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.

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.

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

  • I have both hat and gloves from the brand SealSkinz and they are fantastic

• 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)