Rhyd Ddu to Beddgelert
A leisurely walk (countryside) in national park Snowdonia starting and finishing in Gwynedd, Wales, about 7.40km (4.60 mi) long with an estimated walking time of about 2:15h. It is suitable for families with children, but unsuitable for prams & pushchairs, wheelchairs.
Elevation Profile
Ascent
69m (226ft)
Descent
216m (708ft)
Max. Elevation
270m (885ft)
Altitude Gain & Loss
285m (934ft)
Start
Beddgelert.
End
Beddgelert
Distance
7.40km
(4.6mi)
(4.6mi)
Duration
~2:15h
Difficulty
Leisurely
Ordnance Survey Map
1Created by driver 16 on 31 Oct 2013
A new multi-use recreational path through a variety of landscapes with (on a clear day) fantastic views of the surrounding area. From the west coast of Wales, the narrow gauge Welsh Highland Railway runs trains between Caernarfon and Porthmadog to / from Beddgelert and Rhyd Ddu.
The walk finishes in Beddgelert. Bedd is Welsh for grave, Gelert is the name of a Prince's dog in a folklore story. Welsh is nearly always back to front, so Beddgelert = Gelert's grave, as the dog is buried here. There is an illustrated short story book of folklore story available in gift shops / tourist information centre.
Walk Functions
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- $walk->POI array(0)
Waypoints
OS Grid SH571525
Take the train to Rhyd Ddu (Sherpa buses also stop here).
Exit to the left, see welcome board and follow the path for the start of the Lon Gwyrfai walk.
OS Grid SH562522
This lake is of great ecological value, as it sustains a wide variety of plants and wildlife of national importance, such as the Arctic Char and floating water plantain. There are great views of Snowdon and Yr Aran to the east, and Mynydd Mawr, Y Garn and Mynydd Drws-y-Coed (in English: the mountain over the woods) to the west.
About 0.86 km (~0.53 miles) from 
OS Grid SH564513
A mixture of conifer and broadleaf trees with many crossing footpaths. Make sure you follow the Lon Gwyfrai signposts.
About 0.96 km (~0.6 miles) from 
OS Grid SH575509
Take care if in a large group.
About 1.12 km (~0.7 miles) from 
OS Grid SH574499
Cross this 18th century stone bridge, which coach and horse traffic used on their way to Caernarfon.
About 1.02 km (~0.63 miles) from 
OS Grid SH573491
It's a gentle climb to Hafod Ruffydd Uchaf, then down past forest campsite as the path weaves in and out of the forest.
About 0.78 km (~0.48 miles) from 
OS Grid SH577484
Leave the forest onto open farmland at the foothills of Moel Hebog, with striking view (on a clear day) of Moel-y-Dyniewyd, before gradually descending towards Cwm Glo.
About 0.82 km (~0.51 miles) from 
OS Grid SH580479
Follow the road down to Beddgelert, then bear right before the railway bridge, back to the station.
About 0.62 km (~0.39 miles) from 
End of walkOS Grid SH587481
Hope you picked a nice clear day to really take advantage of the fantastic views and atmosphere of Snowdonia.
About 0.75 km (~0.47 miles) from 
12 comments... join the discussion!
Steven Griffin
Walked this walk today one of the most spectacular walks my wife and I have ever done clearly signed posted and a relatively easy walk with brilliant views of Snowdon and surrounding mountains. Every so often you here the whistle of the steam train but it is rarely seen also as it was such a quiet and tranquil walk at one time we could see the smoke of the Snowdon train rising above its summit
Tim Woods
Hi Mark, I'm not quite sure what you mean by your query. Accessible to who? If you can drop us a line, then we can try to help.
We do notify walks that are wheelchair and family friendly, but due to the nature of the countryside, there are unfortunately not all that many on the site.
Pete Roberts
From No.1 Walker on site, Pete Roberts, search driver 16, 80 walks around N. Wales and Cheshire, over 3000 photos to accompany those walks at Flickr, I D again driver 16 or TAG - CARFREEWALKS, should help you !
Mark Turner
Hi guys, looking for some advice/information
I've found that there is a total lack of information out there on accessible walks through my Welsh country side. I have obviously found a few but could do with a whole lot more info.
I'm willing to log this info as we are out with our dogs daily and travel everywhere, my dilemma is.........
What are the preferred methods of viewing these routes a
Solomon
It is 'Drws y coed' not 'Dros y Coed'. Te first means 'door to the woods' the second means 'Over the woods'. By the way lets keep the original Welsh names and not start making everything English.
patrikG
Gents, while I have a number of friends who love fishing, this website's focus is more about walking, really. Further discussion about which fish and which authority is more authoritative: please take it to a fishing forum. Thanks, patrikG (Car Free Walks Team)
J R Smith
LLyn Gadar Lon Gwyrfai covers a large river area and includes Llyn Cwellyn. This latter lake contains Char but Llyn Gadar (Gadair) definately does not. I have no need or desire to take this misinformation up with the 'Park'. The 'Park' Gadar path noticeboard also contains misinformation about bird species that can be seen on the lake. The 'Park' is not the foremost organisation to provide information of this nature. The lake has been comprehensively catalogued in the past by the Welsh Enviromental Agency.
driver 16
To J. R. Smith, on all my walks I try to be as accurate and truthful as possible, I was concerned by your comment, so, went back in my files to find what I had worked off at the time, the leaflet sponsored by Natural Resources Wales, Communities and Nature, Gwynedd Council, Welsh Government and Snowdonia National Park produced for this NEW WALK at the time, maybe still available from www.snowdonia npa.gov.uk titled Lon Gwyrfai, and I quote from their waypoint 2 "Llyn y Gadair lake and Afon Gwyrfai river that flows out of it is of great ecological value as it sustains a wide variety of plants and wildlife of national importance such as the Arctic Char and Floating water plantain", perhaps you should take it up with the Park authority.
J R Smith
RE SECTION 2 I own the fishing rights of Llyn Gadair (Llyn Gadar). THERE ARE DEFINATELY NO ARTIC CHAR IN THE LAKE. The lake is a SSSI and fishing is private and by boat only.
Graeme Pettit
Just up from the new seating area on the Lon Gwyrfai path, at the Hafods (6 in the guide above - Hafod Ruffydd Uchaf), there is a new gallery which opened in late 2013 - also now offering hot drinks, and dog friendly too. The views are astounding from the gallery yard. Mainly local photographs. Oriel Hafod Ruffydd. Open all weathers, daily, all year round - if it looks locked, just knock at the house.
Timwoods
Great stuff! Very interesting, thanks for sharing.
Gwion
I thought you might like my video of a local wood sculptor. The National Trust Centre at Craflwyn in Beddgelert is featured about half way through. Dominic Clare. Snowdonia, North Wales.