Explore beautiful views on walks from Beddgelert
Discover and explore stunning views on walks from Beddgelert, one of the most beautiful villages in Eryri Snowdonia National park, set in the most picturesque location surrounded by stunning mountain scenery and with a unique character and history. It’s also the perfect base to explore the amazing scenery of Snowdonia and a fantastic location for walking or landscape photography with stunning views on the doorstep. In this guide, as a local North Wales photographer, I’m showcasing how to find and photograph the best views available on short walks near the beautiful village of Beddgelert.
The Welsh Highland Railway in Beddgelert Snowdonia
A view of Moel Hebog from the Welsh Highland Railway station in Beddgelert
A Statue of Gelert The Dog. The Legend of the faithfull hound, Gelert, is one of the best known, and loved, folk-tales in Wales
Gelert's Grave .. one of the short walks from Beddgelert centre
The Legend of Gelert The Dog
One of Wales’s most famous and popular legends, the story of Gelert The Dog is often quoted as giving the village its name, Beddgelert meaning “Grave of Gelert” although historical documents suggest it’s actual named after an early Celtic Saint, Saint Gelert. Either way the rather romantic story means that there are a couple of interesting places to photograph just 10 minutes along the riverside, namely Gelert’s Grave and the wonderful statue of Gelert the Dog… partially hidden in a semi-derelict barn just a few metres walk on the path past Gelert’s Grave so don’t miss it!
Directions to Gelert’s Grave & statue
Rather than try & describe the short route the National Trust have kindly provided a map so here’s the link: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/craflwyn-and-beddgelert/gelerts-grave-walk
If you’re wanting a nice photo of Gelert The Dog’s statue, the barn makes it quite difficult so I’d recommend visiting when the sun is quite high in the sky later in the day to avoid deep shadows and catch some direct light on Gelert’s face.
Visit the Welsh Highland Railway in Beddgelert Snowdonia
The Welsh Highland Railway is the UK's longest heritage railway, travelling for 25 miles between the Welsh coastal towns of Caernarfon and Porthmadog and passing on the edge of Beddgelert. The railway station, just a 10 minute walk from the village centre, is a great location to photograph the passing steam locomotives set on the edge of woodland and with a lovely mountain backdrop of Moel Hebog, one of Snowdonia’s less walked mountains peaks. If you’re planning some photography here then make sure to check the train timetables, available online at: https://www.festrail.co.uk/
A wander around the village centre
Beddgelert village has a reputation as being the most beautiful village in Eryri Snowdonia National Park and I’d certainly agree with that. Not only is it set in beautiful scenery but the village centre itself has wonderful character and lots of photo opportunites if you spend a little time exploring. The Afon Colwyn passes through the centre and meets the Afon Glaslyn just alongside the main street, both are picturesque and the village also has some lovely architecture with old cottages full of character.
The main bridge in the centre of Beddgelert spanning the Afon Colwyn
The Afon Glaslyn flowing into Beddgelert, lined by lovely stone cottages
Characterful cottages on the outskirts of the village
The Afon Glaslyn flowing past St Mary's Church
One of the best walks from Beddgelert
I’ve done lots of hiking around the Eryri Snowdonia National Park over the years and without doubt one of the best “bang for bucks” walks starts in Beddgelert, it’s a wonderful varied walk with so much to photograph from stunning mountain views, a dramatic river gorge, a hidden waterfall, glacial lakes and a fascinating glimpse of the areas industrial past. Known as Fisherman’s Walk, the circular route of approx 6 miles passes through the Aberglaslyn Pass to Nantmor then climbs through Cwm Bychan to reach a stunning viewpoint over Llyn Dinas, dropping down to the lake to then follow the route of the Afon Glaslyn back into Beddgelert. There’s some climbing to be done but nothing too strenous, to follow the route our favourite Welsh weatherman, The Weatherman Walking, Derek has produced a downloadable route map with directions.
https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/tv/weatherman-walking/walks/Beddgelert-Fishermans-Walk-WMW-2022.pdf
The beautiful Fisherman's Path passing through the Aberglaslyn Pass
The hidden waterfall on the route through Cwm Bychan
A glimpse into Cwym Bychan's industrial past
Heading down to Llyn Dinas during autumn in Snowdonia
Beautiful woodland colours surround the boathouses on Llyn Dinas
Looking down the Afon Glaslyn in winter, the return route to Beddgelert
An easy walk around Llyn Y Gadair on the Lôn Gwyrfai trail
Llyn y Gadair is a beautiful lake within Beddgelert Forest, Eryri (Snowdonia), easily accessible via the Lôn Gwyrfai trail from Rhyd Ddu railway station. The lake is surrounded by ancient woodland with plenty of photo opportunities, made even more interesting as it has views across the lake towards Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) and Y Garn and is best visited later in the day as the sun lights up the mountain peaks.
Directions to Llyn Y Gadair
This beautiful lake is located in the more tranquil part of Eryr (Snowdonia) & easily accessed by leaving Beddgelert on the A4085 toward Rhyd Ddu where you park in the Rhyd Ddu car park just on the right as you’re entering the village. The path to reach Llyn Y Gadair is signposted immediately opposite the far entrance of the car park, it takes about 15 or 20 minutes to reach the lakeside.
Autumn views across Llyn Y Gadair
Beautiful Llyn Y Gadair near Rhyd Ddu
A hidden gem - Craflwyn
Craflwyn is one of Snowdonia’s hidden gems, a fantastic area of ancient woodland managed by the National Trust that’s the perfect location to visit for some autumn landscape photography and also has a couple of wonderful waterfalls.
Directions to Craflwyn
Located just 1 mile outside the village of Beddgelert it’s an easy place to reach. Leave Beddgelert on the A498 heading towards Llyn Dinas & after 1 mile turn left at the side of the stone gatehouse driving through the stone pillars of the grounds of Craflwyn to find the car park on the left. The paths leave at the top of the parking area with several signed trails helping you explore this wonderful area.
Craflwyn waterfall also known as Merlin's Pool
Water tumbles through ancient woodland at Craflwyn
The Giants Chair on the higher slope of Craflwyn
A lone tree high above Craflwyn near Beddgelert in Eryri Snowdonia
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