Nantgwynant

Valley in Caernarfonshire

Wales

Nantgwynant

Nantgwynant is a picturesque valley located in the county of Caernarfonshire in North Wales. Situated within the Snowdonia National Park, it is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.

The valley is surrounded by towering mountains, including the iconic Mount Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales. Its dramatic landscape is characterized by rugged cliffs, deep valleys, and cascading waterfalls, providing a dramatic backdrop for hikers, climbers, and photographers.

Nantgwynant is crisscrossed by the Afon Glaslyn, a river that meanders through the valley, adding to its charm. The river is known for its crystal-clear waters and is a popular spot for fishing and kayaking.

The valley is also home to several quaint villages and hamlets, such as Beddgelert and Rhyd Ddu, which offer a range of accommodation options, including charming cottages and cozy bed and breakfasts. These villages provide a perfect base for exploring the surrounding area.

Nantgwynant is a paradise for outdoor activities, offering numerous walking trails and mountain biking routes. The valley is also a starting point for the popular Pyg and Miners' Tracks, which lead to the summit of Mount Snowdon. These routes attract thousands of visitors each year, seeking to conquer the highest peak in Wales.

Overall, Nantgwynant is a haven for nature enthusiasts, offering breathtaking scenery, a wealth of outdoor activities, and a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life.

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Nantgwynant Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.038999/-4.04472 or Grid Reference SH6351. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Winter birches on Nantgwynant

The marshy land between the public footpath and Llyn Dinas on its southeast shore is dotted with Downy Birch - the species of birch (of our two natives) better adapted to such wet soils. On a wet day like this when the higher parts of Snowdonia are unattractive to walkers, lower level paths like this one present opportunties to have the trees stand out against the low-contrast background, and close examination shows that every twig is adorned with droplets of water catching the light from the low clouds.

Andy Waddington

Moorland and hillocks, near Llyn Dinas

Eirian Evans

Barn at Llyndy Isaf

Eirian Evans

Glan Llyn

Standing proud above the A498

Eirian Evans

Glan Llyn

Ceri Thomas

Vista of Llyn Dinas

Bill Harrison

Gorsaf drydan-dwr Llyndy Isaf / Llyndy Isaf Hydro-electric power station

Ceri Thomas

Slate slab bridge on Afon Cwm Llan

This bridge was built by miners to provide a short cut to the copper mines on slopes of Lliwedd.

Eric Jones

Waterfall on Afon Cwm Llan

Afon Cwm Llan is a spate river.

Eric Jones

Rhaeadr Cwm Llan waterfall

Eric Jones

Cwm Llan waterfall in full spate

Eric Jones

Ruined copper mine buildings near Plas Cwm Llan

Eric Jones

The start of the Watkin path in Parc Hafod-y-llan

From the road by the confluence of the Afon Llynedno with the Afon Glaslyn, the Watkin path is one of the classic routes up Snowdon. With cloudbase barely above the treetops, that's not an ideal destination for a day like this, but the track also gives access to various lower-level rooutes and industrial remains, so was far from deserted. The woodland is moderately natural, no plantation conifers, but plenty of invasive weed sycamore which no-one seems to be seeking to exterminate.

Andy Waddington

Hawthorns by the route to Cwm Llan

Hawthorns stand out against the low contrast background of Cwm Llan in low cloud on a dreich November day. The Watkin path heads up there past the Afon Cwm Llan waterfalls, and straight into the clouds that are starting to bring the level up. The weather might mean a less crowded ascent to Snowdon, but the views would hardly be the most rewarding, so this was a lower-level walk aiming to stay below cloudbase and return to Llyn Dinas via a permissive path to Craflwyn.

Andy Waddington

Permissive path to Cwm y Bleiddiaid mines

Leaving the Watkin path up Snowdon just below the point where it crosses an old mineral working incline, this path makes its way across bleak and soggy hillside above the Afon Gorsen via a (long) series of well-placed stepping stones through the most vulnerable bits of wetland. It eventually reaches a more substantial path in Cwm y Bleiddiaid, where there are more old mine workings, and then a choice of two routes down to Craflwyn, but no direct descent to the road near Llyn Dinas.

Andy Waddington

Stile to Afon Gorsen catchment

The wall closely follows the limits of the catchment of the Afon Gorsen as it drains towards the Afon Glaslyn. The permissive footpath which crosses it by this stile comes from Craflwyn (by either of two routes to Cwm y Bleiddiaid) and climbs to cross a spur just behind the photographer. Over the wall, the path stays on the SE-facing slopes above the Gorsen, traversing to reach an area which drains to the Afon Cwm Llan, then descends to the Watkin path. Fortunately, in weather like this, the path is very clear on the ground all the way, and crosses various very boggy bits by a long series of well-placed stepping stones. I was still glad to be in wellies, though...

Andy Waddington