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Aberglaslyn and Cwm Bychan from Beddgelert

Snowdonia/Eryri Walk

Nat Park - Snowdonia - Moelwyns Moel Siabod Cnicht

County/Area - Gwynedd

Author - Peter Smyly

Length - 5.8 miles / 9.3 km    Ascent - 1000 feet / 303 metres

Time - 3 hours 50 minutes    Grade - easy/mod

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Ordnance Survey Explorer OL17Sheet Map1:25kBUY
Anquet OS Explorer OL17Digital Map1:25kBUY
Ordnance Survey Landranger 115Sheet Map1:50kBUY
Anquet OS Landranger 115Digital Map1:50kBUY

Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Aberglaslyn and Cwm Bychan
Click image to visit gallery of 5 images.

As a relatively low level walk in Snowdonia (Eryri), this is a fine outing on a sunny day with the views especially attractive when seen in evening sunlight. It could be completed in a morning or afternoon but the amount of ascent should not be underestimated, particularly from Nantmor up to the col. The walk includes a gorge, a valley, a lake and fine views of the peaks of the Snowdon range. A visit to the Sygun Copper Mine could also be included.

From Beddgelert, follow the path by the river away from the village. The path crosses the railway line and is easy going to begin with but becomes rockier as progress is made and the sides of the valley close in to form the impression of a gorge. Although there is a road on the other side of the river, any traffic noise is drowned out by the rushing water of the river below. Some pools offer swimming opportunities for those brave enough.

The track leads away from the river through woodland and under the railway line. Height is gained in earnest as the track emerges into the open at the Cwm Bychan valley (the same name as the Rhinogs' Cwm Bychan, but not as well-known). The path steadily gains height, levelling out in a couple of places with valley sides of heather, rocks and bilberry plants. Cnicht, Moelwyn Mawr and Moelwyn Bach are seen to the east.

Once the highest point of the valley is reached, one of the better views of the walk opens out ahead looking across to some of the better-known Snowdonia (Eryri) peaks including the Snowdon range and Moel Siabod. Shortly after the descent begins, a path junction is reached with the path to the left offering a shorter way back via either the Sygun Copper Mine of Mynydd Sygyn. Instead, for this route, follow the path ahead as it steadily loses height. Llyn Dinas appears below on the final downhill section, the path reaching the lake shore before turning left alongside the river. Return to Beddgelert via the Sygun Copper Mine, following a secondary road that goes past the Cae Du campsite and later the river.

Other walks nearby

Walk 1427 Craflwyn circular from near Beddgelerteasy/mod2.5 miles
Walk 3058 Llyn yr Adar & Llyn Edno from near Bethaniamoderate9.0 miles
Walk 1192 Yr Aranmod/hard6.5 miles
Walk 1103 Snowdon & Cwm Llan horseshoevery hard13.0 miles
Walk 2290 Snowdon via the Watkin Path & South Ridge from Bethaniamod/hard8.0 miles
Walk 1136 Yr Aran (Route 2)moderate5.5 miles
Walk 1515 Tops and Tarns of the Moelwynsmod/hard11.0 miles
Walk 2590 Nantlle Ridge Walk from Rhyd Ddu (Route A)moderate6.0 miles
Walk 2797 Yr Aran and Snowdon from Rhyd-Ddumod/hard8.5 miles
Walk 3509 Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu (Route B)mod/hard8.3 miles

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Mountain Walking in Snowdonia

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