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Walkers navigating a narrow path beside the Glaslyn river, Craflwyn and Beddgelert, Wales.
Walk the fisherman's path along Aberglaslyn pass, Snowdonia | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey
Wales

Aberglaslyn, Llyn Dinas and Cwm Bychan walk

Along this challenging circular route you'll take in the spectacular Aberglaslyn gorge with the Glaslyn river raging alongside the path. The trail passes Bedd y Ci (the grave of Prince Llywelyn's faithful hound), the beautiful village of Beddgelert, the placid waters of Llyn Dinas and the old copper mine workings of Sygun and Cwm Bychan.

Keep to the path

Keep to the path as the area is dotted with tunnels, spoil heaps and pits.

Total steps: 6

Total steps: 6

Start point

National Trust car park, Nantmor, grid ref: SH597462

Step 1

From the car park, go through a gate near the toilet block and turn left for Aberglaslyn. Walk up through the woods, when you reach the river turn right to follow it upstream. This fisherman's path will take you along the side of the Aberglaslyn gorge. Great care should be taken when negotiating this part of the path, especially the stone buttress above the river. Continue until you reach the railway tracks and take care when crossing: the Welsh Highland Railway service travels between Caernarfon and Porthmadog along this route. Cross the railway line and turn left onto the bridge to cross the river, then turn right towards Beddgelert and continue upstream.

Step 2

As you approach the village of Beddgelert don't miss the detour on the left to see Gelert's grave from the famous Welsh legend. See if you can spot the special bronze sculpture of Gelert nearby.

Bronze sculpture of Gelert, the hound of Llywelyn the Great in Beddgelert, Snowdonia, Wales
Gelert's bronze sculpture in Beddgelert, Wales | © National Trust / Keith Jones

Step 3

At Beddgelert head right over a footbridge then left, following the river upstream. Cross a street and go through a gate.

Step 4

At the next gate, turn right onto a narrow lane. Follow this past Sygun Copper mine. At the river, turn right to follow the path upstream towards the lake.

Glaslyn river and Moel Siabod in the distance, Craflwyn and Beddgelert, Wales
Glaslyn River and Moel Siabod, Snowdonia | © National Trust Images / Malcolm Davies

Step 5

By the lake shore (Llyn Dinas) turn right up a stone-pitched footpath that zig-zags up the hill. At the top continue for half a mile (ignore the first path on the right) at the fork, bear right.

Step 6

From Bwlch y Sygun take the left path (heading south). Then bear right, down Cwm Bychan to the car park.

A view of Cwm Bychan ropeway, a relic of the copper mining industry in Snowdonia, Beddgelert, Wales.
Cwm Bychan ropeway, a relic of the copper mining industry, Beddgelert, Wales | © National Trust Images/Graham Eaton

End point

Nantmor car park, grid ref: SH597462

Trail map

Aberglaslyn Pass, Llyn Dinas and Cwm Bychan trail map, Craflwyn and Beddgelert, Wales
Aberglaslyn and Cwm Bychan trail map | © Ordnance Survey map

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Get in touch

near Beddgelert, Gwynedd, LL55 4NG

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