Snowdonia Slate Trail – Beddgelert to Blaenau Ffestiniog

Walk Details

The first section takes us from the bustle of Beddgelert to the calm of Croesor by way of a spectacular riverside path, a quiet country lane and a wild drovers’ road across the open moors.

The second section is probably the wildest and most strenuous yet. A good track climbs the side of the Croesor valley to Croesor quarry. There are way marks but careful navigation is also needed to reach the remote Rhosydd Quarry, from where a broad track drops down to Cwmorthin Lake and its abandoned settlement. From here, the road drops down to Tanygrisiau.

From Beddgelert, we follow the Afon Glaslyn along a paved path through parkland, maybe visiting the nearby grave of Gelert. After crossing the river and the railway, we walk along the Aberglaslyn Pass. At the end of the riverside walk, we reach the National Trust car park at Nantmor, where there are toilets. From here we take the narrow lane through the pretty village to Bwlchgwernog where the drovers` road crosses the moorland to Croesor (looking out for the ancient marker stone).

From Croesor a good track climbs the side of the Croesor valley to Croesor quarry and onto the Rhosydd Quarry from where, the road drops down to Tanygrisiau. Go along the road up the Croesor valley from Caffi Croesor, we take the broad track which climbs up the south side of the valley to Croesor quarry. After passing some derelict buildings, we keep to the faint track which goes up between the ruins and climbs steadily, bearing left above the quarry. After a short while, we follow the path across the dam of Llyn Croesor, before continuing across sometimes boggy ground, to a large white rock next to a stile when we will be above Rhosydd quarry.

We then find our way through the quarry taking the broad track steeply down to Llyn Cwmorthin, passing rows of derelict houses and the forlorn and roofless chapel, then alongside the tumbling river. At the houses, we cross the river and walk down to the Lakeside Café at Tanygrisiau. From Tanygrisau we’ll follow field paths and tracks to Blaenau Ffestiniog and to the bus stop where we’ll catch the Public Bus 3B (Lloyds Coaches) back to Tremadog.

• Duration: 7 hours (walking)
• Distance: 18.67 km / 11.6 miles
• Ascent: 824 metres / 2703 feet
• Meet: Church Street, outside Post Office, Market Square. GR: SH 56165 40148
• Meet Time: 09:20
• Start Time: 09:35
• What3words: privately.promotion.plankton
• Postcode: LL49 9RB
• Grading: Moderate

Book onto this Walk

To pre-book onto this walk, please use the walk leader contact details indicated below.