'awr dref (sp?). As Liz says there's some brilliant farmhouse B&B in the area - if you want to p-mail me I can recommend a couple.

As the others have said, please, please, please don't go on to the tops unless you are prepared and don't go alone unless you experienced enough to know what you are doing. The conditions in that neck of the woods can change with a click of the fingers. (Sorry if that's patronising, 'cos I don't know anything about you. I suspect there are others who use the 'cat who, like me, have been involved in hill rescue and know that warnings are never a waste of breath!)