Fisherman's Path and Cwm Bychan

Fisherman’s Path and Cwm Bychan Hard Leisure Walk

Distance: 6 miles -10km (circular walk) Time: Around 4-6 hours Grade: Hard Leisure Walk Start/Finish: National Park car park, Beddgelert on the A498 SH 588 481 Parking: National Park car park, Beddgelert on the A498 Post Code: LL55 4YJ Relevant Map: OS Explorer OL17 (Snowdon & Conwy Valley)

This circular walk starts in the picturesque village of Beddgelert and follows the River Glaslyn, climbs up through Cwm Bychan before descending to Llyn Dinas and returning back along the Glaslyn to Beddgelert. The walk passes ‘Gelert’s Grave’ where according to the story, Beddgelert took its name from Gelert, Prince Llywelyn’s faithful hound. The path climbs up through Cwm Bychan past the remains of old copper mines. Copper ore was extracted here and transported via a cable car system down the valley and then by horse and cart to Porthmadog where it was shipped to Swansea for refining into copper. On your return to Beddgelert, you will The view down Cwm Bychan pass Sygun Copper Mine, which dates back to the early nineteenth century. It closed in 1903 but underwent restoration work in the 1980s before opening to the public in 1986.

Fisherman’s Path - page 1 of 4 www.snowdonia-npa.gov.uk Snowdonia National Park Authority, National Park Office, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd LL48 6LF Telephone: 01766 770274 Note: This map is intended as a rough guide only. You should use the most recent version of the relevant Ordnance Survey map (OL 23) when walking this route.

Walk from the car park towards the Head towards the bridge at the centre of Before the footbridge, turn right and follow main road, turning left past the Information the village and then walk along the narrow the footpath along the bank of the River Glaslyn. Centre. road between the large bridge and Ty^ Isaf (National Trust building) and follow the sign for Gelert’s Grave.

Within approximately 200m, turn right Continue past ‘Gelert’s Grave’ on Carry on along the path to re-join the to visit ‘Gelert’s Grave’. your right. riverside footpath and turn right to continue the walk.

Fisherman’s Path - page 2 of 4 www.snowdonia-npa.gov.uk Snowdonia National Park Authority, National Park Office, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd LL48 6LF Telephone: 01766 770274 Keep walking along the riverside footpath Cross the footbridge beside the railway Follow the footpath along the River through a gate made of wood, with two fish bridge and go through two kissing gates that Glaslyn but be careful, as it can get extremely carved into the woodwork. This denotes the cross the railway line. Take care when crossing! slippery in places. Take special care as you beginning of the Fisherman’s path. round Craig y Fwtres which is very narrow.

Cross a wooden foot bridge. When Aberglaslyn Bridge comes into view This part of the footpath goes through a follow the footpath as it climbs left up the beautiful copse to a wooden gate. stone steps.

Follow the sign for Cwm Bychan car park, As you approach the car park, head Follow the path through a wood and after keeping right. (Toilets available here). towards the tunnel which runs underneath passing through a gate, continue the gradual the railway line. climb up Cwm Bychan.

After around 600m you will be rewarded After a further 500m you will pass the After you pass the last pylon, follow the with spectacular views of Cnicht and the remains of pylons from a disused mine. footpath up the valley. Moelwynion on your right and Traeth Bychan to your rear. Please Remember The path passes through privately owned farm land. Dogs must be kept under close control, preferably on a lead when in the vicinity of livestock, and kept on a short lead at all times between 1st March and 31st July to protect ground nesting birds.

Fisherman’s Path - page 3 of 4 www.snowdonia-npa.gov.uk Snowdonia National Park Authority, National Park Office, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd LL48 6LF Telephone: 01766 770274 After around 100m you will come to a At the head of the valley, climb over the When you reach a junction by the old fork in the path, take the right hand path and stile and follow the footpath sign to your left. copper mining site of Llwyndu follow the continue up the valley. You will now be rewarded with spectacular path to the right towards Llyn Dinas. views of Snowdon on your left and Moel Siabod and Nant Gwynant ahead of you.

As the path steepens, Llyn Dinas will come When you reach the lake, follow the Go through the kissing gate and carry on into view. footpath to the left. past the bridge keeping the river on your right hand side.

After 500m go through another When you reach the tarmac road, turn left, By the entrance to the mine take a right kissing gate. walk past the entrance to Ty^ Hen on your and follow the public footpath along the right and follow the road towards the Sygun tarmac road. Copper Mine.

Follow the road for just over 1km until Having gone through two kissing gates, Go over the footbridge and follow the you reach a bridge crossing over the river follow the footpath straight ahead between same route you took at the start of your to the main road, go through the kissing gate a row of houses and the river where you journey towards the car park. on your left and follow the footpath for a pass a row of houses by the green, which has further 300m. become a characteristic image of Beddgelert.

Fisherman’s Path - page 4 of 4 www.snowdonia-npa.gov.uk Snowdonia National Park Authority, National Park Office, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd LL48 6LF Telephone: 01766 770274