Skip to content
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

You made it

Share your experience

More near here

View of Nant Gwynant from Dinas Emrys, Beddgelert, North Wales
Trail
Trail

The legendary trail of Dinas Emrys 

Enjoy a pleasant walk past waterfalls and through beautiful oak woodland to reach this summit of this legendary hill, where Merlin once trod and where a dragon still sleeps.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 2.2 (km: 3.52)
Path along the river in Beddgelert, Snowdonia, Wales
Trail
Trail

Gelert's grave walk 

This walk leads you from the village centre, along River Glaslyn's banks to Gelert's grave site. You'll also discover the legend of Gelert & Prince Llywelyn which gave the village its name.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 1 (km: 1.6)
View of lake stretching into distance with rocky hill to on side
Trail
Trail

Craflwyn, Hafod y Llan and Llyn Dinas walk 

Explore the wild and lonely heath and ffridd beneath Yr Aran, the lower slope of Wales' highest peak, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), the amazing waterfalls of Afon Cwm Llan and the stunning Llyn Dinas lake on this circular walk.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 6.5 (km: 10.4)
A river fast-flowing over rocks, flanked by a wooden walkway on the left and autumnal trees on the right
Trail
Trail

Aberglaslyn, Bryn Du and Beddgelert walk 

A circular walk through ancient woodland, across mountain scenery that also goes past Gelert's grave at Beddgelert and to Aberglaslyn gorge.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 3.5 (km: 5.6)

Get in touch

near Beddgelert, Gwynedd, LL55 4NG

Our partners

Cotswold Outdoor

We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

Visit website 

You might also be interested in

View of Snowdonia with mountains in the background and a rocky landscape and wooden bridge in the mid ground

Walking in Wales 

Explore wide open landscapes, gentler coastal strolls or energetic hikes for something a little more challenging. We've rounded up some of the best places to walk in Wales.

Three visitors stood under a tree with sunlight shining through the branches on a path at Craflwyn and Beddgelert, Wales
Article
Article

Discover the legend of Gelert 

Discover the tragic tale of Gelert, the faithful hound that gave the village of Beddgelert its name. Walk to the memorial grave on the edge of the village.

A man and a woman enjoy the view whilst walking in the Peak District
Article
Article

Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner 

Learn about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor. Find out how they help us care for precious places and the exclusive discount available for National Trust supporters.

A visitor carrying a backpack and walking along a footpath at Divis and the Black Mountain with stone walls either side, the countryside visible in the background.
Article
Article

Follow the Countryside Code 

Help to look after National Trust places by observing a few simple guidelines during your visit and following the Countryside Code.

An aerial view of an adult and baby walking a dog along a path at Baggy Point, Devon
Article
Article

Staying safe at National Trust places 

The special places in National Trust care sometimes come with a few risks for visitors, be it coastline or countryside. Find out how to keep safe throughout your visits.

Heather and rock outcrops on Hafod Y Llan farm, with Yr Aran summit in the distance, Snowdonia, Wales
Article
Article

Things to see and do at Hafod y Llan 

Discover things to do at Hafod y Llan farm, Eryri (Snowdonia), Wales on the slopes of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) including walks and nature to see.

Visitor crossing water via stepping stones with their dog on an autumnal walk at Wallington

Walking 

Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.

The exterior of Hen Dy, Gwynedd, Gwynedd
Article
Article

Holiday cottages in Eryri (Snowdonia) 

With its towering mountains, deep gorges and pristine lakes, Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri (Snowdonia National Park) is an ideal holiday destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Stay at one of our holiday cottages in Eryri (Snowdonia) and explore this special part of Wales.