Outdoor centre at Ogwen Cottage

A view of Ogwen Cottage, Carneddau and Glyderau, Gwynedd, with Cwm Idwal Valley behind. The cottage is a large black and white building and sits beside a stream in a rugged valley. — Ogwen Cottage, Gwynedd | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Ogwen Cottage is a ranger base and outdoor centre that was set up to run in partnership with The Outward Bound Trust in 2015.

A gateway into north Snowdonia

Ogwen Cottage is situated on a particularly scenic spot of the A5 trunk road. It overlooks Llyn Ogwen and is flanked by the steep banks of Pen Yr Ole Wen and the rugged shadow of Tryfan. It’s nestled between two mountain ranges, the vast expanse of the Carneddau to the north-west and the dramatic peaks of the Glyderau to the south-east.

A good starting point

It’s situated at the starting point to a wide range of hiking and climbing routes in the surrounding area. The most popular being the footpath up to Wales’ very first National Nature Reserve, the stunning - Cwm Idwal, a glaciated lake, with a mountainous backdrop.

Ogwen Cottage with Pen yr Ole Wen mountain, Gwynedd, in the background — Ogwen Cottage with Pen yr Ole Wen mountain behind | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

Walking to Cwm Idwal

The walk up to the lake is a relatively low-level hike (approximately a 100m ascent) enabling thousands of people to feel immersed in the mountains without having to venture too high.

Outdoor experiences

Given the beautiful surroundings it’s no surprise that Ogwen Cottage has long been associated with mountaineering. Today, we’re working in partnership with The Outward Bound Trust to offer young people from all over the country a memorable outdoor experience.

Please note

There’s no National Trust car park on site, but there is limited pay and display parking offered by the Snowdonia National Park nearby. During peak times such as bank holidays and weekends this fills up quickly. There are seasonal bus services available.

Discover more at Ogwen Cottage

Find out how to get to Ogwen Cottage, where to park, the things to see and do and more.

Plan your visit

Two people out hiking in the snow with a dog are crossing a stile between Tryfan and Glyder Fach, with Nant Ffrancon Pass in the background at Carneddau and Glyderau, Gwynedd.

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.