The path through the Aberglaslyn gorge — from Beddgelert south through the narrow rock-walled valley, the Glaslyn river thundering below — is one of Eryri's most dramatic short walks. The Welsh Highland Railway shares the gorge, passing in a tunnel and over a bridge; the combination of rock, river, woodland, and narrow-gauge railway makes this an entirely distinctive experience. This is Experience #18 of the Snowdonia 100.
Walk Details
| Start | Beddgelert village |
| Distance | 3km each way (to Nantmor and back) |
| Ascent | Minimal — valley walk |
| Time | 1.5–2.5 hours return |
| Difficulty | Easy, but path is narrow and uneven in places |
| Note | One short section requires using iron rungs in the rock face |
The Gorge
The Aberglaslyn gorge was created by the Glaslyn river cutting through hard volcanic rock over thousands of years. The valley is narrow enough that the path, the railway, and the river all compete for space in the bottom. Before the reclamation of the Glaslyn Estuary in 1811, the sea reached Beddgelert and small fishing boats used the gorge as an approach to the harbour. The combination of oak woodland on the valley sides, the rushing river, and the sudden enclosure of the rock walls makes this one of the most atmospheric short walks in the national park.
The Welsh Highland Railway
The Welsh Highland Railway's route through Aberglaslyn is one of the most scenic stretches of narrow-gauge railway in Britain. Trains pass through the gorge on their 40-kilometre journey from Caernarfon to Porthmadog, and the combination of walking and watching trains emerge from a tunnel in the cliff face is unexpectedly satisfying. The railway reopened in 2011 after decades of disuse.
Experience #18 of 100 — Routes and Ridges category.
Independently written — Snowdon.com