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Carneddau and Glyderau
WalesExperience the wildest landscape of Eryri (Snowdonia).
National Trust, Bwthyn Ogwen, Nant Ffrancon, Bethesda, Gwynedd, LL57 3LZ
M T W T F S S Open
Closed
Opening times for 25 May 2026
Asset Opening time Countryside Dawn - Dusk - Car park
Car parking at Llyn Ogwen lake just off A5 - not National Trust.
- Dogs allowed
Dogs allowed on lead. Please be mindful of livestock.
- Kiosk
Kiosk and warden centre run by Eryri National Park. Access for Cwm Idwal here, just off A5.
- Toilet
Toilet facilities at Llyn Ogwen lake - not National Trust.
Mountainous locations with steep, rocky, boggy and uneven terrain in places, may also include styles.
- Accessible toilet
Accessible toilets at Llyn Ogwen lake car park. Please note this car park is not run by the National Trust.
- Designated parking
Accessible parking at Llyn Ogwen lake car park. Please note this car park is not run by the National Trust.
- Steps/uneven terrain
Rough terrain, uneven paths, steep and narrow in places, stone-pitched paths, conditions influenced by weather.
- By road
- From Bangor / A55, take A5 towards Bethesda. Continue through Bethesda to Nant Ffrancon until you reach Llyn Ogwen (lake) on the left. From Betws y Coed travel along the A5 to Capel Curig and to Llyn Ogwen.Parking: There is car parking at Llyn Ogwen (lake) (non-National Trust).
- On foot
- Various footpaths, as well as Lon Las Ogwen that runs from Bangor to Capel Curig.
- By train
- Nearest train station Bangor 10-12 miles. Also station at Betws y Coed 13 miles.
- By bus
- T10 Traws Cymru bus from Bangor and Bethesda to Llyn Ogwen.
- Cycling
- Lon Las Ogwen cycle path from Capel Curig to Bangor.
National Trust, Bwthyn Ogwen, Nant Ffrancon, Bethesda, Gwynedd, LL57 3LZ
Planning your visit
Article
Exploring Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve
Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve extends over 398 hectares of mountains, lakes, streams, peatland and heathland. It includes the cwms of Cwm Idwal, Cwm Cneifion and Cwm Clud. The summits of Y Garn and Y Glyder Fawr, some of Wales’ highest mountains, are also part of the nature reserve.
Article
Visiting Eryri (Snowdonia) with your dog
Follow in the footsteps of legends around Eryri (Snowdonia) with your dog. Whether you want a gentle stroll or a mountainous walk, here's a selection of destinations to tire out all four legs (and yours).
Highlights
Mountain ranges
21,000 acres, acquired in 1951 from the Penrhyn estate, includes the Cwm Idwal Nature Reserve and nine peaks above 3,000 feet.
Cwm Idwal
Wales's first National Nature Reserve, a glaciated lake surrounded by the dramatic Glyderau mountains and rugged Tryfan.
Things to see and do
Article
Exploring Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve
Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve extends over 398 hectares of mountains, lakes, streams, peatland and heathland. It includes the cwms of Cwm Idwal, Cwm Cneifion and Cwm Clud. The summits of Y Garn and Y Glyder Fawr, some of Wales’ highest mountains, are also part of the nature reserve.
Activity
Walking and climbing on Tryfan
What makes the Tryfan mountain so special? Discover the history of this rugged peak and the challenges it raises for climbers and mountaineers who attempt to conquer it.
Top trails
Trail
Cwm Idwal walk
Follow the Cwm Idwal walk through some of the most dramatic scenery in the UK. A 3-mile trail over glacial terrain with a lake steeped in legend in the Glyderau mountain range in North Eryri (Snowdonia).
Trail
Llyn Ogwen circular walk
Escape the crowds of Cwm Idwal and enjoy stunning views on this moderate walk around Llyn Ogwen. Legends say it’s the last resting place of King Arthur’s sword Excalibur.
Places to stay
Tal Y Braich
A cosy stone built cottage in the heart of Eryri (Snowdonia), in the shadow of Tryfan, perfect for adventurers and walkers.
The Chalet at Tan yr Ogof
Close to Beddgelert and sitting in secluded woodland, this is the perfect base for exploring Eryri (Snowdonia).
Hen Dy
Characterful stone-built cottage on the Hafod Y Llan estate, great for exploring Eryri (Snowdonia).
Y Wenallt
Perfect for walkers, this cosy and simple first-floor escape is in the stunning setting of the Eryri (Snowdonia) mountain range.
Dyffryn Mymbyr Cottage
A rustic but restored cottage with walks from the front door.
Dyffryn Mymbyr Farm House
This restored Victorian farmhouse has mountain views all around.
Upcoming events
Sorry, there are no upcoming events at this place
About Carneddau and Glyderau
A 21,000-acre mountainous place, acquired in 1951 from the Penrhyn estate, includes the Cwm Idwal Nature Reserve renowned for its arctic alpine plants. There are eight tenant upland farms on this land, nine peaks above 3,000 feet and the famous mountain Tryfan where Edmund Hilary trained for his ascent of Everest. The area is home to a variety of wildlife such as otters, water voles, feral ponies and rare birds such as dottrel and peregrine and the very rare Snowdon lily. The 100km of footpaths are popular with 500,000 walkers each year, and the bleak, photogenic, landscapes have proven popular with artists and painters. You'll find over 1,000 archaeological sites here including seven scheduled ancient monuments.
History
Article
History and legends of Cwm Idwal
Discover Cwm Idwal’s past, Darwin’s discovery of its creation and the legend of a 12th-century prince, his son and the giant that occupied the land.
Our work
Article
The beauty and legacy of crawiau in Eryri (Snowdonia)
In the rugged landscapes of Eryri, crawiau (slate fencing) was once a more common sight in the area. These distinctive fences, crafted from slate waste, helped to shape the character of the surrounding countryside for generations.
Article
Making meadows in Eryri (Snowdonia)
Rangers in Eryri (Snowdonia) are working hard to create and restore meadows rich with wild flowers that will benefit a range of wildlife, from butterflies to rare birds.
Project
Thinking like a sheep to plant a tree
Discover more about a project that’s encouraging rangers and volunteers in Wales to think like sheep when they plant trees in Dyffryn Mymbyr, Carneddau and Glyderau, Eryri (Snowdonia).
Project
Latest news
Article
Lifelike model celebrates rare Arctic-alpine as it comes into bloom
Kioko Terauchi, a retired plant lover from Japan who spends time each year in Gwynedd, has created an astonishingly lifelike model of the purple saxifrage (saxifraga oppositifolia) — one of Eryri’s (Snowdonia’s) most hardy Arctic-alpine wild plants.
Press release
Special bench marks the story of connection and change at Cwm Idwal, Eryri (Snowdonia)
Three pairs of strangers with a special connection to Cwm Idwal come together to express their hopes and fears for the area in a changing climate. The themes from their conversations inspiring a specially carved bench for visitors to enjoy, located along the path to the lake.
Press release
New equipment will help climbers protect Cwm Idwal’s rare plant species
New temperature sensors being installed at Cwm Idwal will help to protect the National Nature Reserve’s rare plants from damage during winter months.
