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Conwy Valley and the North CoastAberglaslyn Pass and the Fisherman’s Path
A path clinging to the rock beside a river running through a gorge, with the narrow gauge railway in tunnels above. Often called the most beautiful spot in Wales, which for once is arguable rather than absurd.
- Distance
- 3.7 mi / 6 km
- Time
- 2 hr
- Ascent
- 150 m
- Difficulty
- Demanding
- Shape
- Circular
Where it is
The circle shows the general area, not the exact start. Use the directions link below to get to the car park itself. Contours and paths shown are OpenTopoMap, drawn from OpenStreetMap data.
The route
The Fisherman’s Path follows the east bank of the Glaslyn through the pass, with chains and handholds on the rockiest section. Return along the old railway trackbed and through the tunnels, or by the lane.
Worth knowing
- The Fisherman’s Path has short sections where you use your hands on rock above the water. Not for dogs or small children.
- Take a torch for the railway tunnels on the return leg.
- Beddgelert is fifteen minutes upstream and worth the extra.
What you’ll see
The gorge, the river, the Aberglaslyn bridge and the Welsh Highland Railway crossing above.
Background
The Glaslyn was tidal to Beddgelert until Madocks built the Cob at Porthmadog in 1811, which drained the estuary and left the river confined to the gorge.