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Beddgelert Forest

3.1 miles (5 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This large forest is located near the village of Beddgelert in the Snowdonia National Park. In it you will find miles of walking paths and great mountain bike trails. There are great views towards Snowdon and a nice path around the lovely Llyn Llewellyn. The Welsh Highland Railway also runs through the forest so look out for the fine steam trains as you go.
This circular route starts from the car park just off the A4085 but you could also start from the nearby village. You can hire bikes at Beddgelert Bikes and pick up trail maps in the village. The cycle routes are all waymarked so you can find your way easily.
The forest is also great for walkers with miles of good tracks taking you through the attractive conifer woodland.
The Lon Gwyrfai multi user path skirts the eastern edge of the forest. It's a nice easy ride or walk to try in the area.

Beddgelert Forest OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Beddgelert Forest Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

The Hebog Cafe & Bistro is a great place to head for refreshments after your exercise. The food is excellent and there's also a lovely river terrace to sit out and enjoy the surrounding mountainous scenery in the summer months. You can find it in the centre of Beddgelert on Caernarfon Road, with postcode LL55 4UY for your sat navs.
Also near Beddgelert is the excellent Caffi Gwynant. The cafe offers a wide range of foods prepared using local produce, daily specials, homemade cakes and desserts, local ales and free wi-fi. There's also an impressive outdoor glass canopy which is dog friendly. You can find the cafe at postcode LL55 4NH.

Dog Walking

The forest's wide woodland trails are ideal for a dog walk so you'll probably bump into plenty of other owners on a fine day.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

If you'd like to continue your walking in the area then you could climb Moel Hebog or visit the stunning Aberglaslyn Pass on the rocky Fishermans Walk. Both of these walks can be started from Beddgelert.
There's also two lovely reservoirs with trails along the water and through surrounding woodland. Llyn Gwynant and Llyn Dinas are just a short distance from Beddgelert. Next to the latter you can visit the site of the legend of the Red Dragon at the fascinating Dinas Emrys. There's a lovely trail with river views, waterfalls, attractive woodland and a small hill climb to the ancient ramparts of the ancient fort where there are fine views back down to the lake.
Just a few miles to the south west there's the splendid Cwm Pennant to explore. This stunning valley has a number of walking trails with fine views of the Afon Dwyfor and the surrounding mountains to enjoy.
The Snowdonia Slate Trail runs through the forest. You could pick up this circular route and follow it south east to visit the quarries at Blaenau Ffestiniog and the lake at Tanygrisiau.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Beddgelert Walks and the Snowdonia Walks pages.

Photos

Beddgelert Forest - geograph.org.uk - 21228

An old stone bridge over one of the many streams that originate in Beddgelert Forest.

Above Beddgelert Forest - geograph.org.uk - 143637

Above Beddgelert Forest. This photo was taken from a track above the Forest to the north-west, which leads from disused quarries and mineshafts down into the Forest. The view eastwards shows the unmistakable peak of Yr Aran and to its left, the Snowdon range.

Moss covered rocks, Beddgelert Forest - geograph.org.uk - 542866

Moss covered rocks, Beddgelert Forest

Welsh Highland Railway in the Beddgelert Forest - geograph.org.uk - 274089

Welsh Highland Railway in the Beddgelert Forest. The formation has been cleared and the ballast laid ready for track laying adjacent to the Beddgelert Forest Campsite. The volunteer track laying gangs should reach here within the next few weeks.

The Signs of Autumn in Beddgelert Forest - geograph.org.uk - 257734

The Signs of Autumn in Beddgelert Forest Taken on a forest road, looking east. The leaves of the deciduous trees have turned to various shades of brown. The mist on Yr Aran adds to the mellow autumnal mood.

View from Hafod Ruffydd Isaf in the Beddgelert Forest - geograph.org.uk - 39694

View from Hafod Ruffydd Isaf in the Beddgelert Forest. Seen from the Forestry Commission parking place looking roughly SSW with Moel Hebog on the skyline.

Beddgelert viewpoint - geograph.org.uk - 245018

From high in the Beddgelert forest looking up the valley.

Beddgelert caravan and camp site - geograph.org.uk - 245015

Beddgelert caravan and camp site. Forestry Commission campsite in Beddgelert forest.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Beddgelert Forest.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Beddgelert Forest.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)