Beddgelert Riverside Walk: Bridges, Mountain Views and the Story of Gelert

When people think of Beddgelert, the first thing that often comes to mind is the legendary tale of Gelert, the faithful hound of Prince Llywelyn. For us, it was the rivers.

The legend may have brought Beddgelert its name, but it was the riverside walks, stone bridges, colourful gardens and mountain scenery that made us fall in love with this beautiful village in the heart of Eryri (Snowdonia).

Every few minutes, we found another reason to stop.

Another photograph.

Another breathtaking view.

Another excuse to linger a little longer.

If you enjoy walking with a camera in hand, Beddgelert is one of those villages where every turn offers another picture waiting to be taken.

The Famous Stone Bridge

Soon we reached the bridge that appears in so many photographs of Beddgelert. Built from local stone, it spans the River Colwyn and connects both sides of the village.

Standing here gives you some of the best views in Beddgelert. Looking upstream, the river flows gently beneath mature trees and traditional Welsh cottages.

Looking downstream, your eyes are drawn towards the point where the two rivers meet before continuing through the valley. It is easy to understand why artists and photographers have been drawn here for generations.

Every season brings a different palette of colours.

• Spring flowers.
• Summer greenery.
• Autumn gold.
• Winter mist.

The bridge is beautiful all year round.

Following the Rivers

Our walk began after exploring the cafés and independent shops in the village centre. Almost naturally, we found ourselves drawn towards the sound of flowing water.

The River Colwyn gently winds through the heart of the village before joining the River Glaslyn, creating one of the prettiest riverside settings in North Wales.

Walking beside the river is wonderfully relaxing.

Stone cottages sit close to the water.

Small gardens spill over with colourful flowers.

Trees cast reflections onto the gently flowing river.

The surrounding mountains provide a dramatic backdrop in every direction.

Even on a bright spring morning with plenty of visitors, the rivers somehow make the whole village feel peaceful.

The Meeting of Two Rivers

Continuing downstream, we crossed the modern steel footbridge overlooking the confluence of the River Glaslyn and River Colwyn.

This was one of our favourite viewpoints. Standing above the water, we watched the rivers merge before flowing together towards the Glaslyn Estuary.

The surrounding cottages looked almost untouched by time. The mountains framed every photograph.

The only sounds came from birdsong and the flowing water below. It is the sort of place where you instinctively slow your pace.

Here is a series of photos taken from the footbridge where River Colwyn joins River Glaslyn. We start from the direction of the stone bridge on River Colwyn and panned to the right towards River Glaslyn.

River Colwyn

River Glaslyn

A Photographer’s Paradise

During our visit, the weather could hardly have been better. The skies were clear. The rivers sparkled in the sunshine. Flowers were blooming throughout the village.

Everywhere we looked there were colourful flowers and sponsor trough as well as carefully maintained gardens and beautifully restored stone buildings.

The local community clearly takes enormous pride in Beddgelert. It shows.

For photographers, the village offers almost endless opportunities.

Some of our favourite subjects included:

• The rivers flowing beneath the bridges.
• Traditional Welsh cottages (photo below).
• Colourful flower displays throughout the village.
• Mountain views rising beyond the rooftops.
• Stone walls draped with climbing plants.
• Quiet riverside benches.
• The changing reflections on the River Glaslyn.

Even after taking tonnes of photographs, we felt we had only scratched the surface.

The Legend That Gave Beddgelert Its Name

Every visitor eventually discovers the story that made Beddgelert famous. According to Welsh legend, Prince Llywelyn ap Iorwerth returned from hunting one day to find his baby missing and his faithful hunting dog, Gelert, covered in blood.

Believing the worst, the prince drew his sword and killed his loyal companion. Moments later he heard the cries of his child. The baby was safe. Nearby lay the body of a wolf that Gelert had fought and killed while protecting the child.

Realising his terrible mistake, Llywelyn was overcome with grief. He buried Gelert with great honour. According to tradition, the village became known as Beddgelert, meaning “Gelert’s Grave.”

Historians generally agree that the story is a legend rather than a documented historical event. That has done nothing to lessen its appeal. For generations, visitors have travelled here to hear the tale and visit the place where Gelert is said to rest.

This also makes Beddgelert a perfect place for those looking for an outing to enjoy with their own pet friend. Here is a photo of Ollie although he is not a fan of water so stayed clear of the river.

Walking to Gelert’s Grave

One attraction we deliberately saved for our next visit is Gelert’s Grave. The walk begins near the village centre and follows the River Glaslyn southwards through peaceful woodland.

It is an easy, mostly level route suitable for most visitors and takes around 20 to 30 minutes each way at a leisurely pace. The riverside scenery alone makes the walk worthwhile.

Next time we visit Beddgelert, this will be at the top of our list. Sometimes leaving one thing unseen gives you the perfect reason to return.

Walks Beyond the Village

Although we stayed close to the village because our Yorkshire Terrier, Ollie, was travelling with us, Beddgelert is surrounded by superb walking routes.

Popular options include:

• Gelert’s Grave Riverside Walk.
• The Glaslyn River Trail.
• Aberglaslyn Pass.
• The path towards Nantmor.
• Longer mountain walks into the surrounding peaks of Eryri National Park.

For the latter, the challenge that is worth pursuing is the Lon Gwyrfai walk.

Lôn Gwyrfai Walk

While exploring Beddgelert, we came across the information board for Lôn Gwyrfai, a scenic multi-use trail that immediately went onto our list for a future visit. If you are parked at the Beddgelert car park near the train station, you can’t miss the board, see photo below.

This is not just a countryside walking trail but is suitable for cycling or horse riding. This route looks like one of the best ways to experience the landscapes of Eryri (Snowdonia) at a slower pace.

The trail follows the beautiful Gwyrfai Valley, linking the villages of Beddgelert and Rhyd Ddu over a distance of around 4.5 miles (7.2 km) one way. Most walkers complete the route in 1½ to 3 hours, depending on how often they stop to admire the scenery or take photographs. The path is generally considered easy to moderate, making it suitable for most people with a reasonable level of fitness.

For visitors staying in or near Beddgelert, the village makes an excellent starting point. The main car park provides convenient access to the trail, allowing you to set off straight into the surrounding countryside. Alternatively, you can begin at Rhyd Ddu Car Park before walking back towards Beddgelert, with stunning views unfolding in the opposite direction.

One of the biggest attractions of Lôn Gwyrfai is the scenery. The route offers uninterrupted views across the valley, with Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) dominating the skyline for much of the walk. As the seasons change, the landscape transforms from vibrant spring greens and colourful wildflowers to the rich golds and reds of autumn, making it a rewarding walk throughout the year.

Cyclists also enjoy the largely traffic-free route, while horse riders benefit from a well-maintained trail designed to accommodate multiple users. Despite its popularity, there are plenty of opportunities to pause, enjoy the peace and appreciate the surrounding mountains.

Lôn Gwyrfai at a Glance

• Distance: 4.5 miles (7.2 km) one way
• Walking time: Approximately 1½ to 3 hours
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Suitable for: Walkers, cyclists and horse riders
• Start points: Beddgelert village or Rhyd Ddu Car Park
• Highlights: Spectacular views of the Gwyrfai Valley, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), rivers, woodland and surrounding mountains

More information about the Lon Gwyrfai walk, visit Eryri website.

Many visitors spend an entire day exploring these trails before returning to the village for food or refreshments. We can certainly see why.

Why We Loved Beddgelert

Some places impress you with famous landmarks. Others stay with you because of how they make you feel. Beddgelert belongs firmly in the second group.

• The rivers.
• The bridges.
• The flowers.
• The mountain views.
• The peaceful atmosphere.

Together they create one of the prettiest villages we have visited anywhere in Wales. The legend of Gelert may first bring visitors here. The scenery is what makes them want to return.

Wish We Knew Before Visiting

If you’re planning your own visit, here are a few things we’d recommend:

• Allow time to simply wander rather than following a fixed route.
• Walk to Gelert’s Grave, even if you’re not planning a longer hike.
• Visit the bronze statue of Gelert before setting off so the legend accompanies your walk.
• Bring a camera with a wide-angle lens as well as a zoom lens for details along the rivers.
• Visit in spring or early summer when flowers brighten almost every street.
• Early morning and late afternoon provide softer light for photography than the middle of the day.
• Many riverside cafés welcome dogs, making Beddgelert an excellent destination if you’re travelling with four-legged companions.
• If time allows, continue beyond Gelert’s Grave into the beautiful Aberglaslyn Pass, one of the most scenic river walks in Wales.
• If you are staying in the area and love walking or biking, check out Lon Gwyrfai pass that takes anywhere from 3 to 7 hours round trip to complete.

For us, Beddgelert wasn’t simply another stop on our Snowdonia road trip. It became one of those rare places where every few minutes we found ourselves saying, “Let’s stop here for one more photo.”

Location Information

Map: Open in Google