Circular walk - Bwlch y Sygun and Cwm Bychan
A low-level scenic walk in Snowdonia
Our adventure begins in the charming village of Beddgelert, nestled in the heart of Snowdonia National Park. The starting point is easily accessible with plenty of places to park nearby. There are also several pubs, restaurants and cafes for a pre/post-walk snack including one of my favourites, the Tanronnen Inn located in the heart of the village.
The route explores parts of central Snowdonia and weaves through forests, past Lake Llyn Dinas, via the remains of the old Sygun Copperworks and provides amazing views of Snowdon and the surrounding mountains. This is a great walk for a summer’s day or when the cloud rolls in over the mountains.
Total Distance: 9km
Location: The route starts and ends in Beddgelert
Where to stay: Beddgelert has several places to stay but if you’re up for camping, the Llyn Gwynant Campsite is a great choice
The route
The route is around 9km and should take ~3hours without stops (but of course there are plenty of views to enjoy on this walk).
Beddgelert is the best place to start and end the walk, but there are other parking options on the route if you prefer a different starting point. You can also do the route in either direction, however I prefer to end with my favourite part, the Aber Glaslyn Pass. Beddgelert is also easily accessible by bus to and from Porthmadog and Caernarfon.
Leaving Beddgelert
Cross the footbridge then turn left, following the path out of the village towards Sygun Copper Mine and Llyn Dinas (the lake).
Sygun Copper Mine
Follow the Afon Glaslyn River along a well-laid path for about a mile where you’ll arrive at the Sygun Copper Mine, a recommended stop when visiting in the summer. The copper mine opened in the 18th century and is an exciting underground adventure for the family. Entrance costs £10 per adult and £7.50 per child.
Llyn Dinas, a glacial lake
The route continues towards Llyn Dinas, a glacial valley lake which is perfect for a wild swim or toe dip in the warmer months.
If the weather is good, this is also a great place to stop for a snack before starting the climb.
The ascent
Turning right, take the path that climbs up towards Bwlch-y-Sygun. As you gain height, the landscape starts to transform. Looking back, you’ll have a great view of the valley, with Snowdon in the distance.
The climb to the top of Bwlch y Sygun gets steeper towards the end (~250m elevation total) with rocky and boggy sections in parts, but the views from the top are rewarding.
After admiring the views, start to descend south down to Cwm Bychan, passing a series of copper-mine pulleys and a refreshing sea view.
Hidden Plunge Pool
On the way back down, you’ll come across a hidden plunge pool just off the track. It offers a refreshing dip on a summers day and is deep enough for you to dunk your entire body in. It also offers great views out down the valley.
Once you’ve had a quick stop off at the plunge pool, continue to make your way down towards the main road through a mixed woodland. You’ll eventually get to the Aberglaslyn National Trust car park and toilet block, just off of the main road.
Aber Glaslyn Pass
The last part of the walk is incredibly scenic and follows the Afon Glaslyn, a river that zig-zags its way through the valley. The path turns into a trail (that for some may be challenging) and takes you over rock, through woodlands and along the train tracks of the Welsh Highland Railway. Keep an eye out for the hidden cave entrance (bring a torch) along the route. Heads up, in the colder months this path can sometimes get icy, so its important to wear the right footwear.
Follow the river for around 2km where you’ll eventually reach the starting point in the village of Beddgelert.
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Kit list for when out walking
As mentioned, it's essential to bring appropriate clothing and footwear for your hike. Here's a list of essential items to bring:
Sturdy walking boots with good ankle support
You can get a decent pair of boots from Cotswold Outdoors, Mountain Warehouse or Blacks. You don’t need to spend a load of money, but anything with ankle support should do the job. I have the Scarpa Rush TRK Gore-Tex boots and they are fantastic!
Waterproof jacket and trousers - even in the summer, taking a waterproof jacket that offers protection from the wind is key
You don’t need to spend a lot of money, but if you are going to be hiking often then investing in a good waterproof may be a good idea
Warm layers (fleece, hat, gloves) - gloves come in handy when navigating rocky sections and the route turns into a scramble
Map and compass (and the ability to use them)
Food and water
Kendal Mint Cake is my favourite snack for any walk and is a famous snack still made in the Lake District
Sunscreen and Bug Spray
First aid kit - a small mix of plasters, Savalon (for bites and stings) and antiseptic wipes will do
Mobile phone (with a full battery) + portable charger.
I recommend any Anker Power Bank as they are reliable and well made. I use the USB-C 10,000 maH with 20W model. It charges my phone and watch when wild camping and is a great lightweight option.
Looking for something a little more adventurous?
Check out my other blog covering four different routes to summit Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa)